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Radiative cooling forms an emerging direction in which objects are passively cooled via thermal radiation to cold space. Cooling materials should provide high thermal emissivity (infrared absorptance) and low solar absorptance, making cellulose an ideal and sustainable candidate. Broadband solar-reflective or transparent coolers are not the only systems of interest, but also more pleasingly looking colored systems. However, solutions based on wavelength-selective absorption generate not only color but also heat and thereby counteract the cooling function. Intended as coatings for solar cells, we demonstrate a transreflective cellulose material with minimal solar absorption that generates color by wavelength-selective reflection, while it transmits other parts of the solar spectrum. Our solution takes advantage of the ability of cellulose nanocrystals to self-assemble into helical periodic structures, providing nonabsorptive films with structurally colored reflection. Application of violet-blue, green, and red cellulose films on silicon substrates reduced the temperature by up to 9 degrees C under solar illumination, as result of a combination of radiative cooling and reduced solar absorption due to the wavelength-selective reflection by the colored coating. The present work establishes self-assembled cellulose nanocrystal photonic films as a scalable photonic platform for colored radiative cooling. Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation; Linkoping University; Wallenberg Wood Science Center; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Olle Engkvist Foundation [194-0679]; Swedish Research Council

Semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs) are promising candidates for applications in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) as windows and facades. The challenge to achieve highly efficient ST-OSCs is the trade-off between power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance (AVT). Herein, solution-processed ST-OSCs are demonstrated on the basis a polymer donor, PM6, and a small molecule acceptor, Y6; lowering the visible-absorbing PM6 contents in blends could increase AVT and maintain PCE. Additionally, conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS is used as the top electrode due to its high transparency, good conductivity, and solution processability. Efficient ST-OSCs with 20 wt % PM6 achieve high PCE of 7.46% and AVT of 36.4%. The light utilization efficiency (LUE) of 2.72% is among the best reported values for solution-processed ST-OSCs. This work provides a straightforward approach for solution-processed ST-OSCs by combining a low fraction of visible-wavelength-selective polymer donors with near-infrared nonfullerene acceptors to achieve high PCE and AVT simultaneously. Funding agencies: Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation [2016.0059]; Swedish Government Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [200900971]; China Scholarship Council (CSC)China Scholarship Council [201708370115]

Radiative cooling passively removes heat from objects via emission of thermal radiation to cold space. Suitable radiative cooling materials absorb infrared light while they avoid solar heating by either reflecting or transmitting solar radiation, depending on the application. Here, we demonstrate a reflective radiative cooler and a transparent radiative cooler solely based on cellulose derivatives manufactured via electrospinning and casting, respectively. By modifying the microstructure of cellulose materials, we control the solar light interaction from highly reflective (> 90%, porous structure) to highly transparent (approximate to 90%, homogenous structure). Both cellulose materials show high thermal emissivity and minimal solar absorption, making them suitable for daytime radiative cooling. Used as coatings on silicon samples exposed to sun light at daytime, the reflective and transparent cellulose coolers could passively reduce sample temperatures by up to 15 degrees C and 5 degrees C, respectively. Funding Agencies|Linkoping University

The possibility of actively controlling structural colors has recently attracted a lot of attention, in particular for new types of reflective displays (electronic paper). However, it has proven challenging to achieve good image quality in such devices, mainly because many subpixels are necessary and the semitransparent counter electrodes lower the total reflectance. Here we present an inorganic electrochromic nanostructure based on tungsten trioxide, gold, and a thin platinum mirror. The platinum reflector provides a wide color range and makes it possible to "reverse" the device design so that electrolyte and counter electrode can be placed behind the nanostructures with respect to the viewer. Importantly, this makes it possible to maintain high reflectance regardless of how the electrochemical cell is constructed. We show that our nanostructures clearly outperform the latest commercial color e-reader in terms of both color range and brightness.

Photonic films based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are sustainable candidates for sensors, structurally colored radiative cooling, and iridescent coatings. Such CNC-based films possess a helicoidal nanoarchitecture, which gives selective reflection with the polarization of the incident light. However, due to the hygroscopic nature of CNCs, the structural colored material changes and may be irreversibly damaged at high relative humidity. Thus, moisture protection is essential in such settings. In this work, hygroscopic CNC-based films are protected with a bioinspired synthetic plant cuticle; a strategy already adopted by real plants. The protective cuticle layers altered the reflected colors to some extent, but more importantly, they significantly reduced the water vapor permeance by more than two orders of magnitude, from 2.1 x 10(7) (pristine CNC/GLU film) to 12.3 x 10(4) g mu m m(-2) day(-1) atm(-1) (protected CNC/GLU film). This expands significantly the time window of operation for CNC/GLU films at high relative humidity. Funding Agencies|Olle Byggmaestare [194-0679]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (WWSC); Linkoeping University; Wallenberg Wood Science Center; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoeping University [2009 00971]

Nanostructures of conventional metals offer manipulation of light at the nanoscale but are largely limited to static behavior due to fixed material properties. To develop the next frontier of dynamic nano-optics and metasurfaces, this study utilizes the redox-tunable optical properties of conducting polymers, as recently shown to be capable of sustaining plasmons in their most conducting oxidized state. Electrically tunable conducting polymer nano-optical antennas are presented, using nanodisks of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:sulfate) (PEDOT:Sulf) as a model system. In addition to repeated on/off switching of the polymeric nanoantennas, the concept enables gradual electrical tuning of the nano-optical response, which was found to be related to the modulation of both density and mobility of the mobile polaronic charge carriers in the polymer. The resonance position of the PEDOT:Sulf nanoantennas can be conveniently controlled by disk size, here reported down to a wavelength of around 1270 nm. The presented concept may be used for electrically tunable metasurfaces, with tunable farfield as well as nearfield. The work thereby opens for applications ranging from tunable flat meta-optics to adaptable smart windows. Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Research Council (VR)Swedish Research Council [2020-00287]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF)Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]

Plasmonic metasurfaces for color generation are emerging as important components for next generation display devices. Fabricating bright plasmonic colors economically and via easily scalable methods, however, remains difficult. Here, the authors demonstrate an efficient and scalable strategy based on colloidal lithography to fabricate silver-based reflective metal-insulator-nanodisk plasmonic cavities that provide a cyan-magenta-yellow (CMY) color palette with high relative luminance. With the same basic structure, they exploit different mechanisms to efficiently produce a complete subtractive color palette. Finite-difference time-domain simulations reveal that these mechanisms include gap surface plasmon modes for thin insulators and hybridized modes between disk plasmons and Fabry-Perot modes for thicker systems. To produce yellow hues, they take advantage of higher-energy gap surface plasmon modes to allow resonance dips in the blue spectral region for comparably large nanodisks, thereby circumventing difficult fabrication of nanodisks less than 80 nm. It is anticipated that incorporation of these strategies can reduce fabrication constraints, produce bright saturated colors, and expedite large-scale production. Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0002]

Porous cellulose can be tuned dynamically between reflecting and transparent states through reversible wetting with liquids like water while remaining non-absorptive in both states. By combining porous cellulose with an underlying cellulose-carbon nanotube layer, we here report a Janus cellulose that instead switches between reflect-ing and absorptive states. While the material is reflective and low absorbing in its dry state, exposure to water increases the optical transparency of the top layer and enables the bottom layer to absorb solar light and generate heat. In turn, this initiates a self -adaptive process that drives water evaporation and dries the struc-ture, making it reflective again. In situ measurements of scattering intensity, temperature, and water evaporation reveal an intriguing dynamic relationship between the optical and thermal properties of the Janus cellulose. This study highlights the use of cellulose sys-tems for solar and thermal management, demonstrating solar -induced self-adaptive heating, evaporative drying, and thermal regulation. Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Linkoping University; Wallenberg Wood Science Center; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]; Swedish Research Council

Heat sensors form an important class of devices that are used across multiple fields and sectors. For applications such as electronic skin and health monitoring, it is particularly advantageous if the output electronic signals are not only high, stable, and reproducible, but also self-generated to minimize power consumption. Here, we present an ultrasensitive heat sensing concept that fulfills these criteria while also being compatible with scalable low-cost manufacturing on flexible substrates. The concept resembles a traditional thermocouple, but with separated electrodes bridged by a gel-like electrolyte and with orders of magnitudes higher signals (around 11mVK(-1)). The sensor pixels provide stable and reproducible signals upon heating, which, for example, could be used for heat mapping. Further modification to plasmonic nanohole metasurface electrodes made the sensors capable of also detecting light-induced heating. Finally, we present devices on flexible substrates and show that they can be used to detect human touch. Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research CouncilEuropean Commission; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]; Vinnova Digital Cellulose Competence Center (DCC)Vinnova [2016-05193]; Linkoping University; Treesearch.se.; Essity

The conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) forms a promising alternative to conventional inorganic conductors, where deposition of thin films via vapour phase polymerization (VPP) has gained particular interest owing to high electrical conductivity within the plane of the film. The conductivity perpendicular to the film is typically much lower, which may be related not only to preferential alignment of PEDOT crystallites but also to vertical stratification across the film. In this study, we reveal non-linear vertical microstructural variations across VPP PEDOT:Tos thin films, as well as significant differences in doping level between the top and bottom surfaces. The results are consistent with a VPP mechanism based on diffusion-limited transport of polymerization precursors. Conducting polymer films with vertical inhomogeneity may find applications in gradient-index optics, functionally graded thermoelectrics, and optoelectronic devices requiring gradient doping. The fulltext is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Solid state nanopores are central structures for many applications. To date, much effort has been spent on controlled fabrication of single nanopores, while relatively little work has focused on large scale fabrication of arrays of nanopores. In this work we show wafer-scale fabrication of plasmonic nanopores in 50 nm thick silicon nitride membranes with one or two 30 nm gold films, using electron beam lithography with a negative resist or a new version of colloidal lithography. Both approaches offer good control of pore diameter (even below 100 nm) and with high yield (>90%) of intact membranes. Colloidal lithography has the advantage of parallel patterning without expensive equipment. Despite its serial nature, electron beam lithography provides high throughput and can make arbitrary array patterns. Importantly, both methods prevent metal from ending up on the membrane pore sidewalls. The new fabrication methods make it possible to compare the optical properties of structurally identical plasmonic nanopore arrays with either long-range order (e-beam) or short-range order (colloidal). The resonance features in the extinction spectrum are very similar for both structures when the pitch is the same as the characteristic spacing in the self-assembled colloidal pattern. Long-range ordering slightly enhances the magnitude of the extinction maximum and blueshift the transmission maximum by tens of nm. Upon reducing the diameter in long-range ordered arrays, the resonance is reduced in magnitude and the transmission maximum is further blue shifted, just like for short-range ordered arrays. These effects are well explained by interpreting the spectra as Fano interference between the grating-type excitation of propagating surface plasmons and the broad transmission via individual pores in the metal film. Furthermore, we find that only the short-range ordered arrays scatter light, which we attribute to the highly limited effective period in the short-range ordered system and the corresponding lack of coherent suppression of scattering via interference effects.

Electrically conducting polymers (ECPs) are becoming increasingly important in areas such as optoelectronics, biomedical devices, and energy systems. Still, their detailed charge transport properties produce an anomalous optical conductivity dispersion that is not yet fully understood in terms of physical model equations for the broad range optical response. Several modifications to the classical Drude model have been proposed to account for a strong non-Drude behavior from terahertz (THz) to infrared (IR) ranges, typically by implementing negative amplitude oscillator functions to the model dielectric function that effectively reduce the conductivity in those ranges. Here we present an alternative description that modifies the Drude model via addition of positive-amplitude Lorentz oscillator functions. We evaluate this so-called Drude-Lorentz (DL) model based on the first ultra-wide spectral range ellipsometry study of ECPs, spanning over four orders of magnitude: from 0.41 meV in the THz range to 5.90 eV in the ultraviolet range, using thin films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): tosylate (PEDOT: Tos) as a model system. The model could accurately fit the experimental data in the whole ultrawide spectral range and provide the complex anisotropic optical conductivity of the material. Examining the resonance frequencies and widths of the Lorentz oscillators reveals that both spectrally narrow vibrational resonances and broader resonances due to localization processes contribute significantly to the deviation from the Drude optical conductivity dispersion. As verified by independent electrical measurements, the DL model accurately determines the electrical properties of the thin film, including DC conductivity, charge density, and (anisotropic) mobility. The ellipsometric method combined with the DL model may thereby become an effective and reliable tool in determining both optical and electrical properties of ECPs, indicating its future potential as a contact-free alternative to traditional electrical characterization. Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]

Introduction: Shrunken pore syndrome (SPS), originally defined by cystatin C−based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcystatin C) being less than 60% of creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcreatinine) in the absence of extrarenal influences on the plasma levels of cystatin C or creatinine, is associated with a high increase in mortality, even in the absence of reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the proteome of patients with SPS shows differences from that of patients with normal or reduced measured GFR (mGFR) without SPS. Methods: Four patient cohorts were included: 1 cohort with normal mGFR without SPS, 1 with normal mGFR with SPS, 1 with reduced mGFR without SPS, and 1 with reduced mGFR with SPS. The plasma levels of 177 selected proteins were analyzed. Results: Differences in the levels of 30 proteins were specific for SPS; 31 differences were specific for patients with both SPS and reduced mGFR; and 27 were specific for reduced mGFR. Eighteen of the differences specific for SPS concerned proteins described as promoting, or being associated with, atherosclerosis. Twelve of the differences specific for patients with both SPS and reduced mGFR and 10 of the differences specific for reduced mGFR also concerned proteins described as promoting, or being associated with, atherosclerosis. Almost all (82 of 88) of the concentration differences represented increased levels. For SPS, but not for reduced mGFR, a correlation between protein size and increase in level was observed, with smaller proteins being associated with higher levels. Conclusion: The high mortality in shrunken pore syndrome might be caused by the accumulation of atherosclerosis-promoting proteins in this condition. Keywords: atherosclerosis, creatinine, cystatin C, GFR, kidney, mortality

Strong light-matter coupling can form hybrid states at new energy levels that share properties of both light and matter. This principle offers new routes to control material functions without modifying the chemical structure of molecules. In this work, we coupled ambipolar semiconducting thin films to a Fabry-Perot cavity and investigated effects on charge transport. By constructing thin-film transistors inside optical cavities, we could simultaneously study coupling features and charge transport in the same samples. The cavity resonance was detuned by controlling the thickness of the top spacer layer in the cavity. We found no significant influence on charge transport for our systems, which may be related to insufficiently strong coupling. Possible additional origins and future directions are also discussed. Funding Agencies|Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research CouncilEuropean Commission [621-2014-5599]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; AForsk foundation; National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)National Research Foundation of Korea; Korea government (MSIT)Korean Government [2020R1A2C1102558]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) possess the ability to form helical periodic structures that generate structural colors. Due to the helicity, such self-assembled cellulose structures preferentially reflect left-handed circularly polarized light of certain colors, while they remain transparent to right-handed circularly polarized light. This study shows that combination with a liquid crystal enables modulation of the optical response to obtain light reflection of both handedness but with reversed spectral profiles. As a result, the nanophotonic systems provide vibrant structural colors that are tunable via the incident light polarization. The results are attributed to the liquid crystal aligning on the CNC/glucose film, to form a birefringent layer that twists the incident light polarization before interaction with the chiral cellulose nanocomposite. Using a photoresponsive liquid crystal, this effect can further be turned off by exposure to UV light, which switches the nematic liquid crystal into a nonbirefringent isotropic phase. The study highlights the potential of hybrid cellulose systems to create self-assembled yet advanced photoresponsive and polarization-tunable nanophotonics. Funding Agencies|Stiftelsen Olle Engkvist ByggmastareSwedish Research Council [194-0679]; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Linkoping University; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]; Wallenberg Wood Science Center

Dynamic control of structural colors across the visible spectrum with high brightness has proven to be a difficult challenge. Here, this is addressed with a tuneable reflective nano-optical cavity that uses an electroactive conducting polymer (poly(thieno[3,4-b]thiophene)) as spacer layer. Electrochemical doping and dedoping of the polymer spacer layer provides reversible tuning of the cavitys structural color throughout the entire visible range and beyond. Furthermore, the cavity provides high peak reflectance that varies only slightly between the reduced and oxidized states of the polymer. The results indicate that the polymer undergoes large reversible thickness changes upon redox tuning, aided by changes in optical properties and low visible absorption. The electroactive cavity concept may find particular use in reflective displays, by opening for tuneable monopixels that eliminate limitations in brightness of traditional subpixel-based systems. Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Research Council (VR)Swedish Research Council; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]

Metal nanostructures offer means to control light at the nanoscale via collective charge oscillations called plasmons. This resonant phenomenon is sensitive to changes in the local environment, which others and we have used extensively for biosensing applications. Plasmonic nanostructures can also be used for light-to-heat conversion at the nanoscale, enabled by non-radiative plasmon decay. I will discuss how to use such plasmonic heating in combination with organic materials for sensing applications [1,2] and present our recent research on plasmons also in organic nanostructures [3]. 1 M. Shiran Chaharsoughi, D. Tordera, A. Grimoldi, I. Engquist, M. Berggren, S. Fabiano and M.P. Jonsson, Adv. Opt. Mat. 6, 1 (2018) 2 M.S. Chaharsoughi, D. Zhao, X. Crispin, S. Fabiano and M.P. Jonsson, Adv. Fun. Mat. 29, 1 (2019) 3 S. Chen, E.S.H. Kang, M.S. Chaharsoughi, V. Stanishev, P. Kuhne, H. Sun, C. Wang, M. Fahlman, S. Fabiano, V. Darakchieva and M.P. Jonsson, Nature Nano. 15, 35 (2020)

Plasmonic nanostructures have been explored for a wide variety of applications due to their ability to control light at the nanoscale. However, plasmonic nanoantennas based on conventional metals are difficult to tune after fabrication due to fixed material properties. By contrast, the properties of organic conducting polymers can be tuned via their redox state, and they can be optically metallic in their oxidized state [1]. Here, I will present our recent work demonstrating that nanodisks of a highly conducting polymer can sustain plasmonic resonances in the near-infrared and act as switchable optical nanoantennas [2]. 1 S. Chen, P. Kuhne, V. Stanishev, S. Knight, R. Brooke, I. Petsagkourakis, X. Crispin, M. Schubert, V. Darakchieva, and M.P. Jonsson, J. Mater. Chem. C 7, 4350 (2019). 2 S. Chen, E.S.H. Kang, M.S. Chaharsoughi, V. Stanishev, P. Kuhne, H. Sun, C. Wang, M. Fahlman, S. Fabiano, V. Darakchieva, and M.P. Jonsson, Nature Nanotech. 15, 35 (2020).

Shrunken pore syndrome (SPS) is defined by a cystatin C-based estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFRCYS) being less than 60% or 70% of a creatinine-based GFR estimation (eGFRCR) in the absence of extrarenal influences on cystatin C or creatinine concentrations. SPS has been associated with a substantial increase in mortality or morbidity in all investigated populations. However, in these studies, neither the diagnoses, nor causes of death were described, and only estimated GFR was available. The present study concerns 2781 individuals with measured GFR (mGFR), known diagnoses, and known causes of death during 5.6 years in median. Cox multivariate proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause and cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes or chronic kidney disease (CKD) as cause-specific mortality among patients with SPS. At an eGFRCYS/eGFRCR-ratio

Certain bird species have evolved spectacular colors that arise from organized nanostructures of melanin. Its high refractive index (similar to 1.8) and broadband absorptive properties enable vivid structural colors that are nonsusceptible to photo-bleaching. Mimicking natural melanin structural coloration could enable several important applications, in particular, for non-iridescent systems with colors that are independent of incidence angle. Here, we address this by forming melanin photonic crystal microdomes by inkjet printing. Owing to their curved nature, the microdomes exhibit noniridescent vivid structural coloration, tunable throughout the visible range via the size of the nanoparticles. Large-area arrays (>1 cm(2)) of high-quality photonic microdomes could be printed on both rigid and flexible substrates. Combined with scalable fabrication and the nontoxicity of melanin, the presented photonic microdomes with noniridescent structural coloration may find use in a variety of applications, including sensing, displays, and anticounterfeit holograms. Funding Agencies|Wenner-Gren Foundation; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council; Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Foundation for Strategic researchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Linkoping University; Wallenberg Wood Science Center the Wallenberg Wood Science Centre; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]

Materials that provide independent control of infrared thermal radiation and haze in the visible could benefit many areas and applications, including clothing, packaging and photovoltaics. Here, we study this possibility for a metamaterial composite paper based on cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) microparticles with infrared (IR) Frohlich phonon resonances. This CNF-SiO2 composite shows outstanding transparency in the visible wavelength range, with the option of controlling light diffusion and haze from almost zero to 90% by varying the SiO2 microparticle concentration. We further show that the transparent metamaterial paper could maintain high thermal emissivity in the atmospheric IR window, as attributed to strong IR absorption of both the nanocellulose and the resonant SiO2 microparticles. The high IR emissivity and low visible absorption make the paper suitable for passive radiative cooling and we demonstrate cooling of the paper to around 3 degrees C below ambient air temperature by exposing it to the sky. Funding Agencies|Knut and Allice Wallenberg Foundation via a Wallenberg Scholarship; Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Linkoping University; Wallenberg Wood Science Center; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Swedish Armed Forces Research and Technology programme

Plasmonic color generation offers several advantages but is also limited by the cost and availability of noble metals like gold. In this work, we present color-tunable metasurfaces with high chromaticity and reflectivity consisting of an aluminum mirror, a dielectric spacer, and a plasmonic nanohole array in copper. Copper is shown to be an excellent alternative to gold when properly protected from oxidation and makes it possible to generate a wide RGB gamut covering 27% of the standard RGB. By patterning the metasurfaces into microscale pixel triplets, color photos can be well reproduced with high resolution over wafer-sized areas. Further, we demonstrate active modulation of the reflected intensity using an electrochromic conductive polymer deposited on top of the nanostructures by screen printing. This technology opens up for ultrathin and flexible reflective displays in full color, that is, plasmonic electronic paper, compatible with large-scale sustainable production. Funding agencies: Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [RMA11-0037]; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]; Chalmers Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Area of

Architectural windows are a major cause of thermal discomfort as the inner glazing during cold days can be several degrees colder than the indoor air. Mitigating this, the indoor temperature has to be increased, leading to unavoidable thermal losses. Here we present solar thermal surfaces based on complex nanoplasmonic antennas that can raise the temperature of window glazing by up to 8 K upon solar irradiation while transmitting light with a color rendering index of 98.76. The nanoantennas are directional, can be tuned to absorb in different spectral ranges, and possess a structural integrity that is not substrate-dependent, and thus they open up for application on a broad range of surfaces. © 2017 American Chemical Society. Funding Agencies|VR, Vetenskapsrådet; SSF, Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning; 2009 00971; 248154, FP7, Seventh Framework Programme; 309127, FP7, Seventh Framework Programme; RMA08-0109, SSF, Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation; KVA, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Precise manipulation of light-matter interactions has enabled a wide variety of approaches to create bright and vivid structural colors. Techniques utilizing photonic crystals, Fabry-Perot cavities, plasmonics, or high-refractive-index dielectric metasurfaces have been studied for applications ranging from optical coatings to reflective displays. However, complicated fabrication procedures for sub-wavelength nanostructures, limited active areas, and inherent absence of tunability of these approaches impede their further development toward flexible, large-scale, and switchable devices compatible with facile and cost-effective production. Here, a novel method is presented to generate structural color images based on monochromic conducting polymer films prepared on metallic surfaces via vapor phase polymerization and ultraviolet (UV) light patterning. Varying the UV dose enables synergistic control of both nanoscale film thickness and polymer permittivity, which generates controllable structural colors from violet to red. Together with grayscale photomasks this enables facile fabrication of high-resolution structural color images. Dynamic tuning of colored surfaces and images via electrochemical modulation of the polymer redox state is further demonstrated. The simple structure, facile fabrication, wide color gamut, and dynamic color tuning make this concept competitive for applications like multifunctional displays. Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF)Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Research Council (VR)Swedish Research Council; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]

Nonradiative decay of plasmons in metallic nanostructures offers unique means for light-to-heat conversion at the nanoscale. Typical thermoplasmonic systems utilize discrete particles, while metal nanohole arrays were instead considered suitable as heat sinks to reduce heating effects. By contrast, we show for the first time that under uniform broadband illumination (e.g., the sun) ultrathin plasmonic nanohole arrays can be highly competitive plasmonic heaters and provide significantly higher temperatures than analogous nanodisk arrays. Our plasmonic nanohole arrays also heat significantly more than nonstructured metal films, while simultaneously providing superior light transmission. Besides being efficient light-driven heat sources, these thin perforated gold films can simultaneously be used as electrodes. We used this feature to develop "plasmonic thermistors" for electrical monitoring of plasmon-induced temperature changes. The nanohole arrays provided temperature changes up to 7.5 K by simulated sunlight, which is very high compared to previously reported plasmonic systems under similar conditions (solar illumination and ambient conditions). Both temperatures and heating profiles quantitatively agree with combined optical and thermal simulations. Finally, we demonstrate the use of a thermoplasmonic nanohole electrode to power the first hybrid plasmonic ionic thermoelectric device, resulting in strong solar-induced heat gradients and corresponding thermoelectric voltages. Funding Agencies|Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Research Council; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; AForsk Foundation; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [SFO-Mat-LiU No 2009 00971]

More than seventy-five isotypes of α-1-antitrypsin (AAT) have been described. To assess risks associated with AAT deficiency, isotype identification is necessary. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) is traditionally used for isotype differentiation, however, IEF has limited scope since it is a manual procedure that is not suitable for automation, and antitrypsin variants must differ in net charge in order to be resolved. In comparison, mass spectrometric assays are easily automated and offer a more complete solution for characterization of proteins. To capitalize on these advantages, we have developed a qualitative top-down liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method for selective phenotyping of AAT. This technique requires no sample pretreatment, and has the potential for use in routine clinical diagnostics. We have validated our LC–MS results against both DNA sequencing and IEF. Thus far, this method has identified the AAT variants PLowell, S and Z, as well as unique fragments shared by different M alleles. Its high selectivity is indirectly illustrated by the detection of a variant carrying the amino acid substitution p.Ala308Ser, which cannot be visualized by IEF.

Being able to dynamically shape light at the nanoscale is one of the ultimate goals in nano-optics1. Resonant light-matter interaction can be achieved using conventional plasmonics based on metal nanostructures, but their tunability is highly limited due to a fixed permittivity2. Materials with switchable states and methods for dynamic control of light-matter interaction at the nanoscale are therefore desired. Here we show that nanodisks of a conductive polymer can support localized surface plasmon resonances in the near-infrared and function as dynamic nano-optical antennas, with their resonance behaviour tunable by chemical redox reactions. These plasmons originate from the mobile polaronic charge carriers of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:sulfate) (PEDOT:Sulf) polymer network. We demonstrate complete and reversible switching of the optical response of the nanoantennas by chemical tuning of their redox state, which modulates the material permittivity between plasmonic and dielectric regimes via non-volatile changes in the mobile charge carrier density. Further research may study different conductive polymers and nanostructures and explore their use in various applications, such as dynamic meta-optics and reflective displays.

In this chapter, the authors summarize their understanding of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), with respect to its chemical and physical fundamentals. They focus upon the structure of several PEDOT systems, from the angstrom level and up, and the impact on both electronic and ionic transport. The authors discuss the structural properties of PEDOT:X and PEDOT:poly(styrenesulfonate) based on experimental data probed at the scale ranging from angstrom to submicrometer. The morphology of PEDOT is influenced by the nature of counter-ions, especially at high oxidation levels. The doping anions intercalate between PEDOT chains to form a “sandwich” structure to screen the positive charges in PEDOT chains. The authors provide the main transport coefficients such as electrical conductivity s, Seebeck coefficient S, and Peltier coefficient σ, starting from a general thermodynamic consideration. The optical conductivity of PEDOT has also been examined based on the effective medium approximation, which is normally used to describe microscopic permittivity properties of composites made from several different constituents.

The coupling between charge accumulation in a conjugated polymer and the ionic charge compensation, provided from an electrolyte, defines the mode of operation in a vast array of different organic electrochemical devices. The most explored mixed organic ion-electron conductor, serving as the active electrode in these devices, is poly(3,4-ethyelenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrelensulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). In this progress report, scientists of the Laboratory of Organic Electronics at Linkoping University review some of the achievements derived over the last two decades in the field of organic electrochemical devices, in particular including PEDOT:PSS as the active material. The recently established understanding of the volumetric capacitance and the mixed ion-electron charge transport properties of PEDOT are described along with examples of various devices and phenomena utilizing this ion-electron coupling, such as the organic electrochemical transistor, ionic-electronic thermodiffusion, electrochromic devices, surface switches, and more. One of the pioneers in this exciting research field is Prof. Olle Inganas and the authors of this progress report wish to celebrate and acknowledge all the fantastic achievements and inspiration accomplished by Prof. Inganas all since 1981. Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Research Council; Onnesjo Foundation; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; European Commission; Wenner-Gren Foundations; AForsk Foundation; strategic research area of Advanced Functional Materials at Linkoping University; Vinnova

Structural color generation by plasmonic and other means has attracted significant interest as a solution to avoid inks based on dyes. Prominent advantages include better robustness compared with organic dyes while also providing high chromaticity and brightness in ultrathin films. However, lack of cheap and scalable fabrication techniques has so far limited structural coloration to only a few applications and functional devices. Here, we demonstrate reflective (plasmonic) structural coloration at high resolution by inkjet printing on non-patterned surfaces. The method is flexible, scalable to large areas, and avoids complicated or costly fabrication steps. Optical microcavities on flexible plastic substrates were made starting with an inkjet-printed silver film as a bottom mirror. Inkjet-printed organic dielectric micropixels then served as the spacer layer, resulting in optical microcavities with reflective structural colors after coating with a thin semi-transparent metallic top layer. Optimization of ink formulation allowed for uniform pixels with minimum coffee stain effects as well as control of spacer thickness (around 50-150 nm) and color by varying the solid content of the ink. We investigate the possibility to obtain red, green and blue (RGB) pixels and demonstrate the improvement of particularly the blue coloration using wavelength-dependent plasmon absorption of gold nanoislands as a top mirror. Inkjet printing of optical microcavities and plasmonic cavities may find use in various applications, such as reflective displays in color. Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; AForsk Foundation; Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Research Council; Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]

Plasmonic metasurfaces based on ensembles of distributed metallic nanostructures can absorb, scatter, and in other ways shape light at the nanoscale. Forming hybrid plasmonic metasurfaces by combination with other materials opens up for new research directions and novel applications. This perspective highlights some of the recent advancements in this vibrant research field. Particular emphasis is put on hybrid plasmonic metasurfaces comprising organic materials and on concepts related to switchable surfaces, light-to-heat conversion, and hybridized light-matter states based on strong coupling. Funding agencies: Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council; Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linko

Reflective structural colors are of interest for many applications as alternatives to dyes and pigments and many different solutions have been proposed. The ideal systems should provide high reflectance efficiency while keeping good chromaticity and offering tunability throughout the visible spectral range. It is challenging to achieve such combined features with a simple single structure. Here we address this challenge using a concept that combines the Fabry-Perot effect with a broadband absorbing layer. Our easy-to-fabricate structures form highly reflective optical nanocavities with improved chromaticity throughout the visible compared with the two separate concepts. The addition of an additional cavity layer and a transparent top coating further improves the chromaticity and allows the formation of black surfaces. Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are deposited on BiVO4 photoanodes to study their effect on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance of the semiconductor. 15 nm light-absorbing NPs and 65 ...

Electrochromic displays based on conducting polymers exhibit higher contrasts and are cheaper, faster, more durable, and easier to synthesize as well as to process than their non-polymeric counterparts. However, current devices are typically based on thin electrochromic layers on top of a reflecting surface, which limits the thickness of the polymer layer to a few hundred nanometers. Here, we embed a light-scattering material within the electrochromic material to achieve a freestanding electrochromic paper-like electrode (50 to 500 μm). The device is based on a cellulose composite combining PEDOT:PSS as the electrochromic material and TiO2 nanoparticles as the reflecting material. Owing to the excellent refractive properties of TiO2, this nanocomposite is white in the neutral state and, when reduced, turns blue resulting in a color contrast around 30. The composite has a granular morphology and, as shown by AFM, an intermingling of TiO2 and PEDOT:PSS at the surface. Variation of the amount of TiO2 within the composite material is shown to result in a trade-off in optical and electrical properties. A proof-of-concept freestanding electrochromic device was fabricated by casting all layers successively to maximize the interlayer conformation. This freestanding device was found to be stable for over 100 cycles when ramped between 3 and −3 V.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology that uses light absorbing semiconductors to convert solar energy directly into a chemical fuel (i.e., hydrogen). PEC water splitting has the potential to become a key technology in achieving a sustainable society, if high solar to fuel energy conversion efficiencies are obtained with earth abundant materials. This review article discusses recent developments and discoveries in the mechanisms by which the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in metallic nanoparticles can increase or complement a neighbouring semiconductor in light absorption for catalytic water splitting applications. These mechanisms can mitigate the intrinsic optical limitations of semiconductors (e.g., metal oxides) for efficient solar water splitting. We identify four types of enhancement mechanisms in the recent literature: (i) light scattering, (ii) light concentration, (iii) hot electron injection (HEI), and (iv) plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer (PIRET). (i) Light scattering and (ii) light concentration are light trapping mechanisms that can increase the absorption of light with energies above the semiconductor optical band-edge. These two mechanisms are ideal to enhance the absorption of promising semiconductors with narrow bandgap energies that suffer from limited absorption coefficients and bulk charge recombination. On the other hand, (iii) HEI and the recently discovered (iv) PIRET are mechanisms that can enhance the absorption also below the semiconductor optical band-edge. Therefore, HEI and PIRET have the potential to extend the light utilization to visible and near-infrared wavelengths of semiconductors with excellent electrochemical properties, but with large bandgap energies. New techniques and theories that have been developed to elucidate the above mentioned plasmonic mechanisms are presented and discussed for their application in metal oxide photoelectrodes. Finally, other plasmonic and non-plasmonic effects that do not increase the device absorption, but affect the electrochemical properties of the semiconductor (e.g., charge carrier transport) are also discussed, since a complete understanding of these phenomena is fundamental for the design of an efficient plasmonic NP-semiconductor water splitting device. Funding Agencies|NWO (VENI project); Wenner-Gren Foundations; Swedish Research Council; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; AForsk Foundation; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]