Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detection and analysis method for rapid delineation of aging stages of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt, including the following steps: performing a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test on unaged SBS-modified asphalt samples to obtain a copolymer index of IB0/S0 and neat asphalt functional group indexes, including the SI0, IB, aI0, ARI0, and CI0; performing the FTIR test on the aged SBS-modified asphalt samples to obtain an actual index of IB/S, SI, IB, aI, ARI, and CI; and delineating three aging stages of SBS-modified asphalt, including a polymer swelling stage, a polymer degradation stage and a component imbalance stage according to changes of functional group indexes. According to the present disclosure, the actual aging stages of the SBS-modified asphalt can be determined rapidly and accurately, providing a reasonable basis for the decision on pavement maintenance timing and mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detection and analysis method for rapid delineation of aging stages of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt, including the following steps: performing a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test on unaged SBS-modified asphalt samples to obtain a copolymer index of IB0/S0 and neat asphalt functional group indexes, including the SI0, IB, aI0, ARI0, and CI0; performing the FTIR test on the aged SBS-modified asphalt samples to obtain an actual index of IB/S, SI, IB, aI, ARI, and CI; and delineating three aging stages of SBS-modified asphalt, including a polymer swelling stage, a polymer degradation stage and a component imbalance stage according to changes of functional group indexes. According to the present disclosure, the actual aging stages of the SBS-modified asphalt can be determined rapidly and accurately, providing a reasonable basis for the decision on pavement maintenance timing and mode.

Abstract: A method for aligning molecular orientations of liquid crystals and/or polymeric materials into spatially variant patterns uses metamasks. When non-polarized or circularly polarized light is transmitted through or reflected by the metamasks, spatially varied polarization direction and intensity patterns of light can be generated. By projecting the optical patterns of the metamasks onto substrates coated with photoalignment materials, spatially variant molecular orientations encoded in the polarization and intensity patterns are induced in the photoalignment materials, and transfer into the liquid crystals. Possible designs for the metamask use nanostructures of metallic materials.

Abstract: A method for controlling self-propelled particles includes providing the particles to a liquid crystalline medium having predesigned local ordering. The method may control at least one of: a local concentration, trajectory, and net flow of self-propelled particles.

Abstract: A transport device comprises: a fluid cell comprising parallel substrates; an anisotropic electrolyte disposed in the fluid cell; and electrodes configured to apply an AC electric field to the anisotropic electrolyte disposed in the fluid cell. A substrate of the fluid cell includes a pattern that induces a director distortion pattern in the anisotropic electrolyte disposed in the fluid cell. The director distortion pattern has a gradient configured to induce electrokinetic flow of the anisotropic electrolyte in the fluid cell in response to the AC electric field applied by the electrodes. Cargo, such as particles, gas bubbles, or fluid, is dispersed in the anisotropic electrolyte and transported in the fluid cell by the induced electrokinetic flow of the anisotropic electrolyte. The induced electrokinetic flow may be linear, curvilinear, circular so as to induce mixing, depending on the predesigned director pattern.

Abstract: A method for controlling self-propelled particles includes providing the particles to a liquid crystalline medium having predesigned local ordering. The method may control at least one of: a local concentration, trajectory, and net flow of self-propelled particles.

Abstract: A method for aligning molecular orientations of liquid crystals and/or polymeric materials into spatially variant patterns uses metamasks. When non-polarized or circularly polarized light is transmitted through or reflected by the metamasks, spatially varied polarization direction and intensity patterns of light can be generated. By projecting the optical patterns of the metamasks onto substrates coated with photoalignment materials, spatially variant molecular orientations encoded in the polarization and intensity patterns are induced in the photoalignment materials, and transfer into the liquid crystals. Possible designs for the metamask use nanostructures of metallic materials.

Abstract: A transport device comprises: a fluid cell comprising parallel substrates; an anisotropic electrolyte disposed in the fluid cell; and electrodes configured to apply an AC electric field to the anisotropic electrolyte disposed in the fluid cell. A substrate of the fluid cell includes a pattern that induces a director distortion pattern in the anisotropic electrolyte disposed in the fluid cell. The director distortion pattern has a gradient configured to induce electrokinetic flow of the anisotropic electrolyte in the fluid cell in response to the AC electric field applied by the electrodes. Cargo, such as particles, gas bubbles, or fluid, is dispersed in the anisotropic electrolyte and transported in the fluid cell by the induced electrokinetic flow of the anisotropic electrolyte. The induced electrokinetic flow may be linear, curvilinear, circular so as to induce mixing, depending on the predesigned director pattern.