Xian Jing

Precision glass molding (PGM) is a near-net-shape process for fabricating high-precision glass optical components, whose replication accuracy depends on coupled thermal, force, displacement, and pressure-holding conditions. To support process-parameter optimization and micro-optical structure replication, an open-architecture, research-oriented molding apparatus was designed, constructed, and evaluated. The compact system integrates short-wave infrared heating, independently regulated upper and lower thermal zones, vacuum/nitrogen atmosphere control, water-cooled seal protection, and force/displacement feedback. Thermal stability tests showed that under a 600 °C holding condition, the deviations of the upper and lower mold-base temperatures from the set temperature eventually converged to within 7 °C, while the two mold bases temperature difference was reduced to within ±1 °C during the stable stage. Both mold bases were maintained above 700 °C for more than 600 s in the ultimate heating test. Mechanically, the apparatus separates chamber actuation from molding loading. A 400 mm electric vertical linear guide opens, closes, and seals the vacuum heating chamber, whereas the lower loading shaft provides a 48 mm loading travel. Micro-displacement control tests showed a minimum return positioning error of 1.226 μm over a 200 μm total travel. Force feedback is provided by an external 5 kN pressure sensor with 0.05% full-scale accuracy, while the actual force-tracking behavior was shown to depend on target force and pressure-holding regulation speed rather than on a single universal control-accuracy value. Finally, an As2Se3 chalcogenide glass molding experiment was conducted, confirming that the apparatus can serve as an open research-oriented platform for PGM process studies.

As an outstanding visual system for insects and crustaceans to cope with the challenges of survival, compound eye has many unique advantages, such as wide field of view, rapid response, infinite depth of field, low aberration and fast motion capture. However, the complex composition of their optical systems also presents significant challenges for manufacturing. With the continuous development of advanced materials, complex 3D manufacturing technologies and flexible electronic detectors, various ingenious and sophisticated compound eye imaging systems have been developed. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the microfabrication technologies, photoelectric detection and functional applications of miniature artificial compound eyes. Firstly, a brief introduction to the types and structural composition of compound eyes in the natural world is provided. Secondly, the 3D forming manufacturing techniques for miniature compound eyes are discussed. Subsequently, some photodetection technologies for miniature curved compound eye imaging are introduced. Lastly, with reference to the existing prototypes of functional applications for miniature compound eyes, the future development of compound eyes is prospected.

The precise positioning of the laser focal spot on the substrate is an important issue for laser microfabrication. In this work, a diffraction pattern-based focal spot positioning method (DFSPM) is proposed to achieve the precise positioning of the laser focal spot on opaque substrates. A series of diffraction patterns of laser focus under-positioning, exact positioning and over-positioning were obtained to investigate the cross-section light distribution of the laser focal spot. According to the monotonic tendency of FWHM to exhibit light intensity at the focal spot cross-section away from the focal plane, the FWHM threshold of polynomial fitted curves was used to determine the exact positioning of laser focus. The ascending scanning method was used to obtain the diffraction patterns at various vertical positions and the FWHM threshold of light distribution at the exact position. The polynomial fitted curves verify the FWHM monotonic tendency of light intensity distribution at the focal spot cross-section along the optical axis. Precise positioning can be achieved with a 100 nm adjustment resolution. This work was expected to provide references for laser microfabrication on opaque materials.

With the continuous breakthrough and innovation of artificial intelligence technology, the demand for diversified and multi-level compound intelligent manufacturing talents keeps growing. However, the current pace of intelligent manufacturing talent education in colleges and universities is still difficult to keep up with the advances in science and technology in the context of the new generation of artificial intelligence. This work conducted visual research of the literature on artificial intelligence in the field of manufacturing. All the literature was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and divided into three periods (1979–1994, 1995–2007 and 2008–2021) according to the fluctuation of literature volume. Bibliometric and content analysis of the related literature during these periods were conducted to track the hotspots and trend of artificial intelligence in the field of manufacturing. The results showed that the internet of things, deep learning, cyber physical systems and smart manufacturing have been the new research hotspots. Finally, a series of suggestions were given for the sustainable education of intelligent manufacturing talents in the context of the new generation of artificial intelligence. This work may provide references for the construction of sustainable education systems for intelligent manufacturing talents in the context of the new generation of artificial intelligence.

In this report, the surface topography of crescent array in the Nepenthes slippery zone is measured and bionic fabricated by two‐photon polymerization (TPP) technology. A subregion outside‐in scanning method (SOSM) is proposed to solve the photoresist converge and large area surface positioning problem existing in bionic crescent array surface (BCAS) fabrication. The geometric parameters of BCAS, including area fraction, height, offset, and outer–inner radius ratio, are systematically investigated to reveal their effects on the hydrophobic performance. Perfluorinated polyether oil and fluorocarbon solvent were used to increase the hydrophobicity and homogeneity of bionic surface. The contact angles of BCASs coated with and without the solution are measured. The maximum contact angle can reach to 152.1°. What's more, considering the anisotropy of BCAS, anisotropic wetting research is conducted. Offset and outer–inner radius ratio are found to have obvious effects on the contact angle differences between convexity and concavity directions. The maximum contact angle difference can reach to 5.1°. Spreading and pinning phenomenon caused by droplet anisotropic wetting are observed and explained. This work is expected to provide references for the BCAS to be applied in super‐hydrophobic and droplets motion fields.