Y4Si2O7N2: Eu2+ phosphor has been prepared by a pretreatment method. Reduction in Eu3+ ions into Eu2+ by the use of hydrogen iodide (HI) is verified by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and electrode potential analysis. Y4Si2O7N2: Eu2+ phosphor has a broad emission band in the range of 400-500 nm. Furthermore, the effect of Zr doping on the structure and luminescence properties of Y4Si2O7N2: Eu2+ phosphor is researched. It found that the Zr doping leads to an emission blueshift, and improves the luminescence intensity and thermal quenching behavior of Y4Si2O7N2: Eu2+ phosphors. Prospectively, the pretreatment approach could be extended to develop other Eu2+-doped compounds.@en

Minimally invasive medical devices can greatly benefit from Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) diagnostic capabilities, as different wavelengths allow penetration of distinct layers of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa, improving diagnostic accuracy and targeting different pathologies. An important performance parameter is the light intensity at a given power consumption of the medical device. A method to increase the illumination intensity in the NBI diagnostic technique was developed and applied to minimally invasive medical devices (e.g., endoscopic capsules), without increasing the size and power consumption of such instruments. Endoscopic capsules are generally equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the RGB (red, green, and blue) visible light spectrum. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) µ-lens was designed for a maximum light intensity at the target area of interest when placed on top of the LEDs. The PDMS µ-lens was fabricated using a low-cost hanging droplet method. Experiments reveal an increased illumination intensity by a factor of 1.21 for both the blue and green LEDs and 1.18 for the red LED. These promising results can increase the resolution of NBI in endoscopic capsules, which can contribute to early gastric lesions diagnosis.@en