Showing papers by "Southeast University published in 2016"

Disturbance-Observer-Based Control and Related Methods—An Overview

Abstract: Disturbance-observer-based control (DOBC) and related methods have been researched and applied in various industrial sectors in the last four decades. This survey, at first time, gives a systematic and comprehensive tutorial and summary on the existing disturbance/uncertainty estimation and attenuation techniques, most notably, DOBC, active disturbance rejection control, disturbance accommodation control, and composite hierarchical antidisturbance control. In all of these methods, disturbance and uncertainty are, in general, lumped together, and an observation mechanism is employed to estimate the total disturbance. This paper first reviews a number of widely used linear and nonlinear disturbance/uncertainty estimation techniques and then discusses and compares various compensation techniques and the procedures of integrating disturbance/uncertainty compensation with a (predesigned) linear/nonlinear controller. It also provides concise tutorials of the main methods in this area with clear descriptions of their features. The application of this group of methods in various industrial sections is reviewed, with emphasis on the commercialization of some algorithms. The survey is ended with the discussion of future directions.

Two-dimensional antimonene single crystals grown by van der Waals epitaxy.

Abstract: Unlike the unstable black phosphorous, another two-dimensional group-VA material, antimonene, was recently predicted to exhibit good stability and remarkable physical properties. However, the synthesis of high-quality monolayer or few-layer antimonenes, sparsely reported, has greatly hindered the development of this new field. Here, we report the van der Waals epitaxy growth of few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons, their atomical microstructure and stability in ambient condition. The high-quality, few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons can be synthesized on various substrates, including flexible ones, via van der Waals epitaxy growth. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the obtained antimonene polygons have buckled rhombohedral atomic structure, consistent with the theoretically predicted most stable β-phase allotrope. The very high stability of antimonenes was observed after aging in air for 30 days. First-principle and molecular dynamics simulation results confirmed that compared with phosphorene, antimonene is less likely to be oxidized and possesses higher thermodynamic stability in oxygen atmosphere at room temperature. Moreover, antimonene polygons show high electrical conductivity up to 104 S m−1 and good optical transparency in the visible light range, promising in transparent conductive electrode applications. Several two-dimensional materials have been synthesized to date, yet elemental materials, consisting of individual atomic species, are still scarce. Here, the authors synthesize few-layer, monocrystalline polygons of antimonene via van der Waals epitaxy growth.

Adaptive Neural Impedance Control of a Robotic Manipulator With Input Saturation

Abstract: In this paper, adaptive impedance control is developed for an ${n}$ -link robotic manipulator with input saturation by employing neural networks. Both uncertainties and input saturation are considered in the tracking control design. In order to approximate the system uncertainties, we introduce a radial basis function neural network controller, and the input saturation is handled by designing an auxiliary system. By using Lyapunov’s method, we design adaptive neural impedance controllers. Both state and output feedbacks are constructed. To verify the proposed control, extensive simulations are conducted.

The Smart Drug Delivery System and Its Clinical Potential

Abstract: With the unprecedented progresses of biomedical nanotechnology during the past few decades, conventional drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been involved into smart DDSs with stimuli-responsive characteristics. Benefiting from the response to specific internal or external triggers, those well-defined nanoplatforms can increase the drug targeting efficacy, in the meantime, reduce side effects/toxicities of payloads, which are key factors for improving patient compliance. In academic field, variety of smart DDSs have been abundantly demonstrated for various intriguing systems, such as stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, metals/metal oxides, and exosomes. However, these nanoplatforms are lack of standardized manufacturing method, toxicity assessment experience, and clear relevance between the pre-clinical and clinical studies, resulting in the huge difficulties to obtain regulatory and ethics approval. Therefore, such relatively complex stimulus-sensitive nano-DDSs are not currently approved for clinical use. In this review, we highlight the recent advances of smart nanoplatforms for targeting drug delivery. Furthermore, the clinical translation obstacles faced by these smart nanoplatforms have been reviewed and discussed. We also present the future directions and perspectives of stimuli-sensitive DDS in clinical applications.

Lead-Free Inverted Planar Formamidinium Tin Triiodide Perovskite Solar Cells Achieving Power Conversion Efficiencies up to 6.22.

Abstract: Efficient lead (Pb)-free inverted planar formamidinium tin triiodide (FASnI3 ) perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) are demonstrated. Our FASnI3 PVSCs achieved average power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 5.41% ± 0.46% and a maximum PCE of 6.22% under forward voltage scan. The PVSCs exhibit small photocurrent-voltage hysteresis and high reproducibility. The champion cell shows a steady-state efficiency of ≈6.00% for over 100 s.

Triple-Mode Emission of Carbon Dots: Applications for Advanced Anti-Counterfeiting

Abstract: Photoluminescence (PL), up-conversion PL (UCPL), and phosphorescence are three kinds of phenomena common to light-emitting materials, but it is very difficult to observe all of them simultaneously when they are derived from a single material at room temperature. For the first time, triple-mode emission (that is, PL, UCPL, and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP)) is reported, which relies on a composite of the luminescent carbon dots (CDs) prepared from m-phenylenediamine and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Moreover, the CDs-PVA aqueous dispersion is nearly colorless and demonstrates promise as a triple-mode emission ink in the field of advanced anti-counterfeiting.

Zn–Cu–In–Se Quantum Dot Solar Cells with a Certified Power Conversion Efficiency of 11.6%

Abstract: The enhancement of power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the development of toxic Cd-, Pb-free quantum dots (QDs) are critical for the prosperity of QD-based solar cells. It is known that the properties (such as light harvesting range, band gap alignment, density of trap state defects, etc.) of QD light harvesters play a crucial effect on the photovoltaic performance of QD based solar cells. Herein, high quality ∼4 nm Cd-, Pb-free Zn–Cu–In–Se alloyed QDs with an absorption onset extending to ∼1000 nm were developed as effective light harvesters to construct quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Due to the small particle size, the developed QD sensitizer can be efficiently immobilized on TiO2 film electrode in less than 0.5 h. An average PCE of 11.66% and a certified PCE of 11.61% have been demonstrated in the QDSCs based on these Zn–Cu–In–Se QDs. The remarkably improved photovoltaic performance for Zn–Cu–In–Se QDSCs vs Cu–In–Se QDSCs (11.66% vs 9.54% in PCE) is mainly derived from the higher conduct...

Prussian Blue Nanoparticles as Multienzyme Mimetics and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavengers.

Abstract: The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an important mechanism of nanomaterial toxicity. We found that Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) can effectively scavenge ROS via multienzyme-like activity including peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Instead of producing hydroxyl radicals (•OH) through the Fenton reaction, PBNPs were shown to be POD mimetics that can inhibit •OH generation. We theorized for the first time that the multienzyme-like activities of PBNPs were likely caused by the abundant redox potentials of their different forms, making them efficient electron transporters. To study the ROS scavenging ability of PBNPs, a series of in vitro ROS-generating models was established using chemicals, UV irradiation, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, high glucose contents, and oxygen glucose deprivation and reperfusion. To demonstrate the ROS scavenging ability of PBNPs, an in vivo inflammation model was established using lipoproteins in Institute for Cance...

Light-Induced Ambient Degradation of Few-Layer Black Phosphorus: Mechanism and Protection

Abstract: The environmental instability of single- or few-layer black phosphorus (BP) has become a major hurdle for BP-based devices. The degradation mechanism remains unclear and finding ways to protect BP from degradation is still highly challenging. Based on ab initio electronic structure calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, a three-step picture on the ambient degradation of BP is provided: generation of superoxide under light, dissociation of the superoxide, and eventual breakdown under the action of water. The well-matched band gap and band-edge positions for the redox potential accelerates the degradation of thinner BP. Furthermore, it was found that the formation of P-O-P bonds can greatly stabilize the BP framework. A possible protection strategy using a fully oxidized BP layer as the native capping is thus proposed. Such a fully oxidization layer can resist corrosion from water and leave the BP underneath intact with simultaneous high hole mobility.

Antiproton Flux, Antiproton-to-Proton Flux Ratio, and Properties of Elementary Particle Fluxes in Primary Cosmic Rays Measured with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Abstract: A precision measurement by AMS of the antiproton flux and the antiproton-to-proton flux ratio in primary cosmic rays in the absolute rigidity range from 1 to 450 GV is presented based on 3.49 × 105 antiproton events and 2.42 × 109 proton events. The fluxes and flux ratios of charged elementary particles in cosmic rays are also presented. In the absolute rigidity range ∼60 to ∼500 GV, the antiproton ¯p, proton p, and positron eþ fluxes are found to have nearly identical rigidity dependence and the electron e− flux exhibits a different rigidity dependence. Below 60 GV, the ( ¯ p=p), ( ¯ p=eþ), and (p=eþ) flux ratios each reaches a maximum. From ∼60 to ∼500 GV, the ( ¯ p=p), ( ¯ p=eþ), and (p=eþ) flux ratios show no rigidity dependence. These are new observations of the properties of elementary particles in the cosmos.

High-Performance Pseudocapacitive Microsupercapacitors from Laser-Induced Graphene

Abstract: All-solid-state, flexible, symmetric, and asymmetric microsupercapacitors are fabricated by a simple method in a scalable fashion from laser-induced graphene on commercial polyimide films, followed by electrodeposition of pseudocapacitive materials on the interdigitated in-plane architectures. These microsupercapacitors demonstrate comparable energy density to commercial lithium thin-film batteries, yet exhibit more than two orders of magnitude higher power density with good mechanical flexibility.

Symmetry breaking in molecular ferroelectrics

Abstract: Ferroelectrics are inseparable from symmetry breaking. Accompanying the paraelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition, the paraelectric phase adopting one of the 32 crystallographic point groups is broken into subgroups belonging to one of the 10 ferroelectric point groups, i.e. C1, C2, C1h, C2v, C4, C4v, C3, C3v, C6 and C6v. The symmetry breaking is captured by the order parameter known as spontaneous polarization, whose switching under an external electric field results in a typical ferroelectric hysteresis loop. In addition, the responses of spontaneous polarization to other external excitations are related to a number of physical effects such as second-harmonic generation, piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity and dielectric properties. Based on these, this review summarizes recent developments in molecular ferroelectrics since 2011 and focuses on the relationship between symmetry breaking and ferroelectricity, offering ideas for exploring high-performance molecular ferroelectrics.

Label Distribution Learning

Abstract: Although multi-label learning can deal with many problems with label ambiguity, it does not fit some real applications well where the overall distribution of the importance of the labels matters. This paper proposes a novel learning paradigm named label distribution learning (LDL) for such kind of applications. The label distribution covers a certain number of labels, representing the degree to which each label describes the instance. LDL is a more general learning framework which includes both single-label and multi-label learning as its special cases. This paper proposes six working LDL algorithms in three ways: problem transformation, algorithm adaptation, and specialized algorithm design. In order to compare the performance of the LDL algorithms, six representative and diverse evaluation measures are selected via a clustering analysis, and the first batch of label distribution datasets are collected and made publicly available. Experimental results on one artificial and 15 real-world datasets show clear advantages of the specialized algorithms, which indicates the importance of special design for the characteristics of the LDL problem.

Anisotropic coding metamaterials and their powerful manipulation of differently polarized terahertz waves

Abstract: Metamaterials based on effective media can be used to produce a number of unusual physical properties (for example, negative refraction and invisibility cloaking) because they can be tailored with effective medium parameters that do not occur in nature. Recently, the use of coding metamaterials has been suggested for the control of electromagnetic waves through the design of coding sequences using digital elements ‘0’ and ‘1,' which possess opposite phase responses. Here we propose the concept of an anisotropic coding metamaterial in which the coding behaviors in different directions are dependent on the polarization status of the electromagnetic waves. We experimentally demonstrate an ultrathin and flexible polarization-controlled anisotropic coding metasurface that functions in the terahertz regime using specially designed coding elements. By encoding the elements with elaborately designed coding sequences (both 1-bit and 2-bit sequences), the x- and y-polarized waves can be anomalously reflected or independently diffused in three dimensions. The simulated far-field scattering patterns and near-field distributions are presented to illustrate the dual-functional performance of the encoded metasurface, and the results are consistent with the measured results. We further demonstrate the ability of the anisotropic coding metasurfaces to generate a beam splitter and realize simultaneous anomalous reflections and polarization conversions, thus providing powerful control of differently polarized electromagnetic waves. The proposed method enables versatile beam behaviors under orthogonal polarizations using a single metasurface and has the potential for use in the development of interesting terahertz devices. An artificial material that controls electromagnetic waves of different polarization independently has been demonstrated by a team in China. Tie Jun Cui from the Southeast University and co-workers have created a metamaterial that can, for example, split incoming unpolarized radiation so that horizontally polarized light goes one way while vertically polarized light goes the other. Metamaterials are structures that can be engineered to have optical properties not found in natural materials, and they consist of a repeated pattern of elements that are smaller than the wavelength of light. The researchers used two types of element, simple squares and dumbbells, which enabled them to independently control beams of long-wavelength radiation known as terahertz waves having differing polarizations. By reducing the size of the metamaterial elements, the same idea could also be applied to visible light.

Activating Inert Basal Planes of MoS2 for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction through the Formation of Different Intrinsic Defects

Abstract: Nanoscale molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has attracted ever-growing interest as one of the most promising nonprecious catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the active sites of pristine MoS2 are located at the edges, leaving a large area of basal planes useless. Here, we systematically evaluate the capabilities of 16 kinds of structural defects including point defects (PDs) and grain boundaries (GBs) to activate the basal plane of MoS2 monolayer. Our first-principle calculations show that six types of defects (i.e., Vs, VMoS3, MoS2 PDs; 4|8a, S bridge, and Mo–Mo bond GBs) can greatly improve the HER performance of the in-plane domains of MoS2. More importantly, Vs and MoS2 PDs and S bridge and 4|8a GBs exhibit outstanding activity in both Heyrovsky and Tafel reactions as well. Moreover, the different HER activities of defects are well-understood by an amendatory band-center model, which is applicable to a broad class of systems with localized defect states. Our study provides a comprehensi...

Smartphone-Based Indoor Localization with Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons.

Abstract: Indoor wireless localization using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons has attracted considerable attention after the release of the BLE protocol. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that uses the combination of channel-separate polynomial regression model (PRM), channel-separate fingerprinting (FP), outlier detection and extended Kalman filtering (EKF) for smartphone-based indoor localization with BLE beacons. The proposed algorithm uses FP and PRM to estimate the target’s location and the distances between the target and BLE beacons respectively. We compare the performance of distance estimation that uses separate PRM for three advertisement channels (i.e., the separate strategy) with that use an aggregate PRM generated through the combination of information from all channels (i.e., the aggregate strategy). The performance of FP-based location estimation results of the separate strategy and the aggregate strategy are also compared. It was found that the separate strategy can provide higher accuracy; thus, it is preferred to adopt PRM and FP for each BLE advertisement channel separately. Furthermore, to enhance the robustness of the algorithm, a two-level outlier detection mechanism is designed. Distance and location estimates obtained from PRM and FP are passed to the first outlier detection to generate improved distance estimates for the EKF. After the EKF process, the second outlier detection algorithm based on statistical testing is further performed to remove the outliers. The proposed algorithm was evaluated by various field experiments. Results show that the proposed algorithm achieved the accuracy of <2.56 m at 90% of the time with dense deployment of BLE beacons (1 beacon per 9 m), which performs 35.82% better than <3.99 m from the Propagation Model (PM) + EKF algorithm and 15.77% more accurate than <3.04 m from the FP + EKF algorithm. With sparse deployment (1 beacon per 18 m), the proposed algorithm achieves the accuracies of <3.88 m at 90% of the time, which performs 49.58% more accurate than <8.00 m from the PM + EKF algorithm and 21.41% better than <4.94 m from the FP + EKF algorithm. Therefore, the proposed algorithm is especially useful to improve the localization accuracy in environments with sparse beacon deployment.

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: Prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries

Abstract: Background As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. Methods We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. Results A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2–7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. Conclusions Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care.

Bayes-Optimal Joint Channel-and-Data Estimation for Massive MIMO With Low-Precision ADCs

Abstract: This paper considers a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receiver with very low-precision analog-to-digital convertors (ADCs) with the goal of developing massive MIMO antenna systems that require minimal cost and power. Previous studies demonstrated that the training duration should be relatively long to obtain acceptable channel state information. To address this requirement, we adopt a joint channel-and-data (JCD) estimation method based on Bayes-optimal inference. This method yields minimal mean square errors with respect to the channels and payload data. We develop a Bayes-optimal JCD estimator using a recent technique based on approximate message passing. We then present an analytical framework to study the theoretical performance of the estimator in the large-system limit. Simulation results confirm our analytical results, which allow the efficient evaluation of the performance of quantized massive MIMO systems and provide insights into effective system design.

Containment of Higher-Order Multi-Leader Multi-Agent Systems: A Dynamic Output Approach

Abstract: This technical note addresses the distributed containment control problem for a linear multi-leader multi-agent system with a directed communication topology. A new class of distributed observer-type containment protocols based only on the relative output measurements of the neighboring agents is proposed, removing the impractical assumption in some of the existing approaches that the observers embedded in the multiple dynamic agents have to share information with their neighbors. Under the mild assumption that, for each follower, there exists at least one leader having a directed path to that follower, some sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the states of the followers to asymptotically converge to a convex hull formed by those of the dynamic leaders. Finally, some numerical simulations on containment of a multi-vehicle system are given to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Fabrication of Efficient Low-Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells by Combining Formamidinium Tin Iodide with Methylammonium Lead Iodide.

Abstract: Mixed tin (Sn)–lead (Pb) perovskites with high Sn content exhibit low bandgaps suitable for fabricating the bottom cell of perovskite-based tandem solar cells. In this work, we report on the fabrication of efficient mixed Sn–Pb perovskite solar cells using precursors combining formamidinium tin iodide (FASnI3) and methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3). The best-performing cell fabricated using a (FASnI3)0.6(MAPbI3)0.4 absorber with an absorption edge of ∼1.2 eV achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.08 (15.00)% with an open-circuit voltage of 0.795 (0.799) V, a short-circuit current density of 26.86(26.82) mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 70.6(70.0)% when measured under forward (reverse) voltage scan. The average PCE of 50 cells we have fabricated is 14.39 ± 0.33%, indicating good reproducibility.

Convolution Operations on Coding Metasurface to Reach Flexible and Continuous Controls of Terahertz Beams

Abstract: The concept of coding metasurface makes a link between physically metamaterial particles and digital codes, and hence it is possible to perform digital signal processing on the coding metasurface to realize unusual physical phenomena. Here, this study presents to perform Fourier operations on coding metasurfaces and proposes a principle called as scattering-pattern shift using the convolution theorem, which allows steering of the scattering pattern to an arbitrarily predesigned direction. Owing to the constant reflection amplitude of coding particles, the required coding pattern can be simply achieved by the modulus of two coding matrices. This study demonstrates that the scattering patterns that are directly calculated from the coding pattern using the Fourier transform have excellent agreements to the numerical simulations based on realistic coding structures, providing an efficient method in optimizing coding patterns to achieve predesigned scattering beams. The most important advantage of this approach over the previous schemes in producing anomalous single-beam scattering is its flexible and continuous controls to arbitrary directions. This work opens a new route to study metamaterial from a fully digital perspective, predicting the possibility of combining conventional theorems in digital signal processing with the coding metasurface to realize more powerful manipulations of electromagnetic waves.

Precision Measurement of the Boron to Carbon Flux Ratio in Cosmic Rays from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station.

Abstract: Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the boron to carbon flux ratio (B/C) is important in understanding the propagation of cosmic rays. The precise measurement of the B=C ratio from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV, based on 2.3 million boron and 8.3 million carbon nuclei collected by AMS during the first 5 years of operation, is presented. The detailed variation with rigidity of the B=C spectral index is reported for the first time. The B=C ratio does not show any significant structures in contrast to many cosmic ray models that require such structures at high rigidities. Remarkably, above 65 GV, the B=C ratio is well described by a single power law RΔ with index Δ ¼ −0.333 + 0.014ðfitÞ + 0.005ðsystÞ, in good agreement with the Kolmogorov theory of turbulence which predicts Δ ¼ −1=3 asymptotically.

Bandgap Engineering of Lead-Halide Perovskite-Type Ferroelectrics.

Abstract: Semiconducting ferroelectricity is realized in hybrid perovskite-type compounds (cyclohexylammonium)2 PbBr4-4 x I4 x (x = 0-1). By adjusting the composition x, the bandgap is successfully tuned from previously reported 3.65 eV to as low as 2.74 eV, and the excellent ferroelectricity was kept intact. This finding may contribute to improving the photoelectronic and/or photovoltaic performance of hybrid perovskite-type compounds.

Carbon Dot-Based Platform for Simultaneous Bacterial Distinguishment and Antibacterial Applications

Abstract: In this work, we prepared quaternized carbon dots (CDs) with simultaneous antibacterial and bacterial differentiation capabilities using a simple carboxyl–amine reaction between lauryl betaine and amine-functionalized CDs The obtained quaternized CDs have several fascinating properties/abilities: (1) A long fluorescence emission wavelength ensures the exceptional bacterial imaging capability, including the super-resolution imaging ability; (2) the polarity-sensitive fluorescence emission property leads to significantly enhanced fluorescence when the quaternized CDs interact with bacteria; (3) the presence of both hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains and positively charged quaternary ammonium groups makes the CDs selectively attach to Gram-positive bacteria, realizing the bacterial differentiation; (4) excellent antimicrobial activity is seen against Gram-positive bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 μg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus Besides, the quaternized CDs are highly stable in various aque

An Overview of Low-Rank Channel Estimation for Massive MIMO Systems

Abstract: Massive multiple-input multiple-output is a promising physical layer technology for 5G wireless communications due to its capability of high spectrum and energy efficiency, high spatial resolution, and simple transceiver design. To embrace its potential gains, the acquisition of channel state information is crucial, which unfortunately faces a number of challenges, such as the uplink pilot contamination, the overhead of downlink training and feedback, and the computational complexity. In order to reduce the effective channel dimensions, researchers have been investigating the low-rank (sparse) properties of channel environments from different viewpoints. This paper then provides a general overview of the current low-rank channel estimation approaches, including their basic assumptions, key results, as well as pros and cons on addressing the aforementioned tricky challenges. Comparisons among all these methods are provided for better understanding and some future research prospects for these low-rank approaches are also forecasted.