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Nanopores that exhibit ionic current rectification (ICR) behave like diodes, such that they transport ions more efficiently in one direction than the other. Conical nanopores have been shown to rectify ionic current, but only those with at least 500 nm in length exhibit significant ICR. Here, through the finite element method, we show how ICR of conical nanopores with length below 200 nm can be tuned by controlling individual charged surfaces i.e. inner pore surface (surface inner), and exterior pore surfaces on the tip and base side (surface tip and surface base). The charged surface inner and surface tip can induce obvious ICR individually, while the effects of the charged surface base on ICR can be ignored. The fully charged surface inner alone could render the nanopore counterion-selective and induces significant ion concentration polarization in the tip region, which causes reverse ICR compared to nanopores with all surface charged. In addition, the direction and degree of rectification can be further tuned by the depth of the charged surface inner. When considering the exterior membrane surface only, the charged surface tip causes intra-pore ionic enrichment and depletion under opposite biases which results in significant ICR. Its effective region is within ~40 nm beyond the tip orifice. We also found that individual charged parts of the pore system contributed to ICR in an additive way due to the additive effect on the ion concentration regulation along the pore axis. With various combinations of fully/partially charged surface inner and surface tip , diverse ICR ratios from ~2 to ~170 can be achieved. Our findings shed light on the mechanism of ionic current rectification in ultra-short conical nanopores, and provide a useful guide to the design and modification of ultra-short conical nanopores in ionic circuits and nanofluidic sensors.

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A mechanics of cutting analysis for orthogonal cutting with tool flank wear is presented based on an experimental investigation. It shows that tool flank wear does not statistically affect the basic cutting quantities such as the shear angle and shear stress, both qualitatively and quantitatively, but results in an additional rubbing or ploughing force on the wearland. Based on this finding, an orthogonal cutting force model is proposed which makes full use of the classical thin shear zone analysis for "sharp" tools. This model may form the basis for developing the predictive force models in practical operations. The study also shows that tool flank wear results in a substantial increase in the force components and that the thrust force is more sensitive to tool flank wear. These may be used as a primary basis for developing tool condition monitoring strategies.