Original Article in 2012

Schematics showing the switchable oil wettability of the P2VP-b-PDMS-grafted surface in aqueous media with different pH.

We have fabricated and tested encoders and decoders based on a multiplex, DNA-based electrochemical biosensor that uses electronic (electrochemical) signals as its readout. We have demonstrated these multifunctional, bio-electrochemical devices, for example, 4-to-2 and 8-to-3 encoders and 1-to-2 and 2-to-3 decoders. In doing so, these devices bridge the barrier between DNA-based devices and silicon-based electronics.

Indium-free quaternary chalcogenide, Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ (CZTSe), has driven much attention for its potential application in photovoltaics and optoelectronics. High-quality CZTSe nanocrystals (NCs) with thermodynamically metastable wurtzite phase were herein synthesized via a facile, lost-cost and safe-solution method, in which high reaction rate and low surface energy are favorable for the formation of wurtzite structure. The promising application of the as-synthesized NCs in photovoltaics and optoelectronics has been demonstrated by the high-performance hybrid photodetector made from CZTSe NCs and P3HT.

Where does carbon go when it is doped into magnesium diboride (MgB₂) and why the superconducting properties are improved? In this work, malic acid-doped MgB₂ was investigated and it was shown that carbon encapsulates boron powder, prevents agglomeration and as a result reduces void fraction as was confirmed by the first detailed X-ray tomogram analysis. It was also found that carbon induces a lot of stacking faults within MgB2 grains. The critical current density is now comparable to commercial niobium titanium (NbTi) wire and further improvements are expected.