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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.
Life is a multiscale chiral system, which ingeneously combine small chiral biomolecules to biomacromolecules with special stereo-conformations and functions via chemical bonding and weak chemical interactions, for example, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, which further assemble to build up macroscopic biological entities showing distinct assymetric characteristics, for example, right-handed conches and so on. This brings much inspiration to construct artificial systems being able to transform chiral signals to macroscopic properties of materials based on chirality-responsive polymers, which find broad applications in various domains of chemical engineering, industry, biology and medicine.
