Optically Triggered Control of the Charge Carrier Density in Chemically Functionalized Graphene Field Effect Transistors

Field effect transistors (FETs) based on 2D materials are of great interest for applications in ultrathin electronic and sensing devices. Here we demonstrate the possibility to add optical switchability to graphene FETs (GFET) by functionalizing the graphene channel with optically switchable azobenzene molecules. The azobenzene molecules were incorporated to the GFET channel by building a van der Waals heterostructure with a carbon nanomembrane (CNM), which is used as a molecular interposer to attach the azobenzene molecules. Under exposure with 365 nm and 455 nm light, azobenzene molecules transition between cis and trans molecular conformations, respectively, resulting in a switching of the molecular dipole moment. Thus, the effective electric field acting on the GFET channel is tuned by optical stimulation and the carrier density is modulated.     

Intracellular Entropy‐Driven Multi‐Bit DNA Computing for Tumor Progression Discrimination

Tumor progressions such as metastasis are complicated events that involve abnormal expression of different miRNAs and enzymes. Monitoring these biomolecules in live cells with computational DNA nanotechnology may enable discrimination of tumor progression via digital outputs. Herein, we report intracellular entropy‐driven multivalent DNA circuits to implement multi‐bit computing for simultaneous analysis of intracellular telomerase and microRNAs including miR‐21 and miR‐31. These three biomolecules can trigger respective DNA strand displacement recycling reactions for signal amplification. They are visualized by fluorescence imaging, and their signal outputs are encoded as multi‐bit binary codes for different cell types. The results can discriminate non‐tumorigenic, malignant and metastatic breast cells as well as respective tumors. This DNA computing circuit is further performed in a microfluidic chip to differentiate rare co‐cultured cells, which holds a potential for the analysis of clinical samples.     

Polycaprolactone solution–based ink for designing microfluidic channels on paper via 3D printing platform for biosensing application

This work reports a novel fabrication technique for development of channels on paper‐based microfluidic devices using the syringe module of a 3D printing syringe–based system. In this study, printing using polycaprolactone (PCL)‐based ink (Mw 70 000‐90 000) was employed for the generation of functional hydrophobic barriers on Whatman qualitative filter paper grade 1 (approximate thickness of 180 μm and pore diameter of 11 μm), which would effectively channelize fluid flow to multiple assay zones dedicated for different analyte detection on a microfluidic paper‐based analytical device (μPAD). The standardization studies reveal that a functional hydrophilic channel for sample conduction fabricated using the reported technique can be as narrow as 460.7 ± 20 μm and a functional hydrophobic barrier can be of any width with a lower limit of about 982.2 ± 142.75 μm when a minimum number of two layers of the ink is extruded onto paper. A comparison with the hydrodynamic model established for writing with ink is used to explain the width of the line printed by this system. A fluid flow analysis through a single channel system was also carried out to establish its conformity with the Washburn model, which governs the fluid flow in two‐dimensional μPAD. The presented fabrication technique proves to be a robust strategy that effectively taps the advantages of this 3D printing technique in the production of μPADs with enhanced speed and reproducibility.     

A Photochemical/Thermal Switch Based on 4,4′-Bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene: Synthesis and Supramolecular Properties.

Stilbene derivatives are well-recognised substructures of molecular switches based on photochemically and/or thermally induced (E)/(Z) isomerisation. We combined a stilbene motif with two benzimidazolium arms to prepare new sorts of supramolecular building blocks and examined their binding properties towards cucurbit[n]urils (n=7, 8) and cyclodextrins (β-CD, γ-CD) in water. Based on the ¹H NMR data and molecular dynamics simulations, we found that two distinct complexes with different stoichiometry, i. e., guest@β-CD and guest@β-CD₂, coexist in equilibrium in a water solution of the (Z)-stilbene-based guests. We also demonstrated that the bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene guests can be transformed from the (E) into the (Z) form via UV irradiation and back via thermal treatment in DMSO.     

Microfluidic chip electrophoresis for biochemical analysis

Microfluidic chip electrophoresis has been widely employed for separation of various biochemical species owing to its advantages of low sample consumption, low cost, fast analysis, high throughput, and integration capability. In this article, we reviewed the development of four different modes of microfluidics‐based electrophoresis technologies including capillary electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis, and field (electric) flow fractionation. Coupling detection schemes on microfluidic electrophoresis platform were also reviewed such as optical, electrochemical, and mass spectrometry method. We further discussed the innovative applications of microfluidic electrophoresis for biomacromolecules (nucleic acids and proteins), biochemical small molecules (amino acids, metabolites, ions, etc.), and bioparticles (cells and pathogens) analysis. The future direction of microfluidic chip electrophoresis was predicted.     

Electrochemistry in Carbon‐based Quantum Dots

Electrochemistry belongs to an important branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical changes produced by electricity and the production of electricity by chemical changes. Therefore, it can not only act a powerful tool for materials synthesis, but also offer an effective platform for sensing and catalysis. As extraordinary zero‐dimensional materials, carbon‐based quantum dots (CQDs) have been attracting tremendous attention due to their excellent properties such as good chemical stability, environmental friendliness, nontoxicity and abundant resources. Compared with the traditional methods for the preparation of CQDs, electrochemical (EC) methods offer advantages of simple instrumentation, mild reaction conditions, low cost and mass production. In return, CQDs could provide cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, biocompatible, stable and easily‐functionalizable probes, modifiers and catalysts for EC sensing. However, no specific review has been presented to systematically summarize both aspects until now. In this review, the EC preparation methods of CQDs are critically discussed focusing on CQDs. We further emphasize the applications of CQDs in EC sensors, electrocatalysis, biofuel cells and EC flexible devices. This review will further the experimental and theoretical understanding of the challenges and future prospective in this field, open new directions on exploring new advanced CQDs in EC to meet the high demands in diverse applications.     

低温功率器件驱动电路实验研究

低温电力电子技术的发展日益得到重视,主要是由于功率器件(如功率MOSFET和IGBT等)在低温下表现出更好的性能,如更低的通态阻抗,更高的开关频率等.为了实验测试和充分利用功率器件在低温下的这些性能,急需寻找或设计可以在低温下稳定可靠工作的功率器件驱动电路.我们在对目前商业化的驱动芯片进行分析的基础上,从中挑选了三种在低温下进行实验,对其输出波形随温度的变化进行研究,首次发现了可以在-196℃(77K)稳定工作的驱动芯片,其驱动性能基本能够满足低温下驱动功率器件的要求,为功率器件低温特性测试及低温功率变换电路的设计奠定了坚实的基础.     

高相对分子质量8-羟基喹啉锂聚合物的制备和性能

高分子电致发光显示器(PLED)是近几年来国际、国内的研究热点,取得了很大的进展,其中高分子化金属配合物是一类很有价值的功能材料。通过甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)、苯乙烯(S)和含有8-羟基喹啉的单体共聚合成模板聚合物,再与氢氧化锂作用,实现了8-羟基喹啉锂配合物的高分子化,获得了一种能够溶解在普通的溶剂中的高相对分子质量的含喹啉锂配合物的发光聚合物,并利用元素分析、¹H-NMR、FTIR、UV、PL光谱、DSC、TGA、GPC等方法对其结构和性能作了表征。紫外吸收和光致发光(PL)光谱说明合成共聚物的发光来自于Liq基团,引入的可聚合的链段以及共聚物中的甲基丙烯酸甲酯或苯乙烯链段,并没有影响发光波长的改变。亲核溶剂改变8-羟基喹啉金属配合物分子结构,使共聚物光谱明显红移20nm左右。     

随机生长误差对双腔型平顶法布里-珀罗滤波器的影响

在光网络中平顶滤波器可以有效地提高信道光检测的快速性和准确性。利用两个法布里珀罗腔间的串联耦合,可以构建出具有平顶透射特性的双腔型法布里珀罗滤波器。采用传输矩阵的方法,研究了随机生长误差对双腔型平顶滤波器透射特性的影响。模拟分析表明,当两个法布里珀罗腔的物理厚度差超过一个纳米时,在透射谱中就会出现两个高度不同的透射峰;解释了实测器件的透射谱中的双峰不对称性;用界面起伏的概念解释了实测滤波器带宽大于理论值的原因。理论分析与实验结果取得了较好的一致。     

基于单通道反射型电光调制器实现不同路光同时调制的方法

提出了一种利用单通道反射型聚合物电光调制器同时调制不同路光的方法。衰减全反射结构的电光调制器,其每一个衰减全反射(ATR)峰的位置分别对应于一个导波共振模式。实验系统中利用衰减全反射导膜峰作为调制通道,使其每一路光路的入射角分别对应于不同导波共振模式的工作角,就可以实现利用单通道的电光调制器同时调制不同路光。提出了三种实现两路光同时调制的模式,并给出了三种模式的调制结果。结果表明,作为调制通道的导模阶数越低,调制效率越高。在832 nm光波波长下,采用最低阶导模进行调制时可以获得42.9%的调制效率。