Sample records for nanowire biosensor construction

  1. Construction of highly ordered polyaniline nanowires and their applications in DNA sensing.

    PubMed

    Hao, Yuanqiang; Zhou, Binbin; Wang, Fangbin; Li, Juan; Deng, Liu; Liu, You-Nian

    2014-02-15

    A novel electrochemical active polyaniline (PANI) nanowire was fabricated and utilized for the construction of a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for hepatitis B virus gene. The uniform PANI nanowire was prepared by the enzymatic polymerization of aniline monomers on the amyloid-like nanofiber (AP nanowire), which was self-assembled from an aniline-attached nonapeptide, aniline-GGAAKLVFF (AP). The prepared PANI nanowires were characterized by electron microscopy, UV-vis absorption spectra, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). These ultra-thin nanowires displayed high electrochemical activity. Then the nucleic acid biosensor was constructed by modifying a glass carbon electrode with AP nanowires which were functionalized by a designed hair-pin loop DNA. Upon the presence of target nucleic acid and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled oligonucleotide, the HRP will catalyze the polymerization of aniline monomers conjugated in AP nanowires, leading to the formation of PANI nanowires which can bring about a dramatical increase in the current response of the biosensor. The dynamic range of the sensor for hepatitis B virus gene is 2.0-800.0 fM with a low detection limit of 1.0 fM (3σ, n=10). The biosensor also displayed highly selectivity and stability. All these excellent performances of the developed biosensor indicate that this platform can be easily extended to the detection of other nucleic acids. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Bi nanowire-based thermal biosensor for the detection of salivary cortisol using the Thomson effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Seunghyun; Hyun Lee, Jung; Kim, MinGin; Kim, Jeongmin; Song, Min-Jung; Jung, Hyo-Il; Lee, Wooyoung

    2013-09-01

    We present a study of a thermal biosensor based on bismuth nanowire that is fabricated for the detection of the human stress hormone cortisol using the Thomson effect. The Bi nanowire was grown using the On-Film Formation of Nanowires (OFF-ON) method. The thermal device was fabricated using photolithography, and the sensing area was modified with immobilized anti-cortisol antibodies conjugated with protein G for the detection of cortisol. The voltages were measured with two probe tips during surface modification to investigate the biochemical reactions in the fabricated thermal biosensor. The Bi nanowire-based thermal biosensor exhibited low detection limit and good selectivity for the detection of cortisol.

  3. A Calibration Method for Nanowire Biosensors to Suppress Device-to-device Variation

    PubMed Central

    Ishikawa, Fumiaki N.; Curreli, Marco; Chang, Hsiao-Kang; Chen, Po-Chiang; Zhang, Rui; Cote, Richard J.; Thompson, Mark E.; Zhou, Chongwu

    2009-01-01

    Nanowire/nanotube biosensors have stimulated significant interest; however the inevitable device-to-device variation in the biosensor performance remains a great challenge. We have developed an analytical method to calibrate nanowire biosensor responses that can suppress the device-to-device variation in sensing response significantly. The method is based on our discovery of a strong correlation between the biosensor gate dependence (dIds/dVg) and the absolute response (absolute change in current, ΔI). In2O3 nanowire based biosensors for streptavidin detection were used as the model system. Studying the liquid gate effect and ionic concentration dependence of strepavidin sensing indicates that electrostatic interaction is the dominant mechanism for sensing response. Based on this sensing mechanism and transistor physics, a linear correlation between the absolute sensor response (ΔI) and the gate dependence (dIds/dVg) is predicted and confirmed experimentally. Using this correlation, a calibration method was developed where the absolute response is divided by dIds/dVg for each device, and the calibrated responses from different devices behaved almost identically. Compared to the common normalization method (normalization of the conductance/resistance/current by the initial value), this calibration method was proved advantageous using a conventional transistor model. The method presented here substantially suppresses device-to-device variation, allowing the use of nanosensors in large arrays. PMID:19921812

  4. A Highly Responsive Silicon Nanowire/Amplifier MOSFET Hybrid Biosensor.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jieun; Jang, Jaeman; Choi, Bongsik; Yoon, Jinsu; Kim, Jee-Yeon; Choi, Yang-Kyu; Kim, Dong Myong; Kim, Dae Hwan; Choi, Sung-Jin

    2015-07-21

    This study demonstrates a hybrid biosensor comprised of a silicon nanowire (SiNW) integrated with an amplifier MOSFET to improve the current response of field-effect-transistor (FET)-based biosensors. The hybrid biosensor is fabricated using conventional CMOS technology, which has the potential advantage of high density and low noise performance. The biosensor shows a current response of 5.74 decades per pH for pH detection, which is 2.5 × 10(5) times larger than that of a single SiNW sensor. In addition, we demonstrate charged polymer detection using the biosensor, with a high current change of 4.5 × 10(5) with a 500 nM concentration of poly(allylamine hydrochloride). In addition, we demonstrate a wide dynamic range can be obtained by adjusting the liquid gate voltage. We expect that this biosensor will be advantageous and practical for biosensor applications which requires lower noise, high speed, and high density.

  5. A Highly Responsive Silicon Nanowire/Amplifier MOSFET Hybrid Biosensor

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Jieun; Jang, Jaeman; Choi, Bongsik; Yoon, Jinsu; Kim, Jee-Yeon; Choi, Yang-Kyu; Myong Kim, Dong; Hwan Kim, Dae; Choi, Sung-Jin

    2015-01-01

    This study demonstrates a hybrid biosensor comprised of a silicon nanowire (SiNW) integrated with an amplifier MOSFET to improve the current response of field-effect-transistor (FET)-based biosensors. The hybrid biosensor is fabricated using conventional CMOS technology, which has the potential advantage of high density and low noise performance. The biosensor shows a current response of 5.74 decades per pH for pH detection, which is 2.5 × 105 times larger than that of a single SiNW sensor. In addition, we demonstrate charged polymer detection using the biosensor, with a high current change of 4.5 × 105 with a 500 nM concentration of poly(allylamine hydrochloride). In addition, we demonstrate a wide dynamic range can be obtained by adjusting the liquid gate voltage. We expect that this biosensor will be advantageous and practical for biosensor applications which requires lower noise, high speed, and high density. PMID:26197105

  6. The ITO-capped WO3 nanowires biosensor based on field-effect transistor in label-free protein sensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shariati, Mohsen

    2017-05-01

    The fabrication of ITO-capped WO3 nanowires associated with their bio-sensing properties in field-effect transistor diagnostics basis as a biosensor has been reported. The bio-sensing property for manipulated nanowires elucidated that the grown nanostructures were very sensitive to protein. The ITO-capped WO3 nanowires biosensor showed an intensive bio-sensing activity against reliable protein. Polylysine strongly charged bio-molecule was applied as model system to demonstrate the implementation of materialized biosensor. The employed sensing mechanism was `label-free' and depended on bio-molecule's intrinsic charge. For nanowires synthesis, the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism was used. Nanowires were beyond a few hundred nanometers in lengths and around 15-20 nm in diameter, while the globe cap's size on the nanowires was around 15-25 nm. The indium tin oxide (ITO) played as catalyst in nanofabrication for WO3 nanowires growth and had outstanding role in bio-sensing especially for bio-molecule adherence. In applied electric field presence, the fabricated device showed the great potential to enhance medical diagnostics.

  7. Ultrasensitive biomolecular assays with amplifying nanowire FET biosensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chui, Chi On; Shin, Kyeong-Sik; Mao, Yufei

    2013-09-01

    In this paper, we review our recent development and validation of the ultrasensitive electronic biomolecular assays enabled by our novel amplifying nanowire field-effect transistor (nwFET) biosensors. Our semiconductor nwFET biosensor platform technology performs extreme proximity signal amplification in the electrical domain that requires neither labeling nor enzymes nor optics. We have designed and fabricated the biomolecular assay prototypes and developed the corresponding analytical procedures. We have also confirmed their analytical performance in quantitating key protein biomarker in human serum, demonstrating an ultralow limit of detection and concurrently high output current level for the first time.

  8. Protein Biosensors Based on Polymer Nanowires, Carbon Nanotubes and Zinc Oxide Nanorods

    PubMed Central

    M., Anish Kumar; Jung, Soyoun; Ji, Taeksoo

    2011-01-01

    The development of biosensors using electrochemical methods is a promising application in the field of biotechnology. High sensitivity sensors for the bio-detection of proteins have been developed using several kinds of nanomaterials. The performance of the sensors depends on the type of nanostructures with which the biomaterials interact. One dimensional (1-D) structures such as nanowires, nanotubes and nanorods are proven to have high potential for bio-applications. In this paper we review these three different kinds of nanostructures that have attracted much attention at recent times with their great performance as biosensors. Materials such as polymers, carbon and zinc oxide have been widely used for the fabrication of nanostructures because of their enhanced performance in terms of sensitivity, biocompatibility, and ease of preparation. Thus we consider polymer nanowires, carbon nanotubes and zinc oxide nanorods for discussion in this paper. We consider three stages in the development of biosensors: (a) fabrication of biomaterials into nanostructures, (b) alignment of the nanostructures and (c) immobilization of proteins. Two different methods by which the biosensors can be developed at each stage for all the three nanostructures are examined. Finally, we conclude by mentioning some of the major challenges faced by many researchers who seek to fabricate biosensors for real time applications. PMID:22163892

  9. Origin of noise in liquid-gated Si nanowire troponin biosensors.

    PubMed

    Kutovyi, Y; Zadorozhnyi, I; Hlukhova, H; Handziuk, V; Petrychuk, M; Ivanchuk, Andriy; Vitusevich, S

    2018-04-27

    Liquid-gated Si nanowire field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors are fabricated using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible top-down approach. The transport and noise properties of the devices reflect the high performance of the FET structures, which allows label-free detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) molecules. Moreover, after removing the troponin antigens the structures demonstrate the same characteristics as before cTnI detection, indicating the reusable operation of biosensors. Our results show that the additional noise is related to the troponin molecules and has characteristics which considerably differ from those usually recorded for conventional FETs without target molecules. We describe the origin of the noise and suggest that noise spectroscopy represents a powerful tool for understanding molecular dynamic processes in nanoscale FET-based biosensors.

  10. Origin of noise in liquid-gated Si nanowire troponin biosensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kutovyi, Y.; Zadorozhnyi, I.; Hlukhova, H.; Handziuk, V.; Petrychuk, M.; Ivanchuk, Andriy; Vitusevich, S.

    2018-04-01

    Liquid-gated Si nanowire field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors are fabricated using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible top-down approach. The transport and noise properties of the devices reflect the high performance of the FET structures, which allows label-free detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) molecules. Moreover, after removing the troponin antigens the structures demonstrate the same characteristics as before cTnI detection, indicating the reusable operation of biosensors. Our results show that the additional noise is related to the troponin molecules and has characteristics which considerably differ from those usually recorded for conventional FETs without target molecules. We describe the origin of the noise and suggest that noise spectroscopy represents a powerful tool for understanding molecular dynamic processes in nanoscale FET-based biosensors.

  11. The field effect transistor DNA biosensor based on ITO nanowires in label-free hepatitis B virus detecting compatible with CMOS technology.

    PubMed

    Shariati, Mohsen

    2018-05-15

    In this paper the field-effect transistor DNA biosensor for detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) based on indium tin oxide nanowires (ITO NWs) in label free approach has been fabricated. Because of ITO nanowires intensive conductance and functional modified surface, the probe immobilization and target hybridization were increased strongly. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurement showed that ITO nanowires were crystalline and less than 50nm in diameter. The single-stranded hepatitis B virus DNA (SS-DNA) was immobilized as probe on the Au-modified nanowires. The DNA targets were measured in a linear concentration range from 1fM to 10µM. The detection limit of the DNA biosensor was about 1fM. The time of the hybridization process for defined single strand was 90min. The switching ratio of the biosensor between "on" and "off" state was ~ 1.1 × 10 5 . For sensing the specificity of the biosensor, non-complementary, mismatch and complementary DNA oligonucleotide sequences were clearly discriminated. The HBV biosensor confirmed the highly satisfied specificity for differentiating complementary sequences from non-complementary and the mismatch oligonucleotides. The response time of the DNA sensor was 37s with a high reproducibility. The stability and repeatability of the DNA biosensor showed that the peak current of the biosensor retained 98% and 96% of its initial response for measurements after three and five weeks, respectively. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Functionalized ZnO nanowires for microcantilever biosensors with enhanced binding capability.

    PubMed

    Stassi, Stefano; Chiadò, Alessandro; Cauda, Valentina; Palmara, Gianluca; Canavese, Giancarlo; Laurenti, Marco; Ricciardi, Carlo

    2017-04-01

    An efficient way to increase the binding capability of microcantilever biosensors is here demonstrated by growing zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) on their active surface. A comprehensive evaluation of the chemical compatibility of ZnO NWs brought to the definition of an innovative functionalization method able to guarantee the proper immobilization of biomolecules on the nanostructured surface. A noteworthy higher amount of grafted molecules was evidenced with colorimetric assays on ZnO NWs-coated devices, in comparison with functionalized and activated silicon flat samples. ZnO NWs grown on silicon microcantilever arrays and activated with the proposed immobilization strategy enhanced the sensor binding capability (and thus the dynamic range) of nearly 1 order of magnitude, with respect to the commonly employed flat functionalized silicon devices. Graphical Abstract An efficient way to increase the binding capability of microcantilever biosensors is represented by growing zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) on their active surface. ZnO NWs grown on silicon microcantilever arrays and activated with an innovative immobilization strategy enhanced the sensor binding capability of nearly 1 order of magnitude, with respect to the commonly employed flat functionalized silicon devices.

  13. Customization of Protein Single Nanowires for Optical Biosensing.

    PubMed

    Sun, Yun-Lu; Sun, Si-Ming; Wang, Pan; Dong, Wen-Fei; Zhang, Lei; Xu, Bin-Bin; Chen, Qi-Dai; Tong, Li-Min; Sun, Hong-Bo

    2015-06-24

    An all-protein single-nanowire optical biosensor is constructed by a facile and general femtosecond laser direct writing approach with nanoscale structural customization. As-formed protein single nanowires show excellent optical properties (fine waveguiding performance and bio-applicable transmission windows), and are utilized as evanescent optical nanobiosensors for label-free biotin detection. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Glucose biosensor based on functionalized ZnO nanowire/graphite films dispersed on a Pt electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gallay, P.; Tosi, E.; Madrid, R.; Tirado, M.; Comedi, D.

    2016-10-01

    We present a glucose biosensor based on ZnO nanowire self-sustained films grown on compacted graphite flakes by the vapor transport method. Nanowire/graphite films were fragmented in water, filtered to form a colloidal suspension, subsequently functionalized with glucose oxidase and finally transferred to a metal electrode (Pt). The obtained devices were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrochemical responses of the devices were determined in buffer solutions with successive glucose aggregates using a tripolar electrode system. The nanostructured biosensors showed excellent analytical performance, with linear response to glucose concentrations, high sensitivity of up to ≈17 μA cm-2 mM-1 in the 0.03-1.52 mM glucose concentration range, relatively low Michaelis-Menten constant, excellent reproducibility and a fast response. The detection limits are more than an order of magnitude lower than those achievable in commercial biosensors for glucose control, which is promising for the development of glucose monitoring methods that do not require blood extraction from potentially diabetic patients. The strong detection enhancements provided by the functionalized nanostructures are much larger than the electrode surface-area increase and are discussed in terms of the physical and chemical mechanisms involved in the detection and transduction processes.

  15. Facile synthesis of Prussian blue nanocubes/silver nanowires network as a water-based ink for the direct screen-printed flexible biosensor chips.

    PubMed

    Yang, Pengqi; Peng, Jingmeng; Chu, Zhenyu; Jiang, Danfeng; Jin, Wanqin

    2017-06-15

    The large-scale fabrication of nanocomposite based biosensors is always a challenge in the technology commercialization from laboratory to industry. In order to address this issue, we have designed a facile chemical method of fabricated nanocomposite ink applied to the screen-printed biosensor chip. This ink can be derived in the water through the in-situ growth of Prussian blue nanocubes (PBNCs) on the silver nanowires (AgNWs) to construct a composite nanostructure by a facile chemical method. Then a miniature flexible biosensor chip was screen-printed by using the prepared nanocomposite ink. Due to the synergic effects of the large specific surface area, high conductivity and electrocatalytic activity from AgNWs and PBNCs, the as-prepared biosensor chip exhibited a fast response (<3s), a wider linear response from 0.01 to 1.3mM with an ultralow LOD=5µm, and the ultrahigh sensitivities of 131.31 and 481.20µAmM -1 cm -2 for the detections of glucose and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), respectively. Furthermore, the biosensor chip exhibited excellent stability, good reproducibility and high anti-interference ability towards physiological substances under a very low working potential of -0.05. Hence, the proposed biosensor chip also showed a promising potential for the application in practical analysis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Advances in nanowire bioelectronics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Wei; Dai, Xiaochuan; Lieber, Charles M.

    2017-01-01

    Semiconductor nanowires represent powerful building blocks for next generation bioelectronics given their attractive properties, including nanometer-scale footprint comparable to subcellular structures and bio-molecules, configurable in nonstandard device geometries readily interfaced with biological systems, high surface-to-volume ratios, fast signal responses, and minimum consumption of energy. In this review article, we summarize recent progress in the field of nanowire bioelectronics with a focus primarily on silicon nanowire field-effect transistor biosensors. First, the synthesis and assembly of semiconductor nanowires will be described, including the basics of nanowire FETs crucial to their configuration as biosensors. Second, we will introduce and review recent results in nanowire bioelectronics for biomedical applications ranging from label-free sensing of biomolecules, to extracellular and intracellular electrophysiological recording.

  17. Specific and selective target detection of supra-genome 21 Mers Salmonella via silicon nanowires biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mustafa, Mohammad Razif Bin; Dhahi, Th S.; Ehfaed, Nuri. A. K. H.; Adam, Tijjani; Hashim, U.; Azizah, N.; Mohammed, Mohammed; Noriman, N. Z.

    2017-09-01

    The nano structure based on silicon can be surface modified to be used as label-free biosensors that allow real-time measurements. The silicon nanowire surface was functionalized using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTES), which functions as a facilitator to immobilize biomolecules on the silicon nanowire surface. The process is simple, economical; this will pave the way for point-of-care applications. However, the surface modification and subsequent detection mechanism still not clear. Thus, study proposed step by step process of silicon nano surface modification and its possible in specific and selective target detection of Supra-genome 21 Mers Salmonella. The device captured the molecule with precisely; the approach took the advantages of strong binding chemistry created between APTES and biomolecule. The results indicated how modifications of the nanowires provide sensing capability with strong surface chemistries that can lead to specific and selective target detection.

  18. Protein-mimicking nanowire-inspired electro-catalytic biosensor for probing acetylcholinesterase activity and its inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qingqing; Hu, Yufang; Wu, Di; Ma, Shaohua; Wang, Jiao; Rao, Jiajia; Xu, Lihua; Xu, Huan; Shao, Huili; Guo, Zhiyong; Wang, Sui

    2018-06-01

    A highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor based on the synthetized L-Cysteine-Ag(I) coordination polymer (L-Cys-Ag(I) CP), which looks like a protein-mimicking nanowire, was constructed to detect acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and screen its inhibitors. This sensing strategy involves the reaction of acetylcholine chloride (ACh) with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to form choline that is in turn catalytically oxidized by choline oxidase (ChOx) to produce hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), thus L-Cys-Ag(I) CP possesses the electro-catalytic property to H 2 O 2 reduction. Herein, the protein-mimicking nanowire-based platform was capable of investigating successive of H 2 O 2 effectively by amperometric i-t (current-time) response, and was further applied for the turn-on electrochemical detection of AChE activity. The proposed sensor is highly sensitive (limit of detection is 0.0006 U/L) and is feasible for screening inhibitors of AChE. The model for AChE inhibition was further established and two traditional AChE inhibitors (donepezil and tacrine) were employed to verify the feasibility of the system. The IC 5 0 of donepezil and tacrine were estimated to be 1.4 nM and 3.5 nM, respectively. The developed protocol provides a new and promising platform for probing AChE activity and screening its inhibitors with low cost, high sensitivity and selectivity. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Label-Free Direct Detection of miRNAs with Poly-Silicon Nanowire Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Gong, Changguo; Qi, Jiming; Xiao, Han; Jiang, Bin; Zhao, Yulan

    2015-01-01

    Background The diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNAs (miRNAs) in a variety of diseases is promising. The novel silicon nanowire (SiNW) biosensors have advantages in molecular detection because of their high sensitivity and fast response. In this study, poly-crystalline silicon nanowire field-effect transistor (poly-SiNW FET) device was developed to achieve specific and ultrasensitive detection of miRNAs without labeling and amplification. Methods The poly-SiNW FET was fabricated by a top–down Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) wafer fabrication based technique. Single strand DNA (ssDNA) probe was bind to the surface of the poly-SiNW device which was silanated and aldehyde-modified. By comparing the difference of resistance value before and after ssDNA and miRNA hybridization, poly-SiNW device can be used to detect standard and real miRNA samples. Results Poly-SiNW device with different structures (different line width and different pitch) was applied to detect standard Let-7b sample with a detection limitation of 1 fM. One-base mismatched sequence could be distinguished meanwhile. Furthermore, these poly-SiNW arrays can detect snRNA U6 in total RNA samples extracted from HepG2 cells with a detection limitation of 0.2 μg/mL. In general, structures with pitch showed better results than those without pitch in detection of both Let-7b and snRNA U6. Moreover, structures with smaller pitch showed better detection efficacy. Conclusion Our findings suggest that poly-SiNW arrays could detect standard and real miRNA sample without labeling or amplification. Poly-SiNW biosensor device is promising for miRNA detection. PMID:26709827

  20. Precise and selective sensing of DNA-DNA hybridization by graphene/Si-nanowires diode-type biosensors.

    PubMed

    Kim, Jungkil; Park, Shin-Young; Kim, Sung; Lee, Dae Hun; Kim, Ju Hwan; Kim, Jong Min; Kang, Hee; Han, Joong-Soo; Park, Jun Woo; Lee, Hosun; Choi, Suk-Ho

    2016-08-18

    Single-Si-nanowire (NW)-based DNA sensors have been recently developed, but their sensitivity is very limited because of high noise signals, originating from small source-drain current of the single Si NW. Here, we demonstrate that chemical-vapor-deposition-grown large-scale graphene/surface-modified vertical-Si-NW-arrays junctions can be utilized as diode-type biosensors for highly-sensitive and -selective detection of specific oligonucleotides. For this, a twenty-seven-base-long synthetic oligonucleotide, which is a fragment of human DENND2D promoter sequence, is first decorated as a probe on the surface of vertical Si-NW arrays, and then the complementary oligonucleotide is hybridized to the probe. This hybridization gives rise to a doping effect on the surface of Si NWs, resulting in the increase of the current in the biosensor. The current of the biosensor increases from 19 to 120% as the concentration of the target DNA varies from 0.1 to 500 nM. In contrast, such biosensing does not come into play by the use of the oligonucleotide with incompatible or mismatched sequences. Similar results are observed from photoluminescence microscopic images and spectra. The biosensors show very-uniform current changes with standard deviations ranging ~1 to ~10% by ten-times endurance tests. These results are very promising for their applications in accurate, selective, and stable biosensing.

  1. Development of novel acoustic wave biosensor platforms based on magnetostriction and fabrication of magnetostrictive nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Suiqiong

    There is an urgent need for biosensors that are able to detect and quantify the presence of a small amount of biological threat agents in a real-time manner. Acoustic wave (AW) devices, whose performance is defined by mass sensitivity (Sm) and merit quality factor (Q value), have been extensively studied as high performance biosensor platforms. However, current AW devices face some challenges in practical applications. In this research, two types of AW devices---magnetostrictive microcantilever (MSMC) and completely free-standing magnetostrictive particle (MSP)---were developed. The research consists of two parts: (1) Design and the feasibility study of MSMC and MSP based sensor technology; (2) Fabrication and characterization of micro/nano MSPs made of amorphous Fe-B alloy. Both MSMC and MSP based sensors are wireless/remote and work well in liquid, which makes the sensors good candidates for in-situ detection. The performance of MSMC was simulated and compared with the state of art AW devices: microcantilevers. The MSMC exhibits the following advantages: (1) remote/wireless driving and sensing; (2) ease of fabrication; (3) works well in liquid; (4) exhibits a high Q value (> 500 in air); (5) well suited for sensor array development. MSMCs in milli/micro sizes were fabricated and their performance was characterized in air and liquid. The experimental results confirm the advantages of MSMC mentioned above. The in situ detection of the yeast cells and Bacillus anthracis spores in water were performed using MSMC biosensors. MSPs in the shape of strip and bar were investigated. Strip-shape MSPs in milli/micro sizes were fabricated. The resonance behaviors of MSPs at the even and odd vibration modes were analyzed. MSP exhibits a Sm about 100 times greater, and a Q value about 10 times greater, than MCs. A multiple-sensor and a multiple-target approach were developed to further enhance the performance of MSP-based sensors. A unique methodology was created to detect the

  2. Lipid nanotube or nanowire sensor

    DOEpatents

    Noy, Aleksandr [Belmont, CA; Bakajin, Olgica [San Leandro, CA; Letant, Sonia [Livermore, CA; Stadermann, Michael [Dublin, CA; Artyukhin, Alexander B [Menlo Park, CA

    2009-06-09

    A sensor apparatus comprising a nanotube or nanowire, a lipid bilayer around the nanotube or nanowire, and a sensing element connected to the lipid bilayer. Also a biosensor apparatus comprising a gate electrode; a source electrode; a drain electrode; a nanotube or nanowire operatively connected to the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; a lipid bilayer around the nanotube or nanowire, and a sensing element connected to the lipid bilayer.

  3. Lipid nanotube or nanowire sensor

    DOEpatents

    Noy, Aleksandr [Belmont, CA; Bakajin, Olgica [San Leandro, CA; Letant, Sonia [Livermore, CA; Stadermann, Michael [Dublin, CA; Artyukhin, Alexander B [Menlo Park, CA

    2010-06-29

    A sensor apparatus comprising a nanotube or nanowire, a lipid bilayer around the nanotube or nanowire, and a sensing element connected to the lipid bilayer. Also a biosensor apparatus comprising a gate electrode; a source electrode; a drain electrode; a nanotube or nanowire operatively connected to the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; a lipid bilayer around the nanotube or nanowire, and a sensing element connected to the lipid bilayer.

  4. Fabrication and Performance Study on Individual Zno Nanowires Based Bioelectrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Yanguang; Yan, Xiaoqin; Kang, Zhuo; Lin, Pei

    2012-08-01

    One-dimensional zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) have unique advantages for use in biosensors as follows: oxide stable surface, excellent biosafety, high specific surface area, high isoelectric point (IEP = 9.5). In this work, we have prepared a kind of electrochemical bioelectrode based on individual ZnO NWs. Here, ZnO NWs with high quality were successfully synthesized by CVD method, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence. Then the Raman spectra and electrical characterization demonstrated the adsorption of uricase on ZnO wires. At last, a series of electrochemical measurements were carried out by using an electrochemical workstation with a conventional three-electrode system to obtain the cyclic voltammetry characteristics of the bioelectrodes. The excellent performance of the fabricated bioelectrode implies the potential application for single ZnO nanowire to construct electrochemical biosensor for the detection of uric acid.

  5. Quantum confinement effects in lithographic sub-5 nm Silicon nanowire fets and integration of si nanograting fet biosensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trivedi, Krutarth B.

    In recent years, widespread accessibility to reliable nanofabrication techniques such as high resolution electron beam lithography as well as development of innovative techniques such as nanoimprint lithography and chemically grown nano-materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene have spurred a boom in many fields of research involving nanoscale features and devices. The breadth of fields in which nanoscale features represent a new paradigm is staggering. Scaling down device dimensions to nanoscale enables non-classical quantum behavior and allows for interaction with similarly sized natural materials, like proteins and DNA, as never before, affording an unprecedented level of performance and control and fostering a seemingly boundless array of unique applications. Much of the research effort has been directed toward understanding such interactions to leverage the potential of nanoscale devices to enhance electronic and medical technology. In keeping with the spirit of application based research, my graduate research career has spanned the development of nanoimprint techniques and devices for novel applications, demonstration and study of sub-5 nm Si nanowire FETs exhibiting tangible performance enhancement over conventional MOSFETs, and development of an integrated Si nanograting FET based biosensor and related framework. The following dissertation details my work in fabrication of sub-5 nm Si nanowire FETs and characterization of quantum confinement effects in charge transport of FETs with 2D and 1D channel geometry, fabrication and characterization of schottky contact Si nanograting FET sensors, integration of miniaturized Si nanograting FET biosensors into Chip-in-Strip(c) packaging, development of an automated microfluidic sensing system, and investigation of electrochemical considerations in the Si nanograting FET biosensor gate stack followed by development of a novel patent-pending strategy for a lithographically patterned on-chip gate electrode.

  6. Direct electrodeposition of porous gold nanowire arrays for biosensing applications.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xinyi; Li, Dan; Bourgeois, Laure; Wang, Huanting; Webley, Paul A

    2009-02-02

    Nanochannel alumina templates are used as templates for fabrication of porous gold nanowire arrays by a direct electrodeposition method. After modification with glucose oxidase, a porous gold nanowire-array electrode is shown to be an excellent electrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose. The picture shows an SEM image of a nanowire array after removal of the alumina template by acid dissolution. We report the fabrication of porous gold nanowire arrays by means of a one-step electrodeposition method utilizing nanochannel alumina templates. The microstructure of gold nanowires depends strongly on the current density. The formation of porous gold nanowires is attributed to disperse crystallization under conditions of low nucleation rate. Interfacial electron transport through the porous gold nanowires is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetric studies on the porous gold nanowire arrays reveal a low-potential electrocatalytic response towards hydrogen peroxide. The properties of the glucose oxidase modified porous gold nanowire array electrode are elucidated and compared with those of nonporous enzyme electrodes. The glucose oxidase modified porous gold nanowire-array electrode is shown to be an excellent electrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose.

  7. Construction of uric acid biosensor based on biomimetic titanate nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Tao, Haisheng; Wang, Xuebin; Wang, Xizhang; Hu, Yemin; Ma, Yanwen; Lu, Yinong; Hu, Zheng

    2010-02-01

    A uric acid biosensor has been fabricated through the immobilization of uricase on glassy carbon electrode modified by biomimetic titanate nanotubes of high specific surface area synthesized by hydrothermal decomposition. The so-constructed biosensor presents a high affinity to uric acid with a small apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of only 0.66 mM. The biosensor exhibits fairly good electrochemical properties such as the high sensitivity of 184.3 microAcm(-2)mM(-1), the fast response of less than 2 s, as well as the wide linear range from 1 microM to 5 mM. These performances indicate that titanate nanotubes could provide a favorable microenvironment for uricase immobilization, stabilize its biological activity, and function as an efficient electron conducting tunnel to facilitate the electron transfer. This suggests an important potential of titanate nanotubes in uric acid biosensors.

  8. Applications of one-dimensional structured nanomaterials as biosensors and transparent electronics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ishikawa, Fumiaki

    This dissertation presents applications of one-dimensional structured nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes and In2O3 nanowires, for biosensors and transparent electronics. Chapter 1 gives the motivation to study applications of one-dimensional structured nanomaterials, and also brief introduction to structure, synthesis, and electronic properties of carbon nanotubes and In2O3 nanowires. In Chapter 2, introduction and motivation of biosensors using nanotubes/nanowires is given, followed by an overview on important background knowledge and concepts in biosensing. In Chapter 3, application of carbon nanotube biosensors toward brown tide algae detection is presented. Our devices successfully detected a brown tide marker selectively with real-time response. In Chapter 4, we demonstrate that In2O3 nanowire biosensors coupled with an antibody mimic protein (Fibronectin, Fn) can be used to detect nucleocapsid (N) protein, a biomarker for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), at concentrations to below the sub-nanomolar range. In Chapter 5, we develop an analytical method to calibrate nanowire biosensor responses that can suppress the device-to-device variation in sensing response significantly. In Chapter 6, we investigate the effect of nanotube density on the biosensor performance, and proved that it plays an important role through systematic studies. In Chapter 7, I propose a future direction of nanobiosensors research, and show preliminary results along the proposed direction. I first present a concept of an ideal bioassay system with a list of requirements for the system, and propose the strategy of multi-integration to establish a system based on nanobiosensors that satisfies all of the requirements. In Chapter 8, we demonstrate high performance fully transparent transistors based on transfer printed aligned carbon nanotubes on both rigid and flexible substrates. We achieved device mobility as high as 1,300 cm 2V-1s-1 on glass substrates, which is the highest among

  9. Disposable amperometric biosensor based on nanostructured bacteriophages for glucose detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kang, Yu Ri; Hwang, Kyung Hoon; Kim, Ju Hwan; Nam, Chang Hoon; Kim, Soo Won

    2010-10-01

    The selection of electrode material profoundly influences biosensor science and engineering, as it heavily influences biosensor sensitivity. Here we propose a novel electrochemical detection method using a working electrode consisting of bio-nanowires from genetically modified filamentous phages and nanoparticles. fd-tet p8MMM filamentous phages displaying a three-methionine (MMM) peptide on the major coat protein pVIII (designated p8MMM phages) were immobilized on the active area of an electrochemical sensor through physical adsorption and chemical bonding. Bio-nanowires composed of p8MMM phages and silver nanoparticles facilitated sensitive, rapid and selective detection of particular molecules. We explored whether the composite electrode with bio-nanowires was an effective platform to detect the glucose oxidase. The current response of the bio-nanowire sensor was high at various glucose concentrations (0.1 µm-0.1 mM). This method provides a considerable advantage to demonstrate analyte detection over low concentration ranges. Especially, phage-enabled bio-nanowires can serve as receptors with high affinity and specificity for the detection of particular biomolecules and provide a convenient platform for designing site-directed multifunctional scaffolds based on bacteriophages and may serve as a simple method for label-free detection.

  10. Construction of 3D Metallic Nanowire Arrays on Arbitrarily-Shaped Substrate.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Fei; Li, Jingning; Yu, Fangfang; Peng, Ru-Wen; Wang, Mu; Mu Wang Team

    Formation of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures is an important step of advanced manufacture for new concept devices with novel functionality. Despite of great achievements in fabricating nanostructures with state of the art lithography approaches, these nanostructures are normally limited on flat substrates. Up to now it remains challenging to build metallic nanostructures directly on a rough and bumpy surface. Here we demonstrate a unique approach to fabricate metallic nanowire arrays on an arbitrarily-shaped surface by electrodeposition, which is unknown before 2016. Counterintuitively here the growth direction of the nanowires is perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, and the specific geometry of nanowires can be achieved by introducing specially designed shaped substrate. The spatial separation and the width of the nanowires can be tuned by voltage, electrolyte concentration and temperature in electrodeposition. By taking cobalt nanowire array as an example, we demonstrate that head-to-head and tail-to-tail magnetic domain walls can be easily introduced and modulated in the nanowire arrays, which is enlightening to construct new devices such as domain wall racetrack memory. We acknowledge the foundation from MOST and NSF(China).

  11. Vertically aligned nanowires from boron-doped diamond.

    PubMed

    Yang, Nianjun; Uetsuka, Hiroshi; Osawa, Eiji; Nebel, Christoph E

    2008-11-01

    Vertically aligned diamond nanowires with controlled geometrical properties like length and distance between wires were fabricated by use of nanodiamond particles as a hard mask and by use of reactive ion etching. The surface structure, electronic properties, and electrochemical functionalization of diamond nanowires were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) as well as electrochemical techniques. AFM and STM experiments show that diamond nanowire etched for 10 s have wire-typed structures with 3-10 nm in length and with typically 11 nm spacing in between. The electrode active area of diamond nanowires is enhanced by a factor of 2. The functionalization of nanowire tips with nitrophenyl molecules is characterized by STM on clean and on nitrophenyl molecule-modified diamond nanowires. Tip-modified diamond nanowires are promising with respect to biosensor applications where controlled biomolecule bonding is required to improve chemical stability and sensing significantly.

  12. A Highly Responsive Silicon Nanowire/Amplifier MOSFET Hybrid Biosensor

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-07-21

    biosensor. The insets show a magnified view of the SiNW channel region (W = 55 nm). ( c ) Photograph of the biosensor chip fabricated via a top-down method...of the SiNW FET is 147 mV/decade. (b) VT and ( c ) ISINW at different pH levels; these values were extracted from Fig. 2a. VT was extracted using the...function of pH level in the hybrid biosensor. The extracted current change is 5.5 × 105 (=5.74 decade per pH). ( c ) Transient response of IMOSFET while

  13. Progress of new label-free techniques for biosensors: a review.

    PubMed

    Sang, Shengbo; Wang, Yajun; Feng, Qiliang; Wei, Ye; Ji, Jianlong; Zhang, Wendong

    2016-01-01

    The detection techniques used in biosensors can be broadly classified into label-based and label-free. Label-based detection relies on the specific properties of labels for detecting a particular target. In contrast, label-free detection is suitable for the target molecules that are not labeled or the screening of analytes which are not easy to tag. Also, more types of label-free biosensors have emerged with developments in biotechnology. The latest developed techniques in label-free biosensors, such as field-effect transistors-based biosensors including carbon nanotube field-effect transistor biosensors, graphene field-effect transistor biosensors and silicon nanowire field-effect transistor biosensors, magnetoelastic biosensors, optical-based biosensors, surface stress-based biosensors and other type of biosensors based on the nanotechnology are discussed. The sensing principles, configurations, sensing performance, applications, advantages and restriction of different label-free based biosensors are considered and discussed in this review. Most concepts included in this survey could certainly be applied to the development of this kind of biosensor in the future.

  14. CONDUCTING-POLYMER NANOWIRE IMMUNOSENSOR ARRAYS FOR MICROBIAL PATHOGENS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The lack of methods for routine rapid and sensitive detection and quantification of specific pathogens has limited the amount of information available on their occurrence in drinking water and other environmental samples. The nanowire biosensor arrays developed in this study w...

  15. Biosensor properties of SOI nanowire transistors with a PEALD Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} dielectric protective layer

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Popov, V. P., E-mail: popov@isp.nsc.ru; Ilnitskii, M. A.; Zhanaev, E. D.

    2016-05-15

    The properties of protective dielectric layers of aluminum oxide Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} applied to prefabricated silicon-nanowire transistor biochips by the plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) method before being housed are studied depending on the deposition and annealing modes. Coating the natural silicon oxide with a nanometer Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer insignificantly decreases the femtomole sensitivity of biosensors, but provides their stability in bioliquids. In deionized water, transistors with annealed aluminum oxide are closed due to the trapping of negative charges of <(1–10) × 10{sup 11} cm{sup −2} at surface states. The application of a positive potential to the substratemore » (V{sub sub} > 25 V) makes it possible to eliminate the negative charge and to perform multiple measurements in liquid at least for half a year.« less

  16. Electrical conductivity measurements of bacterial nanowires from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maruthupandy, Muthusamy; Anand, Muthusamy; Maduraiveeran, Govindhan; Sait Hameedha Beevi, Akbar; Jeeva Priya, Radhakrishnan

    2015-12-01

    The extracellular appendages of bacteria (flagella) that transfer electrons to electrodes are called bacterial nanowires. This study focuses on the isolation and separation of nanowires that are attached via Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial culture. The size and roughness of separated nanowires were measured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The obtained bacterial nanowires indicated a clear image of bacterial nanowires measuring 16 nm in diameter. The formation of bacterial nanowires was confirmed by microscopic studies (AFM and TEM) and the conductivity nature of bacterial nanowire was investigated by electrochemical techniques. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which are nondestructive voltammetry techniques, suggest that bacterial nanowires could be the source of electrons—which may be used in various applications, for example, microbial fuel cells, biosensors, organic solar cells, and bioelectronic devices. Routine analysis of electron transfer between bacterial nanowires and the electrode was performed, providing insight into the extracellular electron transfer (EET) to the electrode. CV revealed the catalytic electron transferability of bacterial nanowires and electrodes and showed excellent redox activities. CV and EIS studies showed that bacterial nanowires can charge the surface by producing and storing sufficient electrons, behave as a capacitor, and have features consistent with EET. Finally, electrochemical studies confirmed the development of bacterial nanowires with EET. This study suggests that bacterial nanowires can be used to fabricate biomolecular sensors and nanoelectronic devices.

  17. Facile synthesis of tetragonal columnar-shaped TiO2 nanorods for the construction of sensitive electrochemical glucose biosensor.

    PubMed

    Yang, Zhanjun; Tang, Yan; Li, Juan; Zhang, Yongcai; Hu, Xiaoya

    2014-04-15

    A tetragonal columnar-shaped TiO2 (TCS-TiO2) nanorods are synthesized via a facile route for the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx). A novel electrochemical glucose biosensor is constructed based on the direct electrochemistry of GOx at TCS-TiO2 modified glassy carbon electrode. The fabricated biosensor is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectra and cyclic voltammetry. The immobilized enzyme molecules on TCS-TiO2 nanorods retain its native structure and bioactivity and show a surface controlled, quasi-reversible and fast electron transfer process. The TCS-TiO2 nanorods have large surface area and provide a favorable microenvironment for enhancing the electron transfer between enzyme and electrode surface. The constructed glucose biosensor shows wide linear range from 5.0×10(-6) to 1.32×10(-3) M with a high sensitivity of 23.2 mA M(-1) cm(-2). The detection limit is calculated to be 2.0×10(-6) M at signal-to-noise of 3. The proposed glucose biosensor also exhibits excellent selectivity, good reproducibility, and acceptable operational stability. Furthermore, the biosensor can be successfully applied in the detection of glucose in serum sample at the applied potential of -0.50 V. The TCS-TiO2 nanorods provide an efficient and promising platform for the immobilization of proteins and development of excellent biosensors. © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.

  18. ZnO-Based Amperometric Enzyme Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Zhiwei; Lei, Wei; Zhang, Xiaobing; Wang, Baoping; Jiang, Helong

    2010-01-01

    Nanostructured ZnO with its unique properties could provide a suitable microenvironment for immobilization of enzymes while retaining their biological activity, and thus lead to an expanded use of this nanomaterial for the construction of electrochemical biosensors with enhanced analytical performance. ZnO-based enzyme electrochemical biosensors are summarized in several tables for an easy overview according to the target biosensing analyte (glucose, hydrogen peroxide, phenol and cholesterol), respectively. Moreover, recent developments in enzyme electrochemical biosensors based on ZnO nanomaterials are reviewed with an emphasis on the fabrications and features of ZnO, approaches for biosensor construction (e.g., modified electrodes and enzyme immobilization) and biosensor performances. PMID:22205864

  19. Label-free SnO2 nanowire FET biosensor for protein detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jakob, Markus H.; Dong, Bo; Gutsch, Sebastian; Chatelle, Claire; Krishnaraja, Abinaya; Weber, Wilfried; Zacharias, Margit

    2017-06-01

    Novel tin oxide field-effect-transistors (SnO2 NW-FET) for pH and protein detection applicable in the healthcare sector are reported. With a SnO2 NW-FET the proof-of-concept of a bio-sensing device is demonstrated using the carrier transport control of the FET channel by a (bio-) liquid modulated gate. Ultra-thin Al2O3 fabricated by a low temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) process represents a sensitive layer to H+ ions safeguarding the nanowire at the same time. Successful pH sensitivity is demonstrated for pH ranging from 3 to 10. For protein detection, the SnO2 NW-FET is functionalized with a receptor molecule which specifically interacts with the protein of interest to be detected. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated via the detection of a biotinylated protein using a NW-FET functionalized with streptavidin. An immediate label-free electronic read-out of the signal is shown. The well-established Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method is used to determine the optimal experimental procedure which would enable molecular binding events to occur while being compatible with a final label-free electronic read-out on a NW-FET. Integration of the bottom-up fabricated SnO2 NW-FET pH- and biosensor into a microfluidic system (lab-on-a-chip) allows the automated analysis of small volumes in the 400 μl range as would be desired in portable on-site point-of-care (POC) devices for medical diagnosis.

  20. Gold nanoparticles-decorated silver-bipyridine nanobelts for the construction of mediatorless hydrogen peroxide biosensor.

    PubMed

    Boujakhrout, Abderrahmane; Díez, Paula; Sánchez, Alfredo; Martínez-Ruíz, Paloma; Pingarrón, José M; Villalonga, Reynaldo

    2016-11-15

    Au nanoparticles modified with 4-mercaptopyridine and 6-mercapto-1-hexanol were used as coordination agents to prepare a novel hybrid nanomaterial with Ag:4,4'-bipyridine nanobelts. This nanohybrid was employed to modify glassy carbon electrodes and to construct a horseradish peroxidase-based mediatorless amperometric biosensor for H2O2. The electrode, poised at -100mV, exhibited a rapid response within 4s and a linear calibration range from 90pM to 6.5nM H2O2. The biosensor showed a high sensitivity of 283A/Mcm(2) and a very low detection limit of 45pM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The enzyme biosensor showed high stability when stored at 4°C under dry conditions, retaining over 96% and 78% of its initial activity after 15 and 30days of storage at 4°C, respectively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Bienzyme system for the biocatalyzed deposition of polyaniline templated by multiwalled carbon nanotubes: a biosensor design.

    PubMed

    Sheng, Qinglin; Zheng, Jianbin

    2009-02-15

    A novel method based on covalent attachment of two enzymes, glucose oxidase (GOD) and horseradish peroxide (HRP), onto carboxylic-derived multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) for the deposition of electroactive polyaniline (PANI) under ambient conditions is described. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the assembling of bienzyme and the morphology of PANI|MWNTs. Under the bienzyme biocatalytic condition, a head-to-tail structure of PANI templated by MWNTs was formed. The voltammetric characteristics of the resulting biosensor were investigated by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of glucose. The current response of PANI was linearly related to glucose concentration between 0.05 and 12.0mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.994. The synergistic performance of bienzyme, highly efficient polymerization, and templated deposition provide a general platform for the synthesis of nanowires and nanocircuits, the construction of bioelectronic devices, and the design of novel biosensors.

  2. A general strategy to construct small molecule biosensors in eukaryotes.

    PubMed

    Feng, Justin; Jester, Benjamin W; Tinberg, Christine E; Mandell, Daniel J; Antunes, Mauricio S; Chari, Raj; Morey, Kevin J; Rios, Xavier; Medford, June I; Church, George M; Fields, Stanley; Baker, David

    2015-12-29

    Biosensors for small molecules can be used in applications that range from metabolic engineering to orthogonal control of transcription. Here, we produce biosensors based on a ligand-binding domain (LBD) by using a method that, in principle, can be applied to any target molecule. The LBD is fused to either a fluorescent protein or a transcriptional activator and is destabilized by mutation such that the fusion accumulates only in cells containing the target ligand. We illustrate the power of this method by developing biosensors for digoxin and progesterone. Addition of ligand to yeast, mammalian, or plant cells expressing a biosensor activates transcription with a dynamic range of up to ~100-fold. We use the biosensors to improve the biotransformation of pregnenolone to progesterone in yeast and to regulate CRISPR activity in mammalian cells. This work provides a general methodology to develop biosensors for a broad range of molecules in eukaryotes.

  3. A general strategy to construct small molecule biosensors in eukaryotes

    DOE PAGES

    Feng, Justin; Jester, Benjamin W.; Tinberg, Christine E.; ...

    2015-12-29

    Biosensors for small molecules can be used in applications that range from metabolic engineering to orthogonal control of transcription. Here, we produce biosensors based on a ligand-binding domain (LBD) by using a method that, in principle, can be applied to any target molecule. The LBD is fused to either a fluorescent protein or a transcriptional activator and is destabilized by mutation such that the fusion accumulates only in cells containing the target ligand. We illustrate the power of this method by developing biosensors for digoxin and progesterone. Addition of ligand to yeast, mammalian, or plant cells expressing a biosensor activatesmore » transcription with a dynamic range of up to ~100-fold. We use the biosensors to improve the biotransformation of pregnenolone to progesterone in yeast and to regulate CRISPR activity in mammalian cells. As a result, this work provides a general methodology to develop biosensors for a broad range of molecules in eukaryotes.« less

  4. A general strategy to construct small molecule biosensors in eukaryotes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Feng, Justin; Jester, Benjamin W.; Tinberg, Christine E.

    Biosensors for small molecules can be used in applications that range from metabolic engineering to orthogonal control of transcription. Here, we produce biosensors based on a ligand-binding domain (LBD) by using a method that, in principle, can be applied to any target molecule. The LBD is fused to either a fluorescent protein or a transcriptional activator and is destabilized by mutation such that the fusion accumulates only in cells containing the target ligand. We illustrate the power of this method by developing biosensors for digoxin and progesterone. Addition of ligand to yeast, mammalian, or plant cells expressing a biosensor activatesmore » transcription with a dynamic range of up to ~100-fold. We use the biosensors to improve the biotransformation of pregnenolone to progesterone in yeast and to regulate CRISPR activity in mammalian cells. As a result, this work provides a general methodology to develop biosensors for a broad range of molecules in eukaryotes.« less

  5. A general strategy to construct small molecule biosensors in eukaryotes

    PubMed Central

    Feng, Justin; Jester, Benjamin W; Tinberg, Christine E; Mandell, Daniel J; Antunes, Mauricio S; Chari, Raj; Morey, Kevin J; Rios, Xavier; Medford, June I; Church, George M; Fields, Stanley; Baker, David

    2015-01-01

    Biosensors for small molecules can be used in applications that range from metabolic engineering to orthogonal control of transcription. Here, we produce biosensors based on a ligand-binding domain (LBD) by using a method that, in principle, can be applied to any target molecule. The LBD is fused to either a fluorescent protein or a transcriptional activator and is destabilized by mutation such that the fusion accumulates only in cells containing the target ligand. We illustrate the power of this method by developing biosensors for digoxin and progesterone. Addition of ligand to yeast, mammalian, or plant cells expressing a biosensor activates transcription with a dynamic range of up to ~100-fold. We use the biosensors to improve the biotransformation of pregnenolone to progesterone in yeast and to regulate CRISPR activity in mammalian cells. This work provides a general methodology to develop biosensors for a broad range of molecules in eukaryotes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10606.001 PMID:26714111

  6. Biosensors for Cell Analysis.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Qing; Son, Kyungjin; Liu, Ying; Revzin, Alexander

    2015-01-01

    Biosensors first appeared several decades ago to address the need for monitoring physiological parameters such as oxygen or glucose in biological fluids such as blood. More recently, a new wave of biosensors has emerged in order to provide more nuanced and granular information about the composition and function of living cells. Such biosensors exist at the confluence of technology and medicine and often strive to connect cell phenotype or function to physiological or pathophysiological processes. Our review aims to describe some of the key technological aspects of biosensors being developed for cell analysis. The technological aspects covered in our review include biorecognition elements used for biosensor construction, methods for integrating cells with biosensors, approaches to single-cell analysis, and the use of nanostructured biosensors for cell analysis. Our hope is that the spectrum of possibilities for cell analysis described in this review may pique the interest of biomedical scientists and engineers and may spur new collaborations in the area of using biosensors for cell analysis.

  7. Highly ordered mesoporous carbons as electrode material for the construction of electrochemical dehydrogenase- and oxidase-based biosensors.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Ming; Shang, Li; Li, Bingling; Huang, Lijian; Dong, Shaojun

    2008-11-15

    In this work, the excellent catalytic activity of highly ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) to the electrooxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was described for the construction of electrochemical alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and glucose oxidase (GOD)-based biosensors. The high density of edge-plane-like defective sites and high specific surface area of OMCs could be responsible for the electrocatalytic behavior at OMCs modified glassy carbon electrode (OMCs/GE), which induced a substantial decrease in the overpotential of NADH and H(2)O(2) oxidation reaction compared to carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (CNTs/GE). Such ability of OMCs permits effective low-potential amperometric biosensing of ethanol and glucose, respectively, at Nafion/ADH-OMCs/GE and Nafion/GOD-OMCs/GE. Especially, as an amperometric glucose biosensor, Nafion/GOD-OMCs/GE showed large determination range (500-15,000 micromoll(-1)), high sensitivity (0.053 nA micromol(-1)), fast (9+/-1s) and stable response (amperometric response retained 90% of the initial activity after 10h stirring of 2 mmoll(-1) glucose solution) to glucose as well as the effective discrimination to the possible interferences, which may make it to readily satisfy the need for the routine clinical diagnosis of diabetes. By comparing the electrochemical performance of OMCs with that of CNTs as electrode material for the construction of ADH- and GOD-biosensors in this work, we reveal that OMCs could be a favorable and promising carbon electrode material for constructing other electrochemical dehydrogenase- and oxidase-based biosensors, which may have wide potential applications in biocatalysis, bioelectronics and biofuel cells.

  8. Current Trends in Nanomaterial-Based Amperometric Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Hayat, Akhtar; Catanante, Gaëlle; Marty, Jean Louis

    2014-01-01

    The last decade has witnessed an intensive research effort in the field of electrochemical sensors, with a particular focus on the design of amperometric biosensors for diverse analytical applications. In this context, nanomaterial integration in the construction of amperometric biosensors may constitute one of the most exciting approaches. The attractive properties of nanomaterials have paved the way for the design of a wide variety of biosensors based on various electrochemical detection methods to enhance the analytical characteristics. However, most of these nanostructured materials are not explored in the design of amperometric biosensors. This review aims to provide insight into the diverse properties of nanomaterials that can be possibly explored in the construction of amperometric biosensors. PMID:25494347

  9. Recovery Based Nanowire Field-Effect Transistor Detection of Pathogenic Avian Influenza DNA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Chih-Heng; Chu, Chia-Jung; Teng, Kang-Ning; Su, Yi-Jr; Chen, Chii-Dong; Tsai, Li-Chu; Yang, Yuh-Shyong

    2012-02-01

    Fast and accurate diagnosis is critical in infectious disease surveillance and management. We proposed a DNA recovery system that can easily be adapted to DNA chip or DNA biosensor for fast identification and confirmation of target DNA. This method was based on the re-hybridization of DNA target with a recovery DNA to free the DNA probe. Functionalized silicon nanowire field-effect transistor (SiNW FET) was demonstrated to monitor such specific DNA-DNA interaction using high pathogenic strain virus hemagglutinin 1 (H1) DNA of avian influenza (AI) as target. Specific electric changes were observed in real-time for AI virus DNA sensing and device recovery when nanowire surface of SiNW FET was modified with complementary captured DNA probe. The recovery based SiNW FET biosensor can be further developed for fast identification and further confirmation of a variety of influenza virus strains and other infectious diseases.

  10. An auto-biotinylated bifunctional protein nanowire for ultra-sensitive molecular biosensing.

    PubMed

    Men, Dong; Zhang, Zhi-Ping; Guo, Yong-Chao; Zhu, Duan-Hao; Bi, Li-Jun; Deng, Jiao-Yu; Cui, Zong-Qiang; Wei, Hong-Ping; Zhang, Xian-En

    2010-12-15

    In order to obtain an ultra-sensitive molecular biosensor, we designed an auto-biotinylated bifunctional protein nanowire (bFPNw) based on the self-assembly of a yeast amyloid protein, Sup35, to which protein G and a biotin acceptor peptide (BAP) were genetically fused. These auto-biotinylated bFPNws can transfer hundreds of commercially available diagnostic enzymes to an antigen-antibody complex via the biotin-avidin system, greatly enhancing the sensitivity of immune-biosensing. Compared to our previously reported seeding-induced bFPNws (Men et al., 2009), these auto-biotinylated bFPNws gave greater signal amplification, reduced non-specific binding and improved stability. The auto-biotinylated self-assembled bFPNw molecular biosensors were applied to detect Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) F1 antigen and showed a 2000- to 4000-fold increase in sensitivity compared to traditional immunoassays, demonstrating the potential use of these self-assembling protein nanowires in biosensing. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. TiO2 nanowire-templated hierarchical nanowire network as water-repelling coating

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hang, Tian; Chen, Hui-Jiuan; Xiao, Shuai; Yang, Chengduan; Chen, Meiwan; Tao, Jun; Shieh, Han-ping; Yang, Bo-ru; Liu, Chuan; Xie, Xi

    2017-12-01

    Extraordinary water-repelling properties of superhydrophobic surfaces make them novel candidates for a great variety of potential applications. A general approach to achieve superhydrophobicity requires low-energy coating on the surface and roughness on nano- and micrometre scale. However, typical construction of superhydrophobic surfaces with micro-nano structure through top-down fabrication is restricted by sophisticated fabrication techniques and limited choices of substrate materials. Micro-nanoscale topographies templated by conventional microparticles through surface coating may produce large variations in roughness and uncontrollable defects, resulting in poorly controlled surface morphology and wettability. In this work, micro-nanoscale hierarchical nanowire network was fabricated to construct self-cleaning coating using one-dimensional TiO2 nanowires as microscale templates. Hierarchical structure with homogeneous morphology was achieved by branching ZnO nanowires on the TiO2 nanowire backbones through hydrothermal reaction. The hierarchical nanowire network displayed homogeneous micro/nano-topography, in contrast to hierarchical structure templated by traditional microparticles. This hierarchical nanowire network film exhibited high repellency to both water and cell culture medium after functionalization with fluorinated organic molecules. The hierarchical structure templated by TiO2 nanowire coating significantly increased the surface superhydrophobicity compared to vertical ZnO nanowires with nanotopography alone. Our results demonstrated a promising strategy of using nanowires as microscale templates for the rational design of hierarchical coatings with desired superhydrophobicity that can also be applied to various substrate materials.

  12. TiO2 nanowire-templated hierarchical nanowire network as water-repelling coating

    PubMed Central

    Hang, Tian; Chen, Hui-Jiuan; Xiao, Shuai; Yang, Chengduan; Chen, Meiwan; Tao, Jun; Shieh, Han-ping; Yang, Bo-ru; Liu, Chuan

    2017-01-01

    Extraordinary water-repelling properties of superhydrophobic surfaces make them novel candidates for a great variety of potential applications. A general approach to achieve superhydrophobicity requires low-energy coating on the surface and roughness on nano- and micrometre scale. However, typical construction of superhydrophobic surfaces with micro-nano structure through top-down fabrication is restricted by sophisticated fabrication techniques and limited choices of substrate materials. Micro-nanoscale topographies templated by conventional microparticles through surface coating may produce large variations in roughness and uncontrollable defects, resulting in poorly controlled surface morphology and wettability. In this work, micro-nanoscale hierarchical nanowire network was fabricated to construct self-cleaning coating using one-dimensional TiO2 nanowires as microscale templates. Hierarchical structure with homogeneous morphology was achieved by branching ZnO nanowires on the TiO2 nanowire backbones through hydrothermal reaction. The hierarchical nanowire network displayed homogeneous micro/nano-topography, in contrast to hierarchical structure templated by traditional microparticles. This hierarchical nanowire network film exhibited high repellency to both water and cell culture medium after functionalization with fluorinated organic molecules. The hierarchical structure templated by TiO2 nanowire coating significantly increased the surface superhydrophobicity compared to vertical ZnO nanowires with nanotopography alone. Our results demonstrated a promising strategy of using nanowires as microscale templates for the rational design of hierarchical coatings with desired superhydrophobicity that can also be applied to various substrate materials. PMID:29308265

  13. Effects of Nanowire Length and Surface Roughness on the Electrochemical Sensor Properties of Nafion-Free, Vertically Aligned Pt Nanowire Array Electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Li, Zhiyang; Leung, Calvin; Gao, Fan; Gu, Zhiyong

    2015-01-01

    In this paper, vertically aligned Pt nanowire arrays (PtNWA) with different lengths and surface roughnesses were fabricated and their electrochemical performance toward hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection was studied. The nanowire arrays were synthesized by electroplating Pt in nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. Different parameters, such as current density and deposition time, were precisely controlled to synthesize nanowires with different surface roughnesses and various lengths from 3 μm to 12 μm. The PtNWA electrodes showed better performance than the conventional electrodes modified by Pt nanowires randomly dispersed on the electrode surface. The results indicate that both the length and surface roughness can affect the sensing performance of vertically aligned Pt nanowire array electrodes. Generally, longer nanowires with rougher surfaces showed better electrochemical sensing performance. The 12 μm rough surface PtNWA presented the largest sensitivity (654 μA·mM−1·cm−2) among all the nanowires studied, and showed a limit of detection of 2.4 μM. The 12 μm rough surface PtNWA electrode also showed good anti-interference property from chemicals that are typically present in the biological samples such as ascorbic, uric acid, citric acid, and glucose. The sensing performance in real samples (river water) was tested and good recovery was observed. These Nafion-free, vertically aligned Pt nanowires with surface roughness control show great promise as versatile electrochemical sensors and biosensors. PMID:26404303

  14. Tracing the pH dependent activation of autophagy in cancer cells by silicon nanowire-based impedance biosensor.

    PubMed

    Alikhani, Alireza; Gharooni, Milad; Abiri, Hamed; Farokhmanesh, Fatemeh; Abdolahad, Mohammad

    2018-05-30

    Monitoring the pH dependent behavior of normal and cancer cells by impedimetric biosensor based on Silicon Nanowires (SiNWs) was introduced to diagnose the invasive cancer cells. Autophagy as a biologically activated process in invasive cancer cells during acidosis, protect them from apoptosis in lower pH which presented in our work. As the autophagy is the only activated pathways which can maintain cellular proliferation in acidic media, responses of SiNW-ECIS in acidified cells could be correlated to the probability of autophagy activation in normal or cancer cells. In contrast, cell survival pathway wasn't activated in low-grade cancer cells which resulted in their acidosis. The measured electrical resistance of MCF10, MCF7, and MDA-MB468 cell lines, by SiNW sensor, in normal and acidic media were matched by the biological analyses of their vital functions. Invasive cancer cells exhibited increased electrical resistance in pH 6.5 meanwhile the two other types of the breast cells exhibited sharp (MCF10) and moderate (MCF7) decrease in their resistance. This procedure would be a new trend in microenvironment based cancer investigation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Construction of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Biosensors with Novel Sensing Elements from Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655.

    PubMed

    Tan, Junjie; Kan, Naipeng; Wang, Wei; Ling, Jingyi; Qu, Guolong; Jin, Jing; Shao, Yu; Liu, Gang; Chen, Huipeng

    2015-06-01

    Detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been extensively studied since it is a common explosive filling for landmines, posing significant threats to the environment and human safety. The rapid advances in synthetic biology give new hope to detect such toxic and hazardous compounds in a more sensitive and safe way. Biosensor construction anticipates finding sensing elements able to detect TNT. As TNT can induce some physiological responses in E. coli, it may be useful to define the sensing elements from E. coli to detect TNT. An E. coli MG1655 genomic promoter library containing nearly 5,400 elements was constructed. Five elements, yadG, yqgC, aspC, recE, and topA, displayed high sensing specificity to TNT and its indicator compounds 1,3-DNB and 2,4-DNT. Based on this, a whole cell biosensor was constructed using E. coli, in which green fluorescent protein was positioned downstream of the five sensing elements via genetic fusion. The threshold value, detection time, EC200 value, and other aspects of five sensing elements were determined and the minimum responding concentration to TNT was 4.75 mg/L. According to the synthetic biology, the five sensing elements enriched the reservoir of TNT-sensing elements, and provided a more applicable toolkit to be applied in genetic routes and live systems of biosensors in future.

  16. Nanowire-based detector

    DOEpatents

    Berggren, Karl K; Hu, Xiaolong; Masciarelli, Daniele

    2014-06-24

    Systems, articles, and methods are provided related to nanowire-based detectors, which can be used for light detection in, for example, single-photon detectors. In one aspect, a variety of detectors are provided, for example one including an electrically superconductive nanowire or nanowires constructed and arranged to interact with photons to produce a detectable signal. In another aspect, fabrication methods are provided, including techniques to precisely reproduce patterns in subsequently formed layers of material using a relatively small number of fabrication steps. By precisely reproducing patterns in multiple material layers, one can form electrically insulating materials and electrically conductive materials in shapes such that incoming photons are redirected toward a nearby electrically superconductive materials (e.g., electrically superconductive nanowire(s)). For example, one or more resonance structures (e.g., comprising an electrically insulating material), which can trap electromagnetic radiation within its boundaries, can be positioned proximate the nanowire(s). The resonance structure can include, at its boundaries, electrically conductive material positioned proximate the electrically superconductive nanowire such that light that would otherwise be transmitted through the sensor is redirected toward the nanowire(s) and detected. In addition, electrically conductive material can be positioned proximate the electrically superconductive nanowire (e.g. at the aperture of the resonant structure), such that light is directed by scattering from this structure into the nanowire.

  17. One-step construction of reagentless biosensor based on chitosan-carbon nanotubes-nile blue-horseradish peroxidase biocomposite formed by electrodeposition.

    PubMed

    Xi, Fengna; Liu, Lijun; Chen, Zhichun; Lin, Xianfu

    2009-05-15

    A simple and controllable electrodeposition approach was established for one-step construction of novel reagentless biosensors by in situ formation of chitosan-carbon nanotubes-nile blue-horseradish peroxidase (CS-CNTs-NB-HRP) biocomposite film on electrode surface. The mediator effect of NB, conducting performance of CNTs and the biocompatible microenvironment of CS were combined by such one-step non-manual process. NB could interact with CNTs and resulted in good dispersion of CNTs-NB nanocomposites in aqueous solution. Cyclic voltammetry measurements demonstrated that electrons were efficiently shuttled between HRP and the electrode mediated by NB. The developed reagentless biosensor exhibited a fast amperometric response for the determination of H(2)O(2) and 95% of the steady-state current was obtained within 2s. The linear response of the reagentless biosensor for the determination of H(2)O(2) ranged from 1.0 x 10(-6) to 2.4 x 10(-4)mol l(-1) with a detection limit of 1.2 x 10(-7)mol l(-1). The biosensor exhibited high reproducibility and long-time storage stability. The as-prepared biosensor also showed effective anti-interference capability. The ease of the one-step non-manual technique and the promising feature of the biocomposite could serve as a versatile platform for fabricating electrochemical biosensors.

  18. An innovative large scale integration of silicon nanowire-based field effect transistors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Legallais, M.; Nguyen, T. T. T.; Mouis, M.; Salem, B.; Robin, E.; Chenevier, P.; Ternon, C.

    2018-05-01

    Since the early 2000s, silicon nanowire field effect transistors are emerging as ultrasensitive biosensors while offering label-free, portable and rapid detection. Nevertheless, their large scale production remains an ongoing challenge due to time consuming, complex and costly technology. In order to bypass these issues, we report here on the first integration of silicon nanowire networks, called nanonet, into long channel field effect transistors using standard microelectronic process. A special attention is paid to the silicidation of the contacts which involved a large number of SiNWs. The electrical characteristics of these FETs constituted by randomly oriented silicon nanowires are also studied. Compatible integration on the back-end of CMOS readout and promising electrical performances open new opportunities for sensing applications.

  19. Preparation, characterization and application of urease nanoparticles for construction of an improved potentiometric urea biosensor.

    PubMed

    Jakhar, Seema; Pundir, C S

    2018-02-15

    The nanoparticles (NPs) aggregates of commercial urease from jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis) were prepared by desolvation and glutaraldehyde crosslinking and functionalized by cysteamine dihydrochloride. These enzyme nanoparticles (ENPs) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The TEM images of urease NPs showed their size in the range, 18-100nm with an average of 51.2nm. The ENPs were more active and stable with a longer shelf life than native enzyme molecules. The ENPs were immobilized onto chitosan (CHIT) activated nitrocellulose (NC) membrane via glutaraldehyde coupling with 32.22% retention of initial activity of free ureaseNPs with a conjugation yield of 1.63mg/cm 2 . This NC membrane was mounted at the lower/sensitive end of the ammonium ion selective electrode (AISE) with O-ring and then electrode was connected to a digital pH meter to construct a potentiometric urea biosensor. The biosensor exhibited optimum response within 10s at pH 5.5and 40°C. The biosensor was employed for measurement of potentiometric determination of urea in sera of apparently healthy and persons suffering from kidney disorders. The biosensor displayed a low detection limit of 1µM/L with a wide working range of 2-80µM/L (0.002-0.08mM) and sensitivity of 23mV/decade. The analytical recovery of added urea in serum was 106.33%. The within and between-batch coefficient of variations (CVs) of present biosensor were 0.18% and 0.32% respectively. There was a good correlation (r = 0.99) between sera urea values obtained by reference method (Enzymic colorimetric kit method) and the present biosensor. The biosensor had negligible interference from Na + ,K + ,NH +4 and Ca 2+ but Mg 2+ ,Cu 2+ and ascorbic acid but had slight interference, which was overcome by specific ion selective electrode. The ENPs bound NC membrane was used maximally 8-9 times per day over a period of 180 days, when stored in 0.01M sodium

  20. All-carbon suspended nanowire sensors as a rapid highly-sensitive label-free chemiresistive biosensing platform.

    PubMed

    Thiha, Aung; Ibrahim, Fatimah; Muniandy, Shalini; Dinshaw, Ignatius Julian; Teh, Swe Jyan; Thong, Kwai Lin; Leo, Bey Fen; Madou, Marc

    2018-06-01

    Nanowire sensors offer great potential as highly sensitive electrochemical and electronic biosensors because of their small size, high aspect ratios, and electronic properties. Nevertheless, the available methods to fabricate carbon nanowires in a controlled manner remain limited to expensive techniques. This paper presents a simple fabrication technique for sub-100 nm suspended carbon nanowire sensors by integrating electrospinning and photolithography techniques. Carbon Microelectromechanical Systems (C-MEMS) fabrication techniques allow fabrication of high aspect ratio carbon structures by patterning photoresist polymers into desired shapes and subsequent carbonization of resultant structures by pyrolysis. In our sensor platform, suspended nanowires were deposited by electrospinning while photolithography was used to fabricate support structures. We have achieved suspended carbon nanowires with sub-100 nm diameters in this study. The sensor platform was then integrated with a microfluidic chip to form a lab-on-chip device for label-free chemiresistive biosensing. We have investigated this nanoelectronics label-free biosensor's performance towards bacterial sensing by functionalization with Salmonella-specific aptamer probes. The device was tested with varying concentrations of Salmonella Typhimurium to evaluate sensitivity and various other bacteria to investigate specificity. The results showed that the sensor is highly specific and sensitive in detection of Salmonella with a detection limit of 10 CFU mL -1 . Moreover, this proposed chemiresistive assay has a reduced turnaround time of 5 min and sample volume requirement of 5 µL which are much less than reported in the literature. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. A CMOS-Compatible Poly-Si Nanowire Device with Hybrid Sensor/Memory Characteristics for System-on-Chip Applications

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Min-Cheng; Chen, Hao-Yu; Lin, Chia-Yi; Chien, Chao-Hsin; Hsieh, Tsung-Fan; Horng, Jim-Tong; Qiu, Jian-Tai; Huang, Chien-Chao; Ho, Chia-Hua; Yang, Fu-Liang

    2012-01-01

    This paper reports a versatile nano-sensor technology using “top-down” poly-silicon nanowire field-effect transistors (FETs) in the conventional Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible semiconductor process. The nanowire manufacturing technique reduced nanowire width scaling to 50 nm without use of extra lithography equipment, and exhibited superior device uniformity. These n type polysilicon nanowire FETs have positive pH sensitivity (100 mV/pH) and sensitive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detection ability (100 pM) at normal system operation voltages. Specially designed oxide-nitride-oxide buried oxide nanowire realizes an electrically Vth-adjustable sensor to compensate device variation. These nanowire FETs also enable non-volatile memory application for a large and steady Vth adjustment window (>2 V Programming/Erasing window). The CMOS-compatible manufacturing technique of polysilicon nanowire FETs offers a possible solution for commercial System-on-Chip biosensor application, which enables portable physiology monitoring and in situ recording. PMID:22666012

  2. Construction of an improved amperometric acrylamide biosensor based on hemoglobin immobilized onto carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes/iron oxide nanoparticles/chitosan composite film.

    PubMed

    Batra, Bhawna; Lata, Suman; Pundir, C S

    2013-11-01

    A method is described for construction of an improved amperometric acrylamide biosensor based on covalent immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) onto nanocomposite of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNT) and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) electrodeposited onto Au electrode through chitosan (CHIT) film. The Hb/cMWCNT-Fe3O4NP/CHIT/Au electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and differential pulse voltammetry at different stages of its construction. The biosensor was based on interaction between acrylamide and Hb, which led to decrease in the electroactivity of Hb, i.e., current generated during its reversible conversion [Fe(II)/Fe(III)]. The biosensor showed optimum response within 8 s at pH 5.0 and 30 °C. The linear working range for acrylamide was 3-90 nM, with a detection limit of 0.02 nM and sensitivity of 36.9 μA/nM/cm(2). The biosensor was evaluated and employed for determination of acrylamide in potato crisps.

  3. Nanostructures in biosensor--a review.

    PubMed

    Yeom, Se-Hyuk; Kang, Byoung-Ho; Kim, Kyu-Jin; Kang, Shin-Won

    2011-01-01

    In the 21(st) century, it is widely recognized that along with information technology (IT) and biotechnology (BT), nanotechnology (NT) will be a key field of science that will drive future developments. NT is expected to allow innovations in industrial fields such as electrical and electronics, biochemistry, environment, energy, as well as materials science by enabling the control and operation of materials at the atomic and molecular levels. In particular, the application of NT in the field of biochemistry is now enabling the realization of previously unachievable objectives.This review discusses the growth, synthesis, and biocompatible functionalization of each materials, with an emphasis on 1D nanomaterials such as CNTs, inorganic nanowires (made of Si, metals, etc.), and conducting polymer nanowires, along with 0D nanomaterials such as nanoparticles. This review also investigates the sensing principle and features of nanobiosensors made using the abovementioned materials and introduce various types of biosensors with nanostructure 0-D and 1-D. Finally, the review discusses future research objectives and research directions in the field of nanotechnology.

  4. Multisegment nanowire sensors for the detection of DNA molecules.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xu; Ozkan, Cengiz S

    2008-02-01

    We describe a novel application for detecting specific single strand DNA sequences using multisegment nanowires via a straightforward surface functionalization method. Nanowires comprising CdTe-Au-CdTe segments are fabricated using electrochemical deposition, and electrical characterization indicates a p-type behavior for the multisegment nanostructures, in a back-to-back Schottky diode configuration. Such nanostructures modified with thiol-terminated probe DNA fragments could function as high fidelity sensors for biomolecules at very low concentration. The gold segment is utilized for functionalization and binding of single strand DNA (ssDNA) fragments while the CdTe segments at both ends serve to modulate the equilibrium Fermi level of the heterojunction device upon hybridization of the complementary DNA fragments (cDNA) to the ssDNA over the Au segment. Employing such multisegment nanowires could lead to the fabrication more sophisticated and high multispecificity biosensors via selective functionalization of individual segments for biowarfare sensing and medical diagnostics applications.

  5. MOF-Based Membrane Encapsulated ZnO Nanowires for Enhanced Gas Sensor Selectivity.

    PubMed

    Drobek, Martin; Kim, Jae-Hun; Bechelany, Mikhael; Vallicari, Cyril; Julbe, Anne; Kim, Sang Sub

    2016-04-06

    Gas sensors are of a great interest for applications including toxic or explosive gases detection in both in-house and industrial environments, air quality monitoring, medical diagnostics, or control of food/cosmetic properties. In the area of semiconductor metal oxides (SMOs)-based sensors, a lot of effort has been devoted to improve the sensing characteristics. In this work, we report on a general methodology for improving the selectivity of SMOx nanowires sensors, based on the coverage of ZnO nanowires with a thin ZIF-8 molecular sieve membrane. The optimized ZnO@ZIF-8-based nanocomposite sensor shows markedly selective response to H2 in comparison with the pristine ZnO nanowires sensor, while showing the negligible sensing response to C7H8 and C6H6. This original MOF-membrane encapsulation strategy applied to nanowires sensor architecture pave the way for other complex 3D architectures and various types of applications requiring either gas or ion selectivity, such as biosensors, photo(catalysts), and electrodes.

  6. Silicon nanowire biologically sensitive field effect transistors: electrical characteristics and applications.

    PubMed

    Rim, Taiuk; Baek, Chang-Ki; Kim, Kihyun; Jeong, Yoon-Ha; Lee, Jeong-Soo; Meyyappan, M

    2014-01-01

    The interest in biologically sensitive field effect transistors (BioFETs) is growing explosively due to their potential as biosensors in biomedical, environmental monitoring and security applications. Recently, adoption of silicon nanowires in BioFETs has enabled enhancement of sensitivity, device miniaturization, decreasing power consumption and emerging applications such as the 3D cell probe. In this review, we describe the device physics and operation of the silicon nanowire BioFETs along with recent advances in the field. The silicon nanowire BioFETs are basically the same as the conventional field-effect transistors (FETs) with the exceptions of nanowire channel instead of thin film and a liquid gate instead of the conventional gate. Therefore, the silicon device physics is important to understand the operation of the BioFETs. Herein, physical characteristics of the silicon nanowire FETs are described and the operational principles of the BioFETs are classified according to the number of gates and the analysis domain of the measured signal. Even the bottom-up process has merits on low-cost fabrication; the top-down process technique is highlighted here due to its reliability and reproducibility. Finally, recent advances in the silicon nanowire BioFETs in the literature are described and key features for commercialization are discussed.

  7. One-step construction of a molybdenum disulfide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole nanocomposite biosensor for the ex-vivo detection of dopamine in mouse brain tissue.

    PubMed

    Vijayaraj, Kathiresan; Dinakaran, Thirumalai; Lee, Yujeong; Kim, Suhkmann; Kim, Hyung Sik; Lee, Jaewon; Chang, Seung-Cheol

    2017-12-09

    We developed a new strategy for construction of a biosensor for the neurotransmitter dopamine. The biosensor was constructed by one-step electrochemical deposition of a nanocomposite in aqueous solution at pH 7.0, consisting of molybdenum disulfide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and polypyrrole. A series of analytical methods was performed to investigate the surface characteristics and the improved electrocatalytic effect of the nanocomposite, including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The constructed biosensor showed high sensitivity (1.130 μAμM -1 cm -2 ) with a dynamic linearity range of 25-1000 nM and a detection limit of 10 nM. Additionally, the designed sensor exhibited strong anti-interference ability and satisfactory reproducibility. The practical application of the sensor was manifested for the ex vivo determination of dopamine neurotransmitters using brain tissue samples of a mouse Parkinson's disease model. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Designing electrochemical interfaces with functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and wrapped carbon nanotubes as platforms for the construction of high-performance bienzyme biosensors.

    PubMed

    Eguílaz, Marcos; Villalonga, Reynaldo; Yáñez-Sedeño, Paloma; Pingarrón, José M

    2011-10-15

    The design of a novel biosensing electrode surface, combining the advantages of magnetic ferrite nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with glutaraldehyde (GA) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as platforms for the construction of high-performance multienzyme biosensors, is reported in this work. Before the immobilization of enzymes, GA-MNP/PDDA/MWCNT composites were prepared by wrapping of carboxylated MWCNTs with positively charged PDDA and interaction with GA-functionalized MNPs. The nanoconjugates were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemistry. The electrode platform was used to construct a bienzyme biosensor for the determination of cholesterol, which implied coimmobilization of cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) and peroxidase (HRP) and the use of hydroquinone as redox mediator. Optimization of all variables involved in the preparation and analytical performance of the bienzyme electrode was accomplished. At an applied potential of -0.05 V, a linear calibration graph for cholesterol was obtained in the 0.01-0.95 mM concentration range. The detection limit (0.85 μM), the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (1.57 mM), the stability of the biosensor, and the calculated activation energy can be advantageously compared with the analytical characteristics of other CNT-based cholesterol biosensors reported in the literature. Analysis of human serum spiked with cholesterol at different concentration levels yielded recoveries between 100% and 103% © 2011 American Chemical Society

  9. Construction of Nanowire Heterojunctions: Photonic Function-Oriented Nanoarchitectonics.

    PubMed

    Li, Yong Jun; Yan, Yongli; Zhao, Yong Sheng; Yao, Jiannian

    2016-02-10

    Nanophotonics has received broad research interest because it may provide an alternative opportunity to overcome the fundamental limitations of electronic circuits. So far, diverse photonic functions, such as light generation, modulation, and detection, have been realized based on various nano-materials. The exact structural features of these material systems, including geometric characteristics, surface morphology, and material composition, play a key role in determining the photonic functions. Therefore, rational designs and constructions of materials on both morphological and componential levels, namely nanoarchitectonics, are indispensable for any photonic device with specific functionalities. Recently, a series of nanowire heterojunctions (NWHJs), which are usually made from two or more kinds of material compositions, were constructed for novel photonic applications based on various interactions between different materials at the junctions, for instance, energy transfer, exciton-plasmon coupling, or photon-plasmon coupling. A summary of these works is necessary to get a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between photonic functions and architectonics of NWHJs, which will be instructive for designing novel photonic devices towards integrated circuits. Here, photonic function oriented nanoarchitectonics based on recent breakthroughs in nanophotonic devices are discussed, with emphasis on the design mechanisms, fabrication strategies, and excellent performances. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Gold nanoparticles and polyethylene glycols functionalized conducting polyaniline nanowires for ultrasensitive and low fouling immunosensing of alpha-fetoprotein.

    PubMed

    Hui, Ni; Sun, Xiaotian; Song, Zhiling; Niu, Shuyan; Luo, Xiliang

    2016-12-15

    An ultrasensitive biosensor for alpha-fetoprotein was developed based on electrochemically synthesized polyaniline (PANI) nanowires, which were functionalized with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and polyethylene glycols (PEG). The prepared PEG/AuNPs/PANI composite, combining the electrical conductivity of the AuNPs/PANI with the robust antifouling ability of PEG, offered an ideal substrate for the development of low fouling electrochemical biosensors. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a well-known hepatocellular carcinoma biomarker, was used as a model analyte, and its antibody was immobilized on the PEG/AuNPs/PANI for the construction of the AFP immunosensor. Using the redox current of PANI as the sensing signal, in addition to the good biocompatibility of PEG/AuNPs and the anti-biofouling property of PEG, the developed immunosensor showed improved biosensing performances, such as wide linear range and ultralow detection limit (0.007pgmL(-1)). More importantly, it is label-free, reagentless and low fouling, making it capable of assaying AFP in real serum samples without suffering from significant interference or biofouling. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. The construction of glucose biosensor based on platinum nanoclusters-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites.

    PubMed

    Wang, Cheng Yan; Tan, Xing Rong; Chen, Shi Hong; Hu, Fang Xin; Zhong, Hua An; Zhang, Yu

    2012-02-01

    One-step synthesis method was proposed to obtain the nanocomposites of platinum nanoclusters and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PtNCs-MWNTs), which were used as a novel immobilization matrix for the enzyme to fabricate glucose biosensor. The fabrication process of the biosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscope. Due to the favorable characteristic of PtNCs-MWNTs nanocomposites, the biosensor exhibited good characteristics, such as wide linear range (3.0 μM-12.1 mM), low detection limit (1.0 μM), high sensitivity (12.8 μA mM⁻¹), rapid response time (within 6 s). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(app)(m)) is 2.1 mM. The performance of the resulting biosensor is more prominent than that of most of the reported glucose biosensors. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that this biosensor can be used for the assay of glucose in human serum samples.

  12. Facile fabrication of a silicon nanowire sensor by two size reduction steps for detection of alpha-fetoprotein biomarker of liver cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Binh Pham, Van; ThanhTung Pham, Xuan; Nhat Khoa Phan, Thanh; Thanh Tuyen Le, Thi; Chien Dang, Mau

    2015-12-01

    We present a facile technique that only uses conventional micro-techniques and two size-reduction steps to fabricate wafer-scale silicon nanowire (SiNW) with widths of 200 nm. Initially, conventional lithography was used to pattern SiNW with 2 μm width. Then the nanowire width was decreased to 200 nm by two size-reduction steps with isotropic wet etching. The fabricated SiNW was further investigated when used with nanowire field-effect sensors. The electrical characteristics of the fabricated SiNW devices were characterized and pH sensitivity was investigated. Then a simple and effective surface modification process was carried out to modify SiNW for subsequent binding of a desired receptor. The complete SiNW-based biosensor was then used to detect alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), one of the medically approved biomarkers for liver cancer diagnosis. Electrical measurements showed that the developed SiNW biosensor could detect AFP with concentrations of about 100 ng mL-1. This concentration is lower than the necessary AFP concentration for liver cancer diagnosis.

  13. Vertically integrated logic circuits constructed using ZnO-nanowire-based field-effect transistors on plastic substrates.

    PubMed

    Kang, Jeongmin; Moon, Taeho; Jeon, Youngin; Kim, Hoyoung; Kim, Sangsig

    2013-05-01

    ZnO-nanowire-based logic circuits were constructed by the vertical integration of multilayered field-effect transistors (FETs) on plastic substrates. ZnO nanowires with an average diameter of -100 nm were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition for use as the channel material in FETs. The ZnO-based FETs exhibited a high I(ON)/I(OFF) of > 10(6), with the characteristic of n-type depletion modes. For vertically integrated logic circuits, three multilayer FETs were sequentially prepared. The stacked FETs were connected in series via electrodes, and C-PVPs were used for the layer-isolation material. The NOT and NAND gates exhibited large logic-swing values of -93%. These results demonstrate the feasibility of three dimensional flexible logic circuits.

  14. Single Zno Nanowire-Based Biofet Sensors for Ultrasensitive, Label-Free and Real-Time Detection of Uric Acid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Pei; Liu, Xi; Yan, Xiaoqin; Kang, Zhuo; Lei, Yang; Zhao, Yanguang

    2012-08-01

    Qualitative and quantitative detection of biological and chemical species is crucial in many areas, ranging from clinical diagnosis to homeland security. Due to the advantages of ultrahigh sensitivity, label-free, fast readout and easy fabrication over the traditional detection systems, semiconductor nanowire based electronic devices have emerged as a potential platform. In this paper, we fabricated a single ZnO nanowire-based bioFET sensor for the detection of low and high concentration uric acid solution at the same time. The addition of uric acid with the concentrations from 1 pM to 0.5 mM resulted in the electrical conductance changes of up to 227 nS, and the response time turns out to be in the order of millisecond. The ZnO NW biosensor could easily detect as low as 1 pM of the uric acid with 14.7 nS of conductance increase, which implied that the sensitivity of the biosensor can be below the 1pM concentration.

  15. Development of an electrochemical biosensor for vitamin B12 using D-phenylalanine nanotubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moazeni, Maryam; Karimzadeh, Fathallah; Kermanpur, Ahmad; Allafchian, Alireza

    2018-01-01

    In the past decades, biosensors are one of the most interesting topics among researchers and scientist. The biosensors are used in several applications such as determining food quality, control and diagnose clinical problems and metabolic control. Therefore, many efforts have been carried out to design and develop a new generation of these systems. On the other hand nanotechnology by improving the performance of sensors has created an excellent outlook. Using nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, and nanorods in diagnostic tools has been significantly increased accuracy, sensitivity and improved detection limits in sensors. In this study, the one-dimensional morphology of the D-phenylalanine was assembled on the surface of the gold electrode. In the next step electrochemical performance of the modified electrode was investigated by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Differential Pals Voltammograms (DPV). Finally, by measuring the different concentrations of vitamin B12, the detection limit of the biosensor was obtained 1.6 µM.

  16. Homemade Bienzymatic-Amperometric Biosensor for Beverages Analysis

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Blanco-Lopez, M. C.; Lobo-Castanon, M. J.; Miranda-Ordieres, A. J.

    2007-01-01

    The construction of an amperometric biosensor for glucose analysis is described demonstrating that the analysis is easy to perform and the biosensor gives good analytical performance. This experiment helped the students to acquire problem-solving and teamwork skills, allowing them to reach a high level of independent and critical thought.

  17. Zinc oxide inverse opal enzymatic biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    You, Xueqiu; Pikul, James H.; King, William P.; Pak, James J.

    2013-06-01

    We report ZnO inverse opal- and nanowire (NW)-based enzymatic glucose biosensors with extended linear detection ranges. The ZnO inverse opal sensors have 0.01-18 mM linear detection range, which is 2.5 times greater than that of ZnO NW sensors and 1.5 times greater than that of other reported ZnO sensors. This larger range is because of reduced glucose diffusivity through the inverse opal geometry. The ZnO inverse opal sensors have an average sensitivity of 22.5 μA/(mM cm2), which diminished by 10% after 35 days, are more stable than ZnO NW sensors whose sensitivity decreased by 10% after 7 days.

  18. Multicolor emission from large-area porous thin films constructed of nanowires of small organic molecules

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Zhe-Chen; Xiao, Wen-Chang; Ding, Xun-Lei; Ma, Yan-Ping; Xue, Wei; He, Sheng-Gui

    2008-12-01

    We describe a facile low-temperature physical vapor deposition approach to fabricate porous network thin films constructed of nanowires of small organic molecules on a large area. Supermolecular assemblies of pyrene nanowires based on a combination of van der Waals forces and π-π stacking tend to hierarchically self-assemble to form uniform porous films using our techniques. The morphology of the films is studied and we also study several reasons influencing the process of assembly such as evaporation temperature, deposition temperature, and different kinds of substrate. The deposition temperature is determined to be the main reason for hierarchical aggregation. Typically prepared films exhibit unique optical properties, that is, multicolor red-green-blue emissions. This novel method can be applied to other organic molecular systems and may be potentially used to place nanoscaled building blocks directly on solid surfaces for fabricating large-area nanostructure-based flat screens.

  19. A New Laccase Based Biosensor for Tartrazine.

    PubMed

    Mazlan, Siti Zulaikha; Lee, Yook Heng; Hanifah, Sharina Abu

    2017-12-09

    Laccase enzyme, a commonly used enzyme for the construction of biosensors for phenolic compounds was used for the first time to develop a new biosensor for the determination of the azo-dye tartrazine. The electrochemical biosensor was based on the immobilization of laccase on functionalized methacrylate-acrylate microspheres. The biosensor membrane is a composite of the laccase conjugated microspheres and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated on a carbon-paste screen-printed electrode. The reaction involving tartrazine can be catalyzed by laccase enzyme, where the current change was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at 1.1 V. The anodic peak current was linear within the tartrazine concentration range of 0.2 to 14 μM ( R ² = 0.979) and the detection limit was 0.04 μM. Common food ingredients or additives such as glucose, sucrose, ascorbic acid, phenol and sunset yellow did not interfere with the biosensor response. Furthermore, the biosensor response was stable up to 30 days of storage period at 4 °C. Foods and beverage were used as real samples for the biosensor validation. The biosensor response to tartrazine showed no significant difference with a standard HPLC method for tartrazine analysis.

  20. A New Laccase Based Biosensor for Tartrazine

    PubMed Central

    Mazlan, Siti Zulaikha; Lee, Yook Heng; Hanifah, Sharina Abu

    2017-01-01

    Laccase enzyme, a commonly used enzyme for the construction of biosensors for phenolic compounds was used for the first time to develop a new biosensor for the determination of the azo-dye tartrazine. The electrochemical biosensor was based on the immobilization of laccase on functionalized methacrylate-acrylate microspheres. The biosensor membrane is a composite of the laccase conjugated microspheres and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated on a carbon-paste screen-printed electrode. The reaction involving tartrazine can be catalyzed by laccase enzyme, where the current change was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at 1.1 V. The anodic peak current was linear within the tartrazine concentration range of 0.2 to 14 μM (R2 = 0.979) and the detection limit was 0.04 μM. Common food ingredients or additives such as glucose, sucrose, ascorbic acid, phenol and sunset yellow did not interfere with the biosensor response. Furthermore, the biosensor response was stable up to 30 days of storage period at 4 °C. Foods and beverage were used as real samples for the biosensor validation. The biosensor response to tartrazine showed no significant difference with a standard HPLC method for tartrazine analysis. PMID:29232842

  1. Size-dependent Young’s modulus in ZnO nanowires with strong surface atomic bonds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fan, Shiwen; Bi, Sheng; Li, Qikun; Guo, Qinglei; Liu, Junshan; Ouyang, Zhongliang; Jiang, Chengming; Song, Jinhui

    2018-03-01

    The mechanical properties of size-dependent nanowires are important in nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMSs), and have attracted much research interest. Characterization of the size effect of nanowires in atmosphere directly to broaden their practical application instead of just in high vacuum situations, as reported previously, is desperately needed. In this study, we systematically studied the Young’s modulus of vertical ZnO nanowires in atmosphere. The diameters ranged from 48 nm to 239 nm with a resonance method using non-contact atomic force microscopy. The values of Young’s modulus in atmosphere present extremely strong increasing tendency with decreasing diameter of nanowire due to stronger surface atomic bonds compared with that in vacuum. A core-shell model for nanowires is proposed to explore the Young’s modulus enhancement in atmosphere, which is correlated with atoms of oxygen occurring near the nanowire surface. The modified model is more accurate for analyzing the mechanical behavior of nanowires in atmosphere compared with the model in vacuum. Furthermore, it is possible to use this characterization method to measure the size-related elastic properties of similar wire-sharp nanomaterials in atmosphere and estimate the corresponding mechanical behavior. The study of the size-dependent Young’s modulus in ZnO nanowires in atmosphere will improve the understanding of the mechanical properties of nanomaterials as well as providing guidance for applications in NEMSs, nanogenerators, biosensors and other related areas.

  2. Optically controllable nanobreaking of metallic nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Lina; Lu, Jinsheng; Yang, Hangbo; Luo, Si; Wang, Wei; Lv, Jun; Qiu, Min; Li, Qiang

    2017-02-01

    Nanobreaking of nanowires has shown its necessity for manufacturing integrated nanodevices as nanojoining does. In this letter, we develop a method for breaking gold pentagonal nanowires by taking advantage of the photothermal effect with a 532 nm continuous-wave (CW) laser. The critical power required for nanobreaking is much lower for perpendicular polarization than that for parallel polarization. By controlling the polarization and the power of the irradiation light for nanobreaking, the nanowires can be cut into segments with gap widths ranging from dozens of nanometers to several micrometers. This CW light-induced single point nanobreaking of metallic nanowires provides a highly useful and promising method in constructing nanosystems.

  3. Plasmonic Biosensor Based on Vertical Arrays of Gold Nanoantennas.

    PubMed

    Klinghammer, Stephanie; Uhlig, Tino; Patrovsky, Fabian; Böhm, Matthias; Schütt, Julian; Pütz, Nils; Baraban, Larysa; Eng, Lukas M; Cuniberti, Gianaurelio

    2018-06-25

    Implementing large arrays of gold nanowires as functional elements of a plasmonic biosensor is an important task for future medical diagnostic applications. Here we present a microfluidic-channel-integrated sensor for the label-free detection of biomolecules, relying on localized surface plasmon resonances. Large arrays (∼1 cm 2 ) of vertically aligned and densely packed gold nanorods to receive, locally confine, and amplify the external optical signal are used to allow for reliable biosensing. We accomplish this by monitoring the change of the optical nanostructure resonance in the presence of biomolecules within the tight focus area above the nanoantennas, combined with a surface treatment of the nanowires for a specific binding of the target molecules. As a first application, we detect the binding kinetics of two distinct DNA strands as well as the following hybridization of two complementary strands (cDNA) with different lengths (25 and 100 bp). Upon immobilization, a redshift of 1 nm was detected; further backfilling and hybridization led to a peak shift of additional 2 and 5 nm for 25 and 100 bp, respectively. We believe that this work gives deeper insight into the functional understanding and technical implementation of a large array of gold nanowires for future medical applications.

  4. CMOS-Compatible Silicon Nanowire Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor: Technology Development toward Commercialization

    PubMed Central

    Wolfrum, Bernhard; Thierry, Benjamin

    2018-01-01

    Owing to their two-dimensional confinements, silicon nanowires display remarkable optical, magnetic, and electronic properties. Of special interest has been the development of advanced biosensing approaches based on the field effect associated with silicon nanowires (SiNWs). Recent advancements in top-down fabrication technologies have paved the way to large scale production of high density and quality arrays of SiNW field effect transistor (FETs), a critical step towards their integration in real-life biosensing applications. A key requirement toward the fulfilment of SiNW FETs’ promises in the bioanalytical field is their efficient integration within functional devices. Aiming to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the development of SiNW FET based sensing platforms, we critically review and discuss the key design and fabrication aspects relevant to their development and integration within complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. PMID:29751688

  5. CMOS-Compatible Silicon Nanowire Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor: Technology Development toward Commercialization.

    PubMed

    Tran, Duy Phu; Pham, Thuy Thi Thanh; Wolfrum, Bernhard; Offenhäusser, Andreas; Thierry, Benjamin

    2018-05-11

    Owing to their two-dimensional confinements, silicon nanowires display remarkable optical, magnetic, and electronic properties. Of special interest has been the development of advanced biosensing approaches based on the field effect associated with silicon nanowires (SiNWs). Recent advancements in top-down fabrication technologies have paved the way to large scale production of high density and quality arrays of SiNW field effect transistor (FETs), a critical step towards their integration in real-life biosensing applications. A key requirement toward the fulfilment of SiNW FETs' promises in the bioanalytical field is their efficient integration within functional devices. Aiming to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the development of SiNW FET based sensing platforms, we critically review and discuss the key design and fabrication aspects relevant to their development and integration within complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology.

  6. Design Strategies for Aptamer-Based Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Han, Kun; Liang, Zhiqiang; Zhou, Nandi

    2010-01-01

    Aptamers have been widely used as recognition elements for biosensor construction, especially in the detection of proteins or small molecule targets, and regarded as promising alternatives for antibodies in bioassay areas. In this review, we present an overview of reported design strategies for the fabrication of biosensors and classify them into four basic modes: target-induced structure switching mode, sandwich or sandwich-like mode, target-induced dissociation/displacement mode and competitive replacement mode. In view of the unprecedented advantages brought about by aptamers and smart design strategies, aptamer-based biosensors are expected to be one of the most promising devices in bioassay related applications. PMID:22399891

  7. Construction of ferrocene modified conducting polymer based amperometric urea biosensor.

    PubMed

    Dervisevic, Muamer; Dervisevic, Esma; Senel, Mehmet; Cevik, Emre; Yildiz, Huseyin Bekir; Camurlu, Pınar

    2017-07-01

    Herein, an electrochemical urea sensing bio-electrode is reported that has been constructed by firstly electropolymerizing 4-(2,5-Di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)aniline monomer (SNS-Aniline) on Pencil Graphite Electrode (PGE), then modifying the polymer coated electrode surface with di-amino-Ferrocene (DAFc) as the mediator, and lastly Urease enzyme through glutaraldehyde crosslinking. The effect of pH, temperature, polymer thickness, and applied potential on the electrode current response was investigated besides performing storage and operational stability experiments with the interference studies. The resulting urea biosensor's amperometric response was linear in the range of 0.1-8.5mM with the sensitivity of 0.54μA/mM, detection limit of 12μM, and short response time of 2s. The designed bio-electrode was tested with real human blood and urine samples where it showed excellent analytical performance with insignificant interference. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Electrochemical Biosensors: A Solution to Pollution Detection with Reference to Environmental Contaminants.

    PubMed

    Hernandez-Vargas, Gustavo; Sosa-Hernández, Juan Eduardo; Saldarriaga-Hernandez, Sara; Villalba-Rodríguez, Angel M; Parra-Saldivar, Roberto; Iqbal, Hafiz M N

    2018-03-24

    The increasing environmental pollution with particular reference to emerging contaminants, toxic heavy elements, and other hazardous agents is a serious concern worldwide. Considering this global issue, there is an urgent need to design and develop strategic measuring techniques with higher efficacy and precision to detect a broader spectrum of numerous contaminants. The development of precise instruments can further help in real-time and in-process monitoring of the generation and release of environmental pollutants from different industrial sectors. Moreover, real-time monitoring can also reduce the excessive consumption of several harsh chemicals and reagents with an added advantage of on-site determination of contaminant composition prior to discharge into the environment. With key scientific advances, electrochemical biosensors have gained considerable attention to solve this problem. Electrochemical biosensors can be an excellent fit as an analytical tool for monitoring programs to implement legislation. Herein, we reviewed the current trends in the use of electrochemical biosensors as novel tools to detect various contaminant types including toxic heavy elements. A particular emphasis was given to screen-printed electrodes, nanowire sensors, and paper-based biosensors and their role in the pollution detection processes. Towards the end, the work is wrapped up with concluding remarks and future perspectives. In summary, electrochemical biosensors and related areas such as bioelectronics, and (bio)-nanotechnology seem to be growing areas that will have a marked influence on the development of new bio-sensing strategies in future studies.

  9. Functional characterization of Gram-negative bacteria from different genera as multiplex cadmium biosensors.

    PubMed

    Bereza-Malcolm, Lara; Aracic, Sanja; Kannan, Ruban; Mann, Gülay; Franks, Ashley E

    2017-08-15

    Widespread presence of cadmium in soil and water systems is a consequence of industrial and agricultural processes. Subsequent accumulation of cadmium in food and drinking water can result in accidental consumption of dangerous concentrations. As such, cadmium environmental contamination poses a significant threat to human health. Development of microbial biosensors, as a novel alternative method for in situ cadmium detection, may reduce human exposure by complementing traditional analytical methods. In this study, a multiplex cadmium biosensing construct was assembled by cloning a single-output cadmium biosensor element, cadRgfp, and a constitutively expressed mrfp1 onto a broad-host range vector. Incorporation of the duplex fluorescent output [green and red fluorescence proteins] allowed measurement of biosensor functionality and viability. The biosensor construct was tested in several Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas, Shewanella and Enterobacter. The multiplex cadmium biosensors were responsive to cadmium concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10µgml -1 , as well as several other heavy metals, including arsenic, mercury and lead at similar concentrations. The biosensors were also responsive within 20-40min following exposure to 3µgml -1 cadmium. This study highlights the importance of testing biosensor constructs, developed using synthetic biology principles, in different bacterial genera. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Silicon nanowires as field-effect transducers for biosensor development: a review.

    PubMed

    Noor, M Omair; Krull, Ulrich J

    2014-05-12

    The unique electronic properties and miniaturized dimensions of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are attractive for label-free, real-time and sensitive detection of biomolecules. Sensors based on SiNWs operate as field effect transistors (FETs) and can be fabricated either by top-down or bottom-up approaches. Advances in fabrication methods have allowed for the control of physicochemical and electronic properties of SiNWs, providing opportunity for interfacing of SiNW-FET probes with intracellular environments. The Debye screening length is an important consideration that determines the performance and detection limits of SiNW-FET sensors, especially at physiologically relevant conditions of ionic strength (>100mM). In this review, we discuss the construction and application of SiNW-FET sensors for detection of ions, nucleic acids and protein markers. Advantages and disadvantages of the top-down and bottom-up approaches for synthesis of SiNWs are discussed. An overview of various methods for surface functionalization of SiNWs for immobilization of selective chemistry is provided in the context of impact on the analytical performance of SiNW-FET sensors. In addition to in vitro examples, an overview of the progress of use of SiNW-FET sensors for ex vivo studies is also presented. This review concludes with a discussion of the future prospects of SiNW-FET sensors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Semiconductor nanowire thermoelectric materials and devices, and processes for producing same

    DOEpatents

    Lagally, Max G; Evans, Paul G; Ritz, Clark S

    2013-09-17

    The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic compositional longitudinal modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or "nanomembranes."

  12. Semiconductor nanowire thermoelectric materials and devices, and processes for producing same

    DOEpatents

    Lagally, Max G.; Evans, Paul G.; Ritz, Clark S.

    2015-11-17

    The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic compositional longitudinal modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or "nanomembranes."

  13. Top-Down Nanofabrication and Characterization of 20 nm Silicon Nanowires for Biosensing Applications

    PubMed Central

    M. N, M. Nuzaihan; Hashim, U.; Md Arshad, M. K.; Ruslinda, A. Rahim; Rahman, S. F. A.; Fathil, M. F. M.; Ismail, Mohd. H.

    2016-01-01

    A top-down nanofabrication approach is used to develop silicon nanowires from silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and involves direct-write electron beam lithography (EBL), inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) and a size reduction process. To achieve nanometer scale size, the crucial factors contributing to the EBL and size reduction processes are highlighted. The resulting silicon nanowires, which are 20 nm in width and 30 nm in height (with a triangular shape) and have a straight structure over the length of 400 μm, are fabricated precisely at the designed location on the device. The device is applied in biomolecule detection based on the changes in drain current (Ids), electrical resistance and conductance of the silicon nanowires upon hybridization to complementary target deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In this context, the scaled-down device exhibited superior performances in terms of good specificity and high sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 fM, enables for efficient label-free, direct and higher-accuracy DNA molecules detection. Thus, this silicon nanowire can be used as an improved transducer and serves as novel biosensor for future biomedical diagnostic applications. PMID:27022732

  14. Graphene-Based Optical Biosensors and Imaging

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tang, Zhiwen; He, Shijiang; Pei, Hao

    2014-01-13

    This chapter focuses on the design, fabrication and application of graphene based optical nanobiosensors. The emerging graphene based optical nanobiosensors demonstrated the promising bioassay and biomedical applications thanking to the unique optical features of graphene. According to the different applications, the graphene can be tailored to form either fluorescent emitter or efficient fluorescence quencher. The exceptional electronic feature of graphene makes it a powerful platform for fabricating the SPR and SERS biosensors. Today the graphene based optical biosensors have been constructed to detect various targets including ions, small biomolecules, DNA/RNA and proteins. This chapter reviews the recent progress in graphene-basedmore » optical biosensors and discusses the opportunities and challenges in this field.« less

  15. Development of electrochemical biosensors with various types of zeolites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soldatkina, O. V.; Kucherenko, I. S.; Soldatkin, O. O.; Pyeshkova, V. M.; Dudchenko, O. Y.; Akata Kurç, B.; Dzyadevych, S. V.

    2018-03-01

    In the work, different types of zeolites were used for the development of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors. Zeolites were added to the biorecognition elements of the biosensors and served as additional components of the biomembranes or adsorbents for enzymes. Three types of biosensors (conductometric, amperometric and potentiometric) were studied. The developed biosensors were compared with the similar biosensors without zeolites. The biosensors contained the following enzymes: urease, glucose oxidase, glutamate oxidase, and acetylcholinesterase and were intended for the detection of urea, glucose, glutamate, and acetylcholine, respectively. Construction of the biosensors using the adsorption of enzymes on zeolites has several advantages: simplicity, good reproducibility, quickness, absence of toxic compounds. These benefits are particularly important for the standardization and further mass production of the biosensors. Furthermore, a biosensor for the sucrose determination contained a three-enzyme system (invertase/mutatorase/glucose oxidase), immobilized by a combination of adsorption on silicalite and cross-linking via glutaraldehyde; such combined immobilization demonstrated better results as compared with adsorption or cross-linking separately. The analysis of urea and sucrose concentrations in the real samples was carried out. The results, obtained with biosensors, had high correlation with the results of traditional analytical methods, thus the developed biosensors are promising for practical applications.

  16. Chirality-Discriminated Conductivity of Metal-Amino Acid Biocoordination Polymer Nanowires.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Jianzhong; Wu, Yijin; Deng, Ke; He, Meng; He, Liangcan; Cao, Jing; Zhang, Xugang; Liu, Yaling; Li, Shunxing; Tang, Zhiyong

    2016-09-27

    Biocoordination polymer (BCP) nanowires are successfully constructed through self-assembly of chiral cysteine amino acids and Cd cations in solution. The varied chirality of cysteine is explored to demonstrate the difference of BCP nanowires in both morphology and structure. More interestingly and surprisingly, the electrical property measurement reveals that, although all Cd(II)/cysteine BCP nanowires behave as semiconductors, the conductivity of the Cd(II)/dl-cysteine nanowires is 4 times higher than that of the Cd(II)/l-cysteine or Cd(II)/d-cysteine ones. The origin of such chirality-discriminated characteristics registered in BCP nanowires is further elucidated by theoretical calculation. These findings demonstrate that the morphology, structure, and property of BCP nanostructures could be tuned by the chirality of the bridging ligands, which will shed light on the comprehension of chirality transcription as well as construction of chirality-regulated functional materials.

  17. Enzyme-modified nanoporous gold-based electrochemical biosensors.

    PubMed

    Qiu, Huajun; Xue, Luyan; Ji, Guanglei; Zhou, Guiping; Huang, Xirong; Qu, Yinbo; Gao, Peiji

    2009-06-15

    On the basis of the unique physical and chemical properties of nanoporous gold (NPG), which was obtained simply by dealloying Ag from Au/Ag alloy, an attempt was made in the present study to develop NPG-based electrochemical biosensors. The NPG-modified glassy carbon electrode (NPG/GCE) exhibited high-electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), which resulted in a remarkable decrease in the overpotential of NADH and H(2)O(2) electro-oxidation when compared with the gold sheet electrode. The high density of edge-plane-like defective sites and large specific surface area of NPG should be responsible for the electrocatalytic behavior. Such electrocatalytic behavior of the NPG/GCE permitted effective low-potential amperometric biosensing of ethanol or glucose via the incorporation of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) or glucose oxidase (GOD) within the three-dimensional matrix of NPG. The ADH- and GOD-modified NPG-based biosensors showed good analytical performance for biosensing ethanol and glucose due to the clean, reproducible and uniformly distributed microstructure of NPG. The stabilization effect of NPG on the incorporated enzymes also made the constructed biosensors very stable. After 1 month storage at 4 degrees C, the ADH- and GOD-based biosensors lost only 5.0% and 4.2% of the original current response. All these indicated that NPG was a promising electrode material for biosensors construction.

  18. Interfacial Constructing Flexible V2O5@Polypyrrole Core-Shell Nanowire Membrane with Superior Supercapacitive Performance.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jian-Gan; Liu, Huanyan; Liu, Hongzhen; Hua, Wei; Shao, Minhua

    2018-06-06

    Flexible membrane consisting of ultralong V 2 O 5 @conducting polypyrrole (V 2 O 5 @PPy) core-shell nanowires is prepared by a facile in situ interfacial synthesis approach. The V 2 O 5 is for the first time demonstrated to show versatile function of reactive template to initiate the uniform and conformal polymerization of PPy nanocoating without the need for extra oxidants. The freestanding PPy-encapsulated V 2 O 5 nanowire membrane is of great benefit in achieving strong electrochemical harvest by increasing electrical conductivity, shortening ion/electron transport distance, and enlarging electrode/electrolyte contact area. When evaluated as binder- and additive-free supercapacitor electrodes, the V 2 O 5 @PPy core-shell hybrid delivers a significantly enhanced specific capacitance of 334 F g -1 along with superior rate capability and improved cycling stability. The present work would provide a simple yet powerful interfacial strategy for elaborate constructing V 2 O 5 /conducting polymers toward various energy-storage technologies.

  19. Ultra-thin bimetallic alloy nanowires with porous architecture/monolayer MoS2 nanosheet as a highly sensitive platform for the electrochemical assay of hazardous omethoate pollutant.

    PubMed

    Song, Dandan; Li, Qian; Lu, Xiong; Li, Yanshan; Li, Yan; Wang, Yuanzhe; Gao, Faming

    2018-06-18

    A novel electrochemical biosensor was designed for sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticides based on three-dimensional porous bimetallic alloy architecture with ultrathin nanowires (PdCo NWs, PdCu NWs, PdNi NWs) and monolayer MoS 2 nanosheet (m-MoS 2 ). The bimetallic alloy NWs/m-MoS 2 nanomaterials were used as a sensing platform for electrochemical analysis of omethoate, a representative organophosphate pesticide, via acetylcholinesterase inhibition pathway. We demonstrated that all three bimetallic alloy NWs enhanced electrochemical responses of enzymatic biosensor, benefited from bimetallic synergistic action and porous structure. In particular, PdNi NWs outperformed other two bimetallic alloy. Moreover, PdNi NWs/m-MoS 2 as an electronic transducer is superior to the corresponding biosensor in the absence of monolayer MoS 2 nanosheet, which arise from synergistic signal amplification effect between different components. Under optimized conditions, the developed biosensor on the basis of PdNi NWs/m-MoS 2 shows outstanding performance for the electrochemical assay of omethoate, such as a wide linear range (10 -13 M∼10 -7 M), a low detection limit of 0.05 pM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, high sensitivity and long-time stability. The results demonstrate that bimetallic alloy NWs/m-MoS 2 nanocomposites could be excellent transducers to promote electron transfer for the electrochemical reactions, holding great potentials in the construction of current and future biosensing devices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Semiconductor nanowire thermoelectric materials and devices, and processes for producing same

    DOEpatents

    Lagally, Max G [Madison, WI; Evans, Paul G [Madison, WI; Ritz, Clark S [Middleton, WI

    2011-02-15

    The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic longitudinal modulation, which may be a compositional modulation or a strain-induced modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or "nanomembranes."

  1. Mercaptobenzothiazole-on-gold organic phase biosensor systems: 1. Enhanced organosphosphate pesticide determination.

    PubMed

    Somerset, V; Baker, P; Iwuoha, E

    2009-02-01

    This paper reports the construction of the gold/mercaptobenzothiazole/polyaniline/acetylcholinesterase/polyvinylacetate (Au/ MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc) thick-film biosensor for the determination of certain organophosphate pesticide solutions in selected aqueous organic solvent solutions. The Au/MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc electrocatalytic biosensor device was constructed by encapsulating acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme in the PANI polymer composite, followed by the coating of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) on top to secure the biosensor film from disintegration in the organic solvents evaluated. The electroactive substrate called acetylthiocholine (ATCh) was employed to provide the movement of electrons in the amperometric biosensor. The voltammetric results have shown that the current shifts more anodically as the Au/MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc biosensor responded to successive acetylthiocholine (ATCh) substrate addition under anaerobic conditions in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, KCl (pH 7.2) solution and aqueous organic solvent solutions. For the Au/MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc biosensor, various performance and stability parameters were evaluated. These factors include the optimal enzyme loading, effect of pH, long-term stability of the biosensor, temperature stability of the biosensor, the effect of polar organic solvents, and the effect of non-polar organic solvents on the amperometric behavior of the biosensor. The biosensor was then applied to detect a series of 5 organophosphorous pesticides in aqueous organic solvents and the pesticides studied were parathion-methyl, malathion and chlorpyrifos. The results obtained have shown that the detection limit values for the individual pesticides were 1.332 nM (parathion-methyl), 0.189 nM (malathion), 0.018 nM (chlorpyrifos).

  2. III-Nitride Nanowire Lasers

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wright, Jeremy Benjamin

    2014-07-01

    In recent years there has been a tremendous interest in nanoscale optoelectronic devices. Among these devices are semiconductor nanowires whose diameters range from 10-100 nm. To date, nanowires have been grown using many semiconducting material systems and have been utilized as light emitting diodes, photodetectors, and solar cells. Nanowires possess a relatively large index contrast relative to their dielectric environment and can be used as lasers. A key gure of merit that allows for nanowire lasing is the relatively high optical con nement factor. In this work, I discuss the optical characterization of 3 types of III-nitride nanowire laser devices.more » Two devices were designed to reduce the number of lasing modes to achieve singlemode operation. The third device implements low-group velocity mode lasing with a photonic crystal constructed of an array of nanowires. Single-mode operation is necessary in any application where high beam quality and single frequency operation is required. III-Nitride nanowire lasers typically operate in a combined multi-longitudinal and multi-transverse mode state. Two schemes are introduced here for controlling the optical modes and achieving single-mode op eration. The rst method involves reducing the diameter of individual nanowires to the cut-o condition, where only one optical mode propagates in the wire. The second method employs distributed feedback (DFB) to achieve single-mode lasing by placing individual GaN nanowires onto substrates with etched gratings. The nanowire-grating substrate acted as a distributed feedback mirror producing single mode operation at 370 nm with a mode suppression ratio (MSR) of 17 dB. The usage of lasers for solid state lighting has the potential to further reduce U.S. lighting energy usage through an increase in emitter e ciency. Advances in nanowire fabrication, speci cally a two-step top-down approach, have allowed for the demonstration of a multi-color array of lasers on a single chip that

  3. Tunable Nanowire Patterning Using Standing Surface Acoustic Waves

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yuchao; Ding, Xiaoyun; Lin, Sz-Chin Steven; Yang, Shikuan; Huang, Po-Hsun; Nama, Nitesh; Zhao, Yanhui; Nawaz, Ahmad Ahsan; Guo, Feng; Wang, Wei; Gu, Yeyi; Mallouk, Thomas E.; Huang, Tony Jun

    2014-01-01

    Patterning of nanowires in a controllable, tunable manner is important for the fabrication of functional nanodevices. Here we present a simple approach for tunable nanowire patterning using standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW). This technique allows for the construction of large-scale nanowire arrays with well-controlled patterning geometry and spacing within 5 seconds. In this approach, SSAWs were generated by interdigital transducers (IDTs), which induced a periodic alternating current (AC) electric field on the piezoelectric substrate and consequently patterned metallic nanowires in suspension. The patterns could be deposited onto the substrate after the liquid evaporated. By controlling the distribution of the SSAW field, metallic nanowires were assembled into different patterns including parallel and perpendicular arrays. The spacing of the nanowire arrays could be tuned by controlling the frequency of the surface acoustic waves. Additionally, we observed 3D spark-shape nanowire patterns in the SSAW field. The SSAW-based nanowire-patterning technique presented here possesses several advantages over alternative patterning approaches, including high versatility, tunability, and efficiency, making it promising for device applications. PMID:23540330

  4. Biosensors based on β-galactosidase enzyme: Recent advances and perspectives.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Shiv K; Leblanc, Roger M

    2017-10-15

    Many industries are striving for the development of more reliable and robust β-galactosidase biosensors that exhibit high response rate, increased detection limit and enriched useful lifetime. In a newfangled technological atmosphere, a trivial advantage or disadvantage of the developed biosensor may escort to the survival and extinction of the industry. Several alternative strategies to immobilize β-galactosidase enzyme for their utilization in biosensors have been developed in recent years in the quest of maximum utility by controlling the defects seen in the previous biosensors. The overwhelming call for on-line measurement of different sample constituents has directed science and industry to search for best practical solutions and biosensors are witnessed as the best prospect. The main objective of this paper is to serve as a narrow footbridge by comparing the literary works on the β-galactosidase biosensors, critically analyze their use in the construction of best biosensor by showing the pros and cons of the predicted methods for the practical use of biosensors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Construction of DNA sandwich electrochemical biosensor with nanoPbS and nanoAu tags on magnetic microbeads.

    PubMed

    Du, Ping; Li, Hongxia; Cao, Wei

    2009-07-15

    A novel and sensitive sandwich electrochemical biosensor based on the amplification of magnetic microbeads and Au nanoparticles (NPs) modified with bio bar code and PbS nanoparticles was constructed in the present work. In this method, the magnetic microspheres were coated with 4 layers polyelectrolytes in order to increase carboxyl groups on the surface of the magnetic microbeads, which enhanced the amount of the capture DNA. The amino-functionalized capture DNA on the surface of magnetic microbeads hybridized with one end of target DNA, the other end of which was hybridized with signal DNA probe labelled with Au NPs on the terminus. The Au NPs were modified with bio bar code and the PbS NPs were used as a marker for identifying the target oligoncleotide. The modification of magnetic microbeads could immobilize more amino-group terminal capture DNA, and the bio bar code could increase the amount of Au NPs that combined with the target DNA. The detection of lead ions performed by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) technology further improved the sensitivity of the biosensor. As a result, the present DNA biosensor showed good selectivity and sensitivity by the combined amplification. Under the optimum conditions, the linear relationship with the concentration of the target DNA was ranging from 2.0 x 10(-14) M to 1.0 x 10(-12)M and a detection limit as low as 5.0 x 10(-15)M was obtained.

  6. Gold nanowire assembling architecture for H2O2 electrochemical sensor.

    PubMed

    Guo, Shaojun; Wen, Dan; Dong, Shaojun; Wang, Erkang

    2009-02-15

    Morphological control of nanomaterials is of great interest due to their size and shape-dependent chemical and physical properties and very important applications in many fields such as biomedicine, sensors, electronics and others. In this paper, we reported a simple strategy for synthesizing gold nanowire assembling architecture at room temperature. It is found that two important factors, the proper volume ratio of ethanol to water and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), will play important roles in synthesizing flower-like short gold nanowire assembling spheres. Furthermore, the obtained flower-like gold assembling spheres with high surface-to-volume ratio have been employed as enhancing materials for electrochemical sensing H(2)O(2). The present electrochemical sensing platform exhibited good electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H(2)O(2). The detection limit for H(2)O(2) was found to be 1.2 microM, which was lower than certain enzyme-based biosensors.

  7. Bioelectroanalysis in a Drop: Construction of a Glucose Biosensor

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Amor-Gutierrez, O.; Rama, E. C.; Fernandez-Abedul, M. T.; Costa-García, A.

    2017-01-01

    This lab experiment describes a complete method to fabricate an enzymatic glucose electroanalytical biosensor by students. Using miniaturized and disposable screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), students learn how to use them as transducers and understand the importance SPEs have acquired in sensor development during the last years. Students can also…

  8. Biosensor Architectures for High-Fidelity Reporting of Cellular Signaling

    PubMed Central

    Dushek, Omer; Lellouch, Annemarie C.; Vaux, David J.; Shahrezaei, Vahid

    2014-01-01

    Understanding mechanisms of information processing in cellular signaling networks requires quantitative measurements of protein activities in living cells. Biosensors are molecular probes that have been developed to directly track the activity of specific signaling proteins and their use is revolutionizing our understanding of signal transduction. The use of biosensors relies on the assumption that their activity is linearly proportional to the activity of the signaling protein they have been engineered to track. We use mechanistic mathematical models of common biosensor architectures (single-chain FRET-based biosensors), which include both intramolecular and intermolecular reactions, to study the validity of the linearity assumption. As a result of the classic mechanism of zero-order ultrasensitivity, we find that biosensor activity can be highly nonlinear so that small changes in signaling protein activity can give rise to large changes in biosensor activity and vice versa. This nonlinearity is abolished in architectures that favor the formation of biosensor oligomers, but oligomeric biosensors produce complicated FRET states. Based on this finding, we show that high-fidelity reporting is possible when a single-chain intermolecular biosensor is used that cannot undergo intramolecular reactions and is restricted to forming dimers. We provide phase diagrams that compare various trade-offs, including observer effects, which further highlight the utility of biosensor architectures that favor intermolecular over intramolecular binding. We discuss challenges in calibrating and constructing biosensors and highlight the utility of mathematical models in designing novel probes for cellular signaling. PMID:25099816

  9. Simulation study on discrete charge effects of SiNW biosensors according to bound target position using a 3D TCAD simulator.

    PubMed

    Chung, In-Young; Jang, Hyeri; Lee, Jieun; Moon, Hyunggeun; Seo, Sung Min; Kim, Dae Hwan

    2012-02-17

    We introduce a simulation method for the biosensor environment which treats the semiconductor and the electrolyte region together, using the well-established semiconductor 3D TCAD simulator tool. Using this simulation method, we conduct electrostatic simulations of SiNW biosensors with a more realistic target charge model where the target is described as a charged cube, randomly located across the nanowire surface, and analyze the Coulomb effect on the SiNW FET according to the position and distribution of the target charges. The simulation results show the considerable variation in the SiNW current according to the bound target positions, and also the dependence of conductance modulation on the polarity of target charges. This simulation method and the results can be utilized for analysis of the properties and behavior of the biosensor device, such as the sensing limit or the sensing resolution.

  10. Optical biosensors.

    PubMed

    Damborský, Pavel; Švitel, Juraj; Katrlík, Jaroslav

    2016-06-30

    Optical biosensors represent the most common type of biosensor. Here we provide a brief classification, a description of underlying principles of operation and their bioanalytical applications. The main focus is placed on the most widely used optical biosensors which are surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensors including SPR imaging and localized SPR. In addition, other optical biosensor systems are described, such as evanescent wave fluorescence and bioluminescent optical fibre biosensors, as well as interferometric, ellipsometric and reflectometric interference spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering biosensors. The optical biosensors discussed here allow the sensitive and selective detection of a wide range of analytes including viruses, toxins, drugs, antibodies, tumour biomarkers and tumour cells. © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.

  11. Biosensor-based engineering of biosynthetic pathways

    DOE PAGES

    Rogers, Jameson K.; Taylor, Noah D.; Church, George M.

    2016-03-18

    Biosynthetic pathways provide an enzymatic route from inexpensive renewable resources to valuable metabolic products such as pharmaceuticals and plastics. However, designing these pathways is challenging due to the complexities of biology. Advances in the design and construction of genetic variants has enabled billions of cells, each possessing a slightly different metabolic design, to be rapidly generated. However, our ability to measure the quality of these designs lags by several orders of magnitude. Recent research has enabled cells to report their own success in chemical production through the use of genetically encoded biosensors. A new engineering discipline is emerging around themore » creation and application of biosensors. Biosensors, implemented in selections and screens to identify productive cells, are paving the way for a new era of biotechnological progress.« less

  12. A Urea Biosensor from Stacked Sol-Gel Films with Immobilized Nile Blue Chromoionophore and Urease Enzyme

    PubMed Central

    Alqasaimeh, Muawia Salameh; Heng, Lee Yook; Ahmad, Musa

    2007-01-01

    An optical urea biosensor was fabricated by stacking several layers of sol-gel films. The stacking of the sol-gel films allowed the immobilization of a Nile Blue chromoionophore (ETH 5294) and urease enzyme separately without the need of any chemical attachment procedure. The absorbance response of the biosensor was monitored at 550 nm, i.e. the deprotonation of the chromoionophore. This multi-layer sol-gel film format enabled higher enzyme loading in the biosensor to be achieved. The urea optical biosensor constructed from three layers of sol-gel films that contained urease demonstrated a much wider linear response range of up to 100 mM urea when compared with biosensors that constructed from 1-2 layers of films. Analysis of urea in urine samples with this optical urea biosensor yielded results similar to that determined by a spectrophotometric method using the reagent p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (R2 = 0.982, n = 6). The average recovery of urea from urine samples using this urea biosensor is approximately 103%.

  13. Composite electrochemical biosensors: a comparison of three different electrode matrices for the construction of amperometric tyrosinase biosensors.

    PubMed

    Serra, B; Jiménez, S; Mena, M L; Reviejo, A J; Pingarrón, J M

    2002-03-01

    A comparison of the behaviour of three different rigid composite matrices for the construction of amperometric tyrosinase biosensors, which are widely used for the detection of phenolic compounds, is reported. The composite electrode matrices were, graphite-Teflon; reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC)-epoxy resin; and graphite-ethylene/propylene/diene (EPD) terpolymer. After optimization of the experimental conditions, different aspects regarding the stability of the three composite tyrosinase electrode designs were considered and compared. A better reproducibility of the amperometric responses was found with the graphite-EPD electrodes, whereas a longer useful lifetime was observed for the graphite-Teflon electrodes. The kinetic parameters of the tyrosinase reaction were calculated for eight different phenolic compounds, as well as their corresponding calibration plots. The general trend in sensitivity was graphite-EPD>graphite-Teflon>RVC-epoxy resin. A correlation between sensitivity and the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme reaction for each phenolic substrate was found. Furthermore, differences in the sensitivity order for the phenolic compounds were observed among the three biocomposite electrodes, which suggests that the nature of the electrode matrix influences the interactions in the tyrosinase catalytic cycle.

  14. Dual recognition unit strategy improves the specificity of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) aptamer biosensor for cerebral ATP assay.

    PubMed

    Yu, Ping; He, Xiulan; Zhang, Li; Mao, Lanqun

    2015-01-20

    Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) aptamer has been widely used as a recognition unit for biosensor development; however, its relatively poor specificity toward ATP against adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP) essentially limits the application of the biosensors in real systems, especially in the complex cerebral system. In this study, for the first time, we demonstrate a dual recognition unit strategy (DRUS) to construct a highly selective and sensitive ATP biosensor by combining the recognition ability of aptamer toward A nucleobase and of polyimidazolium toward phosphate. The biosensors are constructed by first confining the polyimidazolium onto a gold surface by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), and then the aptamer onto electrode surface by electrostatic self-assembly to form dual-recognition-unit-functionalized electrodes. The constructed biosensor based on DRUS not only shows an ultrahigh sensitivity toward ATP with a detection limit down to the subattomole level but also an ultrahigh selectivity toward ATP without interference from ADP and AMP. The constructed biosensor is used for selective and sensitive sensing of the extracellular ATP in the cerebral system by combining in vivo microdialysis and can be used as a promising neurotechnology to probing cerebral ATP concentration.

  15. Random access actuation of nanowire grid metamaterial

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cencillo-Abad, Pablo; Ou, Jun-Yu; Plum, Eric; Valente, João; Zheludev, Nikolay I.

    2016-12-01

    While metamaterials offer engineered static optical properties, future artificial media with dynamic random-access control over shape and position of meta-molecules will provide arbitrary control of light propagation. The simplest example of such a reconfigurable metamaterial is a nanowire grid metasurface with subwavelength wire spacing. Recently we demonstrated computationally that such a metadevice with individually controlled wire positions could be used as dynamic diffraction grating, beam steering module and tunable focusing element. Here we report on the nanomembrane realization of such a nanowire grid metasurface constructed from individually addressable plasmonic chevron nanowires with a 230 nm × 100 nm cross-section, which consist of gold and silicon nitride. The active structure of the metadevice consists of 15 nanowires each 18 μm long and is fabricated by a combination of electron beam lithography and ion beam milling. It is packaged as a microchip device where the nanowires can be individually actuated by control currents via differential thermal expansion.

  16. Step-gate polysilicon nanowires field effect transistor compatible with CMOS technology for label-free DNA biosensor.

    PubMed

    Wenga, G; Jacques, E; Salaün, A-C; Rogel, R; Pichon, L; Geneste, F

    2013-02-15

    Currently, detection of DNA hybridization using fluorescence-based detection technique requires expensive optical systems and complex bioinformatics tools. Hence, the development of new low cost devices that enable direct and highly sensitive detection stimulates a lot of research efforts. Particularly, devices based on silicon nanowires are emerging as ultrasensitive electrical sensors for the direct detection of biological species thanks to their high surface to volume ratio. In this study, we propose innovative devices using step-gate polycrystalline silicon nanowire FET (poly-Si NW FETs), achieved with simple and low cost fabrication process, and used as ultrasensitive electronic sensor for DNA hybridization. The poly-SiNWs are synthesized using the sidewall spacer formation technique. The detailed fabrication procedure for a step-gate NWFET sensor is described in this paper. No-complementary and complementary DNA sequences were clearly discriminated and detection limit to 1 fM range is observed. This first result using this nano-device is promising for the development of low cost and ultrasensitive polysilicon nanowires based DNA sensors compatible with the CMOS technology. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Graphene as a signal amplifier for preparation of ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors.

    PubMed

    Filip, Jaroslav; Kasák, Peter; Tkac, Jan

    2015-01-01

    Early diagnostics of diseases performed with minimal money and time consumption has become achievable due to recent advances in development of biosensors. These devices use biorecognition elements for selective interaction with an analyte and signal readout is obtained via different types of transducers. Operational characteristics of biosensors have been reported to improve substantially, when a diverse range of nanomaterials was employed. This review presents construction of electrochemical biosensors based on graphene, atomically thin 2D carbon crystals, which is currently intensively studied nanomaterial. The most attractive directions of graphene applications in biosensor preparation are discussed here including novel detection and amplification schemes exploiting graphene's unique electrochemical, physical and chemical properties. The future of graphene-based biosensors is most likely bright, but there is still a lot of work to do to fulfill high expectations.

  18. Corner wetting during the vapor-liquid-solid growth of faceted nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spencer, Brian; Davis, Stephen

    2016-11-01

    We consider the corner wetting of liquid drops in the context of vapor-liquid-solid growth of nanowires. Specifically, we construct numerical solutions for the equilibrium shape of a liquid drop on top of a faceted nanowire by solving the Laplace-Young equation with a free boundary determined by mixed boundary conditions. A key result for nanowire growth is that for a range of contact angles there is no equilibrium drop shape that completely wets the corner of the faceted nanowire. Based on our numerical solutions we determine the scaling behavior for the singular surface behavior near corners of the nanowire in terms of the Young contact angle and drop volume.

  19. Prototype amperometric biosensor for sialic acid determination.

    PubMed

    Marzouk, Sayed A M; Ashraf, S S; Tayyari, Khawla A Al

    2007-02-15

    This paper describes the first report on the development, characterization, and applications of a prototype amperometric biosensor for free sialic acid (SA). The sensor was constructed by the coimmobilization of two enzymes, i.e., N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase and pyruvate oxidase, on a polyester microporous membrane, which was then mounted on top of a platinum disk electrode. The SA biosensor operation was based on the sequential action of the two enzymes to ultimately produce hydrogen peroxide, which was then detected by anodic amperometry at the platinum electrode. The surface of the platinum electrode was coated with an electropolymeric layer to enhance the biosensor selectivity in the presence of interfering oxidizable species. Optimization of the enzyme layer composition resulted in a fast and steady current response in phosphate buffer pH 7.2 at 37 degrees C. The limit of detection was 10 microM, and the response was linear to 3.5 mM (r = 0.9987). The prepared SA biosensors retained approximately 85% of their initial sensitivity after 8 days and showed excellent response reproducibility (CV = 2.3%). Utilization of a third enzyme, sialidase, expanded the scope of the present SA biosensor to determine bound sialic acid as well. The merits of the described biosensor allowed its successful application in determining SA in biological and pharmaceutical samples. The obtained results indicated that the presented SA biosensor should be a useful bioanalytical tool in several biological and clinical applications such as screening of SA as a nonspecific tumor marker as well as monitoring of tumor therapy.

  20. Three-dimensional representation of curved nanowires.

    PubMed

    Huang, Z; Dikin, D A; Ding, W; Qiao, Y; Chen, X; Fridman, Y; Ruoff, R S

    2004-12-01

    Nanostructures, such as nanowires, nanotubes and nanocoils, can be described in many cases as quasi one-dimensional curved objects projecting in three-dimensional space. A parallax method to construct the correct three-dimensional geometry of such one-dimensional nanostructures is presented. A series of scanning electron microscope images was acquired at different view angles, thus providing a set of image pairs that were used to generate three-dimensional representations using a matlab program. An error analysis as a function of the view angle between the two images is presented and discussed. As an example application, the importance of knowing the true three-dimensional shape of boron nanowires is demonstrated; without the nanowire's correct length and diameter, mechanical resonance data cannot provide an accurate estimate of Young's modulus.

  1. Controlling Kink Geometry in Nanowires Fabricated by Alternating Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yun; Li, Liyi; Zhang, Cheng; Tuan, Chia-Chi; Chen, Xin; Gao, Jian; Wong, Ching-Ping

    2017-02-08

    Kinked silicon (Si) nanowires (NWs) have many special properties that make them attractive for a number of applications, such as microfluidics devices, microelectronic devices, and biosensors. However, fabricating NWs with controlled three-dimensional (3D) geometry has been challenging. In this work, a novel method called alternating metal-assisted chemical etching is reported for the fabrication of kinked Si NWs with controlled 3D geometry. By the use of multiple etchants with carefully selected composition, one can control the number of kinks, their locations, and their angles by controlling the number of etchant alternations and the time in each etchant. The resulting number of kinks equals the number times the etchant is alternated, the length of each segment separated by kinks has a linear relationship with the etching time, and the kinking angle is related to the surface tension and viscosity of the etchants. This facile method may provide a feasible and economical way to fabricate novel silicon nanowires, nanostructures, and devices for broad applications.

  2. Large-Scale Automated Production of Highly Ordered Ultralong Hydroxyapatite Nanowires and Construction of Various Fire-Resistant Flexible Ordered Architectures.

    PubMed

    Chen, Feng; Zhu, Ying-Jie

    2016-12-27

    Practical applications of nanostructured materials have been largely limited by the difficulties in controllable and scaled-up synthesis, large-sized highly ordered self-assembly, and macroscopic processing of nanostructures. Hydroxyapatite (HAP), the major inorganic component of human bone and tooth, is an important biomaterial with high biocompatibility, bioactivity, and high thermal stability. Large-sized highly ordered HAP nanostructures are of great significance for applications in various fields and for understanding the formation mechanisms of bone and tooth. However, the synthesis of large-sized highly ordered HAP nanostructures remains a great challenge, especially for the preparation of large-sized highly ordered ultralong HAP nanowires because ultralong HAP nanowires are easily tangled and aggregated. Herein, we report our three main research findings: (1) the large-scale synthesis of highly flexible ultralong HAP nanowires with lengths up to >100 μm and aspect ratios up to >10000; (2) the demonstration of a strategy for the rapid automated production of highly flexible, fire-resistant, large-sized, self-assembled highly ordered ultralong HAP nanowires (SHOUHNs) at room temperature; and (3) the successful construction of various flexible fire-resistant HAP ordered architectures using the SHOUHNs, such as high-strength highly flexible nanostructured ropes (nanoropes), highly flexible textiles, and 3-D printed well-defined highly ordered patterns. The SHOUHNs are successively formed from the nanoscale to the microscale then to the macroscale, and the ordering direction of the ordered HAP structure is controllable. These ordered HAP architectures made from the SHOUHNs, such as highly flexible textiles, may be engineered into advanced functional products for applications in various fields, for example, fireproof clothing.

  3. Ni-DNA-based nanowires and nanodevices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, Chia-Ching; Yuan, Chiun-Jye; Jian, Wen-Bin; Chen, Yu-Chang; di Ventra, Massimiliano

    DNA is a highly versatile biopolymer that has been a recent focus in the field of nanomachines and nanoelectronics. DNA exhibits high stability, adjustable conductance, self-organizing capability, programmability and vast information storage. It is an ideal material in the applications of nanodevices, nanoelectronics, and molecular computing. Low conductance of native DNA renders applications difficult. However, doping with nickel ions tunes the DNA into a conducting polymer. Further studies showed that nickel ions containing DNA (Ni-DNA) nanowires exhibit characteristics of memristor and memcapacitor making them a potential mass information storage system. In summary, Ni-DNA has promising applications in a variety of fields, including nanoelectronics, biosensors and memcomputing. This study was supported in part by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan (ROC) MOST 103-2112-M-009-011 -MY3, and MOST 105-2627-M-009-006.

  4. Construction and Potential Applications of Biosensors for Proteins in Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Xuan

    2017-01-01

    Biosensors for proteins have shown attractive advantages compared to traditional techniques in clinical laboratory diagnosis. In virtue of modern fabrication modes and detection techniques, various immunosensing platforms have been reported on basis of the specific recognition between antigen-antibody pairs. In addition to profit from the development of nanotechnology and molecular biology, diverse fabrication and signal amplification strategies have been designed for detection of protein antigens, which has led to great achievements in fast quantitative and simultaneous testing with extremely high sensitivity and specificity. Besides antigens, determination of antibodies also possesses great significance for clinical laboratory diagnosis. In this review, we will categorize recent immunosensors for proteins by different detection techniques. The basic conception of detection techniques, sensing mechanisms, and the relevant signal amplification strategies are introduced. Since antibodies and antigens have an equal position to each other in immunosensing, all biosensing strategies for antigens can be extended to antibodies under appropriate optimizations. Biosensors for antibodies are summarized, focusing on potential applications in clinical laboratory diagnosis, such as a series of biomarkers for infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases, and an evaluation of vaccine immunity. The excellent performances of these biosensors provide a prospective space for future antibody-detection-based disease serodiagnosis. PMID:29207528

  5. Construction and Potential Applications of Biosensors for Proteins in Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xuan; Jiang, Hui

    2017-12-04

    Biosensors for proteins have shown attractive advantages compared to traditional techniques in clinical laboratory diagnosis. In virtue of modern fabrication modes and detection techniques, various immunosensing platforms have been reported on basis of the specific recognition between antigen-antibody pairs. In addition to profit from the development of nanotechnology and molecular biology, diverse fabrication and signal amplification strategies have been designed for detection of protein antigens, which has led to great achievements in fast quantitative and simultaneous testing with extremely high sensitivity and specificity. Besides antigens, determination of antibodies also possesses great significance for clinical laboratory diagnosis. In this review, we will categorize recent immunosensors for proteins by different detection techniques. The basic conception of detection techniques, sensing mechanisms, and the relevant signal amplification strategies are introduced. Since antibodies and antigens have an equal position to each other in immunosensing, all biosensing strategies for antigens can be extended to antibodies under appropriate optimizations. Biosensors for antibodies are summarized, focusing on potential applications in clinical laboratory diagnosis, such as a series of biomarkers for infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases, and an evaluation of vaccine immunity. The excellent performances of these biosensors provide a prospective space for future antibody-detection-based disease serodiagnosis.

  6. One-dimensional nanostructures for novel biosensor and transparent electronics applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, Hsiao-Kang

    This dissertation presents one-dimensional nanostructures for novel biosensors and transparent electronics applications. In chapter 1, background information regarding nanomaterials studied in this dissertation is described. In chapter 2, I describe the first application of antibody mimic proteins (AMPs) in the field of nanobiosensors. In2O3 nanowire based biosensors have been configured with an AMP (Fibronectin, Fn) to detect nucleocapsid (N) protein, a biomarker for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Using these devices, N protein was detected at sub-nanomolar concentration in the presence of 44 microM bovine serum albumin as a background. Furthermore, the binding constant of the AMP to Fn was determined from the concentration dependence of the response of our biosensors. In chapter 3, I demonstrate an In2O3 nanowire-based biosensing system that is capable of performing rapid, label-free, electrical detection of cancer biomarkers directly from human whole blood collected by a finger prick. Detection of multiple cancer biomarkers with high reliability at clinically meaningful concentrations from whole blood collected by a finger prick using this sensing system is demonstrated. In chapter 4, I introduce a top-down nanobiosensor based on polysilicon nanoribbon with enhanced yield and device uniformity. The polysilicon nanoribbon devices can be fabricated by conventional photolithography with only easily available materials and equipments required, thus results in great time and cost efficiency as well as scalability. The devices show great response to pH changes with a wide dynamic range and high sensitivity. Biomarker detection is also demonstrated with clinically relevant sensitivity. Such results suggest that polysilicon nanoribbon devices exhibit great potential toward a highly efficient, reliable and sensitive biosensing platform. In chapter 5, I demonstrate the first printed nanobiosensor application based on separated semiconducting single

  7. Design and application of a lactulose biosensor.

    PubMed

    Wu, Jieyuan; Jiang, Peixia; Chen, Wei; Xiong, Dandan; Huang, Linglan; Jia, Junying; Chen, Yuanyuan; Jin, Jian-Ming; Tang, Shuang-Yan

    2017-04-07

    In this study the repressor of Escherichia coli lac operon, LacI, has been engineered for altered effector specificity. A LacI saturation mutagenesis library was subjected to Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) dual screening. Mutant LacI-L5 was selected and it is specifically induced by lactulose but not by other disaccharides tested (lactose, epilactose, maltose, sucrose, cellobiose and melibiose). LacI-L5 has been successfully used to construct a whole-cell lactulose biosensor which was then applied in directed evolution of cellobiose 2-epimerase (C2E) for elevated lactulose production. The mutant C2E enzyme with ~32-fold enhanced expression level was selected, demonstrating the high efficiency of the lactulose biosensor. LacI-L5 can also be used as a novel regulatory tool. This work explores the potential of engineering LacI for customized molecular biosensors which can be applied in practice.

  8. Electrochemical glucose biosensor based on nickel oxide nanoparticle-modified carbon paste electrode.

    PubMed

    Erdem, Ceren; Zeybek, Derya Koyuncu; Aydoğdu, Gözde; Zeybek, Bülent; Pekyardımcı, Sule; Kılıç, Esma

    2014-08-01

    In the present work, we designed an amperometric glucose biosensor based on nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs)-modified carbon paste electrode. The biosensor was prepared by incorporation of glucose oxidase and NiONPs into a carbon paste matrix. It showed good analytical performances such as high sensitivity (367 μA mmolL(-1)) and a wide linear response from 1.9×10(-3) mmolL(-1) to 15.0 mmolL(-1) with a limit of detection (0.11 μmolL(-1)). The biosensor was used for the determination of glucose in human serum samples. The results illustrate that NiONPs have enormous potential in the construction of biosensor for determination of glucose.

  9. Auto-FPFA: An Automated Microscope for Characterizing Genetically Encoded Biosensors.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Tuan A; Puhl, Henry L; Pham, An K; Vogel, Steven S

    2018-05-09

    Genetically encoded biosensors function by linking structural change in a protein construct, typically tagged with one or more fluorescent proteins, to changes in a biological parameter of interest (such as calcium concentration, pH, phosphorylation-state, etc.). Typically, the structural change triggered by alterations in the bio-parameter is monitored as a change in either fluorescent intensity, or lifetime. Potentially, other photo-physical properties of fluorophores, such as fluorescence anisotropy, molecular brightness, concentration, and lateral and/or rotational diffusion could also be used. Furthermore, while it is likely that multiple photo-physical attributes of a biosensor might be altered as a function of the bio-parameter, standard measurements monitor only a single photo-physical trait. This limits how biosensors are designed, as well as the accuracy and interpretation of biosensor measurements. Here we describe the design and construction of an automated multimodal-microscope. This system can autonomously analyze 96 samples in a micro-titer dish and for each sample simultaneously measure intensity (photon count), fluorescence lifetime, time-resolved anisotropy, molecular brightness, lateral diffusion time, and concentration. We characterize the accuracy and precision of this instrument, and then demonstrate its utility by characterizing three types of genetically encoded calcium sensors as well as a negative control.

  10. A Urea Biosensor from Stacked Sol-Gel Films with Immobilized Nile Blue Chromoionophore and Urease Enzyme.

    PubMed

    Alqasaimeh, Muawia Salameh; Heng, Lee Yook; Ahmad, Musa

    2007-10-11

    An optical urea biosensor was fabricated by stacking several layers of sol-gelfilms. The stacking of the sol-gel films allowed the immobilization of a Nile Bluechromoionophore (ETH 5294) and urease enzyme separately without the need of anychemical attachment procedure. The absorbance response of the biosensor was monitoredat 550 nm, i.e. the deprotonation of the chromoionophore. This multi-layer sol-gel filmformat enabled higher enzyme loading in the biosensor to be achieved. The urea opticalbiosensor constructed from three layers of sol-gel films that contained urease demonstrateda much wider linear response range of up to 100 mM urea when compared with biosensorsthat constructed from 1-2 layers of films. Analysis of urea in urine samples with thisoptical urea biosensor yielded results similar to that determined by a spectrophotometricmethod using the reagent p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (R² = 0.982, n = 6). The averagerecovery of urea from urine samples using this urea biosensor is approximately 103%.

  11. A luminescent hybridoma-based biosensor for rapid detection of V. cholerae upon induction of calcium signaling pathway.

    PubMed

    Zamani, Parichehr; Sajedi, Reza H; Hosseinkhani, Saman; Zeinoddini, Mehdi; Bakhshi, Bita

    2016-05-15

    In this study, a hybridoma based biosensor was developed for rapid, sensitive and selective detection of Vibrio cholerae O1 which converts the antibody-antigen binding to bioluminescence light. After investigation on hybridoma performance, the biosensor was constructed by transfecting specific hybridoma cells with aequorin reporter gene and the bioluminescence activities of stable biosensor were measured. The sensitivity of biosensor was as few as 50 CFU/ml and it showed no responses to other entric bacteria. Moreover, the response time of biosensor was estimated in 7th second which means this method is considerably faster than many available detection assays. In addition, this biosensor was successfully applied to V. cholerae detection in environmental samples with no significant loss in sensitivity, demonstrating our proposed biosensor provides a sensitive and reliable method for detection of V. cholerae in natural samples. The application of whole hybridoma cell directly as a sensing element in biosensor construction which mentioned for the first time in present study suggests that hybridoma cells could provide a valuable tool for future studies in both basic and diagnostic sciences and could be considered as a fast and specific sensing element for detection of other pathogens in different applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Ultra low power consumption for self-oscillating nanoelectromechanical systems constructed by contacting two nanowires.

    PubMed

    Barois, T; Ayari, A; Vincent, P; Perisanu, S; Poncharal, P; Purcell, S T

    2013-04-10

    We report here the observation of a new self-oscillation mechanism in nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). A highly resistive nanowire was positioned to form a point-contact at a chosen vibration node of a silicon carbide nanowire resonator. Spontaneous and robust mechanical oscillations arise when a sufficient DC voltage is applied between the two nanowires. An original model predicting the threshold voltage is used to estimate the piezoresistivity of the point-contact in agreement with the observations. The measured input power is in the pW-range which is the lowest reported value for such systems. The simplicity of the contacting procedure and the low power consumption open a new route for integrable and low-loss self-excited NEMS devices.

  13. Graphene oxide-based optical biosensor functionalized with peptides for explosive detection.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qian; Zhang, Diming; Lu, Yanli; Yao, Yao; Li, Shuang; Liu, Qingjun

    2015-06-15

    A label-free optical biosensor was constructed with biofunctionalized graphene oxide (GO) for specific detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). By chemically binding TNT-specific peptides with GO, the biosensor gained unique optoelectronic properties and high biological sensitivity, with transducing bimolecular bonding into optical signals. Through UV absorption detection, increasing absorbance responses could be observed in presence of TNT at different concentrations, as low as 4.40×10(-9) mM, and showed dose-dependence and stable behavior. Specific responses of the biosensor were verified with the corporation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene (DNT), which had similar molecular structure to TNT. Thus, with high sensitivity and selectivity, the biosensor provided a convenient approach for detection of explosives as miniaturizing and integrating devices. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Applications of commercial biosensors in clinical, food, environmental, and biothreat/biowarfare analyses.

    PubMed

    Bahadır, Elif Burcu; Sezgintürk, Mustafa Kemal

    2015-06-01

    The lack of specific, low-cost, rapid, sensitive, and easy detection of biomolecules has resulted in the development of biosensor technology. Innovations in biosensor technology have enabled many biosensors to be commercialized and have enabled biomolecules to be detected onsite. Moreover, the emerging technologies of lab-on-a-chip microdevices and nanosensors offer opportunities for the development of new biosensors with much better performance. Biosensors were first introduced into the laboratory by Clark and Lyons. They developed the first glucose biosensor for laboratory conditions. Then in 1973, a glucose biosensor was commercialized by Yellow Springs Instruments. The commercial biosensors have small size and simple construction and they are ideal for point-of-care biosensing. In addition to glucose, a wide variety of metabolites such as lactate, cholesterol, and creatinine can be detected by using commercial biosensors. Like the glucose biosensors (tests) other commercial tests such as for pregnancy (hCG), Escherichia coli O157, influenza A and B viruses, Helicobacter pylori, human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis, and malaria have achieved success. Apart from their use in clinical analysis, commercial tests are also used in environmental (such as biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, pesticide), food (such as glutamate, glutamine, sucrose, lactose, alcohol, ascorbic acid), and biothreat/biowarfare (Bacillus anthracis, Salmonella, Botulinum toxin) analysis. In this review, commercial biosensors in clinical, environmental, food, and biowarfare analysis are summarized and the commercial biosensors are compared in terms of their important characteristics. This is the first review in which all the commercially available tests are compiled together. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Biosensors.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rechnitz, Garry A.

    1988-01-01

    Describes theory and principles behind biosensors that incorporate biological components as part of a sensor or probe. Projects major applications in medicine and veterinary medicine, biotechnology, food and agriculture, environmental studies, and the military. Surveys current use of biosensors. (ML)

  16. Silicon nanowire field-effect transistors for the detection of proteins

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Madler, Carsten

    to implantable biosensors wirelessly, eliminating the need for batteries. A metamaterial split ring resonator is integrated with a rectifying circuit for efficient conversion of microwave radiation to direct electrical power. We studied the near-field behavior of this rectenna with respect to distance, polarization, power, and frequency. Using a 100 mW microwave power source, we demonstrated operating a simple silicon nanowire pH sensor with light indicator.

  17. Construction of novel xanthine biosensor by using polymeric mediator/MWCNT nanocomposite layer for fish freshness detection.

    PubMed

    Dervisevic, Muamer; Custiuc, Esma; Çevik, Emre; Şenel, Mehmet

    2015-08-15

    A novel nanocomposite host matrix for enzyme immobilization of xanthine oxidase was developed by incorporating MWCNT in poly(GMA-co-VFc) copolymer film. In the food industry fish is a product with a very low commercial life, and a high variability as well elevated level of xanthine is an important biomarker as a sign of spoilage. The fabricated process was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the electrochemical behaviors of the biosensor were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The prepared enzyme electrodes exhibited maximum response at pH 7.0 and 45°C +0.35 V and reached 95% of steady-state current in about ∼ 4 s and its sensitivity was 16 mAM(-1). Linear ranges (2-28 μM, 28-46 and 46-86 μM), analytical performance and a low detection limit 0.12 μM obtained from the xanthine biosensor gives reliable results in measuring xanthine concentration in the fish meat. All the results indicating that the resulting biosensor exhibited a good response to xanthine that was related to the addition of MWCNT in the polymeric mediator film which played an important role in the biosensor performance. In addition, the biosensor exhibited high good storage stability and satisfactory anti-interference ability. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Microbial Biosensor for the Detection of Protease-Virulent Factors from Pathogens

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-04-28

    cleavage in the extracellular space. The cleavage of TCS receptor protein would abolish the kinase activity responsible for the phosphorylation of the...cytoplasmic response regulator, AgrA, which functions as a transcriptional activator . As the cell-based protease biosensor response requires over...to AIP; AgrC is a AIP receptor that phosphorylates AgrA, an activator for P2 and P3. Protein-based protease biosensor construction To facilitate

  19. Conformational Phase Diagram for Polymers Adsorbed on Ultrathin Nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vogel, Thomas; Bachmann, Michael

    2010-05-01

    We study the conformational behavior of a polymer adsorbed at an attractive stringlike nanowire and construct the complete structural phase diagram in dependence of the binding strength and effective thickness of the nanowire. For this purpose, Monte Carlo optimization techniques are employed to identify lowest-energy structures for a coarse-grained model of a polymer in contact with the nanowire. Among the representative conformations in the different phases are, for example, compact droplets attached to the wire and also nanotubelike monolayer films wrapping it in a very ordered way. We here systematically analyze low-energy shapes and structural order parameters to elucidate the transitions between the structural phases.

  20. Conformational phase diagram for polymers adsorbed on ultrathin nanowires.

    PubMed

    Vogel, Thomas; Bachmann, Michael

    2010-05-14

    We study the conformational behavior of a polymer adsorbed at an attractive stringlike nanowire and construct the complete structural phase diagram in dependence of the binding strength and effective thickness of the nanowire. For this purpose, Monte Carlo optimization techniques are employed to identify lowest-energy structures for a coarse-grained model of a polymer in contact with the nanowire. Among the representative conformations in the different phases are, for example, compact droplets attached to the wire and also nanotubelike monolayer films wrapping it in a very ordered way. We here systematically analyze low-energy shapes and structural order parameters to elucidate the transitions between the structural phases.

  1. Construction of Hierarchical CuO/Cu₂O@NiCo₂S₄ Nanowire Arrays on Copper Foam for High Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Luoxiao; He, Ying; Jia, Congpu; Pavlinek, Vladimir; Saha, Petr; Cheng, Qilin

    2017-09-15

    Hierarchical copper oxide @ ternary nickel cobalt sulfide (CuO/Cu₂O@NiCo₂S₄) core-shell nanowire arrays on Cu foam have been successfully constructed by a facile two-step strategy. Vertically aligned CuO/Cu₂O nanowire arrays are firstly grown on Cu foam by one-step thermal oxidation of Cu foam, followed by electrodeposition of NiCo₂S₄ nanosheets on the surface of CuO/Cu₂O nanowires to form the CuO/Cu₂O@NiCo₂S₄ core-shell nanostructures. Structural and morphological characterizations indicate that the average thickness of the NiCo₂S₄ nanosheets is ~20 nm and the diameter of CuO/Cu₂O core is ~50 nm. Electrochemical properties of the hierarchical composites as integrated binder-free electrodes for supercapacitor were evaluated by various electrochemical methods. The hierarchical composite electrodes could achieve ultrahigh specific capacitance of 3.186 F cm -2 at 10 mA cm -2 , good rate capability (82.06% capacitance retention at the current density from 2 to 50 mA cm -2 ) and excellent cycling stability, with capacitance retention of 96.73% after 2000 cycles at 10 mA cm -2 . These results demonstrate the significance of optimized design and fabrication of electrode materials with more sufficient electrolyte-electrode interface, robust structural integrity and fast ion/electron transfer.

  2. Pathogen detection using evanescent-wave fiber optic biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferreira, Aldo P.; Werneck, Marcelo M.; Ribeiro, R. M.; Lins, U. G.

    1999-07-01

    This paper describes a real time optical biosensor that utilizes the evanescent field technique for monitoring microorganisms in hospital environment. The biosensor monitors interactions between the analytic (bacteria) and the evanescent field of an optical fiber passing through the culture media where the bacteria grows. The objective is to monitor atmospheres in hospital areas for the Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia. The results lead us the conclusion that this kind of sensor presents quick response, good performance, easy of construction and low cost. We expect that the sensor will be of great help in controlling the hospital environment.

  3. Construction of titanium dioxide nanorod/graphite microfiber hybrid electrodes for a high performance electrochemical glucose biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Jian; Yu, Xin; Guo, Weibo; Qiu, Jichuan; Mou, Xiaoning; Li, Aixue; Liu, Hong

    2016-04-01

    The demand for a highly sensitive and selective glucose biosensor which can be used for implantable or on-time monitoring is constantly increasing. In this work, TiO2 nanorods were synthesized in situ on the surface of graphite microfibers to yield TiO2 nanorod/graphite microfiber hybrid electrodes. The TiO2 nanorods not only retain the high activity of the immobilized glucose molecule, but also promote the direct electron transfer process on the electrode surface. As a working electrode in an electrochemical glucose biosensor in a flowing system, the microfiber hybrid electrodes exhibit high sensitivity, selectivity and stability. Due to its simplicity, low cost, high stability, and unique morphology, the TiO2 nanorod/graphite microfiber hybrid electrode is expected to be an excellent candidate for an implantable biosensor or for in situ flow monitoring.The demand for a highly sensitive and selective glucose biosensor which can be used for implantable or on-time monitoring is constantly increasing. In this work, TiO2 nanorods were synthesized in situ on the surface of graphite microfibers to yield TiO2 nanorod/graphite microfiber hybrid electrodes. The TiO2 nanorods not only retain the high activity of the immobilized glucose molecule, but also promote the direct electron transfer process on the electrode surface. As a working electrode in an electrochemical glucose biosensor in a flowing system, the microfiber hybrid electrodes exhibit high sensitivity, selectivity and stability. Due to its simplicity, low cost, high stability, and unique morphology, the TiO2 nanorod/graphite microfiber hybrid electrode is expected to be an excellent candidate for an implantable biosensor or for in situ flow monitoring. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01360k

  4. Superwetting nanowire membranes for selective absorption.

    PubMed

    Yuan, Jikang; Liu, Xiaogang; Akbulut, Ozge; Hu, Junqing; Suib, Steven L; Kong, Jing; Stellacci, Francesco

    2008-06-01

    The construction of nanoporous membranes is of great technological importance for various applications, including catalyst supports, filters for biomolecule purification, environmental remediation and seawater desalination. A major challenge is the scalable fabrication of membranes with the desirable combination of good thermal stability, high selectivity and excellent recyclability. Here we present a self-assembly method for constructing thermally stable, free-standing nanowire membranes that exhibit controlled wetting behaviour ranging from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic. These membranes can selectively absorb oils up to 20 times the material's weight in preference to water, through a combination of superhydrophobicity and capillary action. Moreover, the nanowires that form the membrane structure can be re-suspended in solutions and subsequently re-form the original paper-like morphology over many cycles. Our results suggest an innovative material that should find practical applications in the removal of organics, particularly in the field of oil spill cleanup.

  5. Bioelectrochemical interface engineering: toward the fabrication of electrochemical biosensors, biofuel cells, and self-powered logic biosensors.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Ming; Dong, Shaojun

    2011-11-15

    Over the past decade, researchers have devoted considerable attention to the integration of living organisms with electronic elements to yield bioelectronic devices. Not only is the integration of DNA, enzymes, or whole cells with electronics of scientific interest, but it has many versatile potential applications. Researchers are using these ideas to fabricate biosensors for analytical applications and to assemble biofuel cells (BFCs) and biomolecule-based devices. Other research efforts include the development of biocomputing systems for information processing. In this Account, we focus on our recent progress in engineering at the bioelectrochemical interface (BECI) for the rational design and construction of important bioelectronic devices, ranging from electrochemical (EC-) biosensors to BFCs, and self-powered logic biosensors. Hydrogels and sol-gels provide attractive materials for the immobilization of enzymes because they make EC-enzyme biosensors stable and even functional in extreme environments. We use a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique to fabricate multicomponent thin films on the BECI at the nanometer scale. Additionally, we demonstrate how carbon nanomaterials have paved the way for new and improved EC-enzyme biosensors. In addition to the widely reported BECI-based electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)-type aptasensors, we integrate the LBL technique with our previously developed "solid-state probe" technique for redox probes immobilization on electrode surfaces to design and fabricate BECI-based differential pulse voltammetry (DPV)-type aptasensors. BFCs can directly harvest energy from ambient biofuels as green energy sources, which could lead to their application as simple, flexible, and portable power sources. Porous materials provide favorable microenvironments for enzyme immobilization, which can enhance BFC power output. Furthermore, by introducing aptamer-based logic systems to BFCs, such systems could be applied as self

  6. Automated characterization and assembly of individual nanowires for device fabrication.

    PubMed

    Yu, Kaiyan; Yi, Jingang; Shan, Jerry W

    2018-05-15

    The automated sorting and positioning of nanowires and nanotubes is essential to enabling the scalable manufacturing of nanodevices for a variety of applications. However, two fundamental challenges still remain: (i) automated placement of individual nanostructures in precise locations, and (ii) the characterization and sorting of highly variable nanomaterials to construct well-controlled nanodevices. Here, we propose and demonstrate an integrated, electric-field based method for the simultaneous automated characterization, manipulation, and assembly of nanowires (ACMAN) with selectable electrical conductivities into nanodevices. We combine contactless and solution-based electro-orientation spectroscopy and electrophoresis-based motion-control, planning and manipulation strategies to simultaneously characterize and manipulate multiple individual nanowires. These nanowires can be selected according to their electrical characteristics and precisely positioned at different locations in a low-conductivity liquid to form functional nanodevices with desired electrical properties. We validate the ACMAN design by assembling field-effect transistors (FETs) with silicon nanowires of selected electrical conductivities. The design scheme provides a key enabling technology for the scalable, automated sorting and assembly of nanowires and nanotubes to build functional nanodevices.

  7. Detection beyond the Debye screening length in a high-frequency nanoelectronic biosensor.

    PubMed

    Kulkarni, Girish S; Zhong, Zhaohui

    2012-02-08

    Nanosensors based on the unique electronic properties of nanotubes and nanowires offer high sensitivity and have the potential to revolutionize the field of Point-of-Care (POC) medical diagnosis. The direct current (dc) detection of a wide array of organic and inorganic molecules has been demonstrated on these devices. However, sensing mechanism based on measuring changes in dc conductance fails at high background salt concentrations, where the sensitivity of the devices suffers from the ionic screening due to mobile ions present in the solution. Here, we successfully demonstrate that the fundamental ionic screening effect can be mitigated by operating single-walled carbon nanotube field effect transistor as a high-frequency biosensor. The nonlinear mixing between the alternating current excitation field and the molecular dipole field can generate mixing current sensitive to the surface-bound biomolecules. Electrical detection of monolayer streptavidin binding to biotin in 100 mM buffer solution is achieved at a frequency beyond 1 MHz. Theoretical modeling confirms improved sensitivity at high frequency through mitigation of the ionic screening effect. The results should promise a new biosensing platform for POC detection, where biosensors functioning directly in physiologically relevant condition are desired. © 2012 American Chemical Society

  8. Construction of 3D Metallic Nanostructures on an Arbitrarily Shaped Substrate.

    PubMed

    Chen, Fei; Li, Jingning; Yu, Fangfang; Zhao, Di; Wang, Fan; Chen, Yanbin; Peng, Ru-Wen; Wang, Mu

    2016-09-01

    Constructing conductive/magnetic nanowire arrays with 3D features by electrodeposition remains challenging. An unprecedented fabrication approach that allows to construct metallic (cobalt) nanowires on an arbitrarily shaped surface is reported. The spatial separation of nanowires varies from 70 to 3000 nm and the line width changes from 50 to 250 nm depending on growth conditions. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  9. PEGylation of a Maltose Biosensor Promotes Enhanced Signal Response

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dattelbaum, Andrew; Baker, Gary A; Fox, John M

    2009-01-01

    A robust method to immobilize a maltose biosensor is described using an engineered maltose periplasmic binding protein (PBP) covalently coupled to NBDamide, an environmentally sensitive fluorophore. A mesoporous silica sol-gel derived from diglycerylsilane (DGS) was constructed to embed the maltose biosensor, and the ligand reporting fluorescence properties were meas red. When sequestered in the DGS-derived silica matrix, the biosensor retained maltose-dependent fluorescence sensing capability with micromolar affinity, which is consistent with the protein free in solution. The MBP-NBD conjugate was further modified by covalent conjugation with poly(ethylene glycol)-5000 (PEG) to promote the retention of water molecules around the protein andmore » to reduce possible steric effects between the silica matrix and protein. Bioconjugation with PEG molecules does not significantly affect the signaling response of the protein in solution. When immobilized in the DGS polymer, a consistent increase in fluorescence intensity was observed as compared to the protein not functionalized with PEG. To our knowledge, this report presents the first successful method to embed a PBP biosensor in a polymerized matrix and retain signaling response using an environmentally sensitive probe. The immobilization method presented here should be easily adaptable to all conformation-dependent biosensors.« less

  10. A High-Content Assay for Biosensor Validation and for Examining Stimuli that Affect Biosensor Activity.

    PubMed

    Slattery, Scott D; Hahn, Klaus M

    2014-12-01

    Biosensors are valuable tools used to monitor many different protein behaviors in vivo. Demand for new biosensors is high, but their development and characterization can be difficult. During biosensor design, it is necessary to evaluate the effects of different biosensor structures on specificity, brightness, and fluorescence responses. By co-expressing the biosensor with upstream proteins that either stimulate or inhibit the activity reported by the biosensor, one can determine the difference between the biosensor's maximally activated and inactivated state, and examine response to specific proteins. We describe here a method for biosensor validation in a 96-well plate format using an automated microscope. This protocol produces dose-response curves, enables efficient examination of many parameters, and unlike cell suspension assays, allows visual inspection (e.g., for cell health and biosensor or regulator localization). Optimization of single-chain and dual-chain Rho GTPase biosensors is addressed, but the assay is applicable to any biosensor that can be expressed or otherwise loaded in adherent cells. The assay can also be used for purposes other than biosensor validation, using a well-characterized biosensor as a readout for effects of upstream molecules. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  11. Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Fullerene-C60 Nano-Structured Platforms

    PubMed Central

    Pilehvar, Sanaz; De Wael, Karolien

    2015-01-01

    Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly important in the field of (bio)sensors. The performance and sensitivity of biosensors is greatly improved with the integration of nanomaterials into their construction. Since its first discovery, fullerene-C60 has been the object of extensive research. Its unique and favorable characteristics of easy chemical modification, conductivity, and electrochemical properties has led to its tremendous use in (bio)sensor applications. This paper provides a concise review of advances in fullerene-C60 research and its use as a nanomaterial for the development of biosensors. We examine the research work reported in the literature on the synthesis, functionalization, approaches to nanostructuring electrodes with fullerene, and outline some of the exciting applications in the field of (bio)sensing. PMID:26610583

  12. Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Fullerene-C60 Nano-Structured Platforms.

    PubMed

    Pilehvar, Sanaz; De Wael, Karolien

    2015-11-23

    Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly important in the field of (bio)sensors. The performance and sensitivity of biosensors is greatly improved with the integration of nanomaterials into their construction. Since its first discovery, fullerene-C60 has been the object of extensive research. Its unique and favorable characteristics of easy chemical modification, conductivity, and electrochemical properties has led to its tremendous use in (bio)sensor applications. This paper provides a concise review of advances in fullerene-C60 research and its use as a nanomaterial for the development of biosensors. We examine the research work reported in the literature on the synthesis, functionalization, approaches to nanostructuring electrodes with fullerene, and outline some of the exciting applications in the field of (bio)sensing.

  13. Nanowire nanocomputer as a finite-state machine.

    PubMed

    Yao, Jun; Yan, Hao; Das, Shamik; Klemic, James F; Ellenbogen, James C; Lieber, Charles M

    2014-02-18

    Implementation of complex computer circuits assembled from the bottom up and integrated on the nanometer scale has long been a goal of electronics research. It requires a design and fabrication strategy that can address individual nanometer-scale electronic devices, while enabling large-scale assembly of those devices into highly organized, integrated computational circuits. We describe how such a strategy has led to the design, construction, and demonstration of a nanoelectronic finite-state machine. The system was fabricated using a design-oriented approach enabled by a deterministic, bottom-up assembly process that does not require individual nanowire registration. This methodology allowed construction of the nanoelectronic finite-state machine through modular design using a multitile architecture. Each tile/module consists of two interconnected crossbar nanowire arrays, with each cross-point consisting of a programmable nanowire transistor node. The nanoelectronic finite-state machine integrates 180 programmable nanowire transistor nodes in three tiles or six total crossbar arrays, and incorporates both sequential and arithmetic logic, with extensive intertile and intratile communication that exhibits rigorous input/output matching. Our system realizes the complete 2-bit logic flow and clocked control over state registration that are required for a finite-state machine or computer. The programmable multitile circuit was also reprogrammed to a functionally distinct 2-bit full adder with 32-set matched and complete logic output. These steps forward and the ability of our unique design-oriented deterministic methodology to yield more extensive multitile systems suggest that proposed general-purpose nanocomputers can be realized in the near future.

  14. Nanowire nanocomputer as a finite-state machine

    PubMed Central

    Yao, Jun; Yan, Hao; Das, Shamik; Klemic, James F.; Ellenbogen, James C.; Lieber, Charles M.

    2014-01-01

    Implementation of complex computer circuits assembled from the bottom up and integrated on the nanometer scale has long been a goal of electronics research. It requires a design and fabrication strategy that can address individual nanometer-scale electronic devices, while enabling large-scale assembly of those devices into highly organized, integrated computational circuits. We describe how such a strategy has led to the design, construction, and demonstration of a nanoelectronic finite-state machine. The system was fabricated using a design-oriented approach enabled by a deterministic, bottom–up assembly process that does not require individual nanowire registration. This methodology allowed construction of the nanoelectronic finite-state machine through modular design using a multitile architecture. Each tile/module consists of two interconnected crossbar nanowire arrays, with each cross-point consisting of a programmable nanowire transistor node. The nanoelectronic finite-state machine integrates 180 programmable nanowire transistor nodes in three tiles or six total crossbar arrays, and incorporates both sequential and arithmetic logic, with extensive intertile and intratile communication that exhibits rigorous input/output matching. Our system realizes the complete 2-bit logic flow and clocked control over state registration that are required for a finite-state machine or computer. The programmable multitile circuit was also reprogrammed to a functionally distinct 2-bit full adder with 32-set matched and complete logic output. These steps forward and the ability of our unique design-oriented deterministic methodology to yield more extensive multitile systems suggest that proposed general-purpose nanocomputers can be realized in the near future. PMID:24469812

  15. Ultralow-power complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor inverters constructed on Schottky barrier modified nanowire metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors.

    PubMed

    Ma, R M; Peng, R M; Wen, X N; Dai, L; Liu, C; Sun, T; Xu, W J; Qin, G G

    2010-10-01

    We show that the threshold voltages of both n- and p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) can be lowered to close to zero by adding extra Schottky contacts on top of nanowires (NWs). Novel complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) inverters are constructed on these Schottky barrier modified n- and p-channel NW MOSFETs. Based on the high performances of the modified n- and p-channel MOSFETs, especially the low threshold voltages, the as-fabricated CMOS inverters have low operating voltage, high voltage gain, and ultra-low static power dissipation.

  16. Development of biosensors and their application in metabolic engineering.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jie; Jensen, Michael K; Keasling, Jay D

    2015-10-01

    In a sustainable bioeconomy, many commodities and high value chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, will be manufactured using microbial cell factories from renewable feedstocks. These cell factories can be efficiently generated by constructing libraries of diversified genomes followed by screening for the desired phenotypes. However, methods available for microbial genome diversification far exceed our ability to screen and select for those variants with optimal performance. Genetically encoded biosensors have shown the potential to address this gap, given their ability to respond to small molecule binding and ease of implementation with high-throughput analysis. Here we describe recent progress in biosensor development and their applications in a metabolic engineering context. We also highlight examples of how biosensors can be integrated with synthetic circuits to exert feedback regulation on the metabolism for improved performance of cell factories. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Development of a bacteriophage displayed peptide library and biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chin, Robert C.; Salazar, Noe; Mayo, Michael W.; Villavicencio, Victor I.; Taylor, Richard B.; Chambers, James P.; Valdes, James J.

    1996-04-01

    A miniaturized, handheld biosensor for identification of hazardous biowarfare agents with high specificity is being developed. An innovative biological recognition system based on bacteriophage displayed peptide receptors will be utilized in conjunction with the miniature biosensor technology being developed. A bacteriophage library has been constructed to provide the artificial receptors. The library can contain millions of bacteriophage with randomly displayed peptide sequences in the phage outer protein coat which act as binding sites for the agents of interest. This library will be used to 'bio-pan' for phages that bind to a number of toxins and infectious agents and can, thus, provide an endless supply of low cost, reliable, specific, and stable artificial receptors. The biosensor instrument will utilize evanescent wave, planar waveguide, far-red dyes, diode laser and miniature circuit technologies for performance and portability.

  18. Sensitive detection of maltose and glucose based on dual enzyme-displayed bacteria electrochemical biosensor.

    PubMed

    Liu, Aihua; Lang, Qiaolin; Liang, Bo; Shi, Jianguo

    2017-01-15

    Glucoamylase-displayed bacteria (GA-bacteria) and glucose dehydrogenase-displayed bacteria (GDH-bacteria) were co-immobilized on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to construct GA-bacteria/GDH-bacteria/MWNTs/GCE biosensor. The biosensor was developed by optimizing the loading amount and the ratio of GA-bacteria to GDH-bacteria. The as-prepared biosensor exhibited a wide dynamic range of 0.2-10mM and a low detection limit of 0.1mM maltose (S/N=3). The biosensor also had a linear response to glucose in the range of 0.1-2.0mM and a low detection limit of 0.04mM glucose (S/N=3). Interestingly, at the same concentration, glucose was 3.75-fold sensitive than that of maltose at the proposed biosensor. No interferences were observed for other possible mono- and disaccharides. The biosensor also demonstrated good long-term storage stability and repeatability. Further, using both GDH-bacteria/MWNTs/GCE biosensor and GA-bacteria/GDH-bacteria/MWNTs/GCE biosensor, glucose and maltose in real samples can be detected. Therefore, the proposed biosensor is capable of monitoring the food manufacturing and fermentation process. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Extraordinarily high conductivity of flexible adhesive films by hybrids of silver nanoparticle-nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muhammed Ajmal, C.; Mol Menamparambath, Mini; Ryeol Choi, Hyouk; Baik, Seunghyun

    2016-06-01

    Highly conductive flexible adhesive (CFA) film was developed using micro-sized silver flakes (primary fillers), hybrids of silver nanoparticle-nanowires (secondary fillers) and nitrile butadiene rubber. The hybrids of silver nanoparticle-nanowires were synthesized by decorating silver nanowires with silver nanoparticle clusters using bifunctional cysteamine as a linker. The dispersion in ethanol was excellent for several months. Silver nanowires constructed electrical networks between the micro-scale silver flakes. The low-temperature surface sintering of silver nanoparticles enabled effective joining of silver nanowires to silver flakes. The hybrids of silver nanoparticle-nanowires provided a greater maximum conductivity (54 390 S cm-1) than pure silver nanowires, pure multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with silver nanoparticles in nitrile butadiene rubber matrix. The resistance change was smallest upon bending when the hybrids of silver nanoparticle-nanowires were employed. The adhesion of the film on polyethylene terephthalate substrate was excellent. Light emitting diodes were successfully wired to the CFA circuit patterned by the screen printing method for application demonstration.

  20. Surface stress-based biosensors.

    PubMed

    Sang, Shengbo; Zhao, Yuan; Zhang, Wendong; Li, Pengwei; Hu, Jie; Li, Gang

    2014-01-15

    Surface stress-based biosensors, as one kind of label-free biosensors, have attracted lots of attention in the process of information gathering and measurement for the biological, chemical and medical application with the development of technology and society. This kind of biosensors offers many advantages such as short response time (less than milliseconds) and a typical sensitivity at nanogram, picoliter, femtojoule and attomolar level. Furthermore, it simplifies sample preparation and testing procedures. In this work, progress made towards the use of surface stress-based biosensors for achieving better performance is critically reviewed, including our recent achievement, the optimally circular membrane-based biosensors and biosensor array. The further scientific and technological challenges in this field are also summarized. Critical remark and future steps towards the ultimate surface stress-based biosensors are addressed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Mechanical behavior enhancement of ZnO nanowire by embedding different nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vazinishayan, Ali; Yang, Shuming; Lambada, Dasaradha Rao; Wang, Yiming

    2018-06-01

    In this work, we employed commercial finite element modeling (FEM) software package ABAQUS to analyze mechanical properties of ZnO nanowire before and after embedding with different kinds of nanowires, having different materials and cross-section models such as Au (circular), Ag (pentagonal) and Si (rectangular) using three point bending technique. The length and diameter of the ZnO nanowire were measured to be 12,280 nm and 103.2 nm, respectively. In addition, Au, Ag and Si nanowires were considered to have the length of 12,280 nm and the diameter of 27 nm. It was found that after embedding Si nanowire with rectangular cross-section into the ZnO nanowire, the distribution of Von Misses stresses criterion, displacement and strain were decreased than the other nanowires embedded. The highest stiffness, the elastic deformation and the high strength against brittle failure have been made by Si nanowire comparison to the Au and Ag nanowires, respectively.

  2. Nanocrystal-constructed mesoporous CoFe₂O₄ nanowire arrays aligned on flexible carbon fabric as integrated anodes with enhanced lithium storage properties.

    PubMed

    Wang, Bo; Li, Songmei; Wu, Xiaoyu; Li, Bin; Liu, Jianhua; Yu, Mei

    2015-09-07

    A novel and facile two-step strategy is successfully developed for the large-scale fabrication of hierarchical mesoporous CoFe2O4 nanowire arrays (NWAs) on flexible carbon fabric as integrated anodes for highly efficient and reversible lithium storage. The synthesis involves the co-deposition of uniform bimetallic (Co, Fe) carbonate hydroxide hydrate precursor NWAs on carbon fabric and subsequent thermal transformation to spinel CoFe2O4 without damaging the morphology. The as-prepared CoFe2O4 nanowires have unique mesoporous structures, which are constructed by many interconnected nanocrystals with sizes of about 15-20 nm. The typical size of the nanowires is in the range of 70-100 nm in width and up to several micrometers in length. Such a hybrid nanostructure electrode presented here not only simplifies electrode processing, but also promises fast electron transport/collection and ion diffusion, and withstands volume variation upon prolonged charge/discharge cycling. As a result, the binder-free CoFe2O4/carbon fabric composite exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1185.75 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 200 mA g(-1), and a superior rate capability. More importantly, a reversible capacity as high as ∼950 mA h g(-1) can be retained and there is no obvious decay after 150 cycles.

  3. Three-dimensional electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells: synthesis of indium-tin-oxide nanowire arrays and ITO/TiO2 core-shell nanowire arrays by electrophoretic deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Hong-Wen; Ting, Chi-Feng; Hung, Miao-Ken; Chiou, Chwei-Huann; Liu, Ying-Ling; Liu, Zongwen; Ratinac, Kyle R.; Ringer, Simon P.

    2009-02-01

    Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) show promise as a cheaper alternative to silicon-based photovoltaics for specialized applications, provided conversion efficiency can be maximized and production costs minimized. This study demonstrates that arrays of nanowires can be formed by wet-chemical methods for use as three-dimensional (3D) electrodes in DSSCs, thereby improving photoelectric conversion efficiency. Two approaches were employed to create the arrays of ITO (indium-tin-oxide) nanowires or arrays of ITO/TiO2 core-shell nanowires; both methods were based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD) within a polycarbonate template. The 3D electrodes for solar cells were constructed by using a doctor-blade for coating TiO2 layers onto the ITO or ITO/TiO2 nanowire arrays. A photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as 4.3% was achieved in the DSSCs made from ITO nanowires; this performance was better than that of ITO/TiO2 core-shell nanowires or pristine TiO2 films. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed that the reaction current was significantly enhanced when a 3D ITO-nanowire electrode was used. Better separation of charge carriers and improved charge transport, due to the enlarged interfacial area, are thought to be the major advantages of using 3D nanowire electrodes for the optimization of DSSCs.

  4. Biosensor for remote monitoring of airborne toxins

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Knopf, George K.; Bassi, Amarjeet S.; Singh, Shikha; Macleod, Roslyn

    1999-12-01

    The rapid detection of toxic contaminants released into the air by chemical processing facilities is a high priority for many manufacturers. This paper describes a novel biosensor for the remote monitoring of toxic sites. The proposed biosensor is a measurement system that employs immobilized luminescent Vibrio fisheri bacteria to detect airborne contaminants. The presence of toxic chemicals will lead to a detectable decrease in the intensity of light produced by the bacteria. Both cellular and environmental factors control the bioluminescence of these bacteria. Important design factors are the appropriate cell growth media, environmental toxicity, oxygen and cell concentrations. The luminescent bacteria are immobilized on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gels and placed inside a specially constructed, miniature flow cell which houses a transducer, power source, and transmitter to convert the light signal information into radio frequencies that are picked up by a receiver at a remote location. The biosensor prototype is designed to function either as a single unit mounted on an exploratory robot or numerous units spatially distributed throughout a contaminated environment for remote sensing applications.

  5. Biosensors of bacterial cells.

    PubMed

    Burlage, Robert S; Tillmann, Joshua

    2017-07-01

    Biosensors are devices which utilize both an electrical component (transducer) and a biological component to study an environment. They are typically used to examine biological structures, organisms and processes. The field of biosensors has now become so large and varied that the technology can often seem impenetrable. Yet the principles which underlie the technology are uncomplicated, even if the details of the mechanisms are elusive. In this review we confine our analysis to relatively current advancements in biosensors for the detection of whole bacterial cells. This includes biosensors which rely on an added labeled component and biosensors which do not have a labeled component and instead detect the binding event or bound structure on the transducer. Methods to concentrate the bacteria prior to biosensor analysis are also described. The variety of biosensor types and their actual and potential uses are described. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Bacterial host and reporter gene optimization for genetically encoded whole cell biosensors.

    PubMed

    Brutesco, Catherine; Prévéral, Sandra; Escoffier, Camille; Descamps, Elodie C T; Prudent, Elsa; Cayron, Julien; Dumas, Louis; Ricquebourg, Manon; Adryanczyk-Perrier, Géraldine; de Groot, Arjan; Garcia, Daniel; Rodrigue, Agnès; Pignol, David; Ginet, Nicolas

    2017-01-01

    Whole-cell biosensors based on reporter genes allow detection of toxic metals in water with high selectivity and sensitivity under laboratory conditions; nevertheless, their transfer to a commercial inline water analyzer requires specific adaptation and optimization to field conditions as well as economical considerations. We focused here on both the influence of the bacterial host and the choice of the reporter gene by following the responses of global toxicity biosensors based on constitutive bacterial promoters as well as arsenite biosensors based on the arsenite-inducible P ars promoter. We observed important variations of the bioluminescence emission levels in five different Escherichia coli strains harboring two different lux-based biosensors, suggesting that the best host strain has to be empirically selected for each new biosensor under construction. We also investigated the bioluminescence reporter gene system transferred into Deinococcus deserti, an environmental, desiccation- and radiation-tolerant bacterium that would reduce the manufacturing costs of bacterial biosensors for commercial water analyzers and open the field of biodetection in radioactive environments. We thus successfully obtained a cell survival biosensor and a metal biosensor able to detect a concentration as low as 100 nM of arsenite in D. deserti. We demonstrated that the arsenite biosensor resisted desiccation and remained functional after 7 days stored in air-dried D. deserti cells. We also report here the use of a new near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent reporter candidate, a bacteriophytochrome from the magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1, which showed a NIR fluorescent signal that remained optimal despite increasing sample turbidity, while in similar conditions, a drastic loss of the lux-based biosensors signal was observed.

  7. Bisecting Microfluidic Channels with Metallic Nanowires Fabricated by Nanoskiving.

    PubMed

    Kalkman, Gerard A; Zhang, Yanxi; Monachino, Enrico; Mathwig, Klaus; Kamminga, Machteld E; Pourhossein, Parisa; Oomen, Pieter E; Stratmann, Sarah A; Zhao, Zhiyuan; van Oijen, Antoine M; Verpoorte, Elisabeth; Chiechi, Ryan C

    2016-02-23

    This paper describes the fabrication of millimeter-long gold nanowires that bisect the center of microfluidic channels. We fabricated the nanowires by nanoskiving and then suspended them over a trench in a glass structure. The channel was sealed by bonding it to a complementary poly(dimethylsiloxane) structure. The resulting structures place the nanowires in the region of highest flow, as opposed to the walls, where it approaches zero, and expose their entire surface area to fluid. We demonstrate active functionality, by constructing a hot-wire anemometer to measure flow through determining the change in resistance of the nanowire as a function of heat dissipation at low voltage (<5 V). Further, passive functionality is demonstrated by visualizing individual, fluorescently labeled DNA molecules attached to the wires. We measure rates of flow and show that, compared to surface-bound DNA strands, elongation saturates at lower rates of flow and background fluorescence from nonspecific binding is reduced.

  8. Cholinesterase-based biosensors.

    PubMed

    Štěpánková, Šárka; Vorčáková, Katarína

    2016-01-01

    Recently, cholinesterase-based biosensors are widely used for assaying anticholinergic compounds. Primarily biosensors based on enzyme inhibition are useful analytical tools for fast screening of inhibitors, such as organophosphates and carbamates. The present review is aimed at compilation of the most important facts about cholinesterase based biosensors, types of physico-chemical transduction, immobilization strategies and practical applications.

  9. Construction of MoS2/Si nanowire array heterojunction for ultrahigh-sensitivity gas sensor.

    PubMed

    Wu, Di; Lou, Zhenhua; Wang, Yuange; Xu, Tingting; Shi, Zhifeng; Xu, Junmin; Tian, Yongtao; Li, Xinjian

    2017-10-27

    Few-layer MoS 2 thin films were synthesized by a two-step thermal decomposition process. In addition, MoS 2 /Si nanowire array (SiNWA) heterojunctions exhibiting excellent gas sensing properties were constructed and investigated. Further analysis reveals that such MoS 2 /SiNWA heterojunction devices are highly sensitive to nitric oxide (NO) gas under reverse voltages at room temperature (RT). The gas sensor demonstrated a minimum detection limit of 10 ppb, which represents the lowest value obtained for MoS 2 -based sensors, as well as an ultrahigh response of 3518% (50 ppm NO, ∼50% RH), with good repeatability and selectivity of the MoS 2 /SiNWA heterojunction. The sensing mechanisms were also discussed. The performance of the MoS 2 /SiNWA heterojunction gas sensors is superior to previous results, revealing that they have great potential in applications relating to highly sensitive gas sensors.

  10. Construction of MoS2/Si nanowire array heterojunction for ultrahigh-sensitivity gas sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Di; Lou, Zhenhua; Wang, Yuange; Xu, Tingting; Shi, Zhifeng; Xu, Junmin; Tian, Yongtao; Li, Xinjian

    2017-10-01

    Few-layer MoS2 thin films were synthesized by a two-step thermal decomposition process. In addition, MoS2/Si nanowire array (SiNWA) heterojunctions exhibiting excellent gas sensing properties were constructed and investigated. Further analysis reveals that such MoS2/SiNWA heterojunction devices are highly sensitive to nitric oxide (NO) gas under reverse voltages at room temperature (RT). The gas sensor demonstrated a minimum detection limit of 10 ppb, which represents the lowest value obtained for MoS2-based sensors, as well as an ultrahigh response of 3518% (50 ppm NO, ˜50% RH), with good repeatability and selectivity of the MoS2/SiNWA heterojunction. The sensing mechanisms were also discussed. The performance of the MoS2/SiNWA heterojunction gas sensors is superior to previous results, revealing that they have great potential in applications relating to highly sensitive gas sensors.

  11. Recent advances in nanomaterial-based biosensors for antibiotics detection.

    PubMed

    Lan, Lingyi; Yao, Yao; Ping, Jianfeng; Ying, Yibin

    2017-05-15

    Antibiotics are able to be accumulated in human body by food chain and may induce severe influence to human health and safety. Hence, the development of sensitive and simple methods for rapid evaluation of antibiotic levels is highly desirable. Nanomaterials with excellent electronic, optical, mechanical, and thermal properties have been recognized as one of the most promising materials for opening new gates in the development of next-generation biosensors. This review highlights the current advances in the nanomaterial-based biosensors for antibiotics detection. Different kinds of nanomaterials including carbon nanomaterials, metal nanomaterials, magnetic nanoparticles, up-conversion nanoparticles, and quantum dots have been applied to the construction of biosensors with two main signal-transducing mechanisms, i.e. optical and electrochemical. Furthermore, the current challenges and future prospects in this field are also included to provide an overview for future research directions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. New Trends in Impedimetric Biosensors for the Detection of Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Yixian; Ye, Zunzhong; Ying, Yibin

    2012-01-01

    The development of a rapid, sensitive, specific method for the foodborne pathogenic bacteria detection is of great importance to ensure food safety and security. In recent years impedimetric biosensors which integrate biological recognition technology and impedance have gained widespread application in the field of bacteria detection. This paper presents an overview on the progress and application of impedimetric biosensors for detection of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, particularly the new trends in the past few years, including the new specific bio-recognition elements such as bacteriophage and lectin, the use of nanomaterials and microfluidics techniques. The applications of these new materials or techniques have provided unprecedented opportunities for the development of high-performance impedance bacteria biosensors. The significant developments of impedimetric biosensors for bacteria detection in the last five years have been reviewed according to the classification of with or without specific bio-recognition element. In addition, some microfluidics systems, which were used in the construction of impedimetric biosensors to improve analytical performance, are introduced in this review. PMID:22737018

  13. Silicon nanowire based biosensing platform for electrochemical sensing of Mebendazole drug activity on breast cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Shashaani, Hani; Faramarzpour, Mahsa; Hassanpour, Morteza; Namdar, Nasser; Alikhani, Alireza; Abdolahad, Mohammad

    2016-11-15

    Electrochemical approaches have played crucial roles in bio sensing because of their Potential in achieving sensitive, specific and low-cost detection of biomolecules and other bio evidences. Engineering the electrochemical sensing interface with nanomaterials tends to new generations of label-free biosensors with improved performances in terms of sensitive area and response signals. Here we applied Silicon Nanowire (SiNW) array electrodes (in an integrated architecture of working, counter and reference electrodes) grown by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) system with VLS procedure to electrochemically diagnose the presence of breast cancer cells as well as their response to anticancer drugs. Mebendazole (MBZ), has been used as antitubulin drug. It perturbs the anodic/cathodic response of the cell covered biosensor by releasing Cytochrome C in cytoplasm. Reduction of cytochrome C would change the ionic state of the cells monitored by SiNW biosensor. By applying well direct bioelectrical contacts with cancer cells, SiNWs can detect minor signal transduction and bio recognition events, resulting in precise biosensing. Our device detected the trace of MBZ drugs (with the concentration of 2nM) on electrochemical activity MCF-7 cells. Also, experimented biological analysis such as confocal and Flowcytometry assays confirmed the electrochemical results. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Hierarchically structured Co₃O₄@Pt@MnO₂ nanowire arrays for high-performance supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Xia, Hui; Zhu, Dongdong; Luo, Zhentao; Yu, Yue; Shi, Xiaoqin; Yuan, Guoliang; Xie, Jianping

    2013-10-17

    Here we proposed a novel architectural design of a ternary MnO2-based electrode - a hierarchical Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 core-shell-shell structure, where the complemental features of the three key components (a well-defined Co3O4 nanowire array on the conductive Ti substrate, an ultrathin layer of small Pt nanoparticles, and a thin layer of MnO2 nanoflakes) are strategically combined into a single entity to synergize and construct a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors. Owing to the high conductivity of the well-defined Co3O4 nanowire arrays, in which the conductivity was further enhanced by a thin metal (Pt) coating layer, in combination with the large surface area provided by the small MnO2 nanoflakes, the as-fabricated Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 nanowire arrays have exhibited high specific capacitances, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The architectural design demonstrated in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance MnO2-based nanowire arrays for constructing next-generation supercapacitors.

  15. Functionalization of monolithic and porous three-dimensional graphene by one-step chitosan electrodeposition for enzymatic biosensor.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jiyang; Wang, Xiaohui; Wang, Tianshu; Li, Dan; Xi, Fengna; Wang, Jin; Wang, Erkang

    2014-11-26

    Biological modification of monolithic and porous 3D graphene is of great significance for extending its application in fabricating highly sensitive biosensors. The present work reports on the first biofunctionalization of monolithic and freestanding 3D graphene foam for one-step preparation of reagentless enzymatic biosensors by controllable chitosan (CS) electrodeposition technology. Using a homogeneous three-component electrodeposition solution containing a ferrocene (Fc) grafted CS hybrid (Fc-CS), glucose oxidase (GOD), and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), a homogeneous biocomposite film of Fc-CS/SWNTs/GOD was immobilized on the surface of 3D graphene foam by one-step electrodeposition. The Fc groups grafted on chitosan can be stably immobilized on the 3D graphene surface and keep their original electrochemical activity. The SWNTs doped into the Fc-CS matrix act as a nanowire to facilitate electron transfer and improve the conductivity of the biocomposite film. Combined with the extraordinary properties of 3D graphene foam including large active surface area, high conductivity, and fast mass transport dynamics, the 3D graphene based enzymatic biosensor achieved a large linear range (5.0 μM to 19.8 mM), a low detection limit (1.2 μM), and rapid response (reaching the 95% steady-state response within 8 s) for reagentless detection of glucose in the phosphate buffer solution.

  16. An acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on graphene-gold nanocomposite and calcined layered double hydroxide.

    PubMed

    Zhai, Chen; Guo, Yemin; Sun, Xia; Zheng, Yuhe; Wang, Xiangyou

    2014-05-10

    In this study, a novel acetylcholinesterase-based biosensor was fabricated. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was immobilized onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with the aid of Cu-Mg-Al calcined layered double hydroxide (CLDH). CLDH can provide a bigger effective surface area for AChE loading, which could improve the precision and stability of AChE biosensor. However, the poor electroconductibility of CLDHs could lead to the low sensitivity of AChE biosensor. In order to effectively compensate the disadvantages of CLDHs, graphene-gold nanocomposites were used for improving the electron transfer rate. Thus, the graphene-gold nanocomposite (GN-AuNPs) was firstly modified onto the GCE, and then the prepared CLDH-AChE composite was immobilized onto the modified GCE to construct a sensitive AChE biosensor for pesticides detection. Relevant parameters were studied in detail and optimized, including the pH of the acetylthiocholine chloride (ATCl) solution, the amount of AChE immobilized on the biosensor and the inhibition time governing the analytical performance of the biosensor. The biosensor detected chlorpyrifos at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 150μg/L. The detection limit for chlorpyrifos was 0.05μg/L. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Integrated multienzyme electrochemical biosensors for the determination of glycerol in wines.

    PubMed

    Gamella, M; Campuzano, S; Reviejo, A J; Pingarrón, J M

    2008-02-25

    The construction and performance of integrated amperometric biosensors for the determination of glycerol are reported. Two different biosensor configurations have been evaluated: one based on the glycerol dehydrogenase/diaphorase (GDH/DP) bienzyme system, and another using glycerol kinase/glycerol-3-phosphate oxidase/peroxidase (GK/GPOx/HRP). Both enzyme systems were immobilized together with the mediator tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) on a 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-modified gold electrode by using a dialysis membrane. The electrochemical oxidation of TTF at +150mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), and the reduction of TTF(+) at 0mV were used for the monitoring of the enzyme reactions for the bienzyme and trienzyme configurations, respectively. Experimental variables concerning both the biosensors composition and the working conditions were optimized for each configuration. A good repeatability of the measurements with no need of cleaning or pretreatment of the biosensors was obtained in both cases. After 51 days of use, the GDH/DP biosensor still exhibited 87% of the original sensitivity, while the GK/GPOx/HRP biosensor yielded a 46% of the original response after 8 days. Calibration graphs for glycerol with linear ranges of 1.0x10(-6) to 2.0x10(-5) or 1.0x10(-6) to 1.0x10(-5)M glycerol and sensitivities of 1214+/-21 or 1460+/-34microAM(-1) were obtained with GDH/DP and GK/GPOx/HRP biosensors, respectively. The calculated detection limits were 4.0x10(-7) and 3.1x10(-7)M, respectively. The biosensors exhibited a great sensitivity with no significant interferences in the analysis of wines. The biosensors were applied to the determination of glycerol in 12 different wines and the results advantageously compared with those provided by a commercial enzyme kit.

  18. One step biofunctionalized electrospun multiwalled carbon nanotubes embedded zinc oxide nanowire interface for highly sensitive detection of carcinoma antigen-125.

    PubMed

    Paul, K Brince; Singh, Vikrant; Vanjari, Siva Rama Krishna; Singh, Shiv Govind

    2017-02-15

    Ovarian cancer is the most leading cause of cancer-related death in women . The carcinoma antigen-125, which is found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells is known to be a gold standard clinical biomarker associated with life-threatening gynecological malignancy. In this work, we demonstrate a novel biosensor platform based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes embedded zinc oxide nanowire for the ultrasensitive detection of carcinoma antigen-125. Label free detection of the carcinoma antigen-125 was accomplished by differential voltammetry technique that demonstrated excellent sensitivity (90.14µA/(U/mL)/cm 2 ) with a detection limit of 0.00113UmL -1 concentration. The fabricated immunosensor exhibits good performance with wider detection range (0.001UmL -1 -1kUmL -1 ), reproducibility, selectivity, acceptable stability, and thus is a potential cost-effective methodology for point-of-care diagnosis. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) embedded highly oriented zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires were synthesized by simple, low cost electrospinning technique. Compared to pure ZnO nanowires, electrochemical activity of MWCNTs embedded ZnO nanowires was found to be much higher. The calcination temperature was optimized to avoid any decomposition of the CNTs and to obtain multiwalled carbon nanotubes embedded highly crystalline ZnO nanowires. The salient feature of this biosensing platform is that one step calcination process is enough to create the functional groups on MWCNT-ZnO nanowire surface that are effective for the covalent conjugation of antibody without further surface modification. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on MWCNT-ZnO nanowire based immunosensor explored for the detection of cancer biomarker. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Integrated multienzyme electrochemical biosensors for monitoring malolactic fermentation in wines.

    PubMed

    Gamella, M; Campuzano, S; Conzuelo, F; Curiel, J A; Muñoz, R; Reviejo, A J; Pingarrón, José M

    2010-05-15

    Integrated amperometric biosensors for the determination of L-malic and L-lactic acids were developed by coimmobilization of the enzymes L-malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and diaphorase (DP), or L-lactate oxidase (LOX) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), respectively, together with the redox mediator tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), on a 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-modified gold electrode by using a dialysis membrane. The electrochemical oxidation of TTF at +100mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), and the reduction of TTF(+) at -50mV were used for the monitoring of the enzyme reactions involved in L-malic and L-lactic acid determinations, respectively. Experimental variables concerning the biosensors composition and the detection conditions were optimized for each biosensor. Good relative standard deviation values were obtained in both cases for the measurements carried out with the same biosensor, with no need of cleaning or pretreatment of the bioelectrodes surface, and with different biosensors constructed in the same manner. After 7 days of continuous use, the MDH/DP biosensor still exhibited 90% of the original sensitivity, while the LOX/HRP biosensor yielded a 91% of the original response after 5 days. Calibration graphs for L-malic and L-lactic were obtained with linear ranges of 5.2x10(-7) to 2.0x10(-5) and 4.2x10(-7) to 2.0x10(-5)M, respectively. The calculated detection limits were 5.2x10(-7) and 4.2x10(-7)M, respectively. The biosensors exhibited a high selectivity with no significant interferences. They were applied to monitor malolactic fermentation (MLF) induced by inoculation of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 748(T) into a synthetic wine. Samples collected during MLF were assayed for L-malic and L-lactic acids, and the results obtained with the biosensors exhibited a very good correlation when plotted against those obtained by using commercial enzymatic kits.

  20. A biosensor for cholesterol based on gold nanoparticles-catalyzed luminol electrogenerated chemiluminescence.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Meihe; Yuan, Ruo; Chai, Yaqin; Chen, Shihong; Zhong, Huaan; Wang, Cun; Cheng, Yinfeng

    2012-02-15

    A novel cholesterol biosensor was prepared based on gold nanoparticles-catalyzed luminol electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). Firstly, l-cysteine-reduced graphene oxide composites were modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. Then, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were self-assembled on it. Subsequently, cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) was adsorbed on the surface of AuNPs to construct a cholesterol biosensor. The stepwise fabrication processes were characterized with cyclic voltammetry and atomic force microscopy. The ECL behaviors of the biosensor were also investigated. It was found that AuNPs not only provided larger surface area for higher ChOx loading but also formed the nano-structured interface on the electrode surface to improve the analytical performance of the ECL biosensor for cholesterol. Besides, based on the efficient catalytic ability of AuNPs to luminol ECL, the response of the biosensor to cholesterol was linear range from 3.3 μM to 1.0 mM with a detection limit of 1.1 μM (S/N=3). In addition, the prepared ECL biosensor exhibited satisfying reproducibility, stability and selectivity. Taking into account the advantages of ECL, we confidently expect that ECL would have potential applications in biotechnology and clinical diagnosis. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Biosensor development.

    PubMed

    Ziegler, C; Göpel, W

    1998-10-01

    Current biosensor developments can be summarised by different trends. For traditional enzymatic biosensors such as glucose sensors, steady improvements of well known basic principles have been made in order to achieve better sensor stability. On the other hand, new affinity sensors such as nucleic acid sensors, transmembrane sensors, and sensors utilising whole cells or even cell networks have become of increasing interest. New ways to miniaturise biosensors and to control their interfaces down to the molecular level have been introduced (the bioelectronics approach). High-throughput screening based on various signal transduction principles has become of increasing importance.

  2. Programmable nanowire circuits for nanoprocessors.

    PubMed

    Yan, Hao; Choe, Hwan Sung; Nam, SungWoo; Hu, Yongjie; Das, Shamik; Klemic, James F; Ellenbogen, James C; Lieber, Charles M

    2011-02-10

    A nanoprocessor constructed from intrinsically nanometre-scale building blocks is an essential component for controlling memory, nanosensors and other functions proposed for nanosystems assembled from the bottom up. Important steps towards this goal over the past fifteen years include the realization of simple logic gates with individually assembled semiconductor nanowires and carbon nanotubes, but with only 16 devices or fewer and a single function for each circuit. Recently, logic circuits also have been demonstrated that use two or three elements of a one-dimensional memristor array, although such passive devices without gain are difficult to cascade. These circuits fall short of the requirements for a scalable, multifunctional nanoprocessor owing to challenges in materials, assembly and architecture on the nanoscale. Here we describe the design, fabrication and use of programmable and scalable logic tiles for nanoprocessors that surmount these hurdles. The tiles were built from programmable, non-volatile nanowire transistor arrays. Ge/Si core/shell nanowires coupled to designed dielectric shells yielded single-nanowire, non-volatile field-effect transistors (FETs) with uniform, programmable threshold voltages and the capability to drive cascaded elements. We developed an architecture to integrate the programmable nanowire FETs and define a logic tile consisting of two interconnected arrays with 496 functional configurable FET nodes in an area of ∼960 μm(2). The logic tile was programmed and operated first as a full adder with a maximal voltage gain of ten and input-output voltage matching. Then we showed that the same logic tile can be reprogrammed and used to demonstrate full-subtractor, multiplexer, demultiplexer and clocked D-latch functions. These results represent a significant advance in the complexity and functionality of nanoelectronic circuits built from the bottom up with a tiled architecture that could be cascaded to realize fully integrated

  3. Photoelectrochemical enzymatic biosensors.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Wei-Wei; Xu, Jing-Juan; Chen, Hong-Yuan

    2017-06-15

    Enzymatic biosensors have been valuable bioanalytical devices for analysis of diverse targets in disease diagnosis, biological and biomedical research, etc. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis is a recently emerged method that promptly becoming a subject of new research interests due to its attractive potential for future bioanalysis with high sensitivity and specificity. PEC enzymatic biosensors integrate the inherent sensitivities of PEC bioanalysis and the selectivity of enzymes and thus share their both advantages. Currently, PEC enzymatic biosensors have become a hot topic of significant research and the recent impetus has grown rapidly as demonstrated by increased research papers. Given the pace of advances in this area, this review will make a thorough discussion and survey on the fundamentals, sensing strategies, applications and the state of the art in PEC enzymatic biosensors, followed by future prospects based on our own opinions. We hope this work could provide an accessible introduction to PEC enzymatic biosensors for any scientist. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. A modular cell-based biosensor using engineered genetic logic circuits to detect and integrate multiple environmental signals

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Baojun; Barahona, Mauricio; Buck, Martin

    2013-01-01

    Cells perceive a wide variety of cellular and environmental signals, which are often processed combinatorially to generate particular phenotypic responses. Here, we employ both single and mixed cell type populations, pre-programmed with engineered modular cell signalling and sensing circuits, as processing units to detect and integrate multiple environmental signals. Based on an engineered modular genetic AND logic gate, we report the construction of a set of scalable synthetic microbe-based biosensors comprising exchangeable sensory, signal processing and actuation modules. These cellular biosensors were engineered using distinct signalling sensory modules to precisely identify various chemical signals, and combinations thereof, with a quantitative fluorescent output. The genetic logic gate used can function as a biological filter and an amplifier to enhance the sensing selectivity and sensitivity of cell-based biosensors. In particular, an Escherichia coli consortium-based biosensor has been constructed that can detect and integrate three environmental signals (arsenic, mercury and copper ion levels) via either its native two-component signal transduction pathways or synthetic signalling sensors derived from other bacteria in combination with a cell-cell communication module. We demonstrate how a modular cell-based biosensor can be engineered predictably using exchangeable synthetic gene circuit modules to sense and integrate multiple-input signals. This study illustrates some of the key practical design principles required for the future application of these biosensors in broad environmental and healthcare areas. PMID:22981411

  5. Multiscale Study of Plasmonic Scattering and Light Trapping Effect in Silicon Nanowire Array Solar Cells.

    PubMed

    Meng, Lingyi; Zhang, Yu; Yam, ChiYung

    2017-02-02

    Nanometallic structures that support surface plasmons provide new ways to confine light at deep-subwavelength scales. The effect of light scattering in nanowire array solar cells is studied by a multiscale approach combining classical electromagnetic (EM) and quantum mechanical simulations. A photovoltaic device is constructed by integrating a silicon nanowire array with a plasmonic silver nanosphere. The light scatterings by plasmonic element and nanowire array are obtained via classical EM simulations, while current-voltage characteristics and optical properties of the nanowire cells are evaluated quantum mechanically. We found that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of photovoltaic device is substantially improved due to the local field enhancement of the plasmonic effect and light trapping by the nanowire array. In addition, we showed that there exists an optimal nanowire number density in terms of optical confinement and solar cell PCE.

  6. Silicon nanowires reliability and robustness investigation using AFM-based techniques

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bieniek, Tomasz; Janczyk, Grzegorz; Janus, Paweł; Grabiec, Piotr; Nieprzecki, Marek; Wielgoszewski, Grzegorz; Moczała, Magdalena; Gotszalk, Teodor; Buitrago, Elizabeth; Badia, Montserrat F.; Ionescu, Adrian M.

    2013-07-01

    Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have undergone intensive research for their application in novel integrated systems such as field effect transistor (FET) biosensors and mass sensing resonators profiting from large surface-to-volume ratios (nano dimensions). Such devices have been shown to have the potential for outstanding performances in terms of high sensitivity, selectivity through surface modification and unprecedented structural characteristics. This paper presents the results of mechanical characterization done for various types of suspended SiNWs arranged in a 3D array. The characterization has been performed using techniques based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). This investigation is a necessary prerequisite for the reliable and robust design of any biosensing system. This paper also describes the applied investigation methodology and reports measurement results aggregated during series of AFM-based tests.

  7. The effect of nanowire length and diameter on the properties of transparent, conducting nanowire films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bergin, Stephen M.; Chen, Yu-Hui; Rathmell, Aaron R.; Charbonneau, Patrick; Li, Zhi-Yuan; Wiley, Benjamin J.

    2012-03-01

    This article describes how the dimensions of nanowires affect the transmittance and sheet resistance of a random nanowire network. Silver nanowires with independently controlled lengths and diameters were synthesized with a gram-scale polyol synthesis by controlling the reaction temperature and time. Characterization of films composed of nanowires of different lengths but the same diameter enabled the quantification of the effect of length on the conductance and transmittance of silver nanowire films. Finite-difference time-domain calculations were used to determine the effect of nanowire diameter, overlap, and hole size on the transmittance of a nanowire network. For individual nanowires with diameters greater than 50 nm, increasing diameter increases the electrical conductance to optical extinction ratio, but the opposite is true for nanowires with diameters less than this size. Calculations and experimental data show that for a random network of nanowires, decreasing nanowire diameter increases the number density of nanowires at a given transmittance, leading to improved connectivity and conductivity at high transmittance (>90%). This information will facilitate the design of transparent, conducting nanowire films for flexible displays, organic light emitting diodes and thin-film solar cells.This article describes how the dimensions of nanowires affect the transmittance and sheet resistance of a random nanowire network. Silver nanowires with independently controlled lengths and diameters were synthesized with a gram-scale polyol synthesis by controlling the reaction temperature and time. Characterization of films composed of nanowires of different lengths but the same diameter enabled the quantification of the effect of length on the conductance and transmittance of silver nanowire films. Finite-difference time-domain calculations were used to determine the effect of nanowire diameter, overlap, and hole size on the transmittance of a nanowire network. For

  8. Biosensor commercialization strategy - a theoretical approach.

    PubMed

    Lin, Chin-Tsai; Wang, Su-Man

    2005-01-01

    Biosensors are analytical devices, which use biological interactions to provide either qualitative or quantitative results. They are extensively employed in many fields such as clinical diagnosis and biomedicine, military applications, anti-terrorism, farm, garden and veterinary analysis, process control, fermentation control and analysis, pharmaceutical and drug analysis, food and drink production and analysis, pollution control and monitoring, microbiology, bacterial and viral analysis, mining, and industrial and toxic gases. The biosensor market has significantly increased and will be mushrooming in the next decade. The total biosensor market is estimated to be 10.8 billion dollars by 2007. The emerging biosensor market presents both opportunities and obstacles to start-up biosensor entrepreneurs. The major challenge and threat for these entrepreneurs is how to predict the biosensor market and how to convert promising biosensor technology into commercialized biosensors. By adopting a simple commercialization strategy framework, we identify two key elements of biosensor commercialization strategy: excludability and complementary asset. We further divide biosensor commercialization environments into four distinct sub-environments: the Attacker's Advantage, Reputation-Based Idea Trading, Greenfield Competition and Ideas Factories. This paper explains how the interaction between these two key elements shapes biosensor commercialization strategy and biosensor industry dynamics. This paper also discusses alternative commercialization strategies for each specific commercialization environment and how to choose from these alternatives. The analysis of this study further provides a good reference for start-up biosensor entrepreneurs to formulate effective biosensor commercialization strategy.

  9. Variation of Cholinesterase-Based Biosensor Sensitivity to Inhibition by Organophosphate Due To Ionizing Radiation

    PubMed Central

    Pohanka, Miroslav; Koch, Miroslav

    2009-01-01

    A cholinesterase based biosensor was constructed in order to assess the effects of ionizing radiation on exposed AChE. Although the primary objective of the experiment was to investigate the effect of ionizing radiation on the activity of the biosensor, no changes in cholinesterase activity were observed. Current provided by oxidation of thiocholine previously created from acetylthiocholine by enzyme catalyzed reaction was in a range 395–455 nA. No significant influence of radiation on AChE activity was found, despite the current variation. However, a surprising phenomenon was observed when a model organophosphate paraoxon was assayed. Irradiated biosensors seem to be more susceptible to the inhibitory effects of paraoxon. Control biosensors provided a 94 ± 5 nA current after exposure to 1 ppm paraoxon. The biosensors irradiated by a 5 kGy radiation dose and exposed to paraoxon provided a current of 49 ± 6 nA. Irradiation by doses ranging from 5 mGy to 100 kGy were investigated and the mentioned effect was confirmed at doses above 50 Gy. After the first promising experiments, biosensors irradiated by 5 kGy were used for calibration on paraoxon and compared with the control biosensors. Limits of detection 2.5 and 3.8 ppb were achieved for irradiated and non-irradiated biosensors respectively. The overall impact of this effect is discussed. PMID:22346715

  10. DNA nanotechnology-enabled biosensors.

    PubMed

    Chao, Jie; Zhu, Dan; Zhang, Yinan; Wang, Lianhui; Fan, Chunhai

    2016-02-15

    Biosensors employ biological molecules to recognize the target and utilize output elements which can translate the biorecognition event into electrical, optical or mass-sensitive signals to determine the quantities of the target. DNA-based biosensors, as a sub-field to biosensor, utilize DNA strands with short oligonucleotides as probes for target recognition. Although DNA-based biosensors have offered a promising alternative for fast, simple and cheap detection of target molecules, there still exist key challenges including poor stability and reproducibility that hinder their competition with the current gold standard for DNA assays. By exploiting the self-recognition properties of DNA molecules, researchers have dedicated to make versatile DNA nanostructures in a highly rigid, controllable and functionalized manner, which offers unprecedented opportunities for developing DNA-based biosensors. In this review, we will briefly introduce the recent advances on design and fabrication of static and dynamic DNA nanostructures, and summarize their applications for fabrication and functionalization of DNA-based biosensors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Electrochemical biosensors for hormone analyses.

    PubMed

    Bahadır, Elif Burcu; Sezgintürk, Mustafa Kemal

    2015-06-15

    Electrochemical biosensors have a unique place in determination of hormones due to simplicity, sensitivity, portability and ease of operation. Unlike chromatographic techniques, electrochemical techniques used do not require pre-treatment. Electrochemical biosensors are based on amperometric, potentiometric, impedimetric, and conductometric principle. Amperometric technique is a commonly used one. Although electrochemical biosensors offer a great selectivity and sensitivity for early clinical analysis, the poor reproducible results, difficult regeneration steps remain primary challenges to the commercialization of these biosensors. This review summarizes electrochemical (amperometric, potentiometric, impedimetric and conductometric) biosensors for hormone detection for the first time in the literature. After a brief description of the hormones, the immobilization steps and analytical performance of these biosensors are summarized. Linear ranges, LODs, reproducibilities, regenerations of developed biosensors are compared. Future outlooks in this area are also discussed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. A DNA biosensor based on gold nanoparticle decorated on carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes for gender determination of Arowana fish.

    PubMed

    Saeedfar, Kasra; Heng, Lee Yook; Chiang, Chew Poh

    2017-12-01

    Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified to design a new DNA biosensor. Functionalized MWCNTs were equipped with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) (~15nm) (GNP-MWCNTCOOH) to construct DNA biosensors based on carbon-paste screen-printed (SPE) electrodes. GNP attachment onto functionalized MWCNTs was carried out by microwave irradiation and was confirmed by spectroscopic studies and surface analysis. DNA biosensors based on differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were constructed by immobilizing thiolated single-stranded DNA probes onto GNP-MWCNTCOOH. Ruthenium (III) chloride hexaammoniate [Ru(NH 3 ) 6 ,2Cl - ] (RuHex) was used as hybridization redox indicator. RuHex and MWCNT interaction was low in compared to other organic redox hybridization indicators. The linear response range for DNA determination was 1×10 -21 to 1×10 -9 M with a lower detection limit of 1.55×10 -21 M. Thus, the attachment of GNPs onto functionalized MWCNTs yielded sensitive DNA biosensor with low detection limit and stability more than 30days. Constructed electrode was used to determine gender of arowana fish. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Disposable L-lactate biosensor based on a screen-printed carbon electrode enhanced by graphene

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tu, Dandan; He, Yu; Rong, Yuanzhen; Wang, You; Li, Guang

    2016-04-01

    In this work, an amperometric L-lactate biosensor based on a graphene-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was constructed. First, the electrocatalytic performance of the SPCE modified with graphene by a one-step electrodeposition process (OerGO/SPCE) was investigated. The cyclic voltammogram of OerGO/SPCE, which showed a well-defined redox peak, had a smaller peak potential separation than that of SPCE, revealing the improvement in electron transfer speed brought about by modifying with graphene. Next, lactate oxidase and potassium ferricyanide were dropped on the OerGO/SPCE to construct a graphene-modified L-lactate biosensor (LOD/K3[Fe(CN)6]/OerGO/SPCE). The proposed biosensor, with a detection limit of 60 μM, had a high sensitivity (42.42 μA mM-1 cm-2) when working at a low working potential (0.15 V). The linear range was 0.5 mM-15 mM, covering the detecting range of L-lactate in clinical applications. The L-lactate biosensor had a short response time (10 s) and required only 10 μl of the sample. This L-lactate sensor modified with electrodeposited graphene had a larger sensitivity than that based on the bare SPCE. Thus, our low-cost and disposable L-lactate biosensor enhanced by graphene can perform as an attractive electrochemical device that can be manufactured for point-of-care testing (POCT) devices and be employed in POCT applications.

  14. Naringenin-responsive riboswitch-based fluorescent biosensor module for Escherichia coli co-cultures.

    PubMed

    Xiu, Yu; Jang, Sungho; Jones, J Andrew; Zill, Nicholas A; Linhardt, Robert J; Yuan, Qipeng; Jung, Gyoo Yeol; Koffas, Mattheos A G

    2017-10-01

    The ability to design and construct combinatorial synthetic metabolic pathways has far exceeded our capacity for efficient screening and selection of the resulting microbial strains. The need for high-throughput rapid screening techniques is of upmost importance for the future of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. Here we describe the development of an RNA riboswitch-based biosensor module with dual fluorescent reporters, and demonstrate a high-throughput flow cytometry-based screening method for identification of naringenin over producing Escherichia coli strains in co-culture. Our efforts helped identify a number of key operating parameters that affect biosensor performance, including the selection of promoter and linker elements within the sensor-actuator domain, and the effect of host strain, fermentation time, and growth medium on sensor dynamic range. The resulting biosensor demonstrates a high correlation between specific fluorescence of the biosensor strain and naringenin titer produced by the second member of the synthetic co-culture system. This technique represents a novel application for synthetic microbial co-cultures and can be expanded from naringenin to any metabolite if a suitable riboswitch is identified. The co-culture technique presented here can be applied to a variety of target metabolites in combination with the SELEX approach for aptamer design. Due to the compartmentalization of the two genetic constructs responsible for production and detection into separate cells and application as independent modules of a synthetic microbial co-culture we have subsequently reduced the need for re-optimization of the producer module when the biosensor is replaced or removed. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2235-2244. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. Electrochemical and AFM Characterization of G-Quadruplex Electrochemical Biosensors and Applications

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    Guanine-rich DNA sequences are able to form G-quadruplexes, being involved in important biological processes and representing smart self-assembling nanomaterials that are increasingly used in DNA nanotechnology and biosensor technology. G-quadruplex electrochemical biosensors have received particular attention, since the electrochemical response is particularly sensitive to the DNA structural changes from single-stranded, double-stranded, or hairpin into a G-quadruplex configuration. Furthermore, the development of an increased number of G-quadruplex aptamers that combine the G-quadruplex stiffness and self-assembling versatility with the aptamer high specificity of binding to a variety of molecular targets allowed the construction of biosensors with increased selectivity and sensitivity. This review discusses the recent advances on the electrochemical characterization, design, and applications of G-quadruplex electrochemical biosensors in the evaluation of metal ions, G-quadruplex ligands, and other small organic molecules, proteins, and cells. The electrochemical and atomic force microscopy characterization of G-quadruplexes is presented. The incubation time and cations concentration dependence in controlling the G-quadruplex folding, stability, and nanostructures formation at carbon electrodes are discussed. Different G-quadruplex electrochemical biosensors design strategies, based on the DNA folding into a G-quadruplex, the use of G-quadruplex aptamers, or the use of hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzymes, are revisited. PMID:29666699

  16. Influence factors of the inter-nanowire thermal contact resistance in the stacked nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Dongxu; Huang, Congliang; Zhong, Jinxin; Lin, Zizhen

    2018-05-01

    The inter-nanowire thermal contact resistance is important for tuning the thermal conductivity of a nanocomposite for thermoelectric applications. In this paper, the stacked copper nanowires are applied for studying the thermal contact resistance. The stacked copper nanowires are firstly made by the cold-pressing method, and then the nanowire stacks are treated by sintering treatment. With the effect of the volumetric fraction of nanowires in the stack and the influence of the sintering-temperature on the thermal contact resistance discussed, results show that: The thermal conductivity of the 150-nm copper nanowires can be enlarged almost 2 times with the volumetric fraction increased from 32 to 56% because of the enlarged contact-area and contact number of a copper nanowire. When the sintering temperature increases from 293 to 673 K, the thermal conductivity of the stacked 300-nm nanowires could be enlarged almost 2.5 times by the sintering treatment, because of the improved lattice property of the contact zone. In conclusion, application of a high volumetric fraction or/and a sintering-treatment are effectivity to tune the inter-nanowire thermal contact resistance, and thus to tailor the thermal conductivity of a nanowire network or stack.

  17. Surface plasmon aided high sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor using Au/NiAu multilayered nanowire arrays.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lanfang; Zhu, Weiqi; Lu, Wenbo; Qin, Xiufang; Xu, Xiaohong

    2018-07-15

    A novel plasmon aided non-enzymatic glucose sensor was first constructed based on the unique half-rough Au/NiAu multilayered nanowire arrays. These multilayered and half-rough nanowires provide high chemical activity and large surface area for glucose oxidation in an alkaline solution. Under visible light irradiation, the surface plasmons originated from Au part enhance the electron transfer in the vertically aligned nanowires, leading to high sensitivity and wide detection range. The resulting sensor exhibits a wide glucose detection concentration range, low detection limit, and high sensitivity for plasmon aided non-enzymatic glucose sensor. Moreover, the detection sensitivity is enhanced by almost 2 folds compared to that in the dark, which significantly enhanced the performance of Au/NiAu multilayered nanowire arrays sensor. An excellent selectivity and acceptable stability were also achieved. These results indicate that surface plasmon aided nanostructures are promising new platforms for the construction of non-enzymatic glucose sensors. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Nanowire Photovoltaic Devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Forbes, David

    2015-01-01

    Firefly Technologies, in collaboration with the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, developed synthesis methods for highly strained nanowires. Two synthesis routes resulted in successful nanowire epitaxy: direct nucleation and growth on the substrate and a novel selective-epitaxy route based on nanolithography using diblock copolymers. The indium-arsenide (InAs) nanowires are implemented in situ within the epitaxy environment-a significant innovation relative to conventional semiconductor nanowire generation using ex situ gold nanoparticles. The introduction of these nanoscale features may enable an intermediate band solar cell while simultaneously increasing the effective absorption volume that can otherwise limit short-circuit current generated by thin quantized layers. The use of nanowires for photovoltaics decouples the absorption process from the current extraction process by virtue of the high aspect ratio. While no functional solar cells resulted from this effort, considerable fundamental understanding of the nanowire epitaxy kinetics and nanopatterning process was developed. This approach could, in principle, be an enabling technology for heterointegration of dissimilar materials. The technology also is applicable to virtual substrates. Incorporating nanowires onto a recrystallized germanium/metal foil substrate would potentially solve the problem of grain boundary shunting of generated carriers by restricting the cross-sectional area of the nanowire (tens of nanometers in diameter) to sizes smaller than the recrystallized grains (0.5 to 1 micron(exp 2).

  19. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on less aggregated graphene.

    PubMed

    Bo, Xiangjie; Zhou, Ming; Guo, Liping

    2017-03-15

    As a novel single-atom-thick sheet of sp 2 hybridized carbon atoms, graphene (GR) has attracted extensive attention in recent years because of its unique and remarkable properties, such as excellent electrical conductivity, large theoretical specific surface area, and strong mechanical strength. However, due to the π-π interaction, GR sheets are inclined to stack together, which may seriously degrade the performance of GR with the unique single-atom layer. In recent years, an increasing number of GR-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors are reported, which may reflect that GR has been considered as a kind of hot and promising electrode material for electrochemical sensor and biosensor construction. However, the active sites on GR surface induced by the irreversible GR aggregations would be deeply secluded inside the stacked GR sheets and therefore are not available for the electrocatalysis. So the alleviation or the minimization of the aggregation level for GR sheets would facilitate the exposure of active sites on GR and effectively upgrade the performance of GR-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Less aggregated GR with low aggregation and high dispersed structure can be used in improving the electrochemical activity of GR-based electrochemical sensors or biosensors. In this review, we summarize recent advances and new progress for the development of electrochemical sensors based on less aggregated GR. To achieve such goal, many strategies (such as the intercalation of carbon materials, surface modification, and structural engineering) have been applied to alleviate the aggregation level of GR in order to enhance the performance of GR-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Finally, the challenges associated with less aggregated GR-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors as well as related future research directions are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Creatinine and urea biosensors based on a novel ammonium ion-selective copper-polyaniline nano-composite.

    PubMed

    Zhybak, M; Beni, V; Vagin, M Y; Dempsey, E; Turner, A P F; Korpan, Y

    2016-03-15

    The use of a novel ammonium ion-specific copper-polyaniline nano-composite as transducer for hydrolase-based biosensors is proposed. In this work, a combination of creatinine deaminase and urease has been chosen as a model system to demonstrate the construction of urea and creatinine biosensors to illustrate the principle. Immobilisation of enzymes was shown to be a crucial step in the development of the biosensors; the use of glycerol and lactitol as stabilisers resulted in a significant improvement, especially in the case of the creatinine, of the operational stability of the biosensors (from few hours to at least 3 days). The developed biosensors exhibited high selectivity towards creatinine and urea. The sensitivity was found to be 85 ± 3.4 mAM(-1)cm(-2) for the creatinine biosensor and 112 ± 3.36 mAM(-1)cm(-2) for the urea biosensor, with apparent Michaelis-Menten constants (KM,app), obtained from the creatinine and urea calibration curves, of 0.163 mM for creatinine deaminase and 0.139 mM for urease, respectively. The biosensors responded linearly over the concentration range 1-125 µM, with a limit of detection of 0.5 µM and a response time of 15s. The performance of the biosensors in a real sample matrix, serum, was evaluated and a good correlation with standard spectrophotometric clinical laboratory techniques was found. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Air-bridged Ohmic contact on vertically aligned si nanowire arrays: application to molecule sensors.

    PubMed

    Han, Hee; Kim, Jungkil; Shin, Ho Sun; Song, Jae Yong; Lee, Woo

    2012-05-02

    A simple, cost-effective, and highly reliable method for constructing an air-bridged electrical contact on large arrays of vertically aligned nanowires was developed. The present method may open up new opportunities for developing advanced nanowire-based devices for energy harvest and storage, power generation, and sensing applications. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Electrochemical biosensor for carbofuran pesticide based on esterases from Eupenicillium shearii FREI-39 endophytic fungus.

    PubMed

    Grawe, Gregory Ferreira; de Oliveira, Tássia Regina; de Andrade Narciso, Esther; Moccelini, Sally Katiuce; Terezo, Ailton José; Soares, Marcos Antonio; Castilho, Marilza

    2015-01-15

    In this work, a biosensor was constructed by physical adsorption of the isolated endophytic fungus Eupenicillium shearii FREI-39 esterase on halloysite, using graphite powder, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and mineral oil for the determination of carbofuran pesticide by inhibition of the esterase using square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Specific esterase activities were determined each 2 days over a period of 15 days of growth in four different inoculation media. The highest specific activity was found on 6th day, with 33.08 U on PDA broth. The best performance of the proposed biosensor was obtained using 0.5 U esterase activity. The carbofuran concentration response was linear in the range from 5.0 to 100.0 µg L(-1) (r=0.9986) with detection and quantification limits of 1.69 µg L(-1) and 5.13 µg L(-1), respectively. A recovery study of carbofuran in spiked water samples showed values ranging from 103.8±6.7% to 106.7±9.7%. The biosensor showed good repeatability and reproducibility and remained stable for a period of 20 weeks. The determination of carbofuran in spiked water samples using the proposed biosensor was satisfactory when compared to the chromatographic reference method. The results showed no significant difference at the 95% confidence level with t-test statistics. The application of enzymes from endophytic fungi in constructing biosensors broadens the biotechnological importance of these microorganisms. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Why self-catalyzed nanowires are most suitable for large-scale hierarchical integrated designs of nanowire nanoelectronics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Noor Mohammad, S.

    2011-10-01

    Nanowires are grown by a variety of mechanisms, including vapor-liquid-solid, vapor-quasiliquid-solid or vapor-quasisolid-solid, oxide-assisted growth, and self-catalytic growth (SCG) mechanisms. A critical analysis of the suitability of self-catalyzed nanowires, as compared to other nanowires, for next-generation technology development has been carried out. Basic causes of superiority of self-catalyzed (SCG) nanowires over other nanowires have been described. Polytypism in nanowires has been studied, and a model for polytypism has been proposed. The model predicts polytypism in good agreement with available experiments. This model, together with various evidences, demonstrates lower defects, dislocations, and stacking faults in SCG nanowires, as compared to those in other nanowires. Calculations of carrier mobility due to dislocation scattering, ionized impurity scattering, and acoustic phonon scattering explain the impact of defects, dislocations, and stacking faults on carrier transports in SCG and other nanowires. Analyses of growth mechanisms for nanowire growth directions indicate SCG nanowires to exhibit the most controlled growth directions. In-depth investigation uncovers the fundamental physics underlying the control of growth direction by the SCG mechanism. Self-organization of nanowires in large hierarchical arrays is crucial for ultra large-scale integration (ULSI). Unique features and advantages of self-organized SCG nanowires, unlike other nanowires, for this ULSI have been discussed. Investigations of nanowire dimension indicate self-catalyzed nanowires to have better control of dimension, higher stability, and higher probability, even for thinner structures. Theoretical calculations show that self-catalyzed nanowires, unlike catalyst-mediated nanowires, can have higher growth rate and lower growth temperature. Nanowire and nanotube characteristics have been found also to dictate the performance of nanoelectromechanical systems. Defects, such as

  4. Self-Assembled DNA Tetrahedral Scaffolds for the Construction of Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor with Programmable DNA Cyclic Amplification.

    PubMed

    Feng, Qiu-Mei; Guo, Yue-Hua; Xu, Jing-Juan; Chen, Hong-Yuan

    2017-05-24

    A novel DNA tetrahedron-structured electrochemiluminescence (ECL) platform for bioanalysis with programmable DNA cyclic amplification was developed. In this work, glucose oxidase (GOD) was labeled to a DNA sequence (S) as functional conjugation (GOD-S), which could hybridize with other DNA sequences (L and P) to form GOD-S:L:P probe. In the presence of target DNA and a help DNA (A), the programmable DNA cyclic amplification was activated and released GOD-S via toehold-mediated strand displacement. Then, the obtained GOD-S was further immobilized on the DNA tetrahedral scaffolds with a pendant capture DNA and Ru(bpy) 3 2+ -conjugated silica nanoparticles (RuSi NPs) decorated on the electrode surface. Thus, the amount of GOD-S assembled on the electrode surface depended on the concentration of target DNA and GOD could catalyze glucose to generate H 2 O 2 in situ. The ECL signal of Ru(bpy) 3 2+ -TPrA system was quenched by the presence of H 2 O 2 . By integrating the programmable DNA cyclic amplification and in situ generating H 2 O 2 as Ru(bpy) 3 2+ ECL quencher, a sensitive DNA tetrahedron-structured ECL sensing platform was proposed for DNA detection. Under optimized conditions, this biosensor showed a wide linear range from 100 aM to 10 pM with a detection limit of 40 aM, indicating a promising application in DNA analysis. Furthermore, by labeling GOD to different recognition elements, the proposed strategy could be used for the detection of various targets. Thus, this programmable cascade amplification strategy not only retains the high selectivity and good capturing efficiency of tetrahedral-decorated electrode surface but also provides potential applications in the construction of ECL biosensor.

  5. Nanochannels Photoelectrochemical Biosensor.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Nan; Ruan, Yi-Fan; Zhang, Li-Bin; Zhao, Wei-Wei; Xu, Jing-Juan; Chen, Hong-Yuan

    2018-02-06

    Nanochannels have brought new opportunities for biosensor development. Herein, we present the novel concept of a nanochannels photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor based on the integration of a unique Cu x O-nanopyramid-islands (NPIs) photocathode, an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) catalytic chemistry. The Cu x O-NPIs photocathode possesses good performance, and further assembly with AAO yields a designed architecture composed of vertically aligned, highly ordered nanoarrays on top of the Cu x O-NPIs film. After biocatalytic precipitation (BCP) was stimulated within the channels, the biosensor was used for the successful detection of ALP activity. This study has not only provided a novel paradigm for an unconventional nanochannels PEC biosensor, which can be used for general bioanalytical purposes, but also indicated that the new concept of nanochannel-semiconductor heterostructures is a step toward innovative biomedical applications.

  6. Chitosan coated on the layers' glucose oxidase immobilized on cysteamine/Au electrode for use as glucose biosensor.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yawen; Li, Yunqiu; Wu, Wenjian; Jiang, Yuren; Hu, Biru

    2014-10-15

    A glucose biosensor was developed via direct immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) by self-assembled cysteamine monolayer on Au electrode surface followed by coating chitosan on the surface of electrode. In this work, chitosan film was coated on the surface of GOD as a protection film to ensure the stability and biocompatibility of the constructed glucose biosensor. The different application ranges of sensors were fabricated by immobilizing varied layers of GOD. The modified surface film was characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the fabrication process of the biosensor was confirmed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of ferrocyanide. The performance of cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the absence and presence of 25 mM glucose and ferrocenemethanol showed a diffusion-controlled electrode process and reflected the different maximum currents between the different GOD layers. With the developed glucose biosensor, the detection limits of the two linear responses are 49.96 μM and 316.8 μM with the sensitivities of 8.91 μA mM(-1)cm(-2) and 2.93 μA mM(-1)cm(-2), respectively. In addition, good stability (up to 30 days) of the developed biosensor was observed. The advantages of this new method for sensors construction was convenient and different width ranges of detection can be obtained by modified varied layers of GOD. The sensor with two layers of enzyme displayed two current linear responses of glucose. The present work provided a simplicity and novelty method for producing biosensors, which may help design enzyme reactors and biosensors in the future. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Topological insulator nanowires and nanowire hetero-junctions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Haiming; Zhao, Lukas; Wade, Travis; Konczykowski, Marcin; Krusin-Elbaum, Lia

    2014-03-01

    The existing topological insulator materials (TIs) continue to present a number of challenges to complete understanding of the physics of topological spin-helical Dirac surface conduction channels, owing to a relatively large charge conduction in the bulk. One way to reduce the bulk contribution and to increase surface-to-volume ratio is by nanostructuring. Here we report on the synthesis and characterization of Sb2Te3, Bi2Te3 nanowires and nanotubes and Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 heterojunctions electrochemically grown in porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with varied (from 50 to 150 nm) pore diameters. Stoichiometric rigid polycrystalline nanowires with controllable cross-sections were obtained using cell voltages in the 30 - 150 mV range. Transport measurements in up to 14 T magnetic fields applied along the nanowires show Aharonov-Bohm (A-B) quantum oscillations with periods corresponding to the nanowire diameters. All nanowires were found to exhibit sharp weak anti-localization (WAL) cusps, a characteristic signature of TIs. In addition to A-B oscillations, new quantization plateaus in magnetoresistance (MR) at low fields (< 0 . 7T) were observed. The analysis of MR as well as I - V characteristics of heterojunctions will be presented. Supported in part by NSF-DMR-1122594, NSF-DMR-1312483-MWN, and DOD-W911NF-13-1-0159.

  8. Dual-color single-mode lasing in axially coupled organic nanowire resonators

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Chunhuan; Zou, Chang-Ling; Dong, Haiyun; Yan, Yongli; Yao, Jiannian; Zhao, Yong Sheng

    2017-01-01

    Miniaturized lasers with multicolor output and high spectral purity are of crucial importance for yielding more compact and more versatile photonic devices. However, multicolor lasers usually operate in multimode, which largely restricts their practical applications due to the lack of an effective mode selection mechanism that is simultaneously applicable to multiple wavebands. We propose a mutual mode selection strategy to realize dual-color single-mode lasing in axially coupled cavities constructed from two distinct organic self-assembled single-crystal nanowires. The unique mode selection mechanism in the heterogeneously coupled nanowires was elucidated experimentally and theoretically. With each individual nanowire functioning as both the laser source and the mode filter for the other nanowire, dual-color single-mode lasing was successfully achieved in the axially coupled heterogeneous nanowire resonators. Furthermore, the heterogeneously coupled resonators provided multiple nanoscale output ports for delivering coherent signals with different colors, which could greatly contribute to increasing the integration level of functional photonic devices. These results advance the fundamental understanding of the lasing modulation in coupled cavity systems and offer a promising route to building multifunctional nanoscale lasers for high-level practical photonic integrations. PMID:28785731

  9. Biosensors and their applications in detection of organophosphorus pesticides in the environment.

    PubMed

    Hassani, Shokoufeh; Momtaz, Saeideh; Vakhshiteh, Faezeh; Maghsoudi, Armin Salek; Ganjali, Mohammad Reza; Norouzi, Parviz; Abdollahi, Mohammad

    2017-01-01

    This review discusses the past and recent advancements of biosensors focusing on detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) due to their exceptional use during the last decades. Apart from agricultural benefits, OPs also impose adverse toxicological effects on animal and human population. Conventional approaches such as chromatographic techniques used for pesticide detection are associated with several limitations. A biosensor technology is unique due to the detection sensitivity, selectivity, remarkable performance capabilities, simplicity and on-site operation, fabrication and incorporation with nanomaterials. This study also provided specifications of the most OPs biosensors reported until today based on their transducer system. In addition, we highlighted the application of advanced complementary materials and analysis techniques in OPs detection systems. The availability of these new materials associated with new sensing techniques has led to introduction of easy-to-use analytical tools of high sensitivity and specificity in the design and construction of OPs biosensors. In this review, we elaborated the achievements in sensing systems concerning innovative nanomaterials and analytical techniques with emphasis on OPs.

  10. Nanowire structures and electrical devices

    DOEpatents

    Bezryadin, Alexey; Remeika, Mikas

    2010-07-06

    The present invention provides structures and devices comprising conductive segments and conductance constricting segments of a nanowire, such as metallic, superconducting or semiconducting nanowire. The present invention provides structures and devices comprising conductive nanowire segments and conductance constricting nanowire segments having accurately selected phases including crystalline and amorphous states, compositions, morphologies and physical dimensions, including selected cross sectional dimensions, shapes and lengths along the length of a nanowire. Further, the present invention provides methods of processing nanowires capable of patterning a nanowire to form a plurality of conductance constricting segments having selected positions along the length of a nanowire, including conductance constricting segments having reduced cross sectional dimensions and conductance constricting segments comprising one or more insulating materials such as metal oxides.

  11. Nanowire-based thermoelectrics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ali, Azhar; Chen, Yixi; Vasiraju, Venkata; Vaddiraju, Sreeram

    2017-07-01

    Research on thermoelectrics has seen a huge resurgence since the early 1990s. The ability of tuning a material’s electrical and thermal transport behavior upon nanostructuring has led to this revival. Nevertheless, thermoelectric performances of nanowires and related materials lag far behind those achieved with thin-film superlattices and quantum dot-based materials. This is despite the fact that nanowires offer many distinct advantages in enhancing the thermoelectric performances of materials. The simplicity of the strategy is the first and foremost advantage. For example, control of the nanowire diameters and their surface roughnesses will aid in enhancing their thermoelectric performances. Another major advantage is the possibility of obtaining high thermoelectric performances using simpler nanowire chemistries (e.g., elemental and binary compound semiconductors), paving the way for the fabrication of thermoelectric modules inexpensively from non-toxic elements. In this context, the topical review provides an overview of the current state of nanowire-based thermoelectrics. It concludes with a discussion of the future vision of nanowire-based thermoelectrics, including the need for developing strategies aimed at the mass production of nanowires and their interface-engineered assembly into devices. This eliminates the need for trial-and-error strategies and complex chemistries for enhancing the thermoelectric performances of materials.

  12. Multiphase separation of copper nanowires

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Qian, Fang; Lan, Pui Ching; Olson, Tammy

    Here, this communication reports a new method to purify copper nanowires with nearly 100% yield from undesired copper nanoparticle side-products formed during batch processes of copper nanowire synthesis. Also, this simple separation method can yield large quantities of long, uniform, high-purity copper nanowires to meet the requirements of nanoelectronics applications as well as provide an avenue for purifying copper nanowires in the industrial scale synthesis of copper nanowires, a key step for commercialization and application of nanowires.

  13. Multiphase separation of copper nanowires

    DOE PAGES

    Qian, Fang; Lan, Pui Ching; Olson, Tammy; ...

    2016-09-01

    Here, this communication reports a new method to purify copper nanowires with nearly 100% yield from undesired copper nanoparticle side-products formed during batch processes of copper nanowire synthesis. Also, this simple separation method can yield large quantities of long, uniform, high-purity copper nanowires to meet the requirements of nanoelectronics applications as well as provide an avenue for purifying copper nanowires in the industrial scale synthesis of copper nanowires, a key step for commercialization and application of nanowires.

  14. Programmability of nanowire networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bellew, A. T.; Bell, A. P.; McCarthy, E. K.; Fairfield, J. A.; Boland, J. J.

    2014-07-01

    Electrical connectivity in networks of nanoscale junctions must be better understood if nanowire devices are to be scaled up from single wires to functional material systems. We show that the natural connectivity behaviour found in random nanowire networks presents a new paradigm for creating multi-functional, programmable materials. In devices made from networks of Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires at different length scales, we discover the emergence of distinct behavioural regimes when networks are electrically stressed. We show that a small network, with few nanowire-nanowire junctions, acts as a unipolar resistive switch, demonstrating very high ON/OFF current ratios (>105). However, large networks of nanowires distribute an applied bias across a large number of junctions, and thus respond not by switching but instead by evolving connectivity. We demonstrate that these emergent properties lead to fault-tolerant materials whose resistance may be tuned, and which are capable of adaptively reconfiguring under stress. By combining these two behavioural regimes, we demonstrate that the same nanowire network may be programmed to act both as a metallic interconnect, and a resistive switch device with high ON/OFF ratio. These results enable the fabrication of programmable, multi-functional materials from random nanowire networks.Electrical connectivity in networks of nanoscale junctions must be better understood if nanowire devices are to be scaled up from single wires to functional material systems. We show that the natural connectivity behaviour found in random nanowire networks presents a new paradigm for creating multi-functional, programmable materials. In devices made from networks of Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires at different length scales, we discover the emergence of distinct behavioural regimes when networks are electrically stressed. We show that a small network, with few nanowire-nanowire junctions, acts as a unipolar resistive switch, demonstrating very high ON

  15. Homoepitaxial n-core: p-shell gallium nitride nanowires: HVPE overgrowth on MBE nanowires.

    PubMed

    Sanders, Aric; Blanchard, Paul; Bertness, Kris; Brubaker, Matthew; Dodson, Christopher; Harvey, Todd; Herrero, Andrew; Rourke, Devin; Schlager, John; Sanford, Norman; Chiaramonti, Ann N; Davydov, Albert; Motayed, Abhishek; Tsvetkov, Denis

    2011-11-18

    We present the homoepitaxial growth of p-type, magnesium doped gallium nitride shells by use of halide vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) on n-type gallium nitride nanowires grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Scanning electron microscopy shows clear dopant contrast between the core and shell of the nanowire. The growth of magnesium doped nanowire shells shows little or no effect on the lattice parameters of the underlying nanowires, as measured by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Photoluminescence measurements of the nanowires show the appearance of sub-bandgap features in the blue and the ultraviolet, indicating the presence of acceptors. Finally, electrical measurements confirm the presence of electrically active holes in the nanowires.

  16. Construction and Characterization of a Chitosan-Immobilized-Enzyme and β-Cyclodextrin-Included-Ferrocene-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for H₂O₂ Detection.

    PubMed

    Dong, Wenbo; Wang, Kaiyin; Chen, Yu; Li, Weiping; Ye, Yanchun; Jin, Shaohua

    2017-07-28

    An electrochemical detection biosensor was prepared with the chitosan-immobilized-enzyme (CTS-CAT) and β-cyclodextrin-included-ferrocene (β-CD-FE) complex for the determination of H₂O₂. Ferrocene (FE) was included in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to increase its stability. The structure of the β-CD-FE was characterized. The inclusion amount, inclusion rate, and electrochemical properties of inclusion complexes were determined to optimize the reaction conditions for the inclusion. CTS-CAT was prepared by a step-by-step immobilization method, which overcame the disadvantages of the conventional preparation methods. The immobilization conditions were optimized to obtain the desired enzyme activity. CTS-CAT/β-CD-FE composite electrodes were prepared by compositing the CTS-CAT with the β-CD-FE complex on a glassy carbon electrode and used for the electrochemical detection of H₂O₂. It was found that the CTS-CAT could produce a strong reduction peak current in response to H₂O₂ and the β-CD-FE could amplify the current signal. The peak current exhibited a linear relationship with the H₂O₂ concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10 -7 -6.0 × 10 -3 mol/L. Our work provided a novel method for the construction of electrochemical biosensors with a fast response, good stability, high sensitivity, and a wide linear response range based on the composite of chitosan and cyclodextrin.

  17. Synergic effect studies of the bi-enzymatic system laccase-peroxidase in a voltammetric biosensor for catecholamines.

    PubMed

    Leite, Oldair D; Lupetti, Karina O; Fatibello-Filho, Orlando; Vieira, Iolanda C; Barbosa, Aneli de M

    2003-04-10

    Several bi-enzymatic carbon paste biosensors modified with enzymes laccase from Pleurotus ostreatus fungi and peroxidase from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) were constructed for evaluating the synergic effect of the two enzymes on the voltammetric biosensor response for various catecholamines. Initially was investigated the effect of pH from 5.0 to 7.5, temperature from 25 to 50 degrees C, initial stirring time from 30 to 150 s, scan rate from 10 to 60 mVs(-1) and potential pulse amplitude from 10 to 60 mV on the biosensor response for several catecholamines such as dopamine, adrenaline, isoprenaline and l-dopa. It was observed a biosensor signal increase employing both enzymes, indicating thus there is a synergic effect between laccase and peroxidase, verified also in spectrophotometric studies, in the determination of these catecholamines.

  18. Rhodium Nanoparticle-mesoporous Silicon Nanowire Nanohybrids for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection with High Selectivity

    PubMed Central

    Song, Zhiqian; Chang, Hucheng; Zhu, Weiqin; Xu, Chenlong; Feng, Xinjian

    2015-01-01

    Developing nanostructured electrocatalysts, with low overpotential, high selectivity and activity has fundamental and technical importance in many fields. We report here rhodium nanoparticle and mesoporous silicon nanowire (RhNP@mSiNW) hybrids for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection with high electrocatalytic activity and selectivity. By employing electrodes that loaded with RhNP@mSiNW nanohybrids, interference caused from both many electroactive substances and dissolved oxygen were eliminated by electrochemical assaying at an optimal potential of +75 mV. Furthermore, the electrodes exhibited a high detection sensitivity of 0.53 μA/mM and fast response (< 5 s). This high-performance nanohybrid electrocatalyst has great potential for future practical application in various oxidase-base biosensors. PMID:25588953

  19. Plasmonic Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Hill, Ryan T.

    2015-01-01

    The unique optical properties of plasmon resonant nanostructures enable exploration of nanoscale environments using relatively simple optical characterization techniques. For this reason, the field of plasmonics continues to garner the attention of the biosensing community. Biosensors based on propagating surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) in films are the most well-recognized plasmonic biosensors, but there is great potential for the new, developing technologies to surpass the robustness and popularity of film-based SPR sensing. This review surveys the current plasmonic biosensor landscape with emphasis on the basic operating principles of each plasmonic sensing technique and the practical considerations when developing a sensing platform with the various techniques. The “gold standard” film SPR technique is reviewed briefly, but special emphasis is devoted to the up-and-coming LSPR-based and plasmonically coupled sensor technology. PMID:25377594

  20. Construction of Hierarchical CuO/Cu2O@NiCo2S4 Nanowire Arrays on Copper Foam for High Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Luoxiao; He, Ying; Jia, Congpu; Pavlinek, Vladimir; Saha, Petr; Cheng, Qilin

    2017-01-01

    Hierarchical copper oxide @ ternary nickel cobalt sulfide (CuO/Cu2O@NiCo2S4) core-shell nanowire arrays on Cu foam have been successfully constructed by a facile two-step strategy. Vertically aligned CuO/Cu2O nanowire arrays are firstly grown on Cu foam by one-step thermal oxidation of Cu foam, followed by electrodeposition of NiCo2S4 nanosheets on the surface of CuO/Cu2O nanowires to form the CuO/Cu2O@NiCo2S4 core-shell nanostructures. Structural and morphological characterizations indicate that the average thickness of the NiCo2S4 nanosheets is ~20 nm and the diameter of CuO/Cu2O core is ~50 nm. Electrochemical properties of the hierarchical composites as integrated binder-free electrodes for supercapacitor were evaluated by various electrochemical methods. The hierarchical composite electrodes could achieve ultrahigh specific capacitance of 3.186 F cm−2 at 10 mA cm−2, good rate capability (82.06% capacitance retention at the current density from 2 to 50 mA cm−2) and excellent cycling stability, with capacitance retention of 96.73% after 2000 cycles at 10 mA cm−2. These results demonstrate the significance of optimized design and fabrication of electrode materials with more sufficient electrolyte-electrode interface, robust structural integrity and fast ion/electron transfer. PMID:28914819

  1. Hierarchically Structured Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 Nanowire Arrays for High-Performance Supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xia, Hui; Zhu, Dongdong; Luo, Zhentao; Yu, Yue; Shi, Xiaoqin; Yuan, Guoliang; Xie, Jianping

    2013-10-01

    Here we proposed a novel architectural design of a ternary MnO2-based electrode - a hierarchical Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 core-shell-shell structure, where the complemental features of the three key components (a well-defined Co3O4 nanowire array on the conductive Ti substrate, an ultrathin layer of small Pt nanoparticles, and a thin layer of MnO2 nanoflakes) are strategically combined into a single entity to synergize and construct a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors. Owing to the high conductivity of the well-defined Co3O4 nanowire arrays, in which the conductivity was further enhanced by a thin metal (Pt) coating layer, in combination with the large surface area provided by the small MnO2 nanoflakes, the as-fabricated Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 nanowire arrays have exhibited high specific capacitances, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The architectural design demonstrated in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance MnO2-based nanowire arrays for constructing next-generation supercapacitors.

  2. High speed superconducting nanowire single-photon detector with nine interleaved nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Jia; Zhang, Weijun; You, Lixing; Zhang, Chengjun; Lv, Chaolin; Wang, Yong; Liu, Xiaoyu; Li, Hao; Wang, Zhen

    2018-07-01

    Count rate (CR) is one of the key parameters of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). The practical SNSPDs usually have a CR of a few MHz to a few tens of MHz owing to the large kinetic inductance originating from the long nanowire, which is necessary for effectively coupling the photons. A feasible approach to decrease the kinetic inductance and consequently increase the detection speed is to replace a long single nanowire with multiple individual nanowires in an array. In this study, we report an SNSPD of nine interleaved nanowires with 70% system detection efficiency (SDE) and 200 Hz dark count rate at the low-photon-flux limit of 1550 nm. Owing to the small dead time (<6 ns) of each nanowire, the SNSPD achieved a maximum CR of 0.93 GHz at a photon flux of 1.26 × 1010 photons s‑1 with an SDE of ∼7.4%, and a CR of 200 MHz with an SDE of over 50%. Furthermore, a photon number resolvability of up to nine photons was also demonstrated.

  3. Constructing hierarchical interfaces: TiO 2-supported PtFe-FeO x nanowires for room temperature CO oxidation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhu, Huiyuan; Wu, Zili; Dong, Su

    2015-08-05

    This is a report of a facile approach to constructing catalytic active hierarchical interfaces in one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure, exemplified by the synthesis of TiO 2-supported PtFe–FeO x nanowires (NWs). The hierarchical interface, constituting atomic level interactions between PtFe and FeO x within each NW and the interactions between NWs and support (TiO 2), enables CO oxidation with 100% conversion at room temperature. We identify the role of the two interfaces by probing the CO oxidation reaction with isotopic labeling experiments. Both the oxygen atoms (Os) in FeO x and TiO 2 participate in the initial CO oxidation, facilitating the reactionmore » through a redox pathway. Moreover, the intact 1D structure leads to the high stability of the catalyst. After 30 h in the reaction stream, the PtFe–FeO x/TiO2 catalyst exhibits no activity decay. These results provide a general approach and new insights into the construction of hierarchical interfaces for advanced catalysis.« less

  4. Capacitive Biosensors and Molecularly Imprinted Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Ertürk, Gizem; Mattiasson, Bo

    2017-02-17

    Capacitive biosensors belong to the group of affinity biosensors that operate by registering direct binding between the sensor surface and the target molecule. This type of biosensors measures the changes in dielectric properties and/or thickness of the dielectric layer at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Capacitive biosensors have so far been successfully used for detection of proteins, nucleotides, heavy metals, saccharides, small organic molecules and microbial cells. In recent years, the microcontact imprinting method has been used to create very sensitive and selective biorecognition cavities on surfaces of capacitive electrodes. This chapter summarizes the principle and different applications of capacitive biosensors with an emphasis on microcontact imprinting method with its recent capacitive biosensor applications.

  5. Crystal phase-based epitaxial growth of hybrid noble metal nanostructures on 4H/fcc Au nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Qipeng; Wang, An-Liang; Gong, Yue; Hao, Wei; Cheng, Hongfei; Chen, Junze; Li, Bing; Yang, Nailiang; Niu, Wenxin; Wang, Jie; Yu, Yifu; Zhang, Xiao; Chen, Ye; Fan, Zhanxi; Wu, Xue-Jun; Chen, Jinping; Luo, Jun; Li, Shuzhou; Gu, Lin; Zhang, Hua

    2018-03-01

    Crystal-phase engineering offers opportunities for the rational design and synthesis of noble metal nanomaterials with unusual crystal phases that normally do not exist in bulk materials. However, it remains a challenge to use these materials as seeds to construct heterometallic nanostructures with desired crystal phases and morphologies for promising applications such as catalysis. Here, we report a strategy for the synthesis of binary and ternary hybrid noble metal nanostructures. Our synthesized crystal-phase heterostructured 4H/fcc Au nanowires enable the epitaxial growth of Ru nanorods on the 4H phase and fcc-twin boundary in Au nanowires, resulting in hybrid Au-Ru nanowires. Moreover, the method can be extended to the epitaxial growth of Rh, Ru-Rh and Ru-Pt nanorods on the 4H/fcc Au nanowires to form unique hybrid nanowires. Importantly, the Au-Ru hybrid nanowires with tunable compositions exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance towards the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media.

  6. Precise Placement of Metallic Nanowires on a Substrate by Localized Electric Fields and Inter-Nanowire Electrostatic Interaction

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Placing nanowires at the predetermined locations on a substrate represents one of the significant hurdles to be tackled for realization of heterogeneous nanowire systems. Here, we demonstrate spatially-controlled assembly of a single nanowire at the photolithographically recessed region at the electrode gap with high integration yield (~90%). Two popular routes, such as protruding electrode tips and recessed wells, for spatially-controlled nanowire alignment, are compared to investigate long-range dielectrophoretic nanowire attraction and short-range nanowire-nanowire electrostatic interaction for determining the final alignment of attracted nanowires. Furthermore, the post-assembly process has been developed and tested to make a robust electrical contact to the assembled nanowires, which removes any misaligned ones and connects the nanowires to the underlying electrodes of circuit. PMID:29048363

  7. Nanowire Thermoelectric Devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Borshchevsky, Alexander; Fleurial, Jean-Pierre; Herman, Jennifer; Ryan, Margaret

    2005-01-01

    Nanowire thermoelectric devices, now under development, are intended to take miniaturization a step beyond the prior state of the art to exploit the potential advantages afforded by shrinking some device features to approximately molecular dimensions (of the order of 10 nm). The development of nanowire-based thermoelectric devices could lead to novel power-generating, cooling, and sensing devices that operate at relatively low currents and high voltages. Recent work on the theory of thermoelectric devices has led to the expectation that the performance of such a device could be enhanced if the diameter of the wires could be reduced to a point where quantum confinement effects increase charge-carrier mobility (thereby increasing the Seebeck coefficient) and reduce thermal conductivity. In addition, even in the absence of these effects, the large aspect ratios (length of the order of tens of microns diameter of the order of tens of nanometers) of nanowires would be conducive to the maintenance of large temperature differences at small heat fluxes. The predicted net effect of reducing diameters to the order of tens of nanometers would be to increase its efficiency by a factor of .3. Nanowires made of thermoelectric materials and devices that comprise arrays of such nanowires can be fabricated by electrochemical growth of the thermoelectric materials in templates that contain suitably dimensioned pores (10 to 100 nm in diameter and 1 to 100 microns long). The nanowires can then be contacted in bundles to form devices that look similar to conventional thermoelectric devices, except that a production version may contain nearly a billion elements (wires) per square centimeter, instead of fewer than a hundred as in a conventional bulk thermoelectric device or fewer than 100,000 as in a microdevice. It is not yet possible to form contacts with individual nanowires. Therefore, in fabricating a nanowire thermoelectric device, one forms contacts on nanowires in bundles of the

  8. Plasmonic biosensors.

    PubMed

    Hill, Ryan T

    2015-01-01

    The unique optical properties of plasmon resonant nanostructures enable exploration of nanoscale environments using relatively simple optical characterization techniques. For this reason, the field of plasmonics continues to garner the attention of the biosensing community. Biosensors based on propagating surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) in films are the most well-recognized plasmonic biosensors, but there is great potential for the new, developing technologies to surpass the robustness and popularity of film-based SPR sensing. This review surveys the current plasmonic biosensor landscape with emphasis on the basic operating principles of each plasmonic sensing technique and the practical considerations when developing a sensing platform with the various techniques. The 'gold standard' film SPR technique is reviewed briefly, but special emphasis is devoted to the up-and-coming localized surface plasmon resonance and plasmonically coupled sensor technology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. Introduction to biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Bhalla, Nikhil; Jolly, Pawan; Formisano, Nello

    2016-01-01

    Biosensors are nowadays ubiquitous in biomedical diagnosis as well as a wide range of other areas such as point-of-care monitoring of treatment and disease progression, environmental monitoring, food control, drug discovery, forensics and biomedical research. A wide range of techniques can be used for the development of biosensors. Their coupling with high-affinity biomolecules allows the sensitive and selective detection of a range of analytes. We give a general introduction to biosensors and biosensing technologies, including a brief historical overview, introducing key developments in the field and illustrating the breadth of biomolecular sensing strategies and the expansion of nanotechnological approaches that are now available. PMID:27365030

  10. Potentiometric glucose biosensor based on core-shell Fe3O4-enzyme-polypyrrole nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Yang, Zhengpeng; Zhang, Chunjing; Zhang, Jianxin; Bai, Wanbei

    2014-01-15

    Core-shell Fe3O4-enzyme-polypyrrole (Ppy) nanoparticles with excellent magnetism and conductivity were successfully prepared via the surface modification and enzyme self-encapsulation within Ppy. A novel potentiometric glucose biosensor has been constructed by effectively attaching the proposed Fe3O4-enzyme-Ppy nanoparticles to the surface of the magnetic glassy carbon electrode (MGCE). The optimum biosensing conditions could be provided with polymerization time of pyrrole for 6h and 0.42 mg immobilization amount of Fe3O4-enzyme-Ppy nanoparticles on MGCE. The performance of the developed glucose biosensor was evaluated and the results indicated that a sensitive glucose biosensor could be fabricated. The obtained glucose biosensor presents shorter response time (6 s), wider linear range (0.5 μM to 34 mM), lower limit of detection (LOD, 0.3 μM), high-selectivity monitoring of glucose and good stability (with about 98.1% of the initial response signal retained after 20 days). The analytical application of the glucose biosensor confirms the feasibility of glucose detection in serum sample. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. CuO nanowire/microflower/nanowire modified Cu electrode with enhanced electrochemical performance for non-enzymatic glucose sensing.

    PubMed

    Li, Changli; Yamahara, Hiroyasu; Lee, Yaerim; Tabata, Hitoshi; Delaunay, Jean-Jacques

    2015-07-31

    CuO nanowire/microflower structure on Cu foil is synthesized by annealing a Cu(OH)2 nanowire/CuO microflower structure at 250 °C in air. The nanowire/microflower structure with its large surface area leads to an efficient catalysis and charge transfer in glucose detection, achieving a high sensitivity of 1943 μA mM(-1) cm(-2), a wide linear range up to 4 mM and a low detection limit of 4 μM for amperometric glucose sensing in alkaline solution. With a second consecutive growth of CuO nanowires on the microflowers, the sensitivity of the obtained CuO nanowire/microflower/nanowire structure further increases to 2424 μA mM(-1) cm(-2), benefiting from an increased number of electrochemically active sites. The enhanced electrocatalytic performance of the CuO nanowire/microflower/nanowire electrode compared to the CuO nanowire/microflower electrode, CuO nanowire electrode and CuxO film electrode provides evidence for the significant role of available surface area for electrocatalysis. The rational combination of CuO nanowire and microflower nanostructures into a nanowire supporting microflower branching nanowires structure makes it a promising composite nanostructure for use in CuO based electrochemical sensors with promising analytical properties.

  12. Biosensors for hepatitis B virus detection.

    PubMed

    Yao, Chun-Yan; Fu, Wei-Ling

    2014-09-21

    A biosensor is an analytical device used for the detection of analytes, which combines a biological component with a physicochemical detector. Recently, an increasing number of biosensors have been used in clinical research, for example, the blood glucose biosensor. This review focuses on the current state of biosensor research with respect to efficient, specific and rapid detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The biosensors developed based on different techniques, including optical methods (e.g., surface plasmon resonance), acoustic wave technologies (e.g., quartz crystal microbalance), electrochemistry (amperometry, voltammetry and impedance) and novel nanotechnology, are also discussed.

  13. Building a minimal and generalizable model of transcription factor-based biosensors: Showcasing flavonoids.

    PubMed

    Trabelsi, Heykel; Koch, Mathilde; Faulon, Jean-Loup

    2018-05-07

    Progress in synthetic biology tools has transformed the way we engineer living cells. Applications of circuit design have reached a new level, offering solutions for metabolic engineering challenges that include developing screening approaches for libraries of pathway variants. The use of transcription-factor-based biosensors for screening has shown promising results, but the quantitative relationship between the sensors and the sensed molecules still needs more rational understanding. Herein, we have successfully developed a novel biosensor to detect pinocembrin based on a transcriptional regulator. The FdeR transcription factor (TF), known to respond to naringenin, was combined with a fluorescent reporter protein. By varying the copy number of its plasmid and the concentration of the biosensor TF through a combinatorial library, different responses have been recorded and modeled. The fitted model provides a tool to understand the impact of these parameters on the biosensor behavior in terms of dose-response and time curves and offers guidelines to build constructs oriented to increased sensitivity and or ability of linear detection at higher titers. Our model, the first to explicitly take into account the impact of plasmid copy number on biosensor sensitivity using Hill-based formalism, is able to explain uncharacterized systems without extensive knowledge of the properties of the TF. Moreover, it can be used to model the response of the biosensor to different compounds (here naringenin and pinocembrin) with minimal parameter refitting. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Graphene-based biosensors.

    PubMed

    Szunerits, Sabine; Boukherroub, Rabah

    2018-06-06

    Reliable data obtained from analysis of DNA, proteins, bacteria and other disease-related molecules or organisms in biological samples have become a fundamental and crucial part of human health diagnostics and therapy. The development of non-invasive tests that are rapid, sensitive, specific and simple would allow patient discomfort to be prevented, delays in diagnosis to be avoided and the status of a disease to be followed up. Bioanalysis is thus a progressive discipline for which the future holds many exciting opportunities. The use of biosensors for the early diagnosis of diseases has become widely accepted as a point-of-care diagnosis with appropriate specificity in a short time. To allow a reliable diagnosis of a disease at an early stage, highly sensitive biosensors are required as the corresponding biomarkers are generally expressed at very low concentrations. In the past 50 years, various biosensors have been researched and developed encompassing a wide range of applications. This contrasts the limited number of commercially available biosensors. When it comes to sensing of biomarkers with the required picomolar (pM) sensitivity for real-time sensing of biological samples, only a handful of sensing systems have been proposed, and these are often rather complex and costly. Lately, graphene-based materials have been considered as superior over other nanomaterials for the development of sensitive biosensors. The advantages of graphene-based sensor interfaces are numerous, including enhanced surface loading of the desired ligand due to the high surface-to-volume ratio, excellent conductivity and a small band gap that is beneficial for sensitive electrical and electrochemical read-outs, as well as tunable optical properties for optical read-outs such as fluorescence and plasmonics. In this paper, we review the advances made in recent years on graphene-based biosensors in the field of medical diagnosis.

  15. Porous Silicon Nanowires

    PubMed Central

    Qu, Yongquan; Zhou, Hailong; Duan, Xiangfeng

    2011-01-01

    In this minreview, we summarize recent progress in the synthesis, properties and applications of a new type of one-dimensional nanostructures — single crystalline porous silicon nanowires. The growth of porous silicon nanowires starting from both p- and n-type Si wafers with a variety of dopant concentrations can be achieved through either one-step or two-step reactions. The mechanistic studies indicate the dopant concentration of Si wafers, oxidizer concentration, etching time and temperature can affect the morphology of the as-etched silicon nanowires. The porous silicon nanowires are both optically and electronically active and have been explored for potential applications in diverse areas including photocatalysis, lithium ion battery, gas sensor and drug delivery. PMID:21869999

  16. Graphene-based field-effect transistor biosensors

    DOEpatents

    Chen; , Junhong; Mao, Shun; Lu, Ganhua

    2017-06-14

    The disclosure provides a field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensor and uses thereof. In particular, to FET-based biosensors using thermally reduced graphene-based sheets as a conducting channel decorated with nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates. The present disclosure also relates to FET-based biosensors using metal nitride/graphene hybrid sheets. The disclosure provides a method for detecting a target biomolecule in a sample using the FET-based biosensor described herein.

  17. A sensitive glucose biosensor based on Ag@C core-shell matrix.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Xuan; Dai, Xingxin; Li, Jianguo; Long, Yumei; Li, Weifeng; Tu, Yifeng

    2015-04-01

    Nano-Ag particles were coated with colloidal carbon (Ag@C) to improve its biocompatibility and chemical stability for the preparation of biosensor. The core-shell structure was evidenced by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the carbon shell is rich of function groups such as -OH and -COOH. The as-prepared Ag@C core-shell structure can offer favorable microenvironment for immobilizing glucose oxidase and the direct electrochemistry process of glucose oxidase (GOD) at Ag@C modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was realized. The modified electrode exhibited good response to glucose. Under optimum experimental conditions the biosensor linearly responded to glucose concentration in the range of 0.05-2.5mM, with a detection limit of 0.02mM (S/N=3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (KM(app)) of the biosensor is calculated to be 1.7mM, suggesting high enzymatic activity and affinity toward glucose. In addition, the GOD-Ag@C/Nafion/GCE shows good reproducibility and long-term stability. These results suggested that core-shell structured Ag@C is an ideal matrix for the immobilization of the redox enzymes and further the construction of the sensitive enzyme biosensor. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Amperometric L-lysine biosensor based on carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes-SnO2 nanoparticles-graphene composite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaçar, Ceren; Erden, Pınar Esra; Kılıç, Esma

    2017-10-01

    A novel matrix, carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes-tin oxide nanoparticles-graphene-chitosan (c-MWCNTs-SnO2-GR-CS) composite, was prepared for biosensor construction. Lysine oxidase (LOx) enzyme was immobilized covalently on the surface of c-MWCNTs-GR-SnO2-CS composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using N-ethyl-N‧-(3-dimethyaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxyl succinimide (NHS). Effects of electrode composition and buffer pH on biosensor response were investigated to optimize the working conditions. The biosensor exhibited wide linear range (9.9 × 10-7 M-1.6 × 10-4 M), low detection limit (1.5 × 10-7 M), high sensitivity (55.20 μA mM-1 cm-2) and fast amperometric response (<25 s) at +0.70 V vs. Ag/AgCl. With good repeatability and long-term stability, the c-MWCNTs-SnO2-GR-CS based biosensor offered an alternative for L-lysine biosensing. The practical applicability of the biosensor in two dietary supplements has also been addressed.

  19. Functional graphene-gold nano-composite fabricated electrochemical biosensor for direct and rapid detection of bisphenol A.

    PubMed

    Pan, Daodong; Gu, Yuanyuan; Lan, Hangzhen; Sun, Yangying; Gao, Huiju

    2015-01-01

    In this research, the graphene with excellent dispersity is prepared successfully by introducing gold nanoparticle to separate the individual sheets. Various techniques are adopted to characterize the prepared graphene and graphene-gold nanoparticle composite materials. This fabricated new composite material is used as the support material to construct a novel tyrosinase based biosensor for detection of bisphenol A (BPA). The electrochemical performances of the proposed new enzyme biosensor were investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. The proposed biosensor exhibited excellent performance for BPA determination with a wide linear range (2.5×10(-3)-3.0 μM), a highly reproducible response (RSD of 2.7%), low interferences and long-term stability. And more importantly, the calculated detection limit of the proposed biosensor was as low as 1 nM. Compared with other detection methods, this graphene-gold nanoparticle composite based tyrosinase biosensor is proved to be a promising and reliable tool for rapid detection of BPA for on-site analysis of emergency BPA related pollution affairs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Effect of nanowire curviness on the percolation resistivity of transparent, conductive metal nanowire networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hicks, Jeremy; Li, Junying; Ying, Chen; Ural, Ant

    2018-05-01

    We study the effect of nanowire curviness on the percolation resistivity of transparent, conductive metal nanowire networks by Monte Carlo simulations. We generate curvy nanowires as one-dimensional sticks using 3rd-order Bézier curves. The degree of curviness in the network is quantified by the concept of curviness angle and curl ratio. We systematically study the interaction between the effect of curviness and five other nanowire/device parameters on the network resistivity, namely nanowire density, nanowire length, device length, device width, and nanowire alignment. We find that the resistivity exhibits a power law dependence on the curl ratio, which is a signature of percolation transport. In each case, we extract the power-law scaling critical exponents and explain the results using geometrical and physical arguments. The value of the curl ratio critical exponent is not universal, but increases as the other nanowire/device parameters drive the network toward the percolation threshold. We find that, for randomly oriented networks, curviness is undesirable since it increases the resistivity. For well-aligned networks, on the other hand, some curviness is highly desirable, since the resistivity minimum occurs for partially curvy nanowires. We explain these results by considering the two competing effects of curviness on the percolation resistivity. The results presented in this work can be extended to any network, film, or nanocomposite consisting of one-dimensional nanoelements. Our results show that Monte Carlo simulations are an essential predictive tool for both studying the percolation transport and optimizing the electronic properties of transparent, conductive nanowire networks for a wide range of applications.

  1. Understanding InP Nanowire Array Solar Cell Performance by Nanoprobe-Enabled Single Nanowire Measurements.

    PubMed

    Otnes, Gaute; Barrigón, Enrique; Sundvall, Christian; Svensson, K Erik; Heurlin, Magnus; Siefer, Gerald; Samuelson, Lars; Åberg, Ingvar; Borgström, Magnus T

    2018-05-09

    III-V solar cells in the nanowire geometry might hold significant synthesis-cost and device-design advantages as compared to thin films and have shown impressive performance improvements in recent years. To continue this development there is a need for characterization techniques giving quick and reliable feedback for growth development. Further, characterization techniques which can improve understanding of the link between nanowire growth conditions, subsequent processing, and solar cell performance are desired. Here, we present the use of a nanoprobe system inside a scanning electron microscope to efficiently contact single nanowires and characterize them in terms of key parameters for solar cell performance. Specifically, we study single as-grown InP nanowires and use electron beam induced current characterization to understand the charge carrier collection properties, and dark current-voltage characteristics to understand the diode recombination characteristics. By correlating the single nanowire measurements to performance of fully processed nanowire array solar cells, we identify how the performance limiting parameters are related to growth and/or processing conditions. We use this understanding to achieve a more than 7-fold improvement in efficiency of our InP nanowire solar cells, grown from a different seed particle pattern than previously reported from our group. The best cell shows a certified efficiency of 15.0%; the highest reported value for a bottom-up synthesized InP nanowire solar cell. We believe the presented approach have significant potential to speed-up the development of nanowire solar cells, as well as other nanowire-based electronic/optoelectronic devices.

  2. Characterization of Textile-Insulated Capacitive Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Ng, Charn Loong; Reaz, Mamun Bin Ibne

    2017-01-01

    Capacitive biosensors are an emerging technology revolutionizing wearable sensing systems and personal healthcare devices. They are capable of continuously measuring bioelectrical signals from the human body while utilizing textiles as an insulator. Different textile types have their own unique properties that alter skin-electrode capacitance and the performance of capacitive biosensors. This paper aims to identify the best textile insulator to be used with capacitive biosensors by analysing the characteristics of 6 types of common textile materials (cotton, linen, rayon, nylon, polyester, and PVC-textile) while evaluating their impact on the performance of a capacitive biosensor. A textile-insulated capacitive (TEX-C) biosensor was developed and validated on 3 subjects. Experimental results revealed that higher skin-electrode capacitance of a TEX-C biosensor yields a lower noise floor and better signal quality. Natural fabric such as cotton and linen were the two best insulating materials to integrate with a capacitive biosensor. They yielded the lowest noise floor of 2 mV and achieved consistent electromyography (EMG) signals measurements throughout the performance test. PMID:28287493

  3. A novel amperometric biosensor based on banana peel (Musa cavendish) tissue homogenate for determination of phenolic compounds.

    PubMed

    Ozcan, Hakki Mevlut; Sagiroglu, Ayten

    2010-08-01

    In this study the biosensor was constructed by immobilizing tissue homogenate of banana peel onto a glassy carbon electrode surface. Effects of immobilization materials amounts, effects of pH, buffer concentration and temperature on biosensor response were studied. In addition, the detection ranges of 13 phenolic compounds were obtained with the help of the calibration graphs. Storage stability, repeatability of the biosensor, inhibitory effect and sample applications were also investigated. A typical calibration curve for the sensor revealed a linear range of 10-80 microM catechol. In reproducibility studies, variation coefficient and standard deviation were calculated as 2.69%, 1.44 x 10(-3) microM, respectively.

  4. Acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on single-walled carbon nanotubes--Co phtalocyanine for organophosphorus pesticides detection.

    PubMed

    Ivanov, A N; Younusov, R R; Evtugyn, G A; Arduini, F; Moscone, D; Palleschi, G

    2011-07-15

    A simple and reliable technique has been developed for the construction of an amperometric acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on screen-printed carbon electrodes. For the first time, one-step modification using single-walled carbon nanotubes and Co phtalocyanine has been proposed to decrease the working potential and to increase the signal of thiocholine oxidation. The biosensor developed made it possible to detect 5-50 ppb of paraoxon and 2-50 ppb of malaoxon with detection limits of 3 and 2 ppb, respectively (incubation 15 min). The biosensor showed high reproducibility when measurements of the substrate and inhibitor were performed (R.S.D. about 1% and 2.5%, respectively). The reliability of the inhibition measurements was confirmed by testing spiked samples of sparkling and tape waters. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. A robust high-throughput fungal biosensor assay for the detection of estrogen activity.

    PubMed

    Zutz, Christoph; Wagener, Karen; Yankova, Desislava; Eder, Stefanie; Möstl, Erich; Drillich, Marc; Rychli, Kathrin; Wagner, Martin; Strauss, Joseph

    2017-10-01

    Estrogenic active compounds are present in a variety of sources and may alter biological functions in vertebrates. Therefore, it is crucial to develop innovative analytical systems that allow us to screen a broad spectrum of matrices and deliver fast and reliable results. We present the adaptation and validation of a fungal biosensor for the detection of estrogen activity in cow derived samples and tested the clinical applicability for pregnancy diagnosis in 140 mares and 120 cows. As biosensor we used a previously engineered genetically modified strain of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, which contains the human estrogen receptor alpha and a reporter construct, in which β-galactosidase gene expression is controlled by an estrogen-responsive-element. The estrogen response of the fungal biosensor was validated with blood, urine, feces, milk and saliva. All matrices were screened for estrogenic activity prior to and after chemical extraction and the results were compared to an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The biosensor showed consistent results in milk, urine and feces, which were comparable to those of the EIA. In contrast to the EIA, no sample pre-treatment by chemical extraction was needed. For 17β-estradiol, the biosensor showed a limit of detection of 1ng/L. The validation of the biosensor for pregnancy diagnosis revealed a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of more than 97%. In conclusion, we developed and validated a highly robust fungal biosensor for detection of estrogen activity, which is highly sensitive and economic as it allows analyzing in high-throughput formats without the necessity for organic solvents. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Hierarchically Structured Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 Nanowire Arrays for High-Performance Supercapacitors

    PubMed Central

    Xia, Hui; Zhu, Dongdong; Luo, Zhentao; Yu, Yue; Shi, Xiaoqin; Yuan, Guoliang; Xie, Jianping

    2013-01-01

    Here we proposed a novel architectural design of a ternary MnO2-based electrode – a hierarchical Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 core-shell-shell structure, where the complemental features of the three key components (a well-defined Co3O4 nanowire array on the conductive Ti substrate, an ultrathin layer of small Pt nanoparticles, and a thin layer of MnO2 nanoflakes) are strategically combined into a single entity to synergize and construct a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors. Owing to the high conductivity of the well-defined Co3O4 nanowire arrays, in which the conductivity was further enhanced by a thin metal (Pt) coating layer, in combination with the large surface area provided by the small MnO2 nanoflakes, the as-fabricated Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 nanowire arrays have exhibited high specific capacitances, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The architectural design demonstrated in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance MnO2–based nanowire arrays for constructing next-generation supercapacitors. PMID:24132040

  7. Fiber optic choline biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Hong; Cao, Xiaojian; Jia, Ke; Chai, Xueting; Lu, Hua; Lu, Zuhong

    2001-10-01

    A fiber optic fluorescence biosensor for choline is introduced in this paper. Choline is an important neurotransmitter in mammals. Due to the growing needs for on-site clinical monitoring of the choline, much effect has been devoted to develop choline biosensors. Fiber-optic fluorescence biosensors have many advantages, including miniaturization, flexibility, and lack of electrical contact and interference. The choline fiber-optic biosensor we designed implemented a bifurcated fiber to perform fluorescence measurements. The light of the blue LED is coupled into one end of the fiber as excitation and the emission spectrum from sensing film is monitored by fiber-spectrometer (S2000, Ocean Optics) through the other end of the fiber. The sensing end of the fiber is coated with Nafion film dispersed with choline oxidase and oxygen sensitive luminescent Ru(II) complex (Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II), hexahydrate). Choline oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of choline to betaine and hydrogen peroxide while consuming oxygen. The fluorescence intensity of oxygen- sensitive Ru(II) are related to the choline concentration. The response of the fiber-optic sensor in choline solution is represented and discussed. The result indicates a low-cost, high-performance, portable choline biosensor.

  8. Quantum optics with nanowires (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zwiller, Val

    2017-02-01

    Nanowires offer new opportunities for nanoscale quantum optics; the quantum dot geometry in semiconducting nanowires as well as the material composition and environment can be engineered with unprecedented freedom to improve the light extraction efficiency. Quantum dots in nanowires are shown to be efficient single photon sources, in addition because of the very small fine structure splitting, we demonstrate the generation of entangled pairs of photons from a nanowire. By doping a nanowire and making ohmic contacts on both sides, a nanowire light emitting diode can be obtained with a single quantum dot as the active region. Under forward bias, this will act as an electrically pumped source of single photons. Under reverse bias, an avalanche effect can multiply photocurrent and enables the detection of single photons. Another type of nanowire under study in our group is superconducting nanowires for single photon detection, reaching efficiencies, time resolution and dark counts beyond currently available detectors. We will discuss our first attempts at combining semiconducting nanowire based single photon emitters and superconducting nanowire single photon detectors on a chip to realize integrated quantum circuits.

  9. Piezoresistive boron doped diamond nanowire

    DOEpatents

    Sumant, Anirudha V.; Wang, Xinpeng

    2017-07-04

    A UNCD nanowire comprises a first end electrically coupled to a first contact pad which is disposed on a substrate. A second end is electrically coupled to a second contact pad also disposed on the substrate. The UNCD nanowire is doped with a dopant and disposed over the substrate. The UNCD nanowire is movable between a first configuration in which no force is exerted on the UNCD nanowire and a second configuration in which the UNCD nanowire bends about the first end and the second end in response to a force. The UNCD nanowire has a first resistance in the first configuration and a second resistance in the second configuration which is different from the first resistance. The UNCD nanowire is structured to have a gauge factor of at least about 70, for example, in the range of about 70 to about 1,800.

  10. Piezoresistive boron doped diamond nanowire

    DOEpatents

    Sumant, Anirudha V.; Wang, Xinpeng

    2016-09-13

    A UNCD nanowire comprises a first end electrically coupled to a first contact pad which is disposed on a substrate. A second end is electrically coupled to a second contact pad also disposed on the substrate. The UNCD nanowire is doped with a dopant and disposed over the substrate. The UNCD nanowire is movable between a first configuration in which no force is exerted on the UNCD nanowire and a second configuration in which the UNCD nanowire bends about the first end and the second end in response to a force. The UNCD nanowire has a first resistance in the first configuration and a second resistance in the second configuration which is different from the first resistance. The UNCD nanowire is structured to have a gauge factor of at least about 70, for example, in the range of about 70 to about 1,800.

  11. NANOPARTICLE DELIVERED BIOSENSOR FOR REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN DIABETES

    PubMed Central

    Prow, Tarl W.; Bhutto, Imran; Grebe, Rhonda; Uno, Koichi; Merges, Carol; Mcleod, D. Scott; Lutty, Gerard A.

    2008-01-01

    The cell’s own antioxidant response element (ARE) can be used to evaluate the complications of diabetes mellitus. The hypothesis that a synthetic ARE could be used as a genetic switch, or biosensor, to turn on and off therapeutic genes is tested herein. Mitochondrial oxidative stress (MOS) has been hypothesized as one of the earliest insults in diabetes. Fluorescent probes used to monitor MOS revealed that the addition of glucose at physiological levels to cultures of endothelial cells was able to induce MOS above normal levels and in a dose dependant manner. Additional data showed that increased glucose levels activated the ARE-GFP in a dose dependant manner. These data support the hypothesis that the induction of MOS is more sensitive to hyperglycemia than the induction of the ARE. Delivery of an ARE-GFP construct with nanoparticles to the eye was successful using sub-retinal injection. This ARE-GFP/nanoparticle construct was functional and reported the activation of the ARE in diabetic rat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These data support the use of nanoparticle delivered biosensors for monitoring the oxidative status of tissues in vivo. PMID:18252237

  12. Nanoparticle-delivered biosensor for reactive oxygen species in diabetes.

    PubMed

    Prow, Tarl W; Bhutto, Imran; Grebe, Rhonda; Uno, Koichi; Merges, Carol; McLeod, D Scott; Lutty, Gerard A

    2008-02-01

    The cell's own antioxidant response element (ARE) can be used to evaluate the complications of diabetes mellitus. The hypothesis that a synthetic ARE could be used as a genetic switch, or biosensor, to turn on and off therapeutic genes is tested herein. Mitochondrial oxidative stress (MOS) has been hypothesized as one of the earliest insults in diabetes. Fluorescent probes used to monitor MOS revealed that the addition of glucose at physiological levels to cultures of endothelial cells was able to induce MOS above normal levels and in a dose-dependant manner. Additional data showed that increased glucose levels activated the ARE-GFP in a dose-dependant manner. These data support the hypothesis that the induction of MOS is more sensitive to hyperglycemia than the induction of the ARE. Delivery of an ARE-GFP construct with nanoparticles to the eye was successful using sub-retinal injection. This ARE-GFP/nanoparticle construct was functional and reported the activation of the ARE in diabetic rat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These data support the use of nanoparticle-delivered biosensors for monitoring the oxidative status of tissues in vivo.

  13. Guided-Wave Optical Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Passaro, Vittorio M. N.; Dell'Olio, Francesco; Casamassima, Biagio; De Leonardis, Francesco

    2007-01-01

    Guided-wave optical biosensors are reviewed in this paper. Advantages related to optical technologies are presented and integrated architectures are investigated in detail. Main classes of bio receptors and the most attractive optical transduction mechanisms are discussed. The possibility to use Mach-Zehnder and Young interferometers, microdisk and microring resonators, surface plasmon resonance, hollow and antiresonant waveguides, and Bragg gratings to realize very sensitive and selective, ultra-compact and fast biosensors is discussed. Finally, CMOS-compatible technologies are proved to be the most attractive for fabrication of guided-wave photonic biosensors.

  14. Detection of Oxytetracycline Production by Streptomyces rimosus in Soil Microcosms by Combining Whole-Cell Biosensors and Flow Cytometry

    PubMed Central

    Hansen, Lars Hestbjerg; Ferrari, Belinda; Sørensen, Anders Hay; Veal, Duncan; Sørensen, Søren Johannes

    2001-01-01

    Combining the high specificity of bacterial biosensors and the resolution power of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) provided qualitative detection of oxytetracycline production by Streptomyces rimosus in soil microcosms. A plasmid containing a transcriptional fusion between the tetR-regulated Ptet promoter from Tn10 and a FACS-optimized gfp gene was constructed. When harbored by Escherichia coli, this plasmid produces large amounts of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the presence of tetracycline. This tetracycline biosensor was used to detect the production of oxytetracycline by S. rimosus introduced into sterile soil. The tetracycline-induced GFP-producing biosensors were detected by FACS analysis, enabling the detection of oxytetracycline encounters by single biosensor cells. This approach can be used to study interactions between antibiotic producers and their target organisms in soil. PMID:11133451

  15. Introduction to biosensors.

    PubMed

    Bhalla, Nikhil; Jolly, Pawan; Formisano, Nello; Estrela, Pedro

    2016-06-30

    Biosensors are nowadays ubiquitous in biomedical diagnosis as well as a wide range of other areas such as point-of-care monitoring of treatment and disease progression, environmental monitoring, food control, drug discovery, forensics and biomedical research. A wide range of techniques can be used for the development of biosensors. Their coupling with high-affinity biomolecules allows the sensitive and selective detection of a range of analytes. We give a general introduction to biosensors and biosensing technologies, including a brief historical overview, introducing key developments in the field and illustrating the breadth of biomolecular sensing strategies and the expansion of nanotechnological approaches that are now available. © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.

  16. Construction of 1D SnO2-coated ZnO nanowire heterojunction for their improved n-butylamine sensing performances

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Liwei; Li, Jintao; Wang, Yinghui; Yu, Kefu; Tang, Xingying; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Wang, Shaopeng; Wei, Chaoshuai

    2016-10-01

    One-dimensional (1D) SnO2-coated ZnO nanowire (SnO2/ZnO NW) N-N heterojunctions were successfully constructed by an effective solvothermal treatment followed with calcination at 400 °C. The obtained samples were characterized by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, Scanning TEM coupled with EDS and XPS analysis, which confirmed that the outer layers of N-type SnO2 nanoparticles (avg. 4 nm) were uniformly distributed onto our pre-synthesized n-type ZnO nanowire supports (diameter 80~100 nm, length 12~16 μm). Comparisons of the gas sensing performances among pure SnO2, pure ZnO NW and the as-fabricated SnO2/ZnO NW heterojunctions revealed that after modification, SnO2/ZnO NW based sensor exhibited remarkably improved response, fast response and recovery speeds, good selectivity and excellent reproducibility to n-butylamine gas, indicating it can be used as promising candidates for high-performance organic amine sensors. The enhanced gas-sensing behavior should be attributed to the unique 1D wire-like morphology of ZnO support, the small size effect of SnO2 nanoparticles, and the semiconductor depletion layer model induced by the strong interfacial interaction between SnO2 and ZnO of the heterojunctions. The as-prepared SnO2/ZnO NW heterojunctions may also supply other novel applications in the fields like photocatalysis, lithium-ion batteries, waste water purification, and so on.

  17. Plasmonic engineering of metal-oxide nanowire heterojunctions in integrated nanowire rectification units

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Luchan; Zou, Guisheng; Liu, Lei; Duley, Walt W.; Zhou, Y. Norman

    2016-05-01

    We show that irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses can produce robust nanowire heterojunctions in coupled non-wetting metal-oxide Ag-TiO2 structures. Simulations indicate that joining arises from the effect of strong plasmonic localization in the region of the junction. Strong electric field effects occur in both Ag and TiO2 resulting in the modification of both surfaces and an increase in wettability of TiO2, facilitating the interconnection of Ag and TiO2 nanowires. Irradiation leads to the creation of a thin layer of highly defected TiO2 in the contact region between the Ag and TiO2 nanowires. The presence of this layer allows the formation of a heterojunction and offers the possibility of engineering the electronic characteristics of interfacial structures. Rectifying junctions with single and bipolar properties have been generated in Ag-TiO2 nanowire circuits incorporating asymmetrical and symmetrical interfacial structures, respectively. This fabrication technique should be applicable for the interconnection of other heterogeneous metal-oxide nanowire components and demonstrates that femtosecond laser irradiation enables interfacial engineering for electronic applications of integrated nanowire structures.

  18. Characterization of individual straight and kinked boron carbide nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cui, Zhiguang

    Boron carbides represent a class of ceramic materials with p-type semiconductor natures, complex structures and a wide homogeneous range of carbon compositions. Bulk boron carbides have long been projected as promising high temperature thermoelectric materials, but with limited performance. Bringing the bulk boron carbides to low dimensions (e.g., nanowires) is believed to be an option to enhance their thermoelectric performance because of the quantum size effects. However, the fundamental studies on the microstructure-thermal property relation of boron carbide nanowires are elusive. In this dissertation work, systematic structural characterization and thermal conductivity measurement of individual straight and kinked boron carbide nanowires were carried out to establish the true structure-thermal transport relation. In addition, a preliminary Raman spectroscopy study on identifying the defects in individual boron carbide nanowires was conducted. After the synthesis of single crystalline boron carbide nanowires, straight nanowires accompanied by the kinked ones were observed. Detailed structures of straight boron carbide nanowires have been reported, but not the kinked ones. After carefully examining tens of kinked nanowires utilizing Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), it was found that they could be categorized into five cases depending on the stacking faults orientations in the two arms of the kink: TF-TF, AF-TF, AF-AF, TF-IF and AF-IF kinks, in which TF, AF and IF denotes transverse faults (preferred growth direction perpendicular to the stacking fault planes), axial faults (preferred growth direction in parallel with the stacking fault planes) and inclined faults (preferred growth direction neither perpendicular to nor in parallel with the stacking fault planes). Simple structure models describing the characteristics of TF-TF, AF-TF, AF-AF kinked nanowires are constructed in SolidWorks, which help to differentiate the kinked nanowires viewed from the zone

  19. Nanowire Aptasensors for Electrochemical Detection of Cell-Secreted Cytokines.

    PubMed

    Liu, Ying; Rahimian, Ali; Krylyuk, Sergiy; Vu, Tam; Crulhas, Bruno; Stybayeva, Gulnaz; Imanbekova, Meruyert; Shin, Dong-Sik; Davydov, Albert; Revzin, Alexander

    2017-11-22

    Cytokines are small proteins secreted by immune cells in response to pathogens/infections; therefore, these proteins can be used in diagnosing infectious diseases. For example, release of a cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ from T-cells is used for blood-based diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Our lab has previously developed an atpamer-based electrochemical biosensor for rapid and sensitive detection of IFN-γ. In this study, we explored the use of silicon nanowires (NWs) as a way to create nanostructured electrodes with enhanced sensitivity for IFN-γ. Si NWs were covered with gold and were further functionalized with thiolated aptamers specific for IFN-γ. Aptamer molecules were designed to form a hairpin and in addition to terminal thiol groups contained redox reporter molecules methylene blue. Binding of analyte to aptamer-modified NWs (termed here nanowire aptasensors) inhibited electron transfer from redox reporters to the electrode and caused electrochemical redox signal to decrease. In a series of experiments we demonstrate that NW aptasensors responded 3× faster and were 2× more sensitive to IFN-γ compared to standard flat electrodes. Most significantly, NW aptasensors allowed detection of IFN-γ from as few as 150 T-cells/mL while ELISA did not pick up signal from the same number of cells. One of the challenges faced by ELISA-based TB diagnostics is poor performance in patients whose T-cell numbers are low, typically HIV patients. Therefore, NW aptasensors developed here may be used in the future for more sensitive monitoring of IFN-γ responses in patients coinfected with HIV/TB.

  20. Template-Assisted Scalable Nanowire Networks.

    PubMed

    Friedl, Martin; Cerveny, Kris; Weigele, Pirmin; Tütüncüoglu, Gozde; Martí-Sánchez, Sara; Huang, Chunyi; Patlatiuk, Taras; Potts, Heidi; Sun, Zhiyuan; Hill, Megan O; Güniat, Lucas; Kim, Wonjong; Zamani, Mahdi; Dubrovskii, Vladimir G; Arbiol, Jordi; Lauhon, Lincoln J; Zumbühl, Dominik M; Fontcuberta I Morral, Anna

    2018-04-11

    Topological qubits based on Majorana Fermions have the potential to revolutionize the emerging field of quantum computing by making information processing significantly more robust to decoherence. Nanowires are a promising medium for hosting these kinds of qubits, though branched nanowires are needed to perform qubit manipulations. Here we report a gold-free templated growth of III-V nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy using an approach that enables patternable and highly regular branched nanowire arrays on a far greater scale than what has been reported thus far. Our approach relies on the lattice-mismatched growth of InAs on top of defect-free GaAs nanomembranes yielding laterally oriented, low-defect InAs and InGaAs nanowires whose shapes are determined by surface and strain energy minimization. By controlling nanomembrane width and growth time, we demonstrate the formation of compositionally graded nanowires with cross-sections less than 50 nm. Scaling the nanowires below 20 nm leads to the formation of homogeneous InGaAs nanowires, which exhibit phase-coherent, quasi-1D quantum transport as shown by magnetoconductance measurements. These results are an important advance toward scalable topological quantum computing.

  1. Fabrication of Si3N4 nanowire membranes: free standing disordered nanopapers and aligned nanowire assemblies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Haitao; Fang, Minghao; Huang, Zhaohui; Huang, Juntong; Liu, Yan-gai; Wu, Xiaowen

    2016-08-01

    Herein, ultralong silicon nitride nanowires were synthesized via a chemical vapor deposition method by using the low-cost quartz and silicon powder as raw materials. Simple processes were used for the fabrication of disordered and ordered nanowire membranes of pure silicon nitride nanowires. The nanowires in the disordered nanopapers are intertwined with each other to form a paper-like structure which exhibit excellent flame retardancy and mechanical properties. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal gravity analysis were employed to characterize the refractory performance of the disordered nanopapers. Highly ordered nanowire membranes were also assembled through a three-phase assembly approach which make the Si3N4 nanowires have potential use in textured ceramics and semiconductor field. Moreover, the surface nanowires can also be modified to be hydrophobic; this characteristic make the as-prepared nanowires have the potential to be assembled by the more effective Langmuir-Blodgett method and also make the disordered nanopapers possess a super-hydrophobic surface.

  2. Construction of a ColD cda promoter-based SOS-green fluorescent protein whole-cell biosensor with higher sensitivity toward genotoxic compounds than constructs based on recA, umuDC, or sulA promoters.

    PubMed

    Norman, Anders; Hestbjerg Hansen, Lars; Sørensen, Søren J

    2005-05-01

    Four different green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based whole-cell biosensors were created based on the DNA damage inducible SOS response of Escherichia coli in order to evaluate the sensitivity of individual SOS promoters toward genotoxic substances. Treatment with the known carcinogen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) revealed that the promoter for the ColD plasmid-borne cda gene had responses 12, 5, and 3 times greater than the recA, sulA, and umuDC promoters, respectively, and also considerably higher sensitivity. Furthermore, we showed that when the SOS-GFP construct was introduced into an E. coli host deficient in the tolC gene, the minimal detection limits toward mitomycin C, MNNG, nalidixic acid, and formaldehyde were lowered to 9.1 nM, 0.16 microM, 1.1 microM, and 141 microM, respectively, which were two to six times lower than those in the wild-type strain. This study thus presents a new SOS-GFP whole-cell biosensor which is not only able to detect minute levels of genotoxins but, due to its use of the green fluorescent protein, also a reporter system which should be applicable in high-throughput screening assays as well as a wide variety of in situ detection studies.

  3. Developing Biosensors in Developing Countries: South Africa as a Case Study

    PubMed Central

    Fogel, Ronen; Limson, Janice

    2016-01-01

    A mini-review of the reported biosensor research occurring in South Africa evidences a strong emphasis on electrochemical sensor research, guided by the opportunities this transduction platform holds for low-cost and robust sensing of numerous targets. Many of the reported publications centre on fundamental research into the signal transduction method, using model biorecognition elements, in line with international trends. Other research in this field is spread across several areas including: the application of nanotechnology; the identification and validation of biomarkers; development and testing of biorecognition agents (antibodies and aptamers) and design of electro-catalysts, most notably metallophthalocyanine. Biosensor targets commonly featured were pesticides and metals. Areas  of regional import to sub-Saharan Africa, such as HIV/AIDs and tuberculosis diagnosis, are also apparent in a review of the available literature. Irrespective of the targets, the challenge to the effective deployment of such sensors remains shaped by social and economic realities such that the requirements thereof are for low-cost and universally easy to operate devices for field settings. While it is difficult to disentangle the intertwined roles of national policy, grant funding availability and, certainly, of global trends in shaping areas of emphasis in research, most notable is the strong role that nanotechnology, and to a certain extent biotechnology, plays in research regarding biosensor construction. Stronger emphasis on collaboration between scientists in theoretical modelling, nanomaterials application and or relevant stakeholders in the specific field (e.g., food or health monitoring) and researchers in biosensor design may help evolve focused research efforts towards development and deployment of low-cost biosensors. PMID:26848700

  4. Developing Biosensors in Developing Countries: South Africa as a Case Study.

    PubMed

    Fogel, Ronen; Limson, Janice

    2016-02-02

    A mini-review of the reported biosensor research occurring in South Africa evidences a strong emphasis on electrochemical sensor research, guided by the opportunities this transduction platform holds for low-cost and robust sensing of numerous targets. Many of the reported publications centre on fundamental research into the signal transduction method, using model biorecognition elements, in line with international trends. Other research in this field is spread across several areas including: the application of nanotechnology; the identification and validation of biomarkers; development and testing of biorecognition agents (antibodies and aptamers) and design of electro-catalysts, most notably metallophthalocyanine. Biosensor targets commonly featured were pesticides and metals. Areas of regional import to sub-Saharan Africa, such as HIV/AIDs and tuberculosis diagnosis, are also apparent in a review of the available literature. Irrespective of the targets, the challenge to the effective deployment of such sensors remains shaped by social and economic realities such that the requirements thereof are for low-cost and universally easy to operate devices for field settings. While it is difficult to disentangle the intertwined roles of national policy, grant funding availability and, certainly, of global trends in shaping areas of emphasis in research, most notable is the strong role that nanotechnology, and to a certain extent biotechnology, plays in research regarding biosensor construction. Stronger emphasis on collaboration between scientists in theoretical modelling, nanomaterials application and or relevant stakeholders in the specific field (e.g., food or health monitoring) and researchers in biosensor design may help evolve focused research efforts towards development and deployment of low-cost biosensors.

  5. Biosensors-on-chip: a topical review

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Sensen; Shamsi, Mohtashim H.

    2017-08-01

    This review will examine the integration of two fields that are currently at the forefront of science, i.e. biosensors and microfluidics. As a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology, microfluidics has been enriched by the integration of various detection tools for analyte detection and quantitation. The application of such microfluidic platforms is greatly increased in the area of biosensors geared towards point-of-care diagnostics. Together, the merger of microfluidics and biosensors has generated miniaturized devices for sample processing and sensitive detection with quantitation. We believe that microfluidic biosensors (biosensors-on-chip) are essential for developing robust and cost effective point-of-care diagnostics. This review is relevant to a variety of disciplines, such as medical science, clinical diagnostics, LOC technologies including MEMs/NEMs, and analytical science. Specifically, this review will appeal to scientists working in the two overlapping fields of biosensors and microfluidics, and will also help new scientists to find their directions in developing point-of-care devices.

  6. Biosensors in Clinical Practice: Focus on Oncohematology

    PubMed Central

    Fracchiolla, Nicola S.; Artuso, Silvia; Cortelezzi, Agostino

    2013-01-01

    Biosensors are devices that are capable of detecting specific biological analytes and converting their presence or concentration into some electrical, thermal, optical or other signal that can be easily analysed. The first biosensor was designed by Clark and Lyons in 1962 as a means of measuring glucose. Since then, much progress has been made and the applications of biosensors are today potentially boundless. This review is limited to their clinical applications, particularly in the field of oncohematology. Biosensors have recently been developed in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients affected by hematological malignancies, such as the biosensor for assessing the in vitro pre-treatment efficacy of cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensor for assessing the efficacy of imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia. The review also considers the challenges and future perspectives of biosensors in clinical practice. PMID:23673681

  7. Growing Oxide Nanowires and Nanowire Networks by Solid State Contact Diffusion into Solution-Processed Thin Films.

    PubMed

    Glynn, Colm; McNulty, David; Geaney, Hugh; O'Dwyer, Colm

    2016-11-01

    New techniques to directly grow metal oxide nanowire networks without the need for initial nanoparticle seed deposition or postsynthesis nanowire casting will bridge the gap between bottom-up formation and top-down processing for many electronic, photonic, energy storage, and conversion technologies. Whether etched top-down, or grown from catalyst nanoparticles bottom-up, nanowire growth relies on heterogeneous material seeds. Converting surface oxide films, ubiquitous in the microelectronics industry, to nanowires and nanowire networks by the incorporation of extra species through interdiffusion can provide an alternative deposition method. It is shown that solution-processed thin films of oxides can be converted and recrystallized into nanowires and networks of nanowires by solid-state interdiffusion of ionic species from a mechanically contacted donor substrate. NaVO 3 nanowire networks on smooth Si/SiO 2 and granular fluorine-doped tin oxide surfaces can be formed by low-temperature annealing of a Na diffusion species-containing donor glass to a solution-processed V 2 O 5 thin film, where recrystallization drives nanowire growth according to the crystal habit of the new oxide phase. This technique illustrates a new method for the direct formation of complex metal oxide nanowires on technologically relevant substrates, from smooth semiconductors, to transparent conducting materials and interdigitated device structures. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. A silicon nanowire heater and thermometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Xingyan; Dan, Yaping

    2017-07-01

    In the thermal conductivity measurements of thermoelectric materials, heaters and thermometers made of the same semiconducting materials under test, forming a homogeneous system, will significantly simplify fabrication and integration. In this work, we demonstrate a high-performance heater and thermometer made of single silicon nanowires (SiNWs). The SiNWs are patterned out of a silicon-on-insulator wafer by CMOS-compatible fabrication processes. The electronic properties of the nanowires are characterized by four-probe and low temperature Hall effect measurements. The I-V curves of the nanowires are linear at small voltage bias. The temperature dependence of the nanowire resistance allows the nanowire to be used as a highly sensitive thermometer. At high voltage bias, the I-V curves of the nanowire become nonlinear due to the effect of Joule heating. The temperature of the nanowire heater can be accurately monitored by the nanowire itself as a thermometer.

  9. Propagation of electromagnetic soliton in a spin polarized current driven weak ferromagnetic nanowire

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Senthil Kumar, V.; Kavitha, L.; Gopi, D.

    2017-11-01

    We investigate the nonlinear spin dynamics of a spin polarized current driven anisotropic ferromagnetic nanowire with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) under the influence of electromagnetic wave (EMW) propagating along the axis of the nanowire. The magnetization dynamics and electromagnetic wave propagation in the ferromagnetic nanowire with weak anti-symmetric interaction is governed by a coupled vector Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert and Maxwell's equations. These coupled nonlinear vector equations are recasted into the extended derivative nonlinear Schrödinger (EDNLS) equation in the framework of reductive perturbation method. As it is well known, the modulational instability is a precursor for the emergence of localized envelope structures of various kinds, we compute the instability criteria for the weak ferromagnetic nanowire through linear stability analysis. Further, we invoke the homogeneous balance method to construct kink and anti-solitonic like electromagnetic (EM) soliton profiles for the EDNLS equation. We also explore the appreciable effect of the anti-symmetric weak interaction on the magnetization components of the propagating EM soliton. We find that the combination of spin-polarized current and the anti-symmetric DMI have a profound effect on the propagating EMW in a weak ferromagnetic nanowire. Thus, the anti-symmetric DMI in a spin polarized current driven ferromagnetic nanowire supports the lossless propagation of EM solitons, which may have potential applications in magnetic data storage devices.

  10. A new pyruvate oxidase biosensor based on 3-mercaptopropionic acid/6-aminocaproic acid modified gold electrode.

    PubMed

    Bayram, Ezgi; Akyilmaz, Erol

    2014-12-01

    In the biosensor construction, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) and 6-aminocaproic acid (6-ACA) were used for forming self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a gold disc electrode and pyruvate oxidase was immobilized on the modified electrode surface by using glutaraldehyde. Biosensor response is linearly related to pyruvate concentration at 2.5-50 μM, detection limit is 1.87 μM and response time of the biosensor is 6 s for differential pulse voltammograms. From the repeatability studies (n = 6) for 30.0 μM pyruvate revealed that the average value ([Formula: see text]), standard deviation (S.D) and coefficient of variation (CV %) were calculated to be 31.02 μM, ± 0.1914 μM and 0.62%, respectively.

  11. Study of GaN nanowires converted from β-Ga2O3 and photoconduction in a single nanowire

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Mukesh; Kumar, Sudheer; Chauhan, Neha; Sakthi Kumar, D.; Kumar, Vikram; Singh, R.

    2017-08-01

    The formation of GaN nanowires from β-Ga2O3 nanowires and photoconduction in a fabricated single GaN nanowire device has been studied. Wurtzite phase GaN were formed from monoclinic β-Ga2O3 nanowires with or without catalyst particles at their tips. The formation of faceted nanostructures from catalyst droplets presented on a nanowire tip has been discussed. The nucleation of GaN phases in β-Ga2O3 nanowires and their subsequent growth due to interfacial strain energy has been examined using a high resolution transmission electron microscope. The high quality of the converted GaN nanowire is confirmed by fabricating single nanowire photoconducting devices which showed ultra high responsivity under ultra-violet illumination.

  12. Methylamine-Sensitive Amperometric Biosensor Based on (His)6-Tagged Hansenula polymorpha Methylamine Oxidase Immobilized on the Gold Nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Stasyuk, Nataliya Ye.; Smutok, Oleh V.; Zakalskiy, Andriy E.; Zakalska, Oksana M.; Gonchar, Mykhailo V.

    2014-01-01

    A novel methylamine-selective amperometric bienzyme biosensor based on recombinant primary amine oxidase isolated from the recombinant yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae and commercial horseradish peroxidase is described. Two amine oxidase preparations were used: free enzyme (AMO) and covalently immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AMO-nAu). Some bioanalytical parameters (sensitivity, selectivity, and storage stability) of the developed biosensors were investigated. The sensitivity for both sensors is high: 1450 ± 113 and 700 ± 30 A−1 ·M−1 ·m−2 for AMO-nAu biosensor, respectively. The biosensors exhibit the linear range from 15 μM to 150 μM (AMO-nAu) and from 15 μM to 60 μM (AMO). The developed biosensor demonstrated a good selectivity toward methylamine (MA) (signal for dimethylamine and trimethylamine is less than 5% and for ethylamine 15% compared to MA output) and reveals a satisfactory storage stability. The constructed amperometric biosensor was used for MA assay in real samples of fish products in comparison with chemical method. The values obtained with both approaches different methods demonstrated a high correlation. PMID:25136590

  13. Ultralight Conductive Silver Nanowire Aerogels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Qian, Fang; Lan, Pui Ching; Freyman, Megan C.

    Low-density metal foams have many potential applications in electronics, energy storage, catalytic supports, fuel cells, sensors, and medical devices. Here in this work, we report a new method for fabricating ultralight, conductive silver aerogel monoliths with predictable densities using silver nanowires. Silver nanowire building blocks were prepared by polyol synthesis and purified by selective precipitation. Silver aerogels were produced by freeze-casting nanowire aqueous suspensions followed by thermal sintering to weld the nanowire junctions. As-prepared silver aerogels have unique anisotropic microporous structures, with density precisely controlled by the nanowire concentration, down to 4.8 mg/cm 3 and an electrical conductivity up tomore » 51 000 S/m. Lastly, mechanical studies show that silver nanowire aerogels exhibit “elastic stiffening” behavior with a Young’s modulus up to 16 800 Pa.« less

  14. Ultralight Conductive Silver Nanowire Aerogels

    DOE PAGES

    Qian, Fang; Lan, Pui Ching; Freyman, Megan C.; ...

    2017-09-05

    Low-density metal foams have many potential applications in electronics, energy storage, catalytic supports, fuel cells, sensors, and medical devices. Here in this work, we report a new method for fabricating ultralight, conductive silver aerogel monoliths with predictable densities using silver nanowires. Silver nanowire building blocks were prepared by polyol synthesis and purified by selective precipitation. Silver aerogels were produced by freeze-casting nanowire aqueous suspensions followed by thermal sintering to weld the nanowire junctions. As-prepared silver aerogels have unique anisotropic microporous structures, with density precisely controlled by the nanowire concentration, down to 4.8 mg/cm 3 and an electrical conductivity up tomore » 51 000 S/m. Lastly, mechanical studies show that silver nanowire aerogels exhibit “elastic stiffening” behavior with a Young’s modulus up to 16 800 Pa.« less

  15. A SPR biosensor based on signal amplification using antibody-QD conjugates for quantitative determination of multiple tumor markers

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Huan; Wang, Xiaomei; Wang, Jue; Fu, Weiling; Yao, Chunyan

    2016-01-01

    The detection of tumor markers is very important in early cancer diagnosis; however, tumor markers are usually present at very low concentrations, especially in the early stages of tumor development. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is widely used to detect biomolecular interactions; it has inherent advantages of being high-throughput, real-time, and label-free technique. However, its sensitivity needs essential improvement for practical applications. In this study, we developed a signal amplification strategy using antibody-quantum dot (QD) conjugates for the sensitive and quantitative detection of α-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin fragment 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1) in clinical samples. The use of a dual signal amplification strategy using AuNP-antibody and antibody-QD conjugates increased the signal amplification by 50-folds. The constructed SPR biosensor showed a detection limit as low as 0.1 ng/mL for AFP, CEA, and CYFRA 21-1. Moreover, the results obtained using this SPR biosensor were consistent with those obtained using the electrochemiluminescence method. Thus, the constructed SPR biosensor provides a highly sensitive and specific approach for the detection of tumor markers. This SPR biosensor can be expected to be readily applied for the detection of other tumor markers and can offer a potentially powerful solution for tumor screening. PMID:27615417

  16. Nanowire mesh solar fuels generator

    DOEpatents

    Yang, Peidong; Chan, Candace; Sun, Jianwei; Liu, Bin

    2016-05-24

    This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a nanowire mesh solar fuels generator. In one aspect, a nanowire mesh solar fuels generator includes (1) a photoanode configured to perform water oxidation and (2) a photocathode configured to perform water reduction. The photocathode is in electrical contact with the photoanode. The photoanode may include a high surface area network of photoanode nanowires. The photocathode may include a high surface area network of photocathode nanowires. In some embodiments, the nanowire mesh solar fuels generator may include an ion conductive polymer infiltrating the photoanode and the photocathode in the region where the photocathode is in electrical contact with the photoanode.

  17. Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus DNA based on isothermal exponential amplification coupled with hybridization chain reaction of DNAzyme nanowires.

    PubMed

    Yu, Yanyan; Chen, Zuanguang; Jian, Wensi; Sun, Duanping; Zhang, Beibei; Li, Xinchun; Yao, Meicun

    2015-02-15

    In this work, a simple and label-free electrochemical biosensor with duel amplification strategy was developed for DNA detection based on isothermal exponential amplification (EXPAR) coupled with hybridization chain reaction (HCR) of DNAzymes nanowires. Through rational design, neither the primer nor the DNAzymes containing molecular beacons (MBs) could react with the duplex probe which were fixed on the electrode surface. Once challenged with target, the duplex probe cleaved and triggered the EXPAR mediated target recycle and regeneration circles as well as the HCR process. As a result, a greater amount of targets were generated to cleave the duplex probes. Subsequently, the nanowires consisting of the G-quadruplex units were self-assembled through hybridization with the strand fixed on the electrode surface. In the presence of hemin, the resulting catalytic G-quadruplex-hemin HRP-mimicking DNAzymes were formed. Electrochemical signals can be obtained by measuring the increase in reduction current of oxidized 3.3',5.5'-tetramethylbenzidine sulfate (TMB), which was generated by DNAzyme in the presence of H2O2. This method exhibited ultrahigh sensitivity towards avian influenza A (H7N9) virus DNA sequence with detection limits of 9.4 fM and a detection range of 4 orders of magnitude. The biosensor was also capable of discriminating single-nucleotide difference among concomitant DNA sequences and performed well in spiked cell lysates. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Biosensor for metal analysis and speciation

    DOEpatents

    Aiken, Abigail M.; Peyton, Brent M.; Apel, William A.; Petersen, James N.

    2007-01-30

    A biosensor for metal analysis and speciation is disclosed. The biosensor comprises an electron carrier immobilized to a surface of an electrode and a layer of an immobilized enzyme adjacent to the electrode. The immobilized enzyme comprises an enzyme having biological activity inhibited by a metal to be detected by the biosensor.

  19. Nanowire Electron Scattering Spectroscopy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hunt, Brian; Bronikowsky, Michael; Wong, Eric; VonAllmen, Paul; Oyafuso, Fablano

    2009-01-01

    Nanowire electron scattering spectroscopy (NESS) has been proposed as the basis of a class of ultra-small, ultralow-power sensors that could be used to detect and identify chemical compounds present in extremely small quantities. State-of-the-art nanowire chemical sensors have already been demonstrated to be capable of detecting a variety of compounds in femtomolar quantities. However, to date, chemically specific sensing of molecules using these sensors has required the use of chemically functionalized nanowires with receptors tailored to individual molecules of interest. While potentially effective, this functionalization requires labor-intensive treatment of many nanowires to sense a broad spectrum of molecules. In contrast, NESS would eliminate the need for chemical functionalization of nanowires and would enable the use of the same sensor to detect and identify multiple compounds. NESS is analogous to Raman spectroscopy, the main difference being that in NESS, one would utilize inelastic scattering of electrons instead of photons to determine molecular vibrational energy levels. More specifically, in NESS, one would exploit inelastic scattering of electrons by low-lying vibrational quantum states of molecules attached to a nanowire or nanotube.

  20. Robust ultrasensitive tunneling-FET biosensor for point-of-care diagnostics

    PubMed Central

    Gao, Anran; Lu, Na; Wang, Yuelin; Li, Tie

    2016-01-01

    For point-of-care (POC) applications, robust, ultrasensitive, small, rapid, low-power, and low-cost sensors are highly desirable. Here, we present a novel biosensor based on a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible silicon nanowire tunneling field-effect transistor (SiNW-TFET). They were fabricated “top-down” with a low-cost anisotropic self-stop etching technique. Notably, the SiNW-TFET device provided strong anti-interference capacity by applying the inherent ambipolarity via both pH and CYFRA21-1 sensing. This offered a more robust and portable general protocol. The specific label-free detection of CYFRA21-1 down to 0.5 fgml−1 or ~12.5 aM was achieved using a highly responsive SiNW-TFET device with a minimum sub-threshold slope (SS) of 37 mVdec−1. Furthermore, real-time measurements highlighted the ability to use clinically relevant samples such as serum. The developed high performance diagnostic system is expected to provide a generic platform for numerous POC applications. PMID:26932158

  1. Construction of Hierarchical α-MnO2 Nanowires@Ultrathin δ-MnO2 Nanosheets Core-Shell Nanostructure with Excellent Cycling Stability for High-Power Asymmetric Supercapacitor Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Ma, Zhipeng; Shao, Guangjie; Fan, Yuqian; Wang, Guiling; Song, Jianjun; Shen, Dejiu

    2016-04-13

    Poor electrical conductivity and mechanical instability are two major obstacles to realizing high performance of MnO2 as pseudocapacitor material. The construction of unique hierarchical core-shell nanostructures, therefore, plays an important role in the efficient enhancement of the rate capacity and the stability of this material. We herein report the fabrication of a hierarchical α-MnO2 nanowires@ultrathin δ-MnO2 nanosheets core-shell nanostructure by adopting a facile and practical solution-phase technique. The novel hierarchical nanostructures are composed of ultrathin δ-MnO2 nanosheets with a few atomic layers growing well on the surface of the ultralong α-MnO2 nanowires. The first specific capacitance of hierarchical core-shell nanostructure reached 153.8 F g(-1) at the discharge current density of as high as 20 A g(-1), and the cycling stability is retained at 98.1% after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, higher than those in the literature. The excellent rate capacity and stability of the hierarchical core-shell nanostructures can be attributed to the structural features of the two MnO2 crystals, in which a 1D α-MnO2 nanowire core provides a stable structural backbone and the ultrathin 2D δ-MnO2 nanosheet shell creates more reactive active sites. The synergistic effects of different dimensions also contribute to the superior rate capability.

  2. Measurement of Biologically Available Naphthalene in Gas and Aqueous Phases by Use of a Pseudomonas putida Biosensor

    PubMed Central

    Werlen, Christoph; Jaspers, Marco C. M.; van der Meer, Jan Roelof

    2004-01-01

    Genetically constructed microbial biosensors for measuring organic pollutants are mostly applied in aqueous samples. Unfortunately, the detection limit of most biosensors is insufficient to detect pollutants at low but environmentally relevant concentrations. However, organic pollutants with low levels of water solubility often have significant gas-water partitioning coefficients, which in principle makes it possible to measure such compounds in the gas rather than the aqueous phase. Here we describe the first use of a microbial biosensor for measuring organic pollutants directly in the gas phase. For this purpose, we reconstructed a bioluminescent Pseudomonas putida naphthalene biosensor strain to carry the NAH7 plasmid and a chromosomally inserted gene fusion between the sal promoter and the luxAB genes. Specific calibration studies were performed with suspended and filter-immobilized biosensor cells, in aqueous solution and in the gas phase. Gas phase measurements with filter-immobilized biosensor cells in closed flasks, with a naphthalene-contaminated aqueous phase, showed that the biosensor cells can measure naphthalene effectively. The biosensor cells on the filter responded with increasing light output proportional to the naphthalene concentration added to the water phase, even though only a small proportion of the naphthalene was present in the gas phase. In fact, the biosensor cells could concentrate a larger proportion of naphthalene through the gas phase than in the aqueous suspension, probably due to faster transport of naphthalene to the cells in the gas phase. This led to a 10-fold lower detectable aqueous naphthalene concentration (50 nM instead of 0.5 μM). Thus, the use of bacterial biosensors for measuring organic pollutants in the gas phase is a valid method for increasing the sensitivity of these valuable biological devices. PMID:14711624

  3. Electronic Biosensors Based on III-Nitride Semiconductors.

    PubMed

    Kirste, Ronny; Rohrbaugh, Nathaniel; Bryan, Isaac; Bryan, Zachary; Collazo, Ramon; Ivanisevic, Albena

    2015-01-01

    We review recent advances of AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT)-based electronic biosensors. We discuss properties and fabrication of III-nitride-based biosensors. Because of their superior biocompatibility and aqueous stability, GaN-based devices are ready to be implemented as next-generation biosensors. We review surface properties, cleaning, and passivation as well as different pathways toward functionalization, and critically analyze III-nitride-based biosensors demonstrated in the literature, including those detecting DNA, bacteria, cancer antibodies, and toxins. We also discuss the high potential of these biosensors for monitoring living cardiac, fibroblast, and nerve cells. Finally, we report on current developments of covalent chemical functionalization of III-nitride devices. Our review concludes with a short outlook on future challenges and projected implementation directions of GaN-based HEMT biosensors.

  4. S-Layer Protein-Based Biosensors.

    PubMed

    Schuster, Bernhard

    2018-04-11

    The present paper highlights the application of bacterial surface (S-) layer proteins as versatile components for the fabrication of biosensors. One technologically relevant feature of S-layer proteins is their ability to self-assemble on many surfaces and interfaces to form a crystalline two-dimensional (2D) protein lattice. The S-layer lattice on the surface of a biosensor becomes part of the interface architecture linking the bioreceptor to the transducer interface, which may cause signal amplification. The S-layer lattice as ultrathin, highly porous structure with functional groups in a well-defined special distribution and orientation and an overall anti-fouling characteristics can significantly raise the limit in terms of variety and the ease of bioreceptor immobilization, compactness of bioreceptor molecule arrangement, sensitivity, specificity, and detection limit for many types of biosensors. The present paper discusses and summarizes examples for the successful implementation of S-layer lattices on biosensor surfaces in order to give a comprehensive overview on the application potential of these bioinspired S-layer protein-based biosensors.

  5. A novel strategy for synthesis of hollow gold nanosphere and its application in electrogenerated chemiluminescence glucose biosensor.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Xia; Chai, Ya-Qin; Yuan, Ruo

    2014-10-01

    Well-distributed hollow gold nanospheres (Aushell@GOD) (20 ± 5 nm) were synthesized using the glucose oxidase (GOD) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde as a template. A glucose biosensor was prepared based on Aushell@GOD nanospheres for catalyzing luminol electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). Firstly, chitosan was modified in a glassy carbon electrode which offered an interface of abundant amino-groups to assemble Aushell@GOD nanospheres. Then, glucose oxidase was adsorbed on the surface of Aushell@GOD nanospheres via binding interactions between Aushell and amino groups of GOD to construct a glucose biosensor. The Aushell@GOD nanospheres were investigated with TEM and UV-vis. The ECL behaviors of the biosensor were also investigated. Results showed that, the obtained Aushell@GOD nanospheres exhibited excellent catalytic effect towards the ECL of luminol-H2O2 system. The response of the prepared biosensor to glucose was linear with the glucose concentration in the range of 1.0 μM to 4.3mM (R=0.9923) with a detection limit of 0.3 μM (signal to noise=3). This ECL biosensor exhibited short response time and excellent stability for glucose. At the same time the prepared ECL biosensor showed good reproducibility, sensitivity and selectivity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Whole cell immobilized amperometric biosensor based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae for selective determination of vitamin B1 (thiamine).

    PubMed

    Akyilmaz, Erol; Yaşa, Ihsan; Dinçkaya, Erhan

    2006-07-01

    A new amperometric whole cell biosensor based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in gelatin was developed for selective determination of vitamin B1 (thiamine). The biosensor was constructed by using gelatin and crosslinking agent glutaraldehyde to immobilize S. cerevisiae cells on the Teflon membrane of dissolved oxygen (DO) probe used as the basic electrode system combined with a digital oxygen meter. The cells were induced by vitamin B1 in the culture medium, and the cells used it as a carbon source in the absence of glucose. So, when the vitamin B1 solution is injected into the whole cell biosensor system, an increase in respiration activity of the cells results from the metabolic activity and causes a decrease in the DO concentration of interval surface of DO probe related to vitamin B1 concentration. The response time of the biosensor is 3 min, and the optimal working conditions of the biosensor were carried out as pH 7.0, 50mM Tris-HCl, and 30 degrees C. A linear relationship was obtained between the DO concentration decrease and vitamin B1 concentration between 5.0 x 10(-3) and 10(-1) microM. In the application studies of the biosensor, sensitive determination of vitamin B1 in the vitamin tablets was investigated.

  7. The controlled growth of GaN nanowires.

    PubMed

    Hersee, Stephen D; Sun, Xinyu; Wang, Xin

    2006-08-01

    This paper reports a scalable process for the growth of high-quality GaN nanowires and uniform nanowire arrays in which the position and diameter of each nanowire is precisely controlled. The approach is based on conventional metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using regular precursors and requires no additional metal catalyst. The location, orientation, and diameter of each GaN nanowire are controlled using a thin, selective growth mask that is patterned by interferometric lithography. It was found that use of a pulsed MOCVD process allowed the nanowire diameter to remain constant after the nanowires had emerged from the selective growth mask. Vertical GaN nanowire growth rates in excess of 2 mum/h were measured, while remarkably the diameter of each nanowire remained constant over the entire (micrometer) length of the nanowires. The paper reports transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence data.

  8. A cross-stacked plasmonic nanowire network for high-contrast femtosecond optical switching.

    PubMed

    Lin, Yuanhai; Zhang, Xinping; Fang, Xiaohui; Liang, Shuyan

    2016-01-21

    We report an ultrafast optical switching device constructed by stacking two layers of gold nanowires into a perpendicularly crossed network, which works at a speed faster than 280 fs with an on/off modulation depth of about 22.4%. The two stacks play different roles in enhancing consistently the optical switching performance due to their different dependence on the polarization of optical electric fields. The cross-plasmon resonance based on the interaction between the perpendicularly stacked gold nanowires and its Fano-coupling with Rayleigh anomaly is the dominant mechanism for such a high-contrast optical switching device.

  9. The Mechanical Properties of Nanowires

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Shiliang; Shan, Zhiwei

    2017-01-01

    Applications of nanowires into future generation nanodevices require a complete understanding of the mechanical properties of the nanowires. A great research effort has been made in the past two decades to understand the deformation physics and mechanical behaviors of nanowires, and to interpret the discrepancies between experimental measurements and theoretical predictions. This review focused on the characterization and understanding of the mechanical properties of nanowires, including elasticity, plasticity, anelasticity and strength. As the results from the previous literature in this area appear inconsistent, a critical evaluation of the characterization techniques and methodologies were presented. In particular, the size effects of nanowires on the mechanical properties and their deformation mechanisms were discussed. PMID:28435775

  10. Multienzymatic amperometric biosensor based on gold and nanocomposite planar electrodes for glycerol determination in wine.

    PubMed

    Monošík, Rastislav; Ukropcová, Dana; Streďanský, Miroslav; Šturdík, Ernest

    2012-02-01

    Amperometric biosensors based on gold planar or nanocomposite electrode containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes for determination of glycerol were developed. The biosensors were constructed by immobilization of a novel multienzyme cascade consisting of glycerol kinase/creatine kinase/creatinase/sarcosine oxidase/peroxidase between a chitosan "sandwich." A measuring buffer contained adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate, and an artificial electrochemical mediator ferrocyanide. The currents proportional to glycerol concentration were measured at working potential of -50 mV against Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The biosensors showed linearity over the ranges of 5-640 μM and 5-566 μM with detection limits of 1.96 and 2.24 μM and sensitivities of 0.80 and 0.81 nA μM(-1), respectively. Both types of biosensors had a response time of 70s. The biosensors demonstrated satisfactory operational stability (no loss of sensitivity after 90 consecutive measurements) and excellent storage stability (90% of the initial sensitivity after 15 months of storage at room temperature). The results obtained from measurements of wines correlated well with those obtained with an enzymatic-spectrophotometric assay. The presented multienzyme cascade can be used also for determination of triglycerides or various kinase substrates when glycerol kinase is replaced by other kinases. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Fresh broad (Vicia faba) tissue homogenate-based biosensor for determination of phenolic compounds.

    PubMed

    Ozcan, Hakki Mevlut; Sagiroglu, Ayten

    2014-08-01

    In this study, a novel fresh broad (Vicia faba) tissue homogenate-based biosensor for determination of phenolic compounds was developed. The biosensor was constructed by immobilizing tissue homogenate of fresh broad (Vicia faba) on to glassy carbon electrode. For the stability of the biosensor, general immobilization techniques were used to secure the fresh broad tissue homogenate in gelatin-glutaraldehyde cross-linking matrix. In the optimization and characterization studies, the amount of fresh broad tissue homogenate and gelatin, glutaraldehyde percentage, optimum pH, optimum temperature and optimum buffer concentration, thermal stability, interference effects, linear range, storage stability, repeatability and sample applications (Wine, beer, fruit juices) were also investigated. Besides, the detection ranges of thirteen phenolic compounds were obtained with the help of the calibration graphs. A typical calibration curve for the sensor revealed a linear range of 5-60 μM catechol. In reproducibility studies, variation coefficient (CV) and standard deviation (SD) were calculated as 1.59%, 0.64×10(-3) μM, respectively.

  12. Methods for synthesizing metal oxide nanowires

    DOEpatents

    Sunkara, Mahendra Kumar; Kumar, Vivekanand; Kim, Jeong H.; Clark, Ezra Lee

    2016-08-09

    A method of synthesizing a metal oxide nanowire includes the steps of: combining an amount of a transition metal or a transition metal oxide with an amount of an alkali metal compound to produce a mixture; activating a plasma discharge reactor to create a plasma discharge; exposing the mixture to the plasma discharge for a first predetermined time period such that transition metal oxide nanowires are formed; contacting the transition metal oxide nanowires with an acid solution such that an alkali metal ion is exchanged for a hydrogen ion on each of the transition metal oxide nanowires; and exposing the transition metal oxide nanowires to the plasma discharge for a second predetermined time period to thermally anneal the transition metal oxide nanowires. Transition metal oxide nanowires produced using the synthesis methods described herein are also provided.

  13. Solitons in two attractive semiconductor nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vroumsia, David; Mibaile, Justin; Gambo, Betchewe; Doka, Yamigno Serge; Kofane, Timoleon Crepin

    2018-02-01

    In this paper, by using two semiconductor nanowires attracted to each other by means of Lorentz force, we construct through similarity transformations, explicit solutions to the coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations (CNSE) with potentials as a function of time and spatial coordinates. We find explicit solutions of electrons and holes such as periodic, bright and dark solitons. We also study the instability of the modulation (MI) of (CNSE) and note that the velocity of the electrons influences the gain MI spectrum.

  14. On-Line Monitoring the Growth of E. coli or HeLa Cells Using an Annular Microelectrode Piezoelectric Biosensor.

    PubMed

    Tong, Feifei; Lian, Yan; Han, Junliang

    2016-12-18

    Biological information is obtained from the interaction between the series detection electrode and the organism or the physical field of biological cultures in the non-mass responsive piezoelectric biosensor. Therefore, electric parameter of the electrode will affect the biosensor signal. The electric field distribution of the microelectrode used in this study was simulated using the COMSOL Multiphysics analytical tool. This process showed that the electric field spatial distribution is affected by the width of the electrode finger or the space between the electrodes. In addition, the characteristic response of the piezoelectric sensor constructed serially with an annular microelectrode was tested and applied for the continuous detection of Escherichia coli culture or HeLa cell culture. Results indicated that the piezoelectric biosensor with an annular microelectrode meets the requirements for the real-time detection of E. coli or HeLa cells in culture. Moreover, this kind of piezoelectric biosensor is more sensitive than the sensor with an interdigital microelectrode. Thus, the piezoelectric biosensor acts as an effective analysis tool for acquiring online cell or microbial culture information.

  15. Catalyst patterning for nanowire devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Li, Jun (Inventor); Cassell, Alan M. (Inventor); Han, Jie (Inventor)

    2004-01-01

    Nanowire devices may be provided that are based on carbon nanotubes or single-crystal semiconductor nanowires. The nanowire devices may be formed on a substrate. Catalyst sites may be formed on the substrate. The catalyst sites may be formed using lithography, thin metal layers that form individual catalyst sites when heated, collapsible porous catalyst-filled microscopic spheres, microscopic spheres that serve as masks for catalyst deposition, electrochemical deposition techniques, and catalyst inks. Nanowires may be grown from the catalyst sites.

  16. Construction of high-capacitance 3D CoO@polypyrrole nanowire array electrode for aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Cheng; Zhang, Yangwei; Li, Yuanyuan; Liu, Jinping

    2013-05-08

    We have developed a supercapacitor electrode composed of well-aligned CoO nanowire array grown on 3D nickel foam with polypyrrole (PPy) uniformly immobilized onto or firmly anchored to each nanowire surface to boost the pseudocapacitive performance. The electrode architecture takes advantage of the high electrochemical activity from both the CoO and PPy, the high electronic conductivity of PPy, and the short ion diffusion pathway in ordered mesoporous nanowires. These merits together with the elegant synergy between CoO and PPy lead to a high specific capacitance of 2223 F g(-1) approaching the theoretical value, good rate capability, and cycling stability (99.8% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles). An aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor device with a maximum voltage of 1.8 V fabricated by using our hybrid array as the positive electrode and activated carbon film as the negative electrode has demonstrated high energy density (~43.5 Wh kg(-1)), high power density (~5500 W kg(-1) at 11.8 Wh kg(-1)) and outstanding cycleability (~20,000 times). After charging for only ~10 s, two such 4 cm(2) asymmetric supercapacitors connected in series can efficiently power 5 mm diameter red, yellow, and green round LED indicators (lasting for 1 h for red LED) and drive a mini 130 rotation-motor robustly.

  17. Electron Transport Properties of Ge nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hanrath, Tobias; Khondaker, Saiful I.; Yao, Zhen; Korgel, Brian A.

    2003-03-01

    Electron Transport Properties of Ge nanowires Tobias Hanrath*, Saiful I. Khondaker, Zhen Yao, Brian A. Korgel* *Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Dept. of Physics, Texas Materials Institute, and Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1062 e-mail: korgel@mail.che.utexas.edu Germanium (Ge) nanowires with diameters ranging from 6 to 50 nm and several micrometer in length were grown via a supercritical fluid-liquid-solid synthesis. Parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy (PEELS) was employed to study the band structure and electron density in the Ge nanowires. The observed increase in plasmon peak energy and peak width with decreasing nanowire diameter is attributed to quantum confinement effects. For electrical characterization, Ge nanowires were deposited onto a patterned Si/SiO2 substrate. E-beam lithography was then used to form electrode contacts to individual nanowires. The influence of nanowire diameter, surface chemistry and crystallographic defects on electron transport properties were investigated and the comparison of Ge nanowire conductivity with respect to bulk, intrinsic Ge will be presented.

  18. EDITORIAL: Nanowires for energy Nanowires for energy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    LaPierre, Ray; Sunkara, Mahendra

    2012-05-01

    This special issue of Nanotechnology focuses on studies illustrating the application of nanowires for energy including solar cells, efficient lighting and water splitting. Over the next three decades, nanotechnology will make significant contributions towards meeting the increased energy needs of the planet, now known as the TeraWatt challenge. Nanowires in particular are poised to contribute significantly in this development as presented in the review by Hiralal et al [1]. Nanowires exhibit light trapping properties that can act as a broadband anti-reflection coating to enhance the efficiency of solar cells. In this issue, Li et al [2] and Wang et al [3] present the optical properties of silicon nanowire and nanocone arrays. In addition to enhanced optical properties, core-shell nanowires also have the potential for efficient charge carrier collection across the nanowire diameter as presented in the contribution by Yu et al [4] for radial junction a-Si solar cells. Hybrid approaches that combine organic and inorganic materials also have potential for high efficiency photovoltaics. A Si-based hybrid solar cell is presented by Zhang et al [5] with a photoconversion efficiency of over 7%. The quintessential example of hybrid solar cells is the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) where an organic absorber (dye) coats an inorganic material (typically a ZnO nanostructure). Herman et al [6] present a method of enhancing the efficiency of a DSSC by increasing the hetero-interfacial area with a unique hierarchical weeping willow ZnO structure. The increased surface area allows for higher dye loading, light harvesting, and reduced charge recombination through direct conduction along the ZnO branches. Another unique ZnO growth method is presented by Calestani et al [7] using a solution-free and catalyst-free approach by pulsed electron deposition (PED). Nanowires can also make more efficient use of electrical power. Light emitting diodes, for example, will eventually become the

  19. Self-powered heat-resistant polymeric 1D nanowires and 3D micro/nanowire assemblies in a pressure-crystallized size-distributed graphene oxide/poly (vinylidene fluoride) composite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tian, Pengfei; Lyu, Jun; Huang, Rui; Zhang, Chaoliang

    2017-12-01

    Piezoelectric one- (1D) and three-dimensional (3D) hybrid micro/nanostructured materials have received intense research interest because of their ability in capturing trace amounts of energy and transforming it into electrical energy. In this work, a size-distributed graphene oxide (GO) was utilized for the concurrent growth of both the 1D nanowires and 3D micro/nanowire architectures of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with piezoelectricity. The in situ formation of the polymeric micro/nanostructures, with crystalline beta phase, was achieved by the high-pressure crystallization of a well dispersed GO/PVDF composite, fabricated by an environmentally friendly physical approach. Particularly, by controlling the crystallization conditions of the binary composite at high pressure, the melting point of the polymeric micro/nanowires, which further constructed the 3D micro/nanoarchitectures, was nearly 30°C higher than that of the original PVDF. The large scale simultaneous formation of the 1D and 3D micro/nanostructures was attributed to a size-dependent catalysis of the GOs in the pressure-treated composite system. The as-fabricated heat-resistant hybrid micro/nanoarchitectures, consisting of GOs and piezoelectric PVDF micro/nanowires, may permit niche applications in self-powered micro/nanodevices for energy scavenging from their working environments.

  20. Combination of electrochemical biosensor and textile threads: A microfluidic device for phenol determination in tap water.

    PubMed

    Caetano, F R; Carneiro, E A; Agustini, D; Figueiredo-Filho, L C S; Banks, C E; Bergamini, M F; Marcolino-Junior, L H

    2018-01-15

    Microfluidic devices constructed using low cost materials presents as alternative for conventional flow analysis systems because they provide advantages as low consumption of reagents and samples, high speed of analysis, possibility of portability and the easiness of construction and maintenance. Herein, is described for the first time the use of an electrochemical biosensor for phenol detection combined with a very simple and efficient microfluidic device based on commercial textile threads. Taking advantages of capillary phenomena and gravity forces, the solution transportation is promoted without any external forces or injection pump. Screen printed electrodes were modified with carbon nanotubes/gold nanoparticles followed by covalent binding of tyrosinase. After the biosensor electrochemical characterization by cyclic voltammetry technique, the optimization of relevant parameters such as pH, potential of detection and linear range for the biosensor performance was carried out; the system was evaluated for analytical phenol detection presenting limit of detection and limit of quantification 2.94nmolL -1 and 8.92nmolL -1 respectively. The proposed system was applied on phenol addition and recovery studies in drinking water, obtaining recoveries rates between 90% and 110%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Recent Trends in Biosensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karube, Isao

    The determination of organic compounds in foods is very important in food industries. A various compounds are contained in foods, selective determination methods are required for food processing and analysis. Electrochemical monitoring devices (biosensors) employing immobilized biocatalysts such as immobilized enzymes, organelles, microorganisms, and tissue have definite advantages. The enzyme Sensors consisted of immobilized enzymes and electrochemical devices. Enzyme sensors could be used for the determination of sugars, amino acids, organic acids, alcohols, lipids, nucleic acid derivatives, etc.. Furthermore, a multifunctional biosensor for the determination of several compounds has been developed for food processing. On the other hand, microbial sensors consisted of immobilized microorganisms and electrodes have been used for industrial and environmental analysis. Microbial sensors were applied for the determination of sugars, organic acids, alcohols, amino acids, mutagens, me thane, ammonia, and BOD. Furthermore, micro-biosensors using immobilized biocatalysts and ion sensitive field effect transistor or microelectrodes prepared by silicon fabrication technologies have been developed for medical ap. plication and food processing. This review summarizes the design and application of biosensors.

  2. New family of biosensors for monitoring BTX in aquatic and edaphic environments.

    PubMed

    Hernández-Sánchez, Verónica; Molina, Lázaro; Ramos, Juan Luis; Segura, Ana

    2016-11-01

    Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) contamination is a serious threat to public health and the environment, and therefore, there is an urgent need to detect its presence in nature. The use of whole-cell reporters is an efficient, easy-to-use and low-cost approach to detect and follow contaminants outside specialized laboratories; this is especially important in oil spills that are frequent in marine environments. The aim of this study is the construction of a bioreporter system and its comparison and validation for the specific detection of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different host bacteria and environmental samples. Our bioreporter system is based on the two component regulatory system TodS-TodT of P. putida DOT-T1E, and the P todX promoter fused to the GFP protein as the reporter protein. For the construction of different biosensors, this bioreporter was transferred into three different bacterial strains isolated from three different environments, and their performance was measured. Validation of the biosensors on water samples spiked with petrol, diesel and crude oil on contaminated waters from oil spills and on contaminated soils demonstrated that they can be used in mapping and monitoring some BTEX compounds (specifically benzene, toluene and two xylene isomers). Validation of biosensors is an important issue for the integration of these devices into pollution-control programmes. © 2016 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

  3. Biosensoric potential of microbial fuel cells.

    PubMed

    Schneider, György; Kovács, Tamás; Rákhely, Gábor; Czeller, Miklós

    2016-08-01

    Recent progress in microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has highlighted the potential of these devices to be used as biosensors. The advantages of MFC-based biosensors are that they are phenotypic and can function in either assay- or flow-through formats. These features make them appropriate for contiguous on-line monitoring in laboratories and for in-field applications. The selectivity of an MFC biosensor depends on the applied microorganisms in the anodic compartment where electron transfer (ET) between the artificial surface (anode) and bacterium occurs. This process strongly determines the internal resistance of the sensoric system and thus influences signal outcome and response time. Despite their beneficial characteristics, the number of MFC-based biosensoric applications has been limited until now. The aim of this mini-review is to turn attention to the biosensoric potential of MFCs by summarizing ET mechanisms on which recently established and future sensoric devices are based.

  4. Laser Scribed Graphene Biosensor for Detection of Biogenic Amines in Food Samples Using Locally Sourced Materials.

    PubMed

    Vanegas, Diana C; Patiño, Laksmi; Mendez, Connie; Oliveira, Daniela Alves de; Torres, Alba M; Gomes, Carmen L; McLamore, Eric S

    2018-04-24

    In foods, high levels of biogenic amines (BA) are the result of microbial metabolism that could be affected by temperatures and storage conditions. Thus, the level of BA is commonly used as an indicator of food safety and quality. This manuscript outlines the development of laser scribed graphene electrodes, with locally sourced materials, for reagent-free food safety biosensing. To fabricate the biosensors, the graphene surface was functionalized with copper microparticles and diamine oxidase, purchased from a local supermarket; and then compared to biosensors fabricated with analytical grade materials. The amperometric biosensor exhibits good electrochemical performance, with an average histamine sensitivity of 23.3 µA/mM, a lower detection limit of 11.6 µM, and a response time of 7.3 s, showing similar performance to biosensors constructed from analytical grade materials. We demonstrated the application of the biosensor by testing total BA concentration in fish paste samples subjected to fermentation with lactic acid bacteria. Biogenic amines concentrations prior to lactic acid fermentation were below the detection limit of the biosensor, while concentration after fermentation was 19.24 ± 8.21 mg histamine/kg, confirming that the sensor was selective in a complex food matrix. The low-cost, rapid, and accurate device is a promising tool for biogenic amine estimation in food samples, particularly in situations where standard laboratory techniques are unavailable, or are cost prohibitive. This biosensor can be used for screening food samples, potentially limiting food waste, while reducing chances of foodborne outbreaks.

  5. A Simple Visual Ethanol Biosensor Based on Alcohol Oxidase Immobilized onto Polyaniline Film for Halal Verification of Fermented Beverage Samples

    PubMed Central

    Kuswandi, Bambang; Irmawati, Titi; Hidayat, Moch Amrun; Jayus; Ahmad, Musa

    2014-01-01

    A simple visual ethanol biosensor based on alcohol oxidase (AOX) immobilised onto polyaniline (PANI) film for halal verification of fermented beverage samples is described. This biosensor responds to ethanol via a colour change from green to blue, due to the enzymatic reaction of ethanol that produces acetaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide, when the latter oxidizes the PANI film. The procedure to obtain this biosensor consists of the immobilization of AOX onto PANI film by adsorption. For the immobilisation, an AOX solution is deposited on the PANI film and left at room temperature until dried (30 min). The biosensor was constructed as a dip stick for visual and simple use. The colour changes of the films have been scanned and analysed using image analysis software (i.e., ImageJ) to study the characteristics of the biosensor's response toward ethanol. The biosensor has a linear response in an ethanol concentration range of 0.01%–0.8%, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.996. The limit detection of the biosensor was 0.001%, with reproducibility (RSD) of 1.6% and a life time up to seven weeks when stored at 4 °C. The biosensor provides accurate results for ethanol determination in fermented drinks and was in good agreement with the standard method (gas chromatography) results. Thus, the biosensor could be used as a simple visual method for ethanol determination in fermented beverage samples that can be useful for Muslim community for halal verification. PMID:24473284

  6. A simple visual ethanol biosensor based on alcohol oxidase immobilized onto polyaniline film for halal verification of fermented beverage samples.

    PubMed

    Kuswandi, Bambang; Irmawati, Titi; Hidayat, Moch Amrun; Jayus; Ahmad, Musa

    2014-01-27

    A simple visual ethanol biosensor based on alcohol oxidase (AOX) immobilised onto polyaniline (PANI) film for halal verification of fermented beverage samples is described. This biosensor responds to ethanol via a colour change from green to blue, due to the enzymatic reaction of ethanol that produces acetaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide, when the latter oxidizes the PANI film. The procedure to obtain this biosensor consists of the immobilization of AOX onto PANI film by adsorption. For the immobilisation, an AOX solution is deposited on the PANI film and left at room temperature until dried (30 min). The biosensor was constructed as a dip stick for visual and simple use. The colour changes of the films have been scanned and analysed using image analysis software (i.e., ImageJ) to study the characteristics of the biosensor's response toward ethanol. The biosensor has a linear response in an ethanol concentration range of 0.01%-0.8%, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.996. The limit detection of the biosensor was 0.001%, with reproducibility (RSD) of 1.6% and a life time up to seven weeks when stored at 4 °C. The biosensor provides accurate results for ethanol determination in fermented drinks and was in good agreement with the standard method (gas chromatography) results. Thus, the biosensor could be used as a simple visual method for ethanol determination in fermented beverage samples that can be useful for Muslim community for halal verification.

  7. A superquenched DNAzyme-perylene complex: a convenient, universal and low-background strategy for fluorescence catalytic biosensors.

    PubMed

    Fu, Ting; Zhao, Xu-Hua; Bai, Hua-Rong; Zhao, Zi-Long; Hu, Rong; Kong, Rong-Mei; Zhang, Xiao-Bing; Tan, Weihong; Yu, Ru-Qin

    2013-07-28

    Taking advantage of the super-quenching effect of the cationic perylene derivative on adjacent fluorophores, we for the first time reported a DNAzyme-perylene complex-based strategy for constructing fluorescence catalytic biosensors with improved sensitivity.

  8. Electrically Injected UV-Visible Nanowire Lasers

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, George T.; Li, Changyi; Li, Qiming

    2015-09-01

    There is strong interest in minimizing the volume of lasers to enable ultracompact, low-power, coherent light sources. Nanowires represent an ideal candidate for such nanolasers as stand-alone optical cavities and gain media, and optically pumped nanowire lasing has been demonstrated in several semiconductor systems. Electrically injected nanowire lasers are needed to realize actual working devices but have been elusive due to limitations of current methods to address the requirement for nanowire device heterostructures with high material quality, controlled doping and geometry, low optical loss, and efficient carrier injection. In this project we proposed to demonstrate electrically injected single nanowire lasersmore » emitting in the important UV to visible wavelengths. Our approach to simultaneously address these challenges is based on high quality III-nitride nanowire device heterostructures with precisely controlled geometries and strong gain and mode confinement to minimize lasing thresholds, enabled by a unique top-down nanowire fabrication technique.« less

  9. A hydrogel biosensor for high selective and sensitive detection of amyloid-beta oligomers.

    PubMed

    Sun, Liping; Zhong, Yong; Gui, Jie; Wang, Xianwu; Zhuang, Xiaorong; Weng, Jian

    2018-01-01

    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive and memory impairment. It is the most common neurological disease that causes dementia. Soluble amyloid-beta oligomers (AβO) in blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are the pathogenic biomarker correlated with AD. A simple electrochemical biosensor using graphene oxide/gold nanoparticles (GNPs) hydrogel electrode was developed in this study. Thiolated cellular prion protein (PrP C ) peptide probe was immobilized on GNPs of the hydrogel electrode to construct an AβO biosensor. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was utilized for AβO analysis. The specific binding between AβO and PrP C probes on the hydrogel electrode resulted in an increase in the electron-transfer resistance. The biosensor showed high specificity and sensitivity for AβO detection. It could selectively differentiate AβO from amyloid-beta (Aβ) monomers or fibrils. Meanwhile, it was highly sensitive to detect as low as 0.1 pM AβO in artificial CSF or blood plasma. The linear range for AβO detection is from 0.1 pM to 10 nM. This biosensor could be used as a cost-effective tool for early diagnosis of AD due to its high electrochemical performance and bionic structure.

  10. Current status of water environment and their microbial biosensor techniques - Part II: Recent trends in microbial biosensor development.

    PubMed

    Nakamura, Hideaki

    2018-05-08

    In Part I of the present review series, I presented the current state of the water environment by focusing on Japanese cases and discussed the need to further develop microbial biosensor technologies for the actual water environment. I comprehensively present trends after approximately 2010 in microbial biosensor development for the water environment. In the first section, after briefly summarizing historical studies, recent studies on microbial biosensor principles are introduced. In the second section, recent application studies for the water environment are also introduced. Finally, I conclude the present review series by describing the need to further develop microbial biosensor technologies. Graphical abstract Current water pollution indirectly occurs by anthropogenic eutrophication (Part I). Recent trends in microbial biosensor development for water environment are described in part II of the present review series.

  11. Conductance of kinked nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cook, B. G.; Varga, K.

    2011-01-01

    The conductance properties of kinked nanowires are studied by first-principles transport calculations within a recently developed complex potential framework. Using prototypical examples of monoatomic Au chains as well as small diameter single-crystalline silicon nanowires we show that transmission strongly depends on the kink geometry and one can tune the conductance properties by the kink angle and other geometrical factors. In the case of a silicon nanowire the presence of a kink drastically reduces the conductance.

  12. Mechanisms involved in the hydrothermal growth of ultra-thin and high aspect ratio ZnO nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Demes, Thomas; Ternon, Céline; Morisot, Fanny; Riassetto, David; Legallais, Maxime; Roussel, Hervé; Langlet, Michel

    2017-07-01

    Hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanowires (NWs) with tailored dimensions, notably high aspect ratios (AR) and small diameters, is a major concern for a wide range of applications and still represents a challenging and recurring issue. In this work, an additive-free and reproducible hydrothermal procedure has been developed to grow ultra-thin and high AR ZnO NWs on sol-gel deposited ZnO seed layers. Controlling the substrate temperature and using a low reagent concentration (1 mM) has been found to be essential for obtaining such NWs. We show that the NW diameter remains constant at about 20-25 nm with growth time contrary to the NW length that can be selectively increased leading to NWs with ARs up to 400. On the basis of investigated experimental conditions along with thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, a ZnO NW growth mechanism has been developed which involves the formation and growth of nuclei followed by NW growth when the nuclei reach a critical size of about 20-25 nm. The low reagent concentration inhibits NW lateral growth leading to ultra-thin and high AR NWs. These NWs have been assembled into electrically conductive ZnO nanowire networks, which opens attractive perspectives toward the development of highly sensitive low-cost gas- or bio-sensors.

  13. Construction and Characterization of a Chitosan-Immobilized-Enzyme and β-Cyclodextrin-Included-Ferrocene-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for H2O2 Detection

    PubMed Central

    Dong, Wenbo; Wang, Kaiyin; Chen, Yu; Li, Weiping; Ye, Yanchun; Jin, Shaohua

    2017-01-01

    An electrochemical detection biosensor was prepared with the chitosan-immobilized-enzyme (CTS-CAT) and β-cyclodextrin-included-ferrocene (β-CD-FE) complex for the determination of H2O2. Ferrocene (FE) was included in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to increase its stability. The structure of the β-CD-FE was characterized. The inclusion amount, inclusion rate, and electrochemical properties of inclusion complexes were determined to optimize the reaction conditions for the inclusion. CTS-CAT was prepared by a step-by-step immobilization method, which overcame the disadvantages of the conventional preparation methods. The immobilization conditions were optimized to obtain the desired enzyme activity. CTS-CAT/β-CD-FE composite electrodes were prepared by compositing the CTS-CAT with the β-CD-FE complex on a glassy carbon electrode and used for the electrochemical detection of H2O2. It was found that the CTS-CAT could produce a strong reduction peak current in response to H2O2 and the β-CD-FE could amplify the current signal. The peak current exhibited a linear relationship with the H2O2 concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10−7–6.0 × 10−3 mol/L. Our work provided a novel method for the construction of electrochemical biosensors with a fast response, good stability, high sensitivity, and a wide linear response range based on the composite of chitosan and cyclodextrin. PMID:28773229

  14. PREFACE: Synthesis and integration of nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Samuelson, L.

    2006-06-01

    The field of semiconductor nanowires has attracted much attention in recent years, from the areas of basic materials science, advanced characterization and technology, as well as from the perspective of the applications of nanowires. Research on large-sized whiskers and wires had already begun in the 1960s with the pioneering work of Wagner, as well as by other researchers. It was, however, in the early 1990s that Kenji Hiruma at Hitachi Central Research Laboratories in Japan first succeeded in developing methods for the growth of nanowires with dimensions on the scale of 10-100 nm, thereby initiating the field of growth and applications of nanowires, with a strong emphasis on epitaxial nucleation of nanowires on a single-crystalline substrate. Starting from the mid-1990s, the field developed very rapidly with the number of papers on the subject growing from ten per year to several thousand papers on the subject published annually today, although with a rather generous definition of the concept of nanowires. With this rapid development we have seen many new and different approaches to the growth of nanowires, technological advances leading to a more well-controlled formation of nanowires, new innovative methods for the characterization of structures, as well as a wealth of approaches towards the use of nanowires in electronics, photonics and sensor applications. This issue contains contributions from many different laboratories, each adding significant detail to the development of the field of research. The contributions cover issues such as basic growth, advanced characterization and technology, and application of nanowires. I would like to acknowledge the shared responsibilities for this special issue of Nanotechnology on the synthesis and integration of nanowires with my co-Editors, S Tong Lee and M Sunkara, as well as the highly professional support from Dr Nina Couzin, Dr Ian Forbes and the Nanotechnology team from the Institute of Physics Publishing.

  15. Transport properties of Sb-doped Si nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nukala, Prathyusha; Sapkota, Gopal; Gali, Pradeep; Philipose, U.

    2012-08-01

    We present a safe and cost-effective approach for synthesis of n-type Sb-doped Si nanowires. The nanowires were synthesized at ambient pressure using SiCl4 as Si source and pure Sb as the dopant source. Structural and compositional characterization using electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy show crystalline nanowires with lengths of 30-40 μm and diameters of 40-100 nm. A 3-4 nm thick amorphous oxide shell covers the surface of the nanowire, post-growth. The composition of this shell was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Growth of Si nanowires, followed by low temperature annealing in Sb vapor, was shown to be an effective technique for synthesizing Sb-doped Si nanowires. The doping concentration of Sb was found to be dependent on temperature, with Sb re-evaporating from the Si nanowire at higher doping temperatures. Field effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated to investigate the electrical transport properties of these nanowires. The as-grown Si nanowires were found to be p-type with a channel mobility of 40 cm2 V-1 s-1. After doping with Sb, these nanowires exhibited n-type behavior. The channel mobility and carrier concentration of the Sb-doped Si nanowires were estimated to be 288 cm2 V-1 s-1 and 5.3×1018 cm-3 respectively.

  16. Triggered optical biosensor

    DOEpatents

    Song, Xuedong; Swanson, Basil I.

    2001-10-02

    An optical biosensor is provided for the detection of a multivalent target biomolecule, the biosensor including a substrate having a bilayer membrane thereon, a recognition molecule situated at the surface, the recognition molecule capable of binding with the multivalent target biomolecule, the recognition molecule further characterized as including a fluorescence label thereon and as being movable at the surface and a device for measuring a fluorescence change in response to binding between the recognition molecule and the multivalent target biomolecule.

  17. Controllable High-Speed Rotation of Nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fan, D. L.; Zhu, F. Q.; Cammarata, R. C.; Chien, C. L.

    2005-06-01

    We report a versatile method for executing controllable high-speed rotation of nanowires by ac voltages applied to multiple electrodes. The rotation of the nanowires can be instantly switched on or off with precisely controlled rotation speed (to at least 1800 rpm), definite chirality, and total angle of rotation. We have determined the torque due to the fluidic drag force on nanowire of different lengths. We also demonstrate a micromotor using a rotating nanowire driving a dust particle into circular motion. This method has been used to rotate magnetic and nonmagnetic nanowires as well as carbon nanotubes.

  18. Graphene-like two-dimensional layered nanomaterials: applications in biosensors and nanomedicine.

    PubMed

    Yang, Guohai; Zhu, Chengzhou; Du, Dan; Zhu, Junjie; Lin, Yuehe

    2015-09-14

    The development of nanotechnology provides promising opportunities for various important applications. The recent discovery of atomically-thick two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials can offer manifold perspectives to construct versatile devices with high-performance to satisfy multiple requirements. Many studies directed at graphene have stimulated renewed interest on graphene-like 2D layered nanomaterials (GLNs). GLNs including boron nitride nanosheets, graphitic-carbon nitride nanosheets and transition metal dichalcogenides (e.g. MoS2 and WS2) have attracted significant interest in numerous research fields from physics and chemistry to biology and engineering, which has led to numerous interdisciplinary advances in nano science. Benefiting from the unique physical and chemical properties (e.g. strong mechanical strength, high surface area, unparalleled thermal conductivity, remarkable biocompatibility and ease of functionalization), these 2D layered nanomaterials have shown great potential in biochemistry and biomedicine. This review summarizes recent advances of GLNs in applications of biosensors and nanomedicine, including electrochemical biosensors, optical biosensors, bioimaging, drug delivery and cancer therapy. Current challenges and future perspectives in these rapidly developing areas are also outlined. It is expected that they will have great practical foundation in biomedical applications with future efforts.

  19. Graphene-like two-dimensional layered nanomaterials: applications in biosensors and nanomedicine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Guohai; Zhu, Chengzhou; Du, Dan; Zhu, Junjie; Lin, Yuehe

    2015-08-01

    The development of nanotechnology provides promising opportunities for various important applications. The recent discovery of atomically-thick two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials can offer manifold perspectives to construct versatile devices with high-performance to satisfy multiple requirements. Many studies directed at graphene have stimulated renewed interest on graphene-like 2D layered nanomaterials (GLNs). GLNs including boron nitride nanosheets, graphitic-carbon nitride nanosheets and transition metal dichalcogenides (e.g. MoS2 and WS2) have attracted significant interest in numerous research fields from physics and chemistry to biology and engineering, which has led to numerous interdisciplinary advances in nano science. Benefiting from the unique physical and chemical properties (e.g. strong mechanical strength, high surface area, unparalleled thermal conductivity, remarkable biocompatibility and ease of functionalization), these 2D layered nanomaterials have shown great potential in biochemistry and biomedicine. This review summarizes recent advances of GLNs in applications of biosensors and nanomedicine, including electrochemical biosensors, optical biosensors, bioimaging, drug delivery and cancer therapy. Current challenges and future perspectives in these rapidly developing areas are also outlined. It is expected that they will have great practical foundation in biomedical applications with future efforts.

  20. Nanowire growth and sublimation: CdTe quantum dots in ZnTe nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Orrù, M.; Robin, E.; Den Hertog, M.; Moratis, K.; Genuist, Y.; André, R.; Ferrand, D.; Cibert, J.; Bellet-Amalric, E.

    2018-04-01

    The role of the sublimation of the compound and of the evaporation of the constituents from the gold nanoparticle during the growth of semiconductor nanowires is exemplified with CdTe-ZnTe heterostructures. Operating close to the upper temperature limit strongly reduces the amount of Cd present in the gold nanoparticle and the density of adatoms on the nanowire sidewalls. As a result, the growth rate is small and strongly temperature dependent, but a good control of the growth conditions allows the incorporation of quantum dots in nanowires with sharp interfaces and adjustable shape, and it minimizes the radial growth and the subsequent formation of additional CdTe clusters on the nanowire sidewalls, as confirmed by photoluminescence. Uncapped CdTe segments dissolve into the gold nanoparticle when interrupting the flux, giving rise to a bulblike (pendant-droplet) shape attributed to the Kirkendall effect.

  1. Development of a biosensor telemetry system for monitoring fermentation in craft breweries.

    PubMed

    Farina, Donatella; Zinellu, Manuel; Fanari, Mauro; Porcu, Maria Cristina; Scognamillo, Sergio; Puggioni, Giulia Maria Grazia; Rocchitta, Gaia; Serra, Pier Andrea; Pretti, Luca

    2017-03-01

    The development and applications of biosensors in the food industry has had a rapid grown due to their sensitivity, specificity and simplicity of use with respect to classical analytical methods. In this study, glucose and ethanol amperometric biosensors integrated with a wireless telemetry system were developed and used for the monitoring of top and bottom fermentations in beer wort samples. The collected data were in good agreement with those obtained by reference methods. The simplicity of construction, the low cost and the short time of analysis, combined with easy interpretation of the results, suggest that these devices could be a valuable alternative to conventional methods for monitoring fermentation processes in the food industry. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Nanomaterial-Based Electrochemical Biosensors and Bioassays

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu, Guodong; Mao, Xun; Gurung, Anant

    2010-08-31

    This book chapter summarizes the recent advance in nanomaterials for electrochemical biosensors and bioassays. Biofunctionalization of nanomaterials for biosensors fabrication and their biomedical applications are discussed.

  3. Synthetic Electric Microbial Biosensors

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-06-10

    In particular, monitoring of heavy metals in the environment, drinking water, food , and biological fluids is of interest. Conventional techniques...instances of contamination , and the potential for deliberate spills, interest has grown in portable devices for onsite long-term detection using sensor...biosensor systems for the online detection of a range of contaminants . Synthetic Biology and biosensors Synthetic biology has gained much interest

  4. The Vital Function of Fe3O4@Au nanocomposites for Hydrolase Biosensor Design and Its Application in Detection of Methyl Parathion

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhao, Yuting; Zhang, Weiying; Lin, Yuehe

    A nanocomposite of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorating a magnetic Fe3O4 core was synthesized using cysteamine (SH–NH2) as linker, and characterized by TEM, XPS, UV and electrochemistry. Then a hydrolase biosensor, based on self-assembly of methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH) on the Fe3O4@Au nanocomposite, was developed for sensitive and selective detection of the organophosphorus pesticide (OP) methyl parathion. The magnetic nanocomposite provides an easy way to construct the enzyme biosensor by simply exerting an external magnetic field, and also provides a simple way to renew the electrode surface by removing the magnet. Unlike inhibition-based enzyme biosensors, the hydrolase is not poisoned bymore » OPs and thus is reusable for continuous measurement. AuNPs not only provide a large surface area, high loading efficiency and fast electron transfer, but also stabilize the enzyme through electrostatic interactions. The MPH biosensor shows rapid response and high selectivity for detection of methyl parathion, with a linear range from 0.5 to 1000 ng/mL and a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL. It also shows acceptable reproducibility and stability. The simplicity and ease of operation of the proposed method has great potential for on-site detection of P–S containing pesticides and provides a promising strategy to construct a robust biosensor.« less

  5. Cleaved-coupled nanowire lasers

    PubMed Central

    Gao, Hanwei; Fu, Anthony; Andrews, Sean C.; Yang, Peidong

    2013-01-01

    The miniaturization of optoelectronic devices is essential for the continued success of photonic technologies. Nanowires have been identified as potential building blocks that mimic conventional photonic components such as interconnects, waveguides, and optical cavities at the nanoscale. Semiconductor nanowires with high optical gain offer promising solutions for lasers with small footprints and low power consumption. Although much effort has been directed toward controlling their size, shape, and composition, most nanowire lasers currently suffer from emitting at multiple frequencies simultaneously, arising from the longitudinal modes native to simple Fabry–Pérot cavities. Cleaved-coupled cavities, two Fabry–Pérot cavities that are axially coupled through an air gap, are a promising architecture to produce single-frequency emission. The miniaturization of this concept, however, imposes a restriction on the dimensions of the intercavity gaps because severe optical losses are incurred when the cross-sectional dimensions of cavities become comparable to the lasing wavelength. Here we theoretically investigate and experimentally demonstrate spectral manipulation of lasing modes by creating cleaved-coupled cavities in gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires. Lasing operation at a single UV wavelength at room temperature was achieved using nanoscale gaps to create the smallest cleaved-coupled cavities to date. Besides the reduced number of lasing modes, the cleaved-coupled nanowires also operate with a lower threshold gain than that of the individual component nanowires. Good agreement was found between the measured lasing spectra and the predicted spectral modes obtained by simulating optical coupling properties. This agreement between theory and experiment presents design principles to rationally control the lasing modes in cleaved-coupled nanowire lasers. PMID:23284173

  6. Microfluidic transmission surface plasmon resonance enhancement for biosensor applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lertvachirapaiboon, Chutiparn; Baba, Akira; Ekgasit, Sanong; Shinbo, Kazunari; Kato, Keizo; Kaneko, Futao

    2017-01-01

    The microfluidic transmission surface plasmon resonance (MTSPR) constructed by assembling a gold-coated grating substrate with a microchannel was employed for biosensor application. The transmission surface plasmon resonance spectrum obtained from the MTSPR sensor chip showed a strong and narrow surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak located between 650 and 800 nm. The maximum SPR excitation was observed at an incident angle of 35°. The MTSPR sensor chip was employed for glucose sensor application. Gold-coated grating substrates were functionalized using 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt and subsequently functionalized using a five-bilayer poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) to facilitate the coupling/decoupling of the surface plasmon and to prepare a uniform surface for sensing. The detection limit of our developed system for glucose was 2.31 mM. This practical platform represents a high possibility of further developing several biomolecules, multiplex systems, and a point-of-care assay for practical biosensor applications.

  7. G-Protein Coupled Receptors: Surface Display and Biosensor Technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McMurchie, Edward; Leifert, Wayne

    Signal transduction by G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) underpins a multitude of physiological processes. Ligand recognition by the receptor leads to the activation of a generic molecular switch involving heterotrimeric G-proteins and guanine nucleotides. With growing interest and commercial investment in GPCRs in areas such as drug targets, orphan receptors, high-throughput screening of drugs and biosensors, greater attention will focus on assay development to allow for miniaturization, ultrahigh-throughput and, eventually, microarray/biochip assay formats that will require nanotechnology-based approaches. Stable, robust, cell-free signaling assemblies comprising receptor and appropriate molecular switching components will form the basis of future GPCR/G-protein platforms, which should be able to be adapted to such applications as microarrays and biosensors. This chapter focuses on cell-free GPCR assay nanotechnologies and describes some molecular biological approaches for the construction of more sophisticated, surface-immobilized, homogeneous, functional GPCR sensors. The latter points should greatly extend the range of applications to which technologies based on GPCRs could be applied.

  8. Genetically Encoded Biosensors in Plants: Pathways to Discovery.

    PubMed

    Walia, Ankit; Waadt, Rainer; Jones, Alexander M

    2018-04-29

    Genetically encoded biosensors that directly interact with a molecule of interest were first introduced more than 20 years ago with fusion proteins that served as fluorescent indicators for calcium ions. Since then, the technology has matured into a diverse array of biosensors that have been deployed to improve our spatiotemporal understanding of molecules whose dynamics have profound influence on plant physiology and development. In this review, we address several types of biosensors with a focus on genetically encoded calcium indicators, which are now the most diverse and advanced group of biosensors. We then consider the discoveries in plant biology made by using biosensors for calcium, pH, reactive oxygen species, redox conditions, primary metabolites, phytohormones, and nutrients. These discoveries were dependent on the engineering, characterization, and optimization required to develop a successful biosensor; they were also dependent on the methodological developments required to express, detect, and analyze the readout of such biosensors.

  9. Ultra-low current biosensor output detection using portable electronic reader

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yahaya, N. A. N.; Rajapaksha, R. D. A. A.; Uda, M. N. Afnan; Hashim, U.

    2017-09-01

    Generally, the electrical biosensor usually shows extremely low current signal output around pico ampere to microampere range. In this research, electronic reader with amplifier has been demonstrated to detect ultra low current via the biosensor. The operational amplifier Burr-Brown OPA 128 and Arduino Uno board were used to construct the portable electronic reader. There are two cascaded inverting amplifier were used to detect ultra low current through the biosensor from pico amperes (pA) to nano amperes ranges (nA). A small known input current was form by applying variable voltage between 0.1V to 5.0V across a 5GΩ high resistor to check the amplifier circuit. The amplifier operation was measured with the high impedance current source and has been compared with the theoretical measurement. The Arduino Uno was used to convert the analog signal to digital signal and process the data to display on reader screen. In this project, Proteus software was used to design and test the circuit. Then it was implemented together with Arduino Uno board. Arduino board was programmed using C programming language to make whole circuit communicate each order. The current was measured then it shows a small difference values compared to theoretical values, which is approximately 14pA.

  10. A new self-assembled layer-by-layer glucose biosensor based on chitosan biopolymer entrapped enzyme with nitrogen doped graphene.

    PubMed

    Barsan, Madalina M; David, Melinda; Florescu, Monica; Ţugulea, Laura; Brett, Christopher M A

    2014-10-01

    The layer-by-layer (LbL) technique has been used for the construction of a new enzyme biosensor. Multilayer films containing glucose oxidase, GOx, and nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) dispersed in the biocompatible positively-charged polymer chitosan (chit(+)(NG+GOx)), together with the negatively charged polymer poly(styrene sulfonate), PSS(-), were assembled by alternately immersing a gold electrode substrate in chit(+)(NG+GOx) and PSS(-) solutions. Gravimetric monitoring during LbL assembly by an electrochemical quartz microbalance enabled investigation of the adsorption mechanism and deposited mass for each monolayer. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the LbL modified electrodes, in order to establish the contribution of each monolayer to the overall electrochemical properties of the biosensor. The importance of NG in the biosensor architecture was evaluated by undertaking a comparative study without NG in the chit layer. The GOx biosensor's analytical properties were evaluated by fixed potential chronoamperometry and compared with similar reported biosensors. The biosensor operates at a low potential of -0.2V vs., Ag/AgCl, exhibiting a high sensitivity of 10.5 μA cm(-2) mM(-1), and a detection limit of 64 μM. This study shows a simple approach in developing new biosensor architectures, combining the advantages of nitrogen-doped graphene with the LbL technique for enzyme immobilization. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Yeast-based biosensors: design and applications.

    PubMed

    Adeniran, Adebola; Sherer, Michael; Tyo, Keith E J

    2015-02-01

    Yeast-based biosensing (YBB) is an exciting research area, as many studies have demonstrated the use of yeasts to accurately detect specific molecules. Biosensors incorporating various yeasts have been reported to detect an incredibly large range of molecules including but not limited to odorants, metals, intracellular metabolites, carcinogens, lactate, alcohols, and sugars. We review the detection strategies available for different types of analytes, as well as the wide range of output methods that have been incorporated with yeast biosensors. We group biosensors into two categories: those that are dependent upon transcription of a gene to report the detection of a desired molecule and those that are independent of this reporting mechanism. Transcription-dependent biosensors frequently depend on heterologous expression of sensing elements from non-yeast organisms, a strategy that has greatly expanded the range of molecules available for detection by YBBs. Transcription-independent biosensors circumvent the problem of sensing difficult-to-detect analytes by instead relying on yeast metabolism to generate easily detected molecules when the analyte is present. The use of yeast as the sensing element in biosensors has proven to be successful and continues to hold great promise for a variety of applications. © FEMS 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permission@oup.com.

  12. Coupled, Simultaneous Displacement and Dealloying Reactions into Fe-Ni-Co Nanowires for Thinning Nanowire Segments.

    PubMed

    Geng, Xiaohua; Podlaha, Elizabeth J

    2016-12-14

    A new methodology is reported to shape template-assisted electrodeposition of Fe-rich, Fe-Ni-Co nanowires to have a thin nanowire segment using a coupled displacement reaction with a more noble elemental ion, Cu(II), and at the same time dealloying predominantly Fe from Fe-Ni-Co by the reduction of protons (H + ), followed by a subsequent etching step. The displacement/dealloyed layer was sandwiched between two trilayers of Fe-Ni-Co to facilitate the characterization of the reaction front, or penetration length. The penetration length region was found to be a function of the ratio of proton and Cu(II) concentration, and a ratio of 0.5 was found to provide the largest penetration rate, and hence the larger thinned length of the nanowire. Altering the etching time affected the diameter of the thinned region. This methodology presents a new way to thin nanowire segments connected to larger nanowire sections and also introduces a way to study the propagation of a reaction front into a nanowire.

  13. Functionalised zinc oxide nanowire gas sensors: Enhanced NO(2) gas sensor response by chemical modification of nanowire surfaces.

    PubMed

    Waclawik, Eric R; Chang, Jin; Ponzoni, Andrea; Concina, Isabella; Zappa, Dario; Comini, Elisabetta; Motta, Nunzio; Faglia, Guido; Sberveglieri, Giorgio

    2012-01-01

    Surface coating with an organic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) can enhance surface reactions or the absorption of specific gases and hence improve the response of a metal oxide (MOx) sensor toward particular target gases in the environment. In this study the effect of an adsorbed organic layer on the dynamic response of zinc oxide nanowire gas sensors was investigated. The effect of ZnO surface functionalisation by two different organic molecules, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (THMA) and dodecanethiol (DT), was studied. The response towards ammonia, nitrous oxide and nitrogen dioxide was investigated for three sensor configurations, namely pure ZnO nanowires, organic-coated ZnO nanowires and ZnO nanowires covered with a sparse layer of organic-coated ZnO nanoparticles. Exposure of the nanowire sensors to the oxidising gas NO(2) produced a significant and reproducible response. ZnO and THMA-coated ZnO nanowire sensors both readily detected NO(2) down to a concentration in the very low ppm range. Notably, the THMA-coated nanowires consistently displayed a small, enhanced response to NO(2) compared to uncoated ZnO nanowire sensors. At the lower concentration levels tested, ZnO nanowire sensors that were coated with THMA-capped ZnO nanoparticles were found to exhibit the greatest enhanced response. ΔR/R was two times greater than that for the as-prepared ZnO nanowire sensors. It is proposed that the ΔR/R enhancement in this case originates from the changes induced in the depletion-layer width of the ZnO nanoparticles that bridge ZnO nanowires resulting from THMA ligand binding to the surface of the particle coating. The heightened response and selectivity to the NO(2) target are positive results arising from the coating of these ZnO nanowire sensors with organic-SAM-functionalised ZnO nanoparticles.

  14. ZnS nanoparticles electrodeposited onto ITO electrode as a platform for fabrication of enzyme-based biosensors of glucose.

    PubMed

    Du, Jian; Yu, Xiuping; Wu, Ying; Di, Junwei

    2013-05-01

    The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical biosensors based on glucose oxidase (GOD) and ZnS nanoparticles modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode were investigated. The ZnS nanoparticles were electrodeposited directly on the surface of ITO electrode. The enzyme was immobilized on ZnS/ITO electrode surface by sol-gel method to fabricate glucose biosensor. GOD could electrocatalyze the reduction of dissolved oxygen, which resulted in a great increase of the reduction peak current. The reduction peak current decreased linearly with the addition of glucose, which could be used for glucose detection. Moreover, ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO electrode surface showed good photocurrent response under illumination. A photoelectrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose was also developed by monitoring the decreases in the cathodic peak photocurrent. The results indicated that ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO substrate were a good candidate material for the immobilization of enzyme in glucose biosensor construction. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Carbohydrate-based electrochemical biosensor for detection of a cancer biomarker in human plasma.

    PubMed

    Devillers, Marion; Ahmad, Lama; Korri-Youssoufi, Hafsa; Salmon, Laurent

    2017-10-15

    Autocrine motility factor (AMF) is a tumor-secreted cytokine that stimulates tumor cell motility in vitro and metastasis in vivo. AMF could be detected in serum or urine of cancer patients with worse prognosis. Reported as a cancer biomarker, AMF secretion into body fluids might be closely related to metastases formation. In this study, a sensitive and specific carbohydrate-based electrochemical biosensor was designed for the detection and quantification of a protein model of AMF, namely phosphoglucose isomerase from rabbit muscle (RmPGI). Indeed, RmPGI displays high homology with AMF and has been shown to have AMF activity. The biosensor was constructed by covalent binding of the enzyme substrate d-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P). Immobilization was achieved on a gold surface electrode following a bottom-up approach through an aminated surface obtained by electrochemical patterning of ethylene diamine and terminal amine polyethylene glycol chain to prevent non-specific interactions. Carbohydrate-protein interactions were quantified in a range of 10 fM to 100nM. Complex formation was analyzed through monitoring of the redox couple Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry. The F6P-biosensor demonstrates a detection limit of 6.6 fM and high selectivity when compared to other non-specific glycolytic proteins such as d-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Detection of protein in spiked plasma was demonstrated and accuracy of 95% is obtained compared to result obtained in PBS (phosphate buffered saline). F6P-biosensor is a very promising proof of concept required for the design of a carbohydrate-based electrochemical biosensor using the enzyme substrate as bioreceptor. Such biosensor could be generalized to detect other protein biomarkers of interest. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Nanowire sensors and arrays for chemical/biomolecule detection

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yun, Minhee; Lee, Choonsup; Vasquez, Richard P.; Ramanathan, K.; Bangar, M. A.; Chen, W.; Mulchandan, A.; Myung, N. V.

    2005-01-01

    We report electrochemical growth of single nanowire based sensors using e-beam patterned electrolyte channels, potentially enabling the controlled fabrication of individually addressable high density arrays. The electrodeposition technique results in nanowires with controlled dimensions, positions, alignments, and chemical compositions. Using this technique, we have fabricated single palladium nanowires with diameters ranging between 75 nm and 300 nm and conducting polymer nanowires (polypyrrole and polyaniline) with diameters between 100 nm and 200 nm. Using these single nanowires, we have successfully demonstrated gas sensing with Pd nanowires and pH sensing with polypirrole nanowires.

  17. Highly ordered nanowire arrays on plastic substrates for ultrasensitive flexible chemical sensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McAlpine, Michael C.; Ahmad, Habib; Wang, Dunwei; Heath, James R.

    2007-05-01

    The development of a robust method for integrating high-performance semiconductors on flexible plastics could enable exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications. One area of vital relevance is chemical and biological sensing, which if implemented on biocompatible substrates, could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable monitoring systems. Semiconducting nanowires (and nanotubes) are particularly sensitive chemical sensors because of their high surface-to-volume ratios. Here, we present a scalable and parallel process for transferring hundreds of pre-aligned silicon nanowires onto plastic to yield highly ordered films for low-power sensor chips. The nanowires are excellent field-effect transistors, and, as sensors, exhibit parts-per-billion sensitivity to NO2, a hazardous pollutant. We also use SiO2 surface chemistries to construct a `nano-electronic nose' library, which can distinguish acetone and hexane vapours via distributed responses. The excellent sensing performance coupled with bendable plastic could open up opportunities in portable, wearable or even implantable sensors.

  18. Highly ordered nanowire arrays on plastic substrates for ultrasensitive flexible chemical sensors

    PubMed Central

    McAlpine, Michael C.; Ahmad, Habib; Wang, Dunwei; Heath, James R.

    2013-01-01

    The development of a robust method for integrating high-performance semiconductors on flexible plastics could enable exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications. One area of vital relevance is chemical and biological sensing, which if implemented on biocompatible substrates, could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable monitoring systems. Semiconducting nanowires (and nanotubes) are particularly sensitive chemical sensors because of their high surface-to-volume ratios. Here, we present a scalable and parallel process for transferring hundreds of pre-aligned silicon nanowires onto plastic to yield highly ordered films for low-power sensor chips. The nanowires are excellent field-effect transistors, and, as sensors, exhibit parts-per-billion sensitivity to NO2, a hazardous pollutant. We also use SiO2 surface chemistries to construct a ‘nano-electronic nose’ library, which can distinguish acetone and hexane vapours via distributed responses. The excellent sensing performance coupled with bendable plastic could open up opportunities in portable, wearable or even implantable sensors. PMID:17450146

  19. Highly ordered nanowire arrays on plastic substrates for ultrasensitive flexible chemical sensors.

    PubMed

    McAlpine, Michael C; Ahmad, Habib; Wang, Dunwei; Heath, James R

    2007-05-01

    The development of a robust method for integrating high-performance semiconductors on flexible plastics could enable exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications. One area of vital relevance is chemical and biological sensing, which if implemented on biocompatible substrates, could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable monitoring systems. Semiconducting nanowires (and nanotubes) are particularly sensitive chemical sensors because of their high surface-to-volume ratios. Here, we present a scalable and parallel process for transferring hundreds of pre-aligned silicon nanowires onto plastic to yield highly ordered films for low-power sensor chips. The nanowires are excellent field-effect transistors, and, as sensors, exhibit parts-per-billion sensitivity to NO2, a hazardous pollutant. We also use SiO2 surface chemistries to construct a 'nano-electronic nose' library, which can distinguish acetone and hexane vapours via distributed responses. The excellent sensing performance coupled with bendable plastic could open up opportunities in portable, wearable or even implantable sensors.

  20. Recent Development in Optical Fiber Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Bosch, María Espinosa; Sánchez, Antonio Jesús Ruiz; Rojas, Fuensanta Sánchez; Ojeda, Catalina Bosch

    2007-01-01

    Remarkable developments can be seen in the field of optical fibre biosensors in the last decade. More sensors for specific analytes have been reported, novel sensing chemistries or transduction principles have been introduced, and applications in various analytical fields have been realised. This review consists of papers mainly reported in the last decade and presents about applications of optical fiber biosensors. Discussions on the trends in optical fiber biosensor applications in real samples are enumerated.

  1. Fiber optic-based biosensor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ligler, Frances S.

    1991-01-01

    The NRL fiber optic biosensor is a device which measures the formation of a fluorescent complex at the surface of an optical fiber. Antibodies and DNA binding proteins provide the mechanism for recognizing an analyze and immobilizing a fluorescent complex on the fiber surface. The fiber optic biosensor is fast, sensitive, and permits analysis of hazardous materials remote from the instrumentation. The fiber optic biosensor is described in terms of the device configuration, chemistry for protein immobilization, and assay development. A lab version is being used for assay development and performance characterization while a portable device is under development. Antibodies coated on the fiber are stable for up to two years of storage prior to use. The fiber optic biosensor was used to measure concentration of toxins in the parts per billion (ng/ml) range in under a minute. Immunoassays for small molecules and whole bacteria are under development. Assays using DNA probes as the detection element can also be used with the fiber optic sensor, which is currently being developed to detect biological warfare agents, explosives, pathogens, and toxic materials which pollute the environment.

  2. Photoluminescence of etched SiC nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stewart, Polite D., Jr.; Rich, Ryan; Zerda, T. W.

    2010-10-01

    SiC nanowires were produced from carbon nanotubes and nanosize silicon powder in a tube furnace at temperatures between 1100^oC and 1350^oC. SiC nanowires had average diameter of 30 nm and very narrow size distribution. The compound possesses a high melting point, high thermal conductivity, and excellent wear resistance. The surface of the SiC nanowires after formation is covered by an amorphous layer. The composition of that layer is not fully understood, but it is believed that in addition to amorphous SiC it contains various carbon and silicon compounds, and SiO2. The objective of the research was to modify the surface structure of these SiC nanowires. Modification of the surface was done using the wet etching method. The etched nanowires were then analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL). FTIR and TEM analysis provided valid proof that the SiC nanowires were successfully etched. Also, the PL results showed that the SiC nanowire core did possess a fluorescent signal.

  3. Single bead-based electrochemical biosensor.

    PubMed

    Liu, Changchun; Schrlau, Michael G; Bau, Haim H

    2009-12-15

    A simple, robust, single bead-based electrochemical biosensor was fabricated and characterized. The sensor's working electrode consists of an electrochemically etched platinum wire, with a nominal diameter of 25 microm, hermetically heat-fusion sealed in a pulled glass capillary (micropipette). The sealing process does not require any epoxy or glue. A commercially available, densely functionalized agarose bead was mounted on the tip of the etched platinum wire. The use of a pre-functionalized bead eliminates the tedious and complicated surface functionalization process that is often the bottleneck in the development of electrochemical biosensors. We report on the use of a biotin agarose bead-based, micropipette, electrochemical (Bio-BMP) biosensor to monitor H(2)O(2) concentration and the use of a streptavidin bead-based, micropipette, electrochemical (SA-BMP) biosensor to detect DNA amplicons. The Bio-BMP biosensor's response increased linearly as the H(2)O(2) concentration increased in the range from 1 x 10(-6) to 1.2 x10(-4)M with a detection limit of 5 x 10(-7)M. The SA-BMP was able to detect the amplicons of 1pg DNA template of B. Cereus bacteria, thus providing better detection sensitivity than conventional gel-based electropherograms.

  4. Metallic nanowire networks

    DOEpatents

    Song, Yujiang; Shelnutt, John A.

    2012-11-06

    A metallic nanowire network synthesized using chemical reduction of a metal ion source by a reducing agent in the presence of a soft template comprising a tubular inverse micellar network. The network of interconnected polycrystalline nanowires has a very high surface-area/volume ratio, which makes it highly suitable for use in catalytic applications.

  5. NANOWIRE CATHODE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    John Olson, PhD

    2004-07-21

    This project involved the synthesis of nanowire ã-MnO2 and characterization as cathode material for high-power lithium-ion batteries for EV and HEV applications. The nanowire synthesis involved the edge site decoration nanowire synthesis developed by Dr. Reginald Penner at UC Irvine (a key collaborator in this project). Figure 1 is an SEM image showing ã-MnO2 nanowires electrodeposited on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrodes. This technique is unique to other nanowire template synthesis techniques in that it produces long (>500 um) nanowires which could reduce or eliminate the need for conductive additives due to intertwining of fibers. Nanowire cathode for lithium-ionmore » batteries with surface areas 100 times greater than conventional materials can enable higher power batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The synthesis of the ã-MnO2 nanowires was successfully achieved. However, it was not found possible to co-intercalate lithium directly in the nanowire synthesis. Based on input from proposal reviewers, the scope of the project was altered to attempt the conversion into spinel LiMn2O4 nanowire cathode material by solid state reaction of the ã-MnO2 nanowires with LiNO3 at elevated temperatures. Attempts to perform the conversion on the graphite template were unsuccessful due to degradation of the graphite apparently caused by oxidative attack by LiNO3. Emphasis then shifted to quantitative removal of the nanowires from the graphite, followed by the solid state reaction. Attempts to quantitatively remove the nanowires by several techniques were unsatisfactory due to co-removal of excess graphite or poor harvesting of nanowires. Intercalation of lithium into ã-MnO2 electrodeposited onto graphite was demonstrated, showing a partial demonstration of the ã-MnO2 material as a lithium-ion battery cathode material. Assuming the issues of nanowires removal can be solved, the technique does offer potential for

  6. Development of biosensors based on the one-dimensional semiconductor nanomaterials.

    PubMed

    Yan, Shancheng; Shi, Yi; Xiao, Zhongdang; Zhou, Minmin; Yan, Wenfu; Shen, Haoliang; Hu, Dong

    2012-09-01

    Biosensors are becoming increasingly important due to their applications in biological and chemical analyses, food safety industry, biomedical diagnostics, clinical detection, and environmental monitoring. Recent years, nanostructured semiconductor materials have been used to fabricate biosensors owing to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, high electron mobility, and easy fabrication. In the present study, we focus on recent various biosensors based on the one-dimensional semiconductor nanomaterials such as electrochemical biosensor, field-effect transistors biosensor, and label-free optical biosensor. In particular, the development of the electrochemical biosensor is discussed detailedly.

  7. Synthetic biology and biomimetic chemistry as converging technologies fostering a new generation of smart biosensors.

    PubMed

    Scognamiglio, Viviana; Antonacci, Amina; Lambreva, Maya D; Litescu, Simona C; Rea, Giuseppina

    2015-12-15

    Biosensors are powerful tunable systems able to switch between an ON/OFF status in response to an external stimulus. This extraordinary property could be engineered by adopting synthetic biology or biomimetic chemistry to obtain tailor-made biosensors having the desired requirements of robustness, sensitivity and detection range. Recent advances in both disciplines, in fact, allow to re-design the configuration of the sensing elements - either by modifying toggle switches and gene networks, or by producing synthetic entities mimicking key properties of natural molecules. The present review considered the role of synthetic biology in sustaining biosensor technology, reporting examples from the literature and reflecting on the features that make it a useful tool for designing and constructing engineered biological systems for sensing application. Besides, a section dedicated to bioinspired synthetic molecules as powerful tools to enhance biosensor potential is reported, and treated as an extension of the concept of biomimetic chemistry, where organic synthesis is used to generate artificial molecules that mimic natural molecules. Thus, the design of synthetic molecules, such as aptamers, biomimetics, molecular imprinting polymers, peptide nucleic acids, and ribozymes were encompassed as "products" of biomimetic chemistry. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Interactions between semiconductor nanowires and living cells.

    PubMed

    Prinz, Christelle N

    2015-06-17

    Semiconductor nanowires are increasingly used for biological applications and their small dimensions make them a promising tool for sensing and manipulating cells with minimal perturbation. In order to interface cells with nanowires in a controlled fashion, it is essential to understand the interactions between nanowires and living cells. The present paper reviews current progress in the understanding of these interactions, with knowledge gathered from studies where living cells were interfaced with vertical nanowire arrays. The effect of nanowires on cells is reported in terms of viability, cell-nanowire interface morphology, cell behavior, changes in gene expression as well as cellular stress markers. Unexplored issues and unanswered questions are discussed.

  9. High Aspect Ratio Perforated Co₃O₄ Nanowires Derived from Cobalt-Carbonate-Hydroxide Nanowires with Enhanced Sensing Performance.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Tuantuan; Gao, Wanlin; Wang, Qiang; Umar, Ahmad

    2018-05-01

    Herein, we report the facile synthesis of high-aspect ratio perforated Co3O4 nanowires derived from cobalt-carbonate-hydroxide (Co(CO3)0.5(OH) 0.11H2O) nanowires. The Co(CO3)0.5(OH) 0.11H2O nanowires were synthesized by simple hydrothermal process at 120 °C while annealing of such nanowires at 400 °C leads the formation of perforated Co3O4 nanowires. The prepared nanowires were characterized by several techniques which confirmed the high aspect ratio and well-crystallinity for the synthesized nanowires. For application point of view, the prepared perforated Co3O4 nanowires were used as efficient electrode material to fabricate highly sensitive and selective hydrazine chemical sensor. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique was employed to confirm the successful modification of the electrode. The key parameters of chemical sensor, such as detection limit, sensitivity, and linear range, have been systematically explored. The fabricated hydrazine sensor displayed a rather low detection limit of 4.52 μM (S/N = 3), a good sensitivity of 25.70 μA · mM-1, and a wide linear range of 16.97-358.34 μM.

  10. Synthetic biology for microbial heavy metal biosensors.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hyun Ju; Jeong, Haeyoung; Lee, Sang Jun

    2018-02-01

    Using recombinant DNA technology, various whole-cell biosensors have been developed for detection of environmental pollutants, including heavy metal ions. Whole-cell biosensors have several advantages: easy and inexpensive cultivation, multiple assays, and no requirement of any special techniques for analysis. In the era of synthetic biology, cutting-edge DNA sequencing and gene synthesis technologies have accelerated the development of cell-based biosensors. Here, we summarize current technological advances in whole-cell heavy metal biosensors, including the synthetic biological components (bioparts), sensing and reporter modules, genetic circuits, and chassis cells. We discuss several opportunities for improvement of synthetic cell-based biosensors. First, new functional modules must be discovered in genome databases, and this knowledge must be used to upgrade specific bioparts through molecular engineering. Second, modules must be assembled into functional biosystems in chassis cells. Third, heterogeneity of individual cells in the microbial population must be eliminated. In the perspectives, the development of whole-cell biosensors is also discussed in the aspects of cultivation methods and synthetic cells.

  11. Graphene, carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide and gold as elite nanomaterials for fabrication of biosensors for healthcare.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Sandeep; Ahlawat, Wandit; Kumar, Rajesh; Dilbaghi, Neeraj

    2015-08-15

    Technological advancements worldwide at rapid pace in the area of materials science and nanotechnology have made it possible to synthesize nanoparticles with desirable properties not exhibited by the bulk material. Among variety of available nanomaterials, graphene, carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide and gold nanopartilces proved to be elite and offered amazing electrochemical biosensing. This encourages us to write a review which highlights the recent achievements in the construction of genosensor, immunosensor and enzymatic biosensor based on the above nanomaterials. Carbon based nanomaterials offers a direct electron transfer between the functionalized nanomaterials and active site of bioreceptor without involvement of any mediator which not only amplifies the signal but also provide label free sensing. Gold shows affinity towards immunological molecules and is most routinely used for immunological sensing. Zinc oxide can easily immobilize proteins and hence offers a large group of enzyme based biosensor. Modification of the working electrode by introduction of these nanomaterials or combination of two/three of above nanomaterials together and forming a nanocomposite reflected the best results with excellent stability, reproducibility and enhanced sensitivity. Highly attractive electrochemical properties and electrocatalytic activity of these elite nanomaterials have facilitated achievement of enhanced signal amplification needed for the construction of ultrasensitive electrochemical affinity biosensors for detection of glucose, cholesterol, Escherichia coli, influenza virus, cancer, human papillomavirus, dopamine, glutamic acid, IgG, IgE, uric acid, ascorbic acid, acetlycholine, cortisol, cytosome, sequence specific DNA and amino acids. Recent researches for bedside biosensors are also discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Nanowire array and nanowire solar cells and methods for forming the same

    DOEpatents

    Yang, Peidong [Berkeley, CA; Greene, Lori [Berkeley, CA; Law, Matthew [Berkeley, CA

    2007-09-04

    Homogeneous and dense arrays of nanowires are described. The nanowires can be formed in solution and can have average diameters of 40-300 nm and lengths of 1-3 .mu.m. They can be formed on any suitable substrate. Photovoltaic devices are also described.

  13. Nanowire array and nanowire solar cells and methods for forming the same

    DOEpatents

    Yang, Peidong; Greene, Lori E.; Law, Matthew

    2009-06-09

    Homogeneous and dense arrays of nanowires are described. The nanowires can be formed in solution and can have average diameters of 40-300 nm and lengths of 1-3 .mu.m. They can be formed on any suitable substrate. Photovoltaic devices are also described.

  14. Recent advances in synthesis of three-dimensional porous graphene and its applications in construction of electrochemical (bio)sensors for small biomolecules detection.

    PubMed

    Lu, Lu

    2018-07-01

    Electrochemical (bio)sensors have attracted much attention due to their high sensitivity, fast response time, biocompatibility, low cost and easy miniaturization. Specially, ever-growing necessity and interest have given rise to the fast development of electrochemical (bio)sensors for the detection of small biomolecules. They play enormous roles in the life processes with various biological function, such as life signal transmission, genetic expression and metabolism. Moreover, their amount in body can be used as an indicator for diagnosis of many diseases. For example, an abnormal concentration of blood glucose can indicate hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Graphene (GR) shows great applications in electrochemical (bio)sensors. Compared with two-dimensional (2D) GR that is inclined to stack together due to the strong π-π interaction, monolithic 3D porous GR has larger specific area, superior mechanical strength, better stability, higher conductivity and electrocatalytic activity. So they attracted more and increasing attention as sensing materials for small biomolecules. This review focuses on the recent advances and strategies in the fabrication methods of 3D porous GR and the development of various electrochemical (bio)sensors based on porous GR and its nanocomposites for the detection of small biomolecules. The challenges and future efforts direction of high-performance electrochemical (bio)sensors based on 3D porous GR for more sensitive analysis of small biomolecules are discussed and proposed. It will give readers an overall understanding of their progress and provide some theoretical guidelines for their future efforts and development. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. High-performance supercapacitors of Cu-based porous coordination polymer nanowires and the derived porous CuO nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Wu, Meng-Ke; Zhou, Jiao-Jiao; Yi, Fei-Yan; Chen, Chen; Li, Yan-Li; Li, Qin; Tao, Kai; Han, Lei

    2017-12-12

    Electrode materials for supercapacitors with one-dimensional porous nanostructures, such as nanowires and nanotubes, are very attractive for high-efficiency storage of electrochemical energy. Herein, ultralong Cu-based porous coordination polymer nanowires (copper-l-aspartic acid) were used as the electrode material for supercapacitors, for the first time. The as-prepared material exhibits a high specific capacitance of 367 F g -1 at 0.6 A g -1 and excellent cycling stability (94% retention over 1000 cycles). Moreover, porous CuO nanotubes were successfully fabricated by the thermal decomposition of this nanowire precursor. The CuO nanotube exhibits good electrochemical performance with high rate capacity (77% retention at 12.5 A g -1 ) and long-term stability (96% retention over 1000 cycles). The strategy developed here for the synthesis of porous nanowires and nanotubes can be extended to the construction of other electrode materials for more efficient energy storage.

  16. Role of Aspergillus niger acrA in Arsenic Resistance and Its Use as the Basis for an Arsenic Biosensor

    PubMed Central

    Choe, Se-In; Gravelat, Fabrice N.; Al Abdallah, Qusai; Lee, Mark J.; Gibbs, Bernard F.

    2012-01-01

    Arsenic contamination of groundwater sources is a major issue worldwide, since exposure to high levels of arsenic has been linked to a variety of health problems. Effective methods of detection are thus greatly needed as preventive measures. In an effort to develop a fungal biosensor for arsenic, we first identified seven putative arsenic metabolism and transport genes in Aspergillus niger, a widely used industrial organism that is generally regarded as safe (GRAS). Among the genes tested for RNA expression in response to arsenate, acrA, encoding a putative plasma membrane arsenite efflux pump, displayed an over 200-fold increase in gene expression in response to arsenate. We characterized the function of this A. niger protein in arsenic efflux by gene knockout and confirmed that AcrA was located at the cell membrane using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) fusion construct. Based on our observations, we developed a putative biosensor strain containing a construct of the native promoter of acrA fused with egfp. We analyzed the fluorescence of this biosensor strain in the presence of arsenic using confocal microscopy and spectrofluorimetry. The biosensor strain reliably detected both arsenite and arsenate in the range of 1.8 to 180 μg/liter, which encompasses the threshold concentrations for drinking water set by the World Health Organization (10 and 50 μg/liter). PMID:22467499

  17. Magnetic and superconducting nanowires.

    PubMed

    Piraux, L; Encinas, A; Vila, L; Mátéfi-Tempfli, S; Mátéfi-Tempfli, M; Darques, M; Elhoussine, F; Michotte, S

    2005-03-01

    This article is focused on the use of electrodeposition and of various nanoporous templates for the fabrication of metallic nanowires made from single metals (Ni, Co, Pb, Sn), alloys (NiFe, CoFe, CoPt), and multilayers (Co/Cu, NiFe/Cu). An overview is given of our recent studies performed on both magnetic and superconducting nanowires. Using different approaches entailing measurements on both single wires and arrays, numerous interesting physical properties have been identified in relation to the nanoscopic dimensions of these materials. Finally, various novel applications of the nanowires are also discussed.

  18. Nanowires, nanostructures and devices fabricated therefrom

    DOEpatents

    Majumdar, Arun; Shakouri, Ali; Sands, Timothy D.; Yang, Peidong; Mao, Samuel S.; Russo, Richard E.; Feick, Henning; Weber, Eicke R.; Kind, Hannes; Huang, Michael; Yan, Haoquan; Wu, Yiying; Fan, Rong

    2005-04-19

    One-dimensional nanostructures having uniform diameters of less than approximately 200 nm. These inventive nanostructures, which we refer to as "nanowires", include single-crystalline homostructures as well as heterostructures of at least two single-crystalline materials having different chemical compositions. Because single-crystalline materials are used to form the heterostructure, the resultant heterostructure will be single-crystalline as well. The nanowire heterostructures are generally based on a semiconducting wire wherein the doping and composition are controlled in either the longitudinal or radial directions, or in both directions, to yield a wire that comprises different materials. Examples of resulting nanowire heterostructures include a longitudinal heterostructure nanowire (LOHN) and a coaxial heterostructure nanowire (COHN).

  19. Ga-doped indium oxide nanowire phase change random access memory cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jin, Bo; Lim, Taekyung; Ju, Sanghyun; Latypov, Marat I.; Kim, Hyoung Seop; Meyyappan, M.; Lee, Jeong-Soo

    2014-02-01

    Phase change random access memory (PCRAM) devices are usually constructed using tellurium based compounds, but efforts to seek other materials providing desirable memory characteristics have continued. We have fabricated PCRAM devices using Ga-doped In2O3 nanowires with three different Ga compositions (Ga/(In+Ga) atomic ratio: 2.1%, 11.5% and 13.0%), and investigated their phase switching properties. The nanowires (˜40 nm in diameter) can be repeatedly switched between crystalline and amorphous phases, and Ga concentration-dependent memory switching behavior in the nanowires was observed with ultra-fast set/reset rates of 80 ns/20 ns, which are faster than for other competitive phase change materials. The observations of fast set/reset rates and two distinct states with a difference in resistance of two to three orders of magnitude appear promising for nonvolatile information storage. Moreover, we found that increasing the Ga concentration can reduce the power consumption and resistance drift; however, too high a level of Ga doping may cause difficulty in achieving the phase transition.

  20. A wearable and highly sensitive pressure sensor with ultrathin gold nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Shu; Schwalb, Willem; Wang, Yongwei; Chen, Yi; Tang, Yue; Si, Jye; Shirinzadeh, Bijan; Cheng, Wenlong

    2014-02-01

    Ultrathin gold nanowires are mechanically flexible yet robust, which are novel building blocks with potential applications in future wearable optoelectronic devices. Here we report an efficient, low-cost fabrication strategy to construct a highly sensitive, flexible pressure sensor by sandwiching ultrathin gold nanowire-impregnated tissue paper between two thin polydimethylsiloxane sheets. The entire device fabrication process is scalable, enabling facile large-area integration and patterning for mapping spatial pressure distribution. Our gold nanowires-based pressure sensors can be operated at a battery voltage of 1.5 V with low energy consumption (<30 μW), and are able to detect pressing forces as low as 13 Pa with fast response time (<17 ms), high sensitivity (>1.14 kPa-1) and high stability (>50,000 loading-unloading cycles). In addition, our sensor can resolve pressing, bending, torsional forces and acoustic vibrations. The superior sensing properties in conjunction with mechanical flexibility and robustness enabled real-time monitoring of blood pulses as well as detection of small vibration forces from music.

  1. Amperometric hydrogen peroxide and glucose biosensor based on NiFe2/ordered mesoporous carbon nanocomposites.

    PubMed

    Xiang, Dong; Yin, Longwei; Ma, Jingyun; Guo, Enyan; Li, Qun; Li, Zhaoqiang; Liu, Kegao

    2015-01-21

    Nanocomposites of NiFex embedded in ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) (x = 0, 1, 2) were prepared by a wet impregnation and hydrogen reduction process and were used to construct electrochemical biosensors for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or glucose. The NiFe2/OMC nanocomposites were demonstrated to have a large surface area, suitable mesoporous channels, many edge-plane-like defective sites, and a good distribution of alloyed nanoparticles. The NiFe2/OMC and Nafion modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction of H2O2 as well. By utilizing it as a bioplatform, GOx (glucose oxidase) cross-linked with Nafion was immobilized on the surface of the electrode for the construction of an amperometric glucose biosensor. Our results indicated that the amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor (NiFe2/OMC + Nafion + GCE) showed good analytical performances in term of a high sensitivity of 4.29 μA mM(-1) cm(-2), wide linearity from 6.2 to 42,710 μM and a low detection limit of 0.24 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N = 3). This biosensor exhibited excellent selectivity, high stability and negligible interference for the detection of H2O2. In addition, the immobilized enzyme on NiFe2/OMC + Nafion + GCE, retaining its bioactivity, exhibited a reversible two-proton and two-electron transfer reaction, a fast heterogeneous electron transfer rate and an effective Michaelis-Menten constant (K) (3.18 mM). The GOx + NiFe2/OMC + Nafion + GCE could be used to detect glucose based on the oxidation of glucose catalyzed by GOx and exhibited a wide detection range of 48.6-12,500 μM with a high sensitivity of 6.9 μA mM(-1) cm(-2) and a low detection limit of 2.7 μM (S/N = 3). The enzymic biosensor maintained a high selectivity and stability features, and shows great promise for application in the detection of glucose.

  2. Facile and controllable preparation of glucose biosensor based on Prussian blue nanoparticles hybrid composites.

    PubMed

    Li, Lei; Sheng, Qinglin; Zheng, Jianbin; Zhang, Hongfang

    2008-11-01

    A glucose biosensor based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) protected Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs)-polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotubes hybrid composites was fabricated by electrochemical method. A novel route for PBNPs preparation was applied in the fabrication with the help of PVP, and from scanning electron microscope images, Prussian blue particles on the electrode were found nanoscaled. The biosensor exhibits fast current response (<6 s) and a linearity in the range from 6.7x10(-6) to 1.9x10(-3) M with a high sensitivity of 6.28 microA mM(-1) and a detection limit of 6x10(-7) M (S/N=3) for the detection of glucose. The apparent activation energy of enzyme-catalyzed reaction and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant are 23.9 kJ mol(-1) and 1.9 mM respectively, which suggests a high affinity of the enzyme-substrate. This easy and controllable construction method of glucose biosensor combines the characteristics of the components of the hybrid composites, which favors the fast and sensitive detection of glucose with improved analytical capabilities. In addition, the biosensor was examined in human serum samples for glucose determination with a recovery between 95.0 and 104.5%.

  3. Comparative analysis of microbial fuel cell based biosensors developed with a mixed culture and Shewanella loihica PV-4 and underlying biological mechanism.

    PubMed

    Yi, Yue; Xie, Beizhen; Zhao, Ting; Liu, Hong

    2018-06-13

    Microbial fuel cell based biosensors (MFC-biosensors) utilize anode biofilms as biological recognition elements to monitor biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and biotoxicity. However, the relatively poor sensitivity constrains the application of MFC-biosensors. To address this limitation, this study provided a systematic comparison of sensitivity between the MFC-biosensors constructed with two inocula. Higher biomass density and viability were both observed in the anode biofilm of the mixed culture MFC, which resulted in better sensitivity for BOD assessment. Compared with using mixed culture as inoculum, the anode biofilm developed with Shewanella loihica PV-4 presented lower content of extracellular polymeric substances and poorer ability to secrete protein under toxic shocks. Moreover, the looser structure in the S. loihica PV-4 biofilm further facilitated its susceptibilities to toxic agents. Therefore, the MFC-biosensor with a pure culture of S. loihica PV-4 delivered higher sensitivity for biotoxicity monitoring. This study proposed a new perspective to enhance sensor performance. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. BIOSENSORS

    EPA Science Inventory

    It has recently been proposed under the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Commission that biosensors be regarded as a subgroup of chemical sensors in which a biologically based mechanism is used for detection of the analyte. hemical sensors are defined und...

  5. A creatinine biosensor based on admittance measurement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ching, Congo Tak-Shing; Sun, Tai-Ping; Jheng, Deng-Yun; Tsai, Hou-Wei; Shieh, Hsiu-Li

    2015-08-01

    Regular check of blood creatinine level is very important as it is a measurement of renal function. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a simple and reliable creatinine biosensor based on admittance measurement for precise determination of creatinine. The creatinine biosensor was fabricated with creatinine deiminase immobilized on screen-printed carbon electrodes. Admittance measurement at a specific frequency ranges (22.80 - 84.71 Hz) showed that the biosensor has an excellent linear (r2 > 0.95) response range (50 - 250 uM), which covers the normal physiological and pathological ranges of blood creatinine levels. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed that the biosensor has excellent reliability and validity (ICC = 0.98). In conclusion, a simple and reliable creatinine biosensor was developed and it is capable of precisely determining blood creatinine levels in both the normal physiological and pathological ranges.

  6. Cellular manipulation and patterning using ferromagnetic nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hultgren, Anne

    Ferromagnetic nanowires are demonstrated as an effective tool to apply forces to living cells. Both magnetic cell separations and the magnetic patterning of cells on a substrate will be accomplished through the use of cell-nanowire interactions as well as nanowire-magnetic field interactions. When introduced into cultures of NIH-3T3 cells, the nanowires are internalized by cells via the integrin-mediated adhesion pathway without inflicting any toxic effects on the cell cycle over the course of several days. In addition, the length of the nanowires was found to have an effect on the cell-nanowire interactions when the cells were dissociated from the tissue culture dish. To compare the effectiveness of the nanowires as a means of manipulating cells to the current technology which is based on superparamagnetic beads, magnetic cell separations were performed with electrodeposited Ni nanowires 350 nm in diameter and 5--35 mum long in field gradients of 80 T/m. Single-pass separations of NIH-3T3 cells bound to nanowires achieve up to 81% purity with 85% yield, a dramatic improvement over the 55% purity and 20% yield obtained with the beads. The yield for the separations were found to be dependent on the length of the nanowires, and was maximized when the length of the nanowires equaled the diameter of the cells. This dependence was exploited to perform a size-selective magnetic separation. Substrates containing arrays of micro-magnets, fabricated using photolithography, were placed in cell cultures. These micro-magnet arrays create regions of locally strong magnetic field gradients to trap nanowires in specific locations on the substrate. These substrates were used in conjunction with fluid flow and a weak, externally applied magnetic field to create and control patterns of cells bound to nanowires. Controlled isolation of heterogeneous pairs and groups of cells will enable the study of the biochemistry of cell-cell contacts.

  7. Recent trends and perspectives in enzyme based biosensor development for the screening of triglycerides: a comprehensive review.

    PubMed

    Hooda, Vinita; Gahlaut, Anjum; Gothwal, Ashish; Hooda, Vikas

    2018-04-27

    Clinical manifestations of the elevated plasma triacylglycerol (TG) include a greater prevalence of atherosclerotic heart disease, acute pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic vascular disease. Hence, these significant health troubles have attracted scientific attention for the precise detection of TG in biological samples. Numerous techniques have been employed to quantify TG over many decades, but biosensors hold the leading position owing to their superior traits such as highly specific recognition for target molecules, accuracy, minituarization, small sample requirement and rapid response. Enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors represent an instantaneous resolution for the foremost bottlenecks constraining laboratory prototypes to reach real time bedside applications. We highlight the choice of transducers and constructive strategies to design high-performance biosensor for the quantification of triglycerides in sera and early diagnosis of health problems related to it. In the present review, a small effort has been made to emphasize the significant role of enzymes, nanostructured metal oxides, graphene, conducting polypyrrole, nanoparticles, porous silicon, EISCAP and ENFET in enabling TG biosensors more proficient and taking a revolutionary step forward.

  8. A CMOS wireless biomolecular sensing system-on-chip based on polysilicon nanowire technology.

    PubMed

    Huang, C-W; Huang, Y-J; Yen, P-W; Tsai, H-H; Liao, H-H; Juang, Y-Z; Lu, S-S; Lin, C-T

    2013-11-21

    As developments of modern societies, an on-field and personalized diagnosis has become important for disease prevention and proper treatment. To address this need, in this work, a polysilicon nanowire (poly-Si NW) based biosensor system-on-chip (bio-SSoC) is designed and fabricated by a 0.35 μm 2-Poly-4-Metal (2P4M) complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process provided by a commercialized semiconductor foundry. Because of the advantages of CMOS system-on-chip (SoC) technologies, the poly-Si NW biosensor is integrated with a chopper differential-difference amplifier (DDA) based analog-front-end (AFE), a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC), and a microcontroller to have better sensing capabilities than a traditional Si NW discrete measuring system. In addition, an on-off key (OOK) wireless transceiver is also integrated to form a wireless bio-SSoC technology. This is pioneering work to harness the momentum of CMOS integrated technology into emerging bio-diagnosis technologies. This integrated technology is experimentally examined to have a label-free and low-concentration biomolecular detection for both Hepatitis B Virus DNA (10 fM) and cardiac troponin I protein (3.2 pM). Based on this work, the implemented wireless bio-SSoC has demonstrated a good biomolecular sensing characteristic and a potential for low-cost and mobile applications. As a consequence, this developed technology can be a promising candidate for on-field and personalized applications in biomedical diagnosis.

  9. Nanopillar based electrochemical biosensor for monitoring microfluidic based cell culture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gangadharan, Rajan

    In-vitro assays using cultured cells have been widely performed for studying many aspects of cell biology and cell physiology. These assays also form the basis of cell based sensing. Presently, analysis procedures on cell cultures are done using techniques that are not integrated with the cell culture system. This approach makes continuous and real-time in-vitro measurements difficult. It is well known that the availability of continuous online measurements for extended periods of time will help provide a better understanding and will give better insight into cell physiological events. With this motivation we developed a highly sensitive, selective and stable microfluidic electrochemical glucose biosensor to make continuous glucose measurements in cell culture media. The performance of the microfluidic biosensor was enhanced by adding 3D nanopillars to the electrode surfaces. The microfluidic glucose biosensor consisted of three electrodes---Enzyme electrode, Working electrode, and Counter electrode. All these electrodes were enhanced with nanopillars and were optimized in their respective own ways to obtain an effective and stable biosensing device in cell culture media. For example, the 'Enzyme electrode' was optimized for enzyme immobilization via either a polypyrrole-based or a self-assembled-monolayer-based immobilization method, and the 'Working electrode' was modified with Prussian Blue or electropolymerized Neutral Red to reduce the working potential and also the interference from other interacting electro-active species. The complete microfluidic biosensor was tested for its ability to monitor glucose concentration changes in cell culture media. The significance of this work is multifold. First, the developed device may find applications in continuous and real-time measurements of glucose concentrations in in-vitro cell cultures. Second, the development of a microfluidic biosensor will bring technical know-how toward constructing continuous glucose

  10. Functionalized xenon as a biosensor

    PubMed Central

    Spence, Megan M.; Rubin, Seth M.; Dimitrov, Ivan E.; Ruiz, E. Janette; Wemmer, David E.; Pines, Alexander; Yao, Shao Qin; Tian, Feng; Schultz, Peter G.

    2001-01-01

    The detection of biological molecules and their interactions is a significant component of modern biomedical research. In current biosensor technologies, simultaneous detection is limited to a small number of analytes by the spectral overlap of their signals. We have developed an NMR-based xenon biosensor that capitalizes on the enhanced signal-to-noise, spectral simplicity, and chemical-shift sensitivity of laser-polarized xenon to detect specific biomolecules at the level of tens of nanomoles. We present results using xenon “functionalized” by a biotin-modified supramolecular cage to detect biotin–avidin binding. This biosensor methodology can be extended to a multiplexing assay for multiple analytes. PMID:11535830

  11. Nanowire failure: long = brittle and short = ductile.

    PubMed

    Wu, Zhaoxuan; Zhang, Yong-Wei; Jhon, Mark H; Gao, Huajian; Srolovitz, David J

    2012-02-08

    Experimental studies of the tensile behavior of metallic nanowires show a wide range of failure modes, ranging from ductile necking to brittle/localized shear failure-often in the same diameter wires. We performed large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of copper nanowires with a range of nanowire lengths and provide unequivocal evidence for a transition in nanowire failure mode with change in nanowire length. Short nanowires fail via a ductile mode with serrated stress-strain curves, while long wires exhibit extreme shear localization and abrupt failure. We developed a simple model for predicting the critical nanowire length for this failure mode transition and showed that it is in excellent agreement with both the simulation results and the extant experimental data. The present results provide a new paradigm for the design of nanoscale mechanical systems that demarcates graceful and catastrophic failure. © 2012 American Chemical Society

  12. Boron carbide nanowires: Synthesis and characterization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guan, Zhe

    Bulk boron carbide has been widely used in ballistic armored vest and the property characterization has been heavily focused on mechanical properties. Even though boron carbides have also been projected as a promising class of high temperature thermoelectric materials for energy harvesting, the research has been limited in this field. Since the thermal conductivity of bulk boron carbide is still relatively high, there is a great opportunity to take advantage of the nano effect to further reduce it for better thermoelectric performance. This dissertation work aims to explore whether improved thermoelectric performance can be found in boron carbide nanowires compared with their bulk counterparts. This dissertation work consists of four main parts. (1) Synthesis of boron carbide nanowires. Boron carbide nanowires were synthesized by co-pyrolysis of diborane and methane at low temperatures (with 879 °C as the lowest) in a home-built low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) system. The CVD-based method is energy efficient and cost effective. The as-synthesized nanowires were characterized by electron microscopy extensively. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show the nanowires are single crystalline with planar defects. Depending on the geometrical relationship between the preferred growth direction of the nanowire and the orientation of the defects, the as-synthesized nanowires could be further divided into two categories: transverse fault (TF) nanowires grow normal to the defect plane, while axial fault (AF) ones grow within the defect plane. (2) Understanding the growth mechanism of as-synthesized boron carbide nanowires. The growth mechanism can be generally considered as the famous vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. TF and AF nanowires were found to be guided by Ni-B catalysts of two phases. A TF nanowire is lead by a hexagonal phase catalyst, which was proved to be in a liquid state during reaction. While an AF nanowires is catalyzed by a

  13. Ballistic superconductivity in semiconductor nanowires.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Hao; Gül, Önder; Conesa-Boj, Sonia; Nowak, Michał P; Wimmer, Michael; Zuo, Kun; Mourik, Vincent; de Vries, Folkert K; van Veen, Jasper; de Moor, Michiel W A; Bommer, Jouri D S; van Woerkom, David J; Car, Diana; Plissard, Sébastien R; Bakkers, Erik P A M; Quintero-Pérez, Marina; Cassidy, Maja C; Koelling, Sebastian; Goswami, Srijit; Watanabe, Kenji; Taniguchi, Takashi; Kouwenhoven, Leo P

    2017-07-06

    Semiconductor nanowires have opened new research avenues in quantum transport owing to their confined geometry and electrostatic tunability. They have offered an exceptional testbed for superconductivity, leading to the realization of hybrid systems combining the macroscopic quantum properties of superconductors with the possibility to control charges down to a single electron. These advances brought semiconductor nanowires to the forefront of efforts to realize topological superconductivity and Majorana modes. A prime challenge to benefit from the topological properties of Majoranas is to reduce the disorder in hybrid nanowire devices. Here we show ballistic superconductivity in InSb semiconductor nanowires. Our structural and chemical analyses demonstrate a high-quality interface between the nanowire and a NbTiN superconductor that enables ballistic transport. This is manifested by a quantized conductance for normal carriers, a strongly enhanced conductance for Andreev-reflecting carriers, and an induced hard gap with a significantly reduced density of states. These results pave the way for disorder-free Majorana devices.

  14. Ballistic superconductivity in semiconductor nanowires

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Hao; Gül, Önder; Conesa-Boj, Sonia; Nowak, Michał P.; Wimmer, Michael; Zuo, Kun; Mourik, Vincent; de Vries, Folkert K.; van Veen, Jasper; de Moor, Michiel W. A.; Bommer, Jouri D. S.; van Woerkom, David J.; Car, Diana; Plissard, Sébastien R; Bakkers, Erik P.A.M.; Quintero-Pérez, Marina; Cassidy, Maja C.; Koelling, Sebastian; Goswami, Srijit; Watanabe, Kenji; Taniguchi, Takashi; Kouwenhoven, Leo P.

    2017-01-01

    Semiconductor nanowires have opened new research avenues in quantum transport owing to their confined geometry and electrostatic tunability. They have offered an exceptional testbed for superconductivity, leading to the realization of hybrid systems combining the macroscopic quantum properties of superconductors with the possibility to control charges down to a single electron. These advances brought semiconductor nanowires to the forefront of efforts to realize topological superconductivity and Majorana modes. A prime challenge to benefit from the topological properties of Majoranas is to reduce the disorder in hybrid nanowire devices. Here we show ballistic superconductivity in InSb semiconductor nanowires. Our structural and chemical analyses demonstrate a high-quality interface between the nanowire and a NbTiN superconductor that enables ballistic transport. This is manifested by a quantized conductance for normal carriers, a strongly enhanced conductance for Andreev-reflecting carriers, and an induced hard gap with a significantly reduced density of states. These results pave the way for disorder-free Majorana devices. PMID:28681843

  15. High-throughput determination of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) by a microplate-based biosensor.

    PubMed

    Pang, Hei-Leung; Kwok, Nga-Yan; Chan, Pak-Ho; Yeung, Chi-Hung; Lo, Waihung; Wong, Kwok-Yin

    2007-06-01

    The use of the conventional 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) method in BOD determination is greatly hampered by its time-consuming sampling procedure and its technical difficulty in the handling of a large pool of wastewater samples. Thus, it is highly desirable to develop a fast and high-throughput biosensor for BOD measurements. This paper describes the construction of a microplate-based biosensor consisting of an organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) oxygen sensing film for high-throughput determination of BOD in wastewater. The ORMOSIL oxygen sensing film was prepared by reacting tetramethoxysilane with dimethyldimethoxysilane in the presence of the oxygen-sensitive dye tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium-(II) chloride. The silica composite formed a homogeneous, crack-free oxygen sensing film on polystyrene microtiter plates with high stability, and the embedded ruthenium dye interacted with the dissolved oxygen in wastewater according to the Stern-Volmer relation. The bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was loaded into the ORMOSIL/ PVA composite (deposited on the top of the oxygen sensing film) and used to metabolize the organic compounds in wastewater. This BOD biosensor was found to be able to determine the BOD values of wastewater samples within 20 min by monitoring the dissolved oxygen concentrations. Moreover, the BOD values determined by the BOD biosensor were in good agreement with those obtained by the conventional BOD5 method.

  16. NANOSCALE BIOSENSORS IN ECOSYSTEM EXPOSURE RESEARCH

    EPA Science Inventory

    This powerpoint presentation presented information on nanoscale biosensors in ecosystem exposure research. The outline of the presentation is as follows: nanomaterials environmental exposure research; US agencies involved in nanosensor research; nanoscale LEDs in biosensors; nano...

  17. Affinity Biosensors for Detection of Mycotoxins in Food.

    PubMed

    Evtugyn, Gennady; Subjakova, Veronika; Melikishvili, Sopio; Hianik, Tibor

    2018-01-01

    This chapter reviews recent achievements in methods of detection of mycotoxins in food. Special focus is on the biosensor technology that utilizes antibodies and nucleic acid aptamers as receptors. Development of biosensors is based on the immobilization of antibodies or aptamers onto various conventional supports like gold layer, but also on nanomaterials such as graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots that provide an effective platform for achieving high sensitivity of detection using various physical methods, including electrochemical, mass sensitive, and optical. The biosensors developed so far demonstrate high sensitivity typically in subnanomolar limit of detection. Several biosensors have been validated in real samples. The sensitivity of biosensors is similar and, in some cases, even better than traditional analytical methods such as ELISA or chromatography. We believe that future trends will be focused on improving biosensor properties toward practical application in food industry. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Graphitized carbon nanofiber-Pt nanoparticle hybrids as sensitive tool for preparation of screen printing biosensors. Detection of lactate in wines and ciders.

    PubMed

    Loaiza, Oscar A; Lamas-Ardisana, Pedro J; Añorga, Larraitz; Jubete, Elena; Ruiz, Virginia; Borghei, Maryam; Cabañero, Germán; Grande, Hans J

    2015-02-01

    This work describes the fabrication of a new lactate biosensor. The strategy is based on the use of a novel hybrid nanomaterial for amperometric biosensors i.e. platinum nanoparticles (PtNps) supported on graphitized carbon nanofibers (PtNps/GCNF) prepared by chemical reduction of the Pt precursor at GCNF surfaces. The biosensors were constructed by covalent immobilization of lactate oxidase (LOx) onto screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with PtNps (PtNps/GCNF-SPCEs) using polyethyleneimine (PEI) and glutaraldehyde (GA). Experimental variables concerning both the biosensor design and the detection process were investigated for an optimal analytical performance. Lactate biosensors show good reproducibility (RSD 4.9%, n=10) and sensitivity (41,302±546) μA/Mcm(2), with a good limit of detection (6.9μM). Covalent immobilization of the enzyme allows the reuse of the biosensor for several measurements, converting them in a cheap alternative to the solid electrodes. The long-term stability of the biosensors was also evaluated. 90% of the signal was kept after 3months of storage at room temperature (RT), while 95% was retained after 18months at -20°C. These results demonstrate that the method provides sensitive electrochemical lactate biosensors where the stability of the enzymatic activity can be preserved for a long period of time in adequate storage conditions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Protein Detection with Aptamer Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Strehlitz, Beate; Nikolaus, Nadia; Stoltenburg, Regina

    2008-01-01

    Aptamers have been developed for different applications. Their use as new biological recognition elements in biosensors promises progress for fast and easy detection of proteins. This new generation of biosensor (aptasensors) will be more stable and well adapted to the conditions of real samples because of the specific properties of aptamers. PMID:27879936

  20. Highly sensitive amperometric biosensor based on electrochemically-reduced graphene oxide-chitosan/hemoglobin nanocomposite for nitromethane determination.

    PubMed

    Wen, Yunping; Wen, Wei; Zhang, Xiuhua; Wang, Shengfu

    2016-05-15

    Nitromethane (CH3NO2) is an important organic chemical raw material with a wide variety of applications as well as one of the most common pollutants. Therefore it is pretty important to establish a simple and sensitive detection method for CH3NO2. In our study, a novel amperometric biosensor for nitromethane (CH3NO2) based on immobilization of electrochemically-reduced graphene oxide (rGO), chitosan (CS) and hemoglobin (Hb) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was constructed. Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical methods were used to characterize the Hb-CS/rGO-CS composite film. The effects of scan rate and pH of phosphate buffer on the biosensor have been studied in detail and optimized. Due to the graphene and chitosan nanocomposite, the developed biosensor demonstrating direct electrochemistry with faster electron-transfer rate (6.48s(-1)) and excellent catalytic activity towards CH3NO2. Under optimal conditions, the proposed biosensor exhibited fast amperometric response (<5s) to CH3NO2 with a wide linear range of 5 μM~1.46 mM (R=0.999) and a low detection limit of 1.5 μM (S/N=3). In addition, the biosensor had high selectivity, reproducibility and stability, providing the possibility for monitoring CH3NO2 in complex real samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Amperometric biosensor for Salmonella typhimurium detection in milk

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    This paper reports an amperometric biosensor for rapid and sensitive Salmonella Typhimurium detection in milk. The biosensor was assembled from the self-assembled monolayers technique on a gold surface. In this device, polyclonal antibodies were oriented by protein A. The biosensor structure was cha...

  2. In vitro evaluation of fluorescence glucose biosensor response.

    PubMed

    Aloraefy, Mamdouh; Pfefer, T Joshua; Ramella-Roman, Jessica C; Sapsford, Kim E

    2014-07-08

    Rapid, accurate, and minimally-invasive glucose biosensors based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) for glucose measurement have the potential to enhance diabetes control. However, a standard set of in vitro approaches for evaluating optical glucose biosensor response under controlled conditions would facilitate technological innovation and clinical translation. Towards this end, we have identified key characteristics and response test methods, fabricated FRET-based glucose biosensors, and characterized biosensor performance using these test methods. The biosensors were based on competitive binding between dextran and glucose to concanavalin A and incorporated long-wavelength fluorescence dye pairs. Testing characteristics included spectral response, linearity, sensitivity, limit of detection, kinetic response, reversibility, stability, precision, and accuracy. The biosensor demonstrated a fluorescence change of 45% in the presence of 400 mg/dL glucose, a mean absolute relative difference of less than 11%, a limit of detection of 25 mg/dL, a response time of 15 min, and a decay in fluorescence intensity of 72% over 30 days. The battery of tests presented here for objective, quantitative in vitro evaluation of FRET glucose biosensors performance have the potential to form the basis of future consensus standards. By implementing these test methods for a long-visible-wavelength biosensor, we were able to demonstrate strengths and weaknesses with a new level of thoroughness and rigor.

  3. In Vitro Evaluation of Fluorescence Glucose Biosensor Response

    PubMed Central

    Aloraefy, Mamdouh; Pfefer, T. Joshua; Ramella-Roman, Jessica C.; Sapsford, Kim E.

    2014-01-01

    Rapid, accurate, and minimally-invasive glucose biosensors based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) for glucose measurement have the potential to enhance diabetes control. However, a standard set of in vitro approaches for evaluating optical glucose biosensor response under controlled conditions would facilitate technological innovation and clinical translation. Towards this end, we have identified key characteristics and response test methods, fabricated FRET-based glucose biosensors, and characterized biosensor performance using these test methods. The biosensors were based on competitive binding between dextran and glucose to concanavalin A and incorporated long-wavelength fluorescence dye pairs. Testing characteristics included spectral response, linearity, sensitivity, limit of detection, kinetic response, reversibility, stability, precision, and accuracy. The biosensor demonstrated a fluorescence change of 45% in the presence of 400 mg/dL glucose, a mean absolute relative difference of less than 11%, a limit of detection of 25 mg/dL, a response time of 15 min, and a decay in fluorescence intensity of 72% over 30 days. The battery of tests presented here for objective, quantitative in vitro evaluation of FRET glucose biosensors performance have the potential to form the basis of future consensus standards. By implementing these test methods for a long-visible-wavelength biosensor, we were able to demonstrate strengths and weaknesses with a new level of thoroughness and rigor. PMID:25006996

  4. A compact superconducting nanowire memory element operated by nanowire cryotrons

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Qing-Yuan; Toomey, Emily A.; Butters, Brenden A.; McCaughan, Adam N.; Dane, Andrew E.; Nam, Sae-Woo; Berggren, Karl K.

    2018-07-01

    A superconducting loop stores persistent current without any ohmic loss, making it an ideal platform for energy efficient memories. Conventional superconducting memories use an architecture based on Josephson junctions (JJs) and have demonstrated access times less than 10 ps and power dissipation as low as 10-19 J. However, their scalability has been slow to develop due to the challenges in reducing the dimensions of JJs and minimizing the area of the superconducting loops. In addition to the memory itself, complex readout circuits require additional JJs and inductors for coupling signals, increasing the overall area. Here, we have demonstrated a superconducting memory based solely on lithographic nanowires. The small dimensions of the nanowire ensure that the device can be fabricated in a dense area in multiple layers, while the high kinetic inductance makes the loop essentially independent of geometric inductance, allowing it to be scaled down without sacrificing performance. The memory is operated by a group of nanowire cryotrons patterned alongside the storage loop, enabling us to reduce the entire memory cell to 3 μm × 7 μm in our proof-of-concept device. In this work we present the operation principles of a superconducting nanowire memory (nMem) and characterize its bit error rate, speed, and power dissipation.

  5. Transport properties of Sb doped Si nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nukala, Prathyusha; Sapkota, Gopal; Gali, Pradeep; Usha, Philipose

    2011-10-01

    n-type Si nanowires were synthesized at ambient pressure using SiCl4 as Si source and Sb source as the dopant. Sb doping of 3-4 wt % was achieved through a post growth diffusion technique. The nanowires were found to have an amorphous oxide shell that developed post-growth; the thickness of the shell is estimated to be about 3-4 nm. The composition of the amorphous shell covering the crystalline Si core was determined by Raman spectroscopy, with evidence that the shell was an amorphous oxide layer. Optical characterization of the as-grown nanowires showed green emission, attributed to the presence of the oxide shell covering the Si nanowire core. Etching of the oxide shell was found to decrease the intensity of this green emission. A single undoped Si nanowire contacted in an FET type configuration was found to be p-type with channel mobility of 20 cm^2V-1S-1. Sb doped Si nanowires exhibited n-type behavior, compensating for the holes in the undoped nanowire. The doped nanowires had carrier mobility and concentration of 160 cm^2V-1S-1 and 9.6 x 10^18cm-3 respectively.

  6. Surfactant-Templated Mesoporous Metal Oxide Nanowires

    DOE PAGES

    Luo, Hongmei; Lin, Qianglu; Baber, Stacy; ...

    2010-01-01

    We demore » monstrate two approaches to prepare mesoporous metal oxide nanowires by surfactant assembly and nanoconfinement via sol-gel or electrochemical deposition. For example, mesoporous Ta 2 O 5 and zeolite nanowires are prepared by block copolymer Pluronic 123-templated sol-gel method, and mesoporous ZnO nanowires are prepared by electrodeposition in presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant, in porous membranes. The morphologies of porous nanowires are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses.« less

  7. Novel amperometric glucose biosensor based on MXene nanocomposite.

    PubMed

    Rakhi, R B; Nayak, Pranati; Xia, Chuan; Alshareef, Husam N

    2016-11-10

    A biosensor platform based on Au/MXene nanocomposite for sensitive enzymatic glucose detection is reported. The biosensor leverages the unique electrocatalytic properties and synergistic effects between Au nanoparticles and MXene sheets. An amperometric glucose biosensor is fabricated by the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme on Nafion solubilized Au/ MXene nanocomposite over glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The biomediated Au nanoparticles play a significant role in facilitating the electron exchange between the electroactive center of GOx and the electrode. The GOx/Au/MXene/Nafion/GCE biosensor electrode displayed a linear amperometric response in the glucose concentration range from 0.1 to 18 mM with a relatively high sensitivity of 4.2 μAmM -1 cm -2 and a detection limit of 5.9 μM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the biosensor exhibited excellent stability, reproducibility and repeatability. Therefore, the Au/MXene nanocomposite reported in this work is a potential candidate as an electrochemical transducer in electrochemical biosensors.

  8. Novel amperometric glucose biosensor based on MXene nanocomposite

    PubMed Central

    Rakhi, R. B.; Nayuk, Pranati; Xia, Chuan; Alshareef, Husam N.

    2016-01-01

    A biosensor platform based on Au/MXene nanocomposite for sensitive enzymatic glucose detection is reported. The biosensor leverages the unique electrocatalytic properties and synergistic effects between Au nanoparticles and MXene sheets. An amperometric glucose biosensor is fabricated by the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme on Nafion solubilized Au/ MXene nanocomposite over glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The biomediated Au nanoparticles play a significant role in facilitating the electron exchange between the electroactive center of GOx and the electrode. The GOx/Au/MXene/Nafion/GCE biosensor electrode displayed a linear amperometric response in the glucose concentration range from 0.1 to 18 mM with a relatively high sensitivity of 4.2 μAmM−1 cm−2 and a detection limit of 5.9 μM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the biosensor exhibited excellent stability, reproducibility and repeatability. Therefore, the Au/MXene nanocomposite reported in this work is a potential candidate as an electrochemical transducer in electrochemical biosensors. PMID:27830757

  9. Controllable Synthesis of Copper Oxide/Carbon Core/Shell Nanowire Arrays and Their Application for Electrochemical Energy Storage

    PubMed Central

    Zhan, Jiye; Chen, Minghua; Xia, Xinhui

    2015-01-01

    Rational design/fabrication of integrated porous metal oxide arrays is critical for the construction of advanced electrochemical devices. Herein, we report self-supported CuO/C core/shell nanowire arrays prepared by the combination of electro-deposition and chemical vapor deposition methods. CuO/C nanowires with diameters of ~400 nm grow quasi-vertically to the substrates forming three-dimensional arrays architecture. A thin carbon shell is uniformly coated on the CuO nanowire cores. As an anode of lithium ion batteries, the resultant CuO/C nanowire arrays are demonstrated to have high specific capacity (672 mAh·g−1 at 0.2 C) and good cycle stability (425 mAh·g−1 at 1 C up to 150 cycles). The core/shell arrays structure plays positive roles in the enhancement of Li ion storage due to fast ion/electron transfer path, good strain accommodation and sufficient contact between electrolyte and active materials. PMID:28347084

  10. Epitaxy of advanced nanowire quantum devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gazibegovic, Sasa; Car, Diana; Zhang, Hao; Balk, Stijn C.; Logan, John A.; de Moor, Michiel W. A.; Cassidy, Maja C.; Schmits, Rudi; Xu, Di; Wang, Guanzhong; Krogstrup, Peter; Op Het Veld, Roy L. M.; Zuo, Kun; Vos, Yoram; Shen, Jie; Bouman, Daniël; Shojaei, Borzoyeh; Pennachio, Daniel; Lee, Joon Sue; van Veldhoven, Petrus J.; Koelling, Sebastian; Verheijen, Marcel A.; Kouwenhoven, Leo P.; Palmstrøm, Chris J.; Bakkers, Erik P. A. M.

    2017-08-01

    Semiconductor nanowires are ideal for realizing various low-dimensional quantum devices. In particular, topological phases of matter hosting non-Abelian quasiparticles (such as anyons) can emerge when a semiconductor nanowire with strong spin-orbit coupling is brought into contact with a superconductor. To exploit the potential of non-Abelian anyons—which are key elements of topological quantum computing—fully, they need to be exchanged in a well-controlled braiding operation. Essential hardware for braiding is a network of crystalline nanowires coupled to superconducting islands. Here we demonstrate a technique for generic bottom-up synthesis of complex quantum devices with a special focus on nanowire networks with a predefined number of superconducting islands. Structural analysis confirms the high crystalline quality of the nanowire junctions, as well as an epitaxial superconductor-semiconductor interface. Quantum transport measurements of nanowire ‘hashtags’ reveal Aharonov-Bohm and weak-antilocalization effects, indicating a phase-coherent system with strong spin-orbit coupling. In addition, a proximity-induced hard superconducting gap (with vanishing sub-gap conductance) is demonstrated in these hybrid superconductor-semiconductor nanowires, highlighting the successful materials development necessary for a first braiding experiment. Our approach opens up new avenues for the realization of epitaxial three-dimensional quantum architectures which have the potential to become key components of various quantum devices.

  11. Development of an alcohol dehydrogenase biosensor for ethanol determination with toluidine blue O covalently attached to a cellulose acetate modified electrode.

    PubMed

    Alpat, Senol; Telefoncu, Azmi

    2010-01-01

    In this work, a novel voltammetric ethanol biosensor was constructed using alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Firstly, alcohol dehydrogenase was immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode modified by cellulose acetate (CA) bonded to toluidine blue O (TBO). Secondly, the surface was covered by a glutaraldehyde/bovine serum albumin (BSA) cross-linking procedure to provide a new voltammetric sensor for the ethanol determination. In order to fabricate the biosensor, a new electrode matrix containing insoluble Toluidine Blue O (TBO) was obtained from the process, and enzyme/coenzyme was combined on the biosensor surface. The influence of various experimental conditions was examined for the characterization of the optimum analytical performance. The developed biosensor exhibited sensitive and selective determination of ethanol and showed a linear response between 1 × 10(-5) M and 4 × 10(-4) M ethanol. A detection limit calculated as three times the signal-to-noise ratio was 5.0 × 10(-6) M. At the end of the 20(th) day, the biosensor still retained 50% of its initial activity.

  12. Development of an Alcohol Dehydrogenase Biosensor for Ethanol Determination with Toluidine Blue O Covalently Attached to a Cellulose Acetate Modified Electrode

    PubMed Central

    Alpat, Şenol; Telefoncu, Azmi

    2010-01-01

    In this work, a novel voltammetric ethanol biosensor was constructed using alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Firstly, alcohol dehydrogenase was immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode modified by cellulose acetate (CA) bonded to toluidine blue O (TBO). Secondly, the surface was covered by a glutaraldehyde/bovine serum albumin (BSA) cross-linking procedure to provide a new voltammetric sensor for the ethanol determination. In order to fabricate the biosensor, a new electrode matrix containing insoluble Toluidine Blue O (TBO) was obtained from the process, and enzyme/coenzyme was combined on the biosensor surface. The influence of various experimental conditions was examined for the characterization of the optimum analytical performance. The developed biosensor exhibited sensitive and selective determination of ethanol and showed a linear response between 1 × 10−5 M and 4 × 10−4 M ethanol. A detection limit calculated as three times the signal-to-noise ratio was 5.0 × 10−6 M. At the end of the 20th day, the biosensor still retained 50% of its initial activity. PMID:22315566

  13. Poly(aniline) nanowires in sol-gel coated ITO: A pH-responsive substrate for planar supported lipid bilayers

    PubMed Central

    Ge, Chenhao; Orosz, Kristina S.; Armstrong, Neal R.; Saavedra, S. Scott

    2011-01-01

    Facilitated ion transport across an artificial lipid bilayer coupled to a solid substrate is a function common to several types of bioelectronic devices based on supported membranes, including biomimetic fuel cells and ion channel biosensors. Described here is fabrication of a pH-sensitive transducer composed of a porous sol-gel layer derivatized with poly(aniline) (PANI) nanowires grown from an underlying planar indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The upper sol-gel surface is hydrophilic, smooth, and compatible with deposition of a planar supported lipid bilayer (PSLB) formed via vesicle fusion. Conducting tip AFM was used to show that the PANI wires are connected to the ITO, which convert this electrode into a potentiometric pH sensor. The response to changes in the pH of the buffer contacting the PANI nanowire/sol-gel/ITO electrode is blocked by the very low ion permeability of the overlying, fluid PSLB. The feasibility of using this assembly to monitor facilitated proton transport across the PSLB was demonstrated by doping the membrane with lipophilic ionophores that respond to a transmembrane pH gradient, which produced an apparent proton permeability several orders of magnitude greater than values measured for undoped lipid bilayers. PMID:21707069

  14. Electrically Conductive and Optically Active Porous Silicon Nanowires

    PubMed Central

    Qu, Yongquan; Liao, Lei; Li, Yujing; Zhang, Hua; Huang, Yu; Duan, Xiangfeng

    2009-01-01

    We report the synthesis of vertical silicon nanowire array through a two-step metal-assisted chemical etching of highly doped n-type silicon (100) wafers in a solution of hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The morphology of the as-grown silicon nanowires is tunable from solid nonporous nanowires, nonporous/nanoporous core/shell nanowires, and entirely nanoporous nanowires by controlling the hydrogen peroxide concentration in the etching solution. The porous silicon nanowires retain the single crystalline structure and crystallographic orientation of the starting silicon wafer, and are electrically conductive and optically active with visible photoluminescence. The combination of electronic and optical properties in the porous silicon nanowires may provide a platform for the novel optoelectronic devices for energy harvesting, conversion and biosensing. PMID:19807130

  15. Thermoporometry characterization of silica microparticles and nanowires.

    PubMed

    Wu, Jiaxin; Zheng, Han; Cheng, He; Zhou, L; Leong, K C; Rajagopalan, R; Too, H P; Choi, W K

    2014-03-04

    We present the results of a systematic study on the porosity of silica microparticles and nanowires prepared by glancing angle deposition-metal-assisted chemical etching (GLAD-MACE) and interference lithography-metal-assisted chemical etching (IL-MACE) techniques using the thermoporometry (TPM) method. Good agreement was obtained between our TPM results and published data provided by the suppliers of silica microparticles. TPM characterization of the GLAD-MACE and IL-MACE nanowires was carried out on the basis of parameters obtained from TPM experiments on microparticles. Our nanowires showed a similar trend but lower values of the pore volume and surface area than nanowires prepared by MACE with AgNO3 solution. We attribute the enhanced bioanalysis performance of the GLAD-MACE nanowires based devices to the increased pore volume and total surface area of the nanowires.

  16. Metal-dielectric-CNT nanowires for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

    DOEpatents

    Bond, Tiziana C.; Altun, Ali; Park, Hyung Gyu

    2017-10-03

    A sensor with a substrate includes nanowires extending vertically from the substrate, a hafnia coating on the nanowires that provides hafnia coated nanowires, and a noble metal coating on the hafnia coated nanowires. The top of the hafnia and noble metal coated nanowires bent onto one another to create a canopy forest structure. There are numerous randomly arranged holes that let through scattered light. The many points of contact, hot spots, amplify signals. The methods include the steps of providing a Raman spectroscopy substrate, introducing nano crystals to the Raman spectroscopy substrate, growing a forest of nanowires from the nano crystals on the Raman spectroscopy substrate, coating the nanowires with hafnia providing hafnia coated nanowires, and coating the hafnia coated nanowires with a noble metal or other metal.

  17. Disease-Related Detection with Electrochemical Biosensors: A Review.

    PubMed

    Huang, Ying; Xu, Jin; Liu, Junjie; Wang, Xiangyang; Chen, Bin

    2017-10-17

    Rapid diagnosis of diseases at their initial stage is critical for effective clinical outcomes and promotes general public health. Classical in vitro diagnostics require centralized laboratories, tedious work and large, expensive devices. In recent years, numerous electrochemical biosensors have been developed and proposed for detection of various diseases based on specific biomarkers taking advantage of their features, including sensitivity, selectivity, low cost and rapid response. This article reviews research trends in disease-related detection with electrochemical biosensors. Focus has been placed on the immobilization mechanism of electrochemical biosensors, and the techniques and materials used for the fabrication of biosensors are introduced in details. Various biomolecules used for different diseases have been listed. Besides, the advances and challenges of using electrochemical biosensors for disease-related applications are discussed.

  18. Magnetically-refreshable receptor platform structures for reusable nano-biosensor chips

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoo, Haneul; Lee, Dong Jun; Cho, Dong-guk; Park, Juhun; Nam, Ki Wan; Tak Cho, Young; Park, Jae Yeol; Chen, Xing; Hong, Seunghun

    2016-01-01

    We developed a magnetically-refreshable receptor platform structure which can be integrated with quite versatile nano-biosensor structures to build reusable nano-biosensor chips. This structure allows one to easily remove used receptor molecules from a biosensor surface and reuse the biosensor for repeated sensing operations. Using this structure, we demonstrated reusable immunofluorescence biosensors. Significantly, since our method allows one to place receptor molecules very close to a nano-biosensor surface, it can be utilized to build reusable carbon nanotube transistor-based biosensors which require receptor molecules within a Debye length from the sensor surface. Furthermore, we also show that a single sensor chip can be utilized to detect two different target molecules simply by replacing receptor molecules using our method. Since this method does not rely on any chemical reaction to refresh sensor chips, it can be utilized for versatile biosensor structures and virtually-general receptor molecular species.

  19. Raman Antenna Effect in Semiconducting Nanowires.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Gugang; Xiong, Qihua; Eklund, Peter

    2007-03-01

    A novel Raman antenna effect has been observed in Raman scattering experiments recently carried out on individual GaP nanowires [1]. The Raman antenna effect is perfectly general and should appear in all semiconducting nanowires. It is characterized by an anomalous increase in the Raman cross section for scattering from LO or TO phonons when the electric field of the incident laser beam is parallel to the nanowire axis. We demonstrate that the explanation for the effect lies in the polarization dependence of the Mie scattering from the nanowire and the concomitant polarization-dependent electric field set up inside the wire. Our analysis involves calculations of the internal electric field using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA). We find that the Raman antenna effect happens only for nanowire diameters d<λ/4, where λ is the excitation laser wavelength. Our calculations are found in good agreement with recent experimental results for scattering from individual GaP nanowires. [1] Q. Xiong, G. Chen, G. D. Mahan, P. C. Eklund, in preparation, 2006.

  20. Recent Advances in Nanotechnology Applied to Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Xueqing; Guo, Qin; Cui, Daxiang

    2009-01-01

    In recent years there has been great progress the application of nanomaterials in biosensors. The importance of these to the fundamental development of biosensors has been recognized. In particular, nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots have been being actively investigated for their applications in biosensors, which have become a new interdisciplinary frontier between biological detection and material science. Here we review some of the main advances in this field over the past few years, explore the application prospects, and discuss the issues, approaches, and challenges, with the aim of stimulating a broader interest in developing nanomaterial-based biosensors and improving their applications in disease diagnosis and food safety examination. PMID:22399954

  1. REVIEW ARTICLE: Environmental applications of analytical biosensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marco, María-Pilar; Barceló, Damià

    1996-11-01

    A review of the fundamental aspects and environmental applications of biosensors is presented. The bases of different transducer principles such as electrochemical, optical and piezoelectric are discussed. Various examples are given of the applications of such principles to develop immunosensor devices to determine common environmental contaminants. Attention is also paid to catalytic biosensors, using enzymes as sensing elements. Biosensor devices based on the use of cholinesterase and various oxidase enzymes such as tyrosinase, laccase, peroxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase are reported. Some examples are given of the applications of other biomolecules such as whole cells, DNA or proteins, to determine pollution. Validation studies are presented comparing biosensors with chromatographic techniques to determine organophosphorus pesticides and phenolic compounds in environmental samples.

  2. Biosensor technology for pesticides--a review.

    PubMed

    Verma, Neelam; Bhardwaj, Atul

    2015-03-01

    Pesticides, due to their lucrative outcomes, are majorly implicated in agricultural fields for crop production enhancement. Due to their pest removal properties, pesticides of various classes have been designed to persist in the environment over a longer duration after their application to achieve maximum effectiveness. Apart from their recalcitrant structure and agricultural benefits, pesticides also impose acute toxicological effects onto the other various life forms. Their accumulation in the living system may prove to be detrimental if established in higher concentrations. Thus, their prompt and accurate analysis is a crucial matter of concern. Conventional techniques like chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC, etc.) used for pesticides detection are associated with various limitations like stumpy sensitivity and efficiency, time consumption, laboriousity, requirement of expensive equipments and highly trained technicians, and many more. So there is a need to recruit the methods which can detect these neurotoxic compounds sensitively, selectively, rapidly, and easily in the field. Present work is a brief review of the pesticide effects, their current usage scenario, permissible limits in various food stuffs and 21st century advancements of biosensor technology for pesticide detection. Due to their exceptional performance capabilities, easiness in operation and on-site working, numerous biosensors have been developed for bio-monitoring of various environmental samples for pesticide evaluation immensely throughout the globe. Till date, based on sensing element (enzyme based, antibody based, etc.) and type of detection method used (Electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric, etc.), a number of biosensors have been developed for pesticide detection. In present communication, authors have summarized 21st century's approaches of biosensor technology for pesticide detection such as enzyme-based biosensors, immunosensors, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and

  3. Fabrication and Gas-Sensing Properties of Ni-Silicide/Si Nanowires.

    PubMed

    Hsu, Hsun-Feng; Chen, Chun-An; Liu, Shang-Wu; Tang, Chun-Kai

    2017-12-01

    Ni-silicide/Si nanowires were fabricated by atomic force microscope nano-oxidation on silicon-on-insulator substrates, selective wet etching, and reactive deposition epitaxy. Ni-silicide nanocrystal-modified Si nanowire and Ni-silicide/Si heterostructure multi-stacked nanowire were formed by low- and high-coverage depositions of Ni, respectively. The Ni-silicide/Si Schottky junction and Ni-silicide region were attributed high- and low-resistance parts of nanowire, respectively, causing the resistance of the Ni-silicide nanocrystal-modified Si nanowire and the Ni-silicide/Si heterostructure multi-stacked nanowire to be a little higher and much lower than that of Si nanowire. An O 2 sensing device was formed from a nanowire that was mounted on Pt electrodes. When the nanowires exposed to O 2 , the increase in current in the Ni-silicide/Si heterostructure multi-stacked nanowire was much larger than that in the other nanowires. The Ni-silicide nanocrystal-modified Si nanowire device had the highest sensitivity. The phenomenon can be explained by the formation of a Schottky junction at the Ni-silicide/Si interface in these two types of Ni-Silicide/Si nanowire and the formation of a hole channel at the silicon nanowire/native oxide interface after exposing the nanowires to O 2 .

  4. Biosensor technology: technology push versus market pull.

    PubMed

    Luong, John H T; Male, Keith B; Glennon, Jeremy D

    2008-01-01

    Biosensor technology is based on a specific biological recognition element in combination with a transducer for signal processing. Since its inception, biosensors have been expected to play a significant analytical role in medicine, agriculture, food safety, homeland security, environmental and industrial monitoring. However, the commercialization of biosensor technology has significantly lagged behind the research output as reflected by a plethora of publications and patenting activities. The rationale behind the slow and limited technology transfer could be attributed to cost considerations and some key technical barriers. Analytical chemistry has changed considerably, driven by automation, miniaturization, and system integration with high throughput for multiple tasks. Such requirements pose a great challenge in biosensor technology which is often designed to detect one single or a few target analytes. Successful biosensors must be versatile to support interchangeable biorecognition elements, and in addition miniaturization must be feasible to allow automation for parallel sensing with ease of operation at a competitive cost. A significant upfront investment in research and development is a prerequisite in the commercialization of biosensors. The progress in such endeavors is incremental with limited success, thus, the market entry for a new venture is very difficult unless a niche product can be developed with a considerable market volume.

  5. Diluted magnetic semiconductor nanowires exhibiting magnetoresistance

    DOEpatents

    Yang, Peidong [El Cerrito, CA; Choi, Heonjin [Seoul, KR; Lee, Sangkwon [Daejeon, KR; He, Rongrui [Albany, CA; Zhang, Yanfeng [El Cerrito, CA; Kuykendal, Tevye [Berkeley, CA; Pauzauskie, Peter [Berkeley, CA

    2011-08-23

    A method for is disclosed for fabricating diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) nanowires by providing a catalyst-coated substrate and subjecting at least a portion of the substrate to a semiconductor, and dopant via chloride-based vapor transport to synthesize the nanowires. Using this novel chloride-based chemical vapor transport process, single crystalline diluted magnetic semiconductor nanowires Ga.sub.1-xMn.sub.xN (x=0.07) were synthesized. The nanowires, which have diameters of .about.10 nm to 100 nm and lengths of up to tens of micrometers, show ferromagnetism with Curie temperature above room temperature, and magnetoresistance up to 250 Kelvin.

  6. Bandgap engineering of GaN nanowires

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ming, Bang-Ming; Yan, Hui; Wang, Ru-Zhi, E-mail: wrz@bjut.edu.cn, E-mail: yamcy@csrc.ac.cn

    2016-05-15

    Bandgap engineering has been a powerful technique for manipulating the electronic and optical properties of semiconductors. In this work, a systematic investigation of the electronic properties of [0001] GaN nanowires was carried out using the density functional based tight-binding method (DFTB). We studied the effects of geometric structure and uniaxial strain on the electronic properties of GaN nanowires with diameters ranging from 0.8 to 10 nm. Our results show that the band gap of GaN nanowires depends linearly on both the surface to volume ratio (S/V) and tensile strain. The band gap of GaN nanowires increases linearly with S/V, whilemore » it decreases linearly with increasing tensile strain. These linear relationships provide an effect way in designing GaN nanowires for their applications in novel nano-devices.« less

  7. Segmented nanowires displaying locally controllable properties

    DOEpatents

    Sutter, Eli Anguelova; Sutter, Peter Werner

    2013-03-05

    Vapor-liquid-solid growth of nanowires is tailored to achieve complex one-dimensional material geometries using phase diagrams determined for nanoscale materials. Segmented one-dimensional nanowires having constant composition display locally variable electronic band structures that are determined by the diameter of the nanowires. The unique electrical and optical properties of the segmented nanowires are exploited to form electronic and optoelectronic devices. Using gold-germanium as a model system, in situ transmission electron microscopy establishes, for nanometer-sized Au--Ge alloy drops at the tips of Ge nanowires (NWs), the parts of the phase diagram that determine their temperature-dependent equilibrium composition. The nanoscale phase diagram is then used to determine the exchange of material between the NW and the drop. The phase diagram for the nanoscale drop deviates significantly from that of the bulk alloy.

  8. Multifunctional Magnetic Nanowires for Biomagnetic Interfacing Concepts

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-07-14

    demonstration of both in vitro and in vivo gene delivery with nanowire carriers, magnetic detection of nanowires for biosensing applications, and extensions of...nanowire concentration. The end-to-end self-assembly of nanowires reported here is similar to the problem of step polymerization . The polymerization of...end-segment (A) with a biotin- terminated end-segment (B), L0 is the initial chain length, and p is the extent of reaction (or polymerization

  9. Disease-Related Detection with Electrochemical Biosensors: A Review

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Ying; Xu, Jin; Liu, Junjie; Wang, Xiangyang; Chen, Bin

    2017-01-01

    Rapid diagnosis of diseases at their initial stage is critical for effective clinical outcomes and promotes general public health. Classical in vitro diagnostics require centralized laboratories, tedious work and large, expensive devices. In recent years, numerous electrochemical biosensors have been developed and proposed for detection of various diseases based on specific biomarkers taking advantage of their features, including sensitivity, selectivity, low cost and rapid response. This article reviews research trends in disease-related detection with electrochemical biosensors. Focus has been placed on the immobilization mechanism of electrochemical biosensors, and the techniques and materials used for the fabrication of biosensors are introduced in details. Various biomolecules used for different diseases have been listed. Besides, the advances and challenges of using electrochemical biosensors for disease-related applications are discussed. PMID:29039742

  10. Advances in nano-scaled biosensors for biomedical applications.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jianling; Chen, Guihua; Jiang, Hui; Li, Zhiyong; Wang, Xuemei

    2013-08-21

    Recently, a growing amount of attention has been focused on the utility of biosensors for biomedical applications. Combined with nanomaterials and nanostructures, nano-scaled biosensors are installed for biomedical applications, such as pathogenic bacteria monitoring, virus recognition, disease biomarker detection, among others. These nano-biosensors offer a number of advantages and in many respects are ideally suited to biomedical applications, which could be made as extremely flexible devices, allowing biomedical analysis with speediness, excellent selectivity and high sensitivity. This minireview discusses the literature published in the latest years on the advances in biomedical applications of nano-scaled biosensors for disease bio-marking and detection, especially in bio-imaging and the diagnosis of pathological cells and viruses, monitoring pathogenic bacteria, thus providing insight into the future prospects of biosensors in relevant clinical applications.

  11. Sense and sensitivity in bioprocessing-detecting cellular metabolites with biosensors.

    PubMed

    Dekker, Linda; Polizzi, Karen M

    2017-10-01

    Biosensors use biological elements to detect or quantify an analyte of interest. In bioprocessing, biosensors are employed to monitor key metabolites. There are two main types: fully biological systems or biological recognition coupled with physical/chemical detection. New developments in chemical biosensors include multiplexed detection using microfluidics. Synthetic biology can be used to engineer new biological biosensors with improved characteristics. Although there have been few biosensors developed for bioprocessing thus far, emerging trends can be applied in the future. A range of new platform technologies will enable rapid engineering of new biosensors based on transcriptional activation, riboswitches, and Förster Resonance Energy Transfer. However, translation to industry remains a challenge and more research into the robustness biosensors at scale is needed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Fluidics cube for biosensor miniaturization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dodson, J. M.; Feldstein, M. J.; Leatzow, D. M.; Flack, L. K.; Golden, J. P.; Ligler, F. S.

    2001-01-01

    To create a small, portable, fully automated biosensor, a compact means of fluid handling is required. We designed, manufactured, and tested a "fluidics cube" for such a purpose. This cube, made of thermoplastic, contains reservoirs and channels for liquid samples and reagents and operates without the use of any internal valves or meters; it is a passive fluid circuit that relies on pressure relief vents to control fluid movement. We demonstrate the ability of pressure relief vents to control fluid movement and show how to simply manufacture or modify the cube. Combined with the planar array biosensor developed at the Naval Research Laboratory, it brings us one step closer to realizing our goal of a handheld biosensor capable of analyzing multiple samples for multiple analytes.

  13. VLS growth of alternating InAsP/InP heterostructure nanowires for multiple-quantum-dot structures.

    PubMed

    Tateno, Kouta; Zhang, Guoqiang; Gotoh, Hideki; Sogawa, Tetsuomi

    2012-06-13

    We investigated the Au-assisted growth of alternating InAsP/InP heterostructures in wurtzite InP nanowires on InP(111)B substrates for constructing multiple-quantum-dot structures. Vertical InP nanowires without stacking faults were obtained at a high PH(3)/TMIn mole flow ratio of 300-1000. We found that the growth rate changed largely when approximately 40 min passed. Ten InAsP layers were inserted in the InP nanowire, and it was found that both the InP growth rate and the background As level increased after the As supply. We also grew the same structure using TBAs/TBP and could reduce the As level in the InP segments. A simulation using a finite-difference time-domain method suggests that the nanowire growth was dominated by the diffusion of the reaction species with long residence time on the surface. For TBAs/TBP, when the source gases were changed, the formed surface species showed a short diffusion length so as to reduce the As background after the InAsP growth.

  14. Electrochemical biosensor for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA detection based on gold nanotubes array electrode platform.

    PubMed

    Torati, Sri Ramulu; Reddy, Venu; Yoon, Seok Soo; Kim, CheolGi

    2016-04-15

    The template assisted electrochemical deposition technique was used for the synthesis of gold nanotubes array (AuNTsA). The morphological structure of the synthesized AuNTsA was observed by scanning electron microscopy and found that the individual nanotubes are around 1.5 μm in length with a diameter of 200 nm. Nanotubes are vertically aligned to the Au thick film, which is formed during the synthesis process of nanotubes. The electrochemical performance of the AuNTsA was compared with the bare Au electrode and found that AuNTsA has better electron transfer surface than bare Au electrode which is due to the high surface area. Hence, the AuNTsA was used as an electrode for the fabrication of DNA hybridization biosensor for detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis DNA. The DNA hybridization biosensor constructed by AuNTsA electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry technique with Fe(CN)6(3-/4-) as an electrochemical redox indicator. The selectivity of the fabricated biosensor was illustrated by hybridization with complementary DNA and non-complementary DNA with probe DNA immobilized AuNTsA electrode using methylene blue as a hybridization indicator. The developed electrochemical DNA biosensor shows good linear range of complementary DNA concentration from 0.01 ng/μL to 100 ng/μL with high detection limit. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis by Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Yuqian; Yang, Dongliang; Weng, Lixing; Wang, Lianhui

    2013-01-01

    Lung cancer causes an extreme threat to human health, and the mortality rate due to lung cancer has not decreased during the last decade. Prognosis or early diagnosis could help reduce the mortality rate. If microRNA and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), as well as the corresponding autoantibodies, can be detected prior to clinical diagnosis, such high sensitivity of biosensors makes the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer realizable. This review provides an overview of tumor-associated biomarker identifying methods and the biosensor technology available today. Laboratorial researches utilizing biosensors for early lung cancer diagnosis will be highlighted. PMID:23892596

  16. Device considerations for development of conductance-based biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Kangho; Nair, Pradeep R.; Scott, Adina; Alam, Muhammad A.; Janes, David B.

    2009-01-01

    Design and fabrication of electronic biosensors based on field-effect-transistor (FET) devices require understanding of interactions between semiconductor surfaces and organic biomolecules. From this perspective, we review practical considerations for electronic biosensors with emphasis on molecular passivation effects on FET device characteristics upon immobilization of organic molecules and an electrostatic model for FET-based biosensors. PMID:24753627

  17. Biosensors Fabricated through Electrostatic Assembly of Enzymes/Polyelectrolyte Hybrid Layers on Carbon Nanotubes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lin, Yuehe; Liu, Guodong; Wang, Jun

    2006-06-01

    Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as new class of nanomaterials that is receiving considerable interest because of their unique structure, mechanical, and electronic properties. One promising application of CNTs is to fabricate highly sensitive chemo/biosensors.1-4 For construction of these CNT-based sensors, the CNTs first have to be modified with some molecules specific to the interests. Generally, covalent binding, affinity, and electrostatic interaction have been utilized for the modification of CNTs. Among them, the electrostatic method is attractive due to its simplicity and high efficiency. In present work, we have developed highly sensitively amperometric biosensors for glucose, choline, organophosphate pesticide (OPP)more » and nerve agents (NAs) based on electrostatically assembling enzymes on the surface of CNTs. All these biosensors were fabricated by immobilization of enzymes on the negatively charged CNTs surface through alternately assembling a cationic poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) layer and an enzyme layer. Using this layer-by-layer (LBL) technique, a bioactive nanocomposite film was fabricated on the electrode surface. Owing to the electrocatalytic effect of CNTs, an amplified electrochemical signal was achieved, which leads to low detections limits for glucose, choline, and OPP and NAs.« less

  18. Amperometric catechol biosensor based on laccase immobilized on nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (N-OMC)/PVA matrix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Meiqing; Wang, Hefeng; Huang, Di; Han, Zhijun; Li, Qiang; Wang, Xiaojun; Chen, Jing

    2014-06-01

    A functionalized nitrogen-containing ordered mesoporous carbon (N-OMC), which shows good electrical properties, was synthesized by the carbonization of polyaniline inside a SBA-15 mesoporous silica template. Based on this, through entrapping laccase onto the N-OMC/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film a facilely fabricated amperometric biosensor was developed. Laccase from Trametes versicolor was assembled on a composite film of a N-OMC/PVA modified Au electrode and the electrochemical behavior was investigated. The results indicated that the N-OMC modified electrode exhibits electrical properties towards catechol. The optimum experimental conditions of a biosensor for the detection of catechol were studied in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the sensitivity of the biosensor was 0.29 A*M-1 with a detection limit of 0.31 μM and a linear detection range from 0.39 μM to 8.98 μM for catechol. The calibration curve followed the Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the apparent Michaelis-Menten \\left( K_{M}^{app} \\right) was 6.28 μM. This work demonstrated that the N-OMC/PVA composite provides a suitable support for laccase immobilization and the construction of a biosensor.

  19. Study of spin dynamics and damping on the magnetic nanowire arrays with various nanowire widths

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cho, Jaehun; Fujii, Yuya; Konioshi, Katsunori; Yoon, Jungbum; Kim, Nam-Hui; Jung, Jinyong; Miwa, Shinji; Jung, Myung-Hwa; Suzuki, Yoshishige; You, Chun-Yeol

    2016-07-01

    We investigate the spin dynamics including Gilbert damping in the ferromagnetic nanowire arrays. We have measured the ferromagnetic resonance of ferromagnetic nanowire arrays using vector-network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance (VNA-FMR) and analyzed the results with the micromagnetic simulations. We find excellent agreement between the experimental VNA-FMR spectra and micromagnetic simulations result for various applied magnetic fields. We find that the same tendency of the demagnetization factor for longitudinal and transverse conditions, Nz (Ny) increases (decreases) as increasing the nanowire width in the micromagnetic simulations while Nx is almost zero value in transverse case. We also find that the Gilbert damping constant increases from 0.018 to 0.051 as the increasing nanowire width for the transverse case, while it is almost constant as 0.021 for the longitudinal case.

  20. Magnetic nanorings and manipulation of nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chien, C. L.

    2006-03-01

    The properties of nanoscale entities, such as nanorings and nanowires, and the response of such entities to external fields are dictated by their geometrical shapes and sizes, which can be manipulated by fabrication. We have developed a method for fabricating a large number of nanorings (10^10) of different sizes in the range of 100 nm and ring cross sections. During magnetic reversal, both the vortex state and the rotating onion state appear with different proportions, which depend on the ring diameter, ring cross section, and the profile of the ring cross section. In the case of nanowires in suspension, the large aspect ratio of the nanowires can be exploited for manipulation despite extremely small Reynolds numbers of 10-5. Using AC electric field applied to microelectrodes, both magnetic and non-magnetic nanowires can be efficiently assembled into desired patterns. We also demonstrate rotation of nanowires with precisely controlled rotation speed and chirality, as well as an electrically driven nanowire micromotor a few in size. In collaboration with F. Q. Zhu, D. L. Fan, O. Tchernyshyov, R. C. Cammarata (Johns Hopkins University) and X. C. Zhu and J. G. Zhu (Carnegie-Mellon University).

  1. Strategies for specifically directing metal functionalization of protein nanotubes: constructing protein coated silver nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carreño-Fuentes, Liliana; Ascencio, Jorge A.; Medina, Ariosto; Aguila, Sergio; Palomares, Laura A.; Ramírez, Octavio T.

    2013-06-01

    Biological molecules that self-assemble in the nanoscale range are useful multifunctional materials. Rotavirus VP6 protein self-assembles into tubular structures in the absence of other rotavirus proteins. Here, we present strategies for selectively directing metal functionalization to the lumen of VP6 nanotubes. The specific in situ metal reduction in the inner surface of nanotube walls was achieved by the simple modification of a method previously reported to functionalize the nanotube outer surface. Silver nanorods and nanowires as long as 1.5 μm were formed inside the nanotubes by coalescence of nanoparticles. Such one-dimensional structures were longer than others previously obtained using bioscaffolds. The interactions between silver ions and the nanotube were simulated to understand the conditions that allowed nanowire formation. Molecular docking showed that a naturally occurring arrangement of aspartate residues enabled the stabilization of silver ions on the internal surface of the VP6 nanotubes. This is the first time that such a spatial arrangement has been proposed for the nucleation of silver nanoparticles, opening the possibility of using such an array to direct functionalization of other biomolecules. These results demonstrate the natural capabilities of VP6 nanotubes to function as a versatile biotemplate for nanomaterials.

  2. Fabric Organic Electrochemical Transistors for Biosensors.

    PubMed

    Yang, Anneng; Li, Yuanzhe; Yang, Chenxiao; Fu, Ying; Wang, Naixiang; Li, Li; Yan, Feng

    2018-06-01

    Flexible fabric biosensors can find promising applications in wearable electronics. However, high-performance fabric biosensors have been rarely reported due to many special requirements in device fabrication. Here, the preparation of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) on Nylon fibers is reported. By introducing metal/conductive polymer multilayer electrodes on the fibers, the OECTs show very stable performance during bending tests. The devices with functionalized gates are successfully used as various biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity. The fiber-based OECTs are woven together with cotton yarns successfully by using a conventional weaving machine, resulting in flexible and stretchable fabric biosensors with high performance. The fabric sensors show much more stable signals in the analysis of moving aqueous solutions than planar devices due to a capillary effect in fabrics. The fabric devices are integrated in a diaper and remotely operated by using a mobile phone, offering a unique platform for convenient wearable healthcare monitoring. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Sensors and devices containing ultra-small nanowire arrays

    DOEpatents

    Xiao, Zhili

    2014-09-23

    A network of nanowires may be used for a sensor. The nanowires are metallic, each nanowire has a thickness of at most 20 nm, and each nanowire has a width of at most 20 nm. The sensor may include nanowires comprising Pd, and the sensor may sense a change in hydrogen concentration from 0 to 100%. A device may include the hydrogen sensor, such as a vehicle, a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank, a facility for manufacturing steel, or a facility for refining petroleum products.

  4. Sensors and devices containing ultra-small nanowire arrays

    DOEpatents

    Xiao, Zhili

    2017-04-11

    A network of nanowires may be used for a sensor. The nanowires are metallic, each nanowire has a thickness of at most 20 nm, and each nanowire has a width of at most 20 nm. The sensor may include nanowires comprising Pd, and the sensor may sense a change in hydrogen concentration from 0 to 100%. A device may include the hydrogen sensor, such as a vehicle, a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank, a facility for manufacturing steel, or a facility for refining petroleum products.

  5. A ZnO nanowire resistive switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karthik, K. R. G.; Ramanujam Prabhakar, Rajiv; Hai, L.; Batabyal, Sudip K.; Huang, Y. Z.; Mhaisalkar, S. G.

    2013-09-01

    An individual ZnO nanowire resistive switch is evaluated with Pt/ZnO nanowire/Pt topology. A detailed DC I-V curve analysis is performed to bring both the conduction mechanism and the device characteristics to light. The device is further studied at various vacuum pressures to ascertain the presence of polar charges in ZnO nanowires as the phenomenon leading to the formation of the switch. The disappearance of the resistive switching is also analyzed with two kinds of fabrication approaches Focused Ion/Electron Beam involved in the making the device and a summary of both length and fabrication dependences of resistive switching in the ZnO nanowire is presented.

  6. Far field emission profile of pure wurtzite InP nanowires

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bulgarini, Gabriele, E-mail: g.bulgarini@tudelft.nl; Reimer, Michael E.; Zwiller, Val

    2014-11-10

    We report on the far field emission profile of pure wurtzite InP nanowires in comparison to InP nanowires with predominantly zincblende crystal structure. The emission profile is measured on individual nanowires using Fourier microscopy. The most intense photoluminescence of wurtzite nanowires is collected at small angles with respect to the nanowire growth axis. In contrast, zincblende nanowires present a minimum of the collected light intensity in the direction of the nanowire growth. Results are explained by the orientation of electric dipoles responsible for the photoluminescence, which is different from wurtzite to zincblende. Wurtzite nanowires have dipoles oriented perpendicular to themore » nanowire growth direction, whereas zincblende nanowires have dipoles oriented along the nanowire axis. This interpretation is confirmed by both numerical simulations and polarization dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy. Knowledge of the dipole orientation in nanostructures is crucial for developing a wide range of photonic devices such as light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, and solar cells.« less

  7. DNA Nanotechnology-Enabled Interfacial Engineering for Biosensor Development.

    PubMed

    Ye, Dekai; Zuo, Xiaolei; Fan, Chunhai

    2018-06-12

    Biosensors represent biomimetic analytical tools for addressing increasing needs in medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, security, and biodefense. Nevertheless, widespread real-world applications of biosensors remain challenging due to limitations of performance, including sensitivity, specificity, speed, and reproducibility. In this review, we present a DNA nanotechnology-enabled interfacial engineering approach for improving the performance of biosensors. We first introduce the main challenges of the biosensing interfaces, especially under the context of controlling the DNA interfacial assembly. We then summarize recent progress in DNA nanotechnology and efforts to harness DNA nanostructures to engineer various biological interfaces, with a particular focus on the use of framework nucleic acids. We also discuss the implementation of biosensors to detect physiologically relevant nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, ions, and other biomarkers. This review highlights promising applications of DNA nanotechnology in interfacial engineering for biosensors and related areas.

  8. Superior Sensitivity of Copper-Based Plasmonic Biosensors.

    PubMed

    Stebunov, Yury V; Yakubovsky, Dmitry I; Fedyanin, Dmitry Yu; Arsenin, Aleksey V; Volkov, Valentyn S

    2018-04-17

    Plasmonic biosensing has been demonstrated to be a powerful technique for quantitative determination of molecular analytes and kinetic analysis of biochemical reactions. However, interfaces of most plasmonic biosensors are made of noble metals, such as gold and silver, which are not compatible with industrial production technologies. This greatly limits biosensing applications beyond biochemical and pharmaceutical research. Here, we propose and investigate copper-based biosensor chips fully fabricated with a standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The protection of thin copper films from oxidation is achieved with SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 dielectric films deposited onto the metal surface. In addition, the deposition of dielectric films with thicknesses of only several tens of nanometers significantly improves the biosensing sensitivity, owing to better localization of electromagnetic field above the biosensing surface. According to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements, the copper biosensor chips coated with thin films of SiO 2 (25 nm) and Al 2 O 3 (15 nm) show 55% and 75% higher sensitivity to refractive index changes, respectively, in comparison to pure gold sensor chips. To test biomolecule immobilization, the copper-dielectric biosensor chips are coated with graphene oxide linking layers and used for the selective analysis of oligonucleotide hybridization. The proposed plasmonic biosensors make SPR technology more affordable for various applications and provide the basis for compact biosensors integrated with modern electronic devices.

  9. Understanding the vapor-liquid-solid growth and composition of ternary III-V nanowires and nanowire heterostructures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dubrovskii, V. G.

    2017-11-01

    Based on the recent achievements in vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) synthesis, characterization and modeling of ternary III-V nanowires and axial heterostructures within such nanowires, we try to understand the major trends in their compositional evolution from a general theoretical perspective. Clearly, the VLS growth of ternary materials is much more complex than in standard vapor-solid epitaxy techniques, and even maintaining the necessary control over the composition of steady-state ternary nanowires is far from straightforward. On the other hand, VLS nanowires offer otherwise unattainable material combinations without introducing structural defects and hence are very promising for next-generation optoelectronic devices, in particular those integrated with a silicon electronic platform. In this review, we consider two main problems. First, we show how and by means of which parameters the steady-state composition of Au-catalyzed or self-catalyzed ternary III-V nanowires can be tuned to a desired value and why it is generally different from the vapor composition. Second, we present some experimental data and modeling results for the interfacial abruptness across axial nanowire heterostructures, both in Au-catalyzed and self-catalyzed VLS growth methods. Refined modeling allows us to formulate some general growth recipes for suppressing the unwanted reservoir effect in the droplet and sharpening the nanowire heterojunctions. We consider and refine two approaches developed to date, namely the regular crystallization model for a liquid alloy with a critical size of only one III-V pair at high supersaturations or classical binary nucleation theory with a macroscopic critical nucleus at modest supersaturations.

  10. Solution-processed copper-nickel nanowire anodes for organic solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stewart, Ian E.; Rathmell, Aaron R.; Yan, Liang; Ye, Shengrong; Flowers, Patrick F.; You, Wei; Wiley, Benjamin J.

    2014-05-01

    This work describes a process to make anodes for organic solar cells from copper-nickel nanowires with solution-phase processing. Copper nanowire films were coated from solution onto glass and made conductive by dipping them in acetic acid. Acetic acid removes the passivating oxide from the surface of copper nanowires, thereby reducing the contact resistance between nanowires to nearly the same extent as hydrogen annealing. Films of copper nanowires were made as oxidation resistant as silver nanowires under dry and humid conditions by dipping them in an electroless nickel plating solution. Organic solar cells utilizing these completely solution-processed copper-nickel nanowire films exhibited efficiencies of 4.9%.This work describes a process to make anodes for organic solar cells from copper-nickel nanowires with solution-phase processing. Copper nanowire films were coated from solution onto glass and made conductive by dipping them in acetic acid. Acetic acid removes the passivating oxide from the surface of copper nanowires, thereby reducing the contact resistance between nanowires to nearly the same extent as hydrogen annealing. Films of copper nanowires were made as oxidation resistant as silver nanowires under dry and humid conditions by dipping them in an electroless nickel plating solution. Organic solar cells utilizing these completely solution-processed copper-nickel nanowire films exhibited efficiencies of 4.9%. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr01024h

  11. High performance photodetectors based on high quality InP nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Yan-Kun; Yang, Tie-Feng; Li, Hong-Lai; Qi, Zhao-Yang; Chen, Xin-Liang; Wu, Wen-Qiang; Hu, Xue-Lu; He, Peng-Bin; Jiang, Ying; Hu, Wei; Zhang, Qing-Lin; Zhuang, Xiu-Juan; Zhu, Xiao-Li; Pan, An-Lian

    2016-11-01

    In this paper, small diameter InP nanowires with high crystal quality were synthesized through a chemical vapor deposition method. Benefitting from the high crystallinity and large specific surface area of InP nanowires, the simply constructed photodetector demonstrates a high responsivity of up to 1170 A·W-1 and an external quantum efficiency of 2.8×105% with a fast rise time of 110 ms and a fall time of 130 ms, even at low bias of 0.1 V. The effect of back-gate voltage on photoresponse of the device was systematically investigated, confirming that the photocurrent dominates over thermionic and tunneling currents in the whole operation. A mechanism based on energy band theory at the junction between metal and semiconductor was proposed to explain the back-gate voltage dependent performance of the photodetectors. These convincing results indicate that fine InP nanowires will have a brilliant future in smart optoelectronics. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51525202, 61574054, 61505051, and 61474040), the Science and Technology Plan of Hunan Province, China (Grant Nos. 2014FJ2001 and 2014TT1004), and the Aid Program for Science and Technology Innovative Research Team in Higher Educational Institutions of Hunan Province, China.

  12. Dielectrophoretic investigation of Bi₂Te₃ nanowires-a microfabricated thermoelectric characterization platform for measuring the thermoelectric and structural properties of single nanowires.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zhi; Kojda, Danny; Peranio, Nicola; Kroener, Michael; Mitdank, Rüdiger; Toellner, William; Nielsch, Kornelius; Fischer, Saskia F; Gutsch, Sebastian; Zacharias, Margit; Eibl, Oliver; Woias, Peter

    2015-03-27

    In this article a microfabricated thermoelectric nanowire characterization platform to investigate the thermoelectric and structural properties of single nanowires is presented. By means of dielectrophoresis (DEP), a method to manipulate and orient nanowires in a controlled way to assemble them onto our measurement platform is introduced. The thermoelectric platform fabricated with optimally designed DEP electrodes results in a yield of nanowire assembly of approximately 90% under an applied peak-to-peak ac signal Vpp = 10 V and frequency f = 20 MHz within a series of 200 experiments. Ohmic contacts between the aligned single nanowire and the electrodes on the platform are established by electron beam-induced deposition. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of electrochemically synthesized Bi2Te3 nanowires are measured to be -51 μV K(-1) and (943 ± 160)/(Ω(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. Chemical composition and crystallographic structure are obtained using transmission electron microscopy. The selected nanowire is observed to be single crystalline over its entire length and no grain boundaries are detected. At the surface of the nanowire, 66.1 ± 1.1 at.% Te and 34.9 ± 1.1 at.% Bi are observed. In contrast, chemical composition of 64.2 at.% Te and 35.8 at.% Bi is detected in the thick center of the nanowire.

  13. Modeling microelectrode biosensors: free-flow calibration can substantially underestimate tissue concentrations

    PubMed Central

    Wall, Mark J.

    2016-01-01

    Microelectrode amperometric biosensors are widely used to measure concentrations of analytes in solution and tissue including acetylcholine, adenosine, glucose, and glutamate. A great deal of experimental and modeling effort has been directed at quantifying the response of the biosensors themselves; however, the influence that the macroscopic tissue environment has on biosensor response has not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny. Here we identify an important issue in the way microelectrode biosensors are calibrated that is likely to have led to underestimations of analyte tissue concentrations. Concentration in tissue is typically determined by comparing the biosensor signal to that measured in free-flow calibration conditions. In a free-flow environment the concentration of the analyte at the outer surface of the biosensor can be considered constant. However, in tissue the analyte reaches the biosensor surface by diffusion through the extracellular space. Because the enzymes in the biosensor break down the analyte, a density gradient is set up resulting in a significantly lower concentration of analyte near the biosensor surface. This effect is compounded by the diminished volume fraction (porosity) and reduction in the diffusion coefficient due to obstructions (tortuosity) in tissue. We demonstrate this effect through modeling and experimentally verify our predictions in diffusive environments. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Microelectrode biosensors are typically calibrated in a free-flow environment where the concentrations at the biosensor surface are constant. However, when in tissue, the analyte reaches the biosensor via diffusion and so analyte breakdown by the biosensor results in a concentration gradient and consequently a lower concentration around the biosensor. This effect means that naive free-flow calibration will underestimate tissue concentration. We develop mathematical models to better quantify the discrepancy between the calibration and tissue

  14. Modeling microelectrode biosensors: free-flow calibration can substantially underestimate tissue concentrations.

    PubMed

    Newton, Adam J H; Wall, Mark J; Richardson, Magnus J E

    2017-03-01

    Microelectrode amperometric biosensors are widely used to measure concentrations of analytes in solution and tissue including acetylcholine, adenosine, glucose, and glutamate. A great deal of experimental and modeling effort has been directed at quantifying the response of the biosensors themselves; however, the influence that the macroscopic tissue environment has on biosensor response has not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny. Here we identify an important issue in the way microelectrode biosensors are calibrated that is likely to have led to underestimations of analyte tissue concentrations. Concentration in tissue is typically determined by comparing the biosensor signal to that measured in free-flow calibration conditions. In a free-flow environment the concentration of the analyte at the outer surface of the biosensor can be considered constant. However, in tissue the analyte reaches the biosensor surface by diffusion through the extracellular space. Because the enzymes in the biosensor break down the analyte, a density gradient is set up resulting in a significantly lower concentration of analyte near the biosensor surface. This effect is compounded by the diminished volume fraction (porosity) and reduction in the diffusion coefficient due to obstructions (tortuosity) in tissue. We demonstrate this effect through modeling and experimentally verify our predictions in diffusive environments. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Microelectrode biosensors are typically calibrated in a free-flow environment where the concentrations at the biosensor surface are constant. However, when in tissue, the analyte reaches the biosensor via diffusion and so analyte breakdown by the biosensor results in a concentration gradient and consequently a lower concentration around the biosensor. This effect means that naive free-flow calibration will underestimate tissue concentration. We develop mathematical models to better quantify the discrepancy between the calibration and tissue

  15. Biosensor based on glucose oxidase-nanoporous gold co-catalysis for glucose detection.

    PubMed

    Wu, Chao; Sun, Huihui; Li, Yufei; Liu, Xueying; Du, Xiaoyu; Wang, Xia; Xu, Ping

    2015-04-15

    Promoting the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose is crucial in glucose biosensor design. In this study, nanoporous gold (NPG) was selected for glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilization and glucose biosensor fabrication because of its open, highly conductive, biocompatible, and interconnected porous structure, which also facilitates the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose. The electrochemical reaction on the surface of the resulting GOx/NPG/GCE bioelectrode was attributed to the co-catalysis effect of GOx and NPG. A surface-confined reaction in a phosphate buffer solution was observed at the bioelectrode during cyclic voltammetry experiments. Linear responses were observed for large glucose concentrations ranging from 50μM to 10mM, with a high sensitivity of 12.1μAmM(-1)cm(-2) and a low detection limit of 1.02μM. Furthermore, the GOx/NPG/GCE bioelectrode presented strong anti-interference capability against cholesterol, urea, tributyrin, ascorbic acid, and uric acid, along with a long shelf-life. For the detection of glucose in human serum, the data generated by the GOx/NPG/GCE bioelectrode were in good agreement with those produced by an automatic biochemical analyzer. These unique properties make the GOx/NPG/GCE bioelectrode an excellent choice for the construction of a glucose biosensor. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Structure evolution and electrical transport property of Si nanowire

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Y.; Li, Q. Q.; Dong, J. C.; He, Y. Z.; Li, H.

    2015-02-01

    Various optimized Si and its alloy nanowires, from a monoatomic chain to helical and multishell coaxial cylinder, have been obtained. Results reveal that the structure of the Si nanowires transforms as the radii of the carbon nanotubes increase, despite of the chirality of the CNTs. We also calculate the physical properties, such as density of states, transmission functions, current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, and conductance spectra (G-V) of optimized nanowires and alloy nanowires sandwiched between two gold contacts. Interestingly, compared with the pure Si nanowires, the conductance of the alloy nanowires is even lower.

  17. BIOSENSORS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING: A REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Biosensors show the potential to complement laboratory-based analytical methods for environmental applications. Although biosensors for potential environmental-monitoring applications have been reported for a wide range of environmental pollutants, from a regulatory perspective, ...

  18. Large Scale Bacterial Colony Screening of Diversified FRET Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Litzlbauer, Julia; Schifferer, Martina; Ng, David; Fabritius, Arne; Thestrup, Thomas; Griesbeck, Oliver

    2015-01-01

    Biosensors based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between fluorescent protein mutants have started to revolutionize physiology and biochemistry. However, many types of FRET biosensors show relatively small FRET changes, making measurements with these probes challenging when used under sub-optimal experimental conditions. Thus, a major effort in the field currently lies in designing new optimization strategies for these types of sensors. Here we describe procedures for optimizing FRET changes by large scale screening of mutant biosensor libraries in bacterial colonies. We describe optimization of biosensor expression, permeabilization of bacteria, software tools for analysis, and screening conditions. The procedures reported here may help in improving FRET changes in multiple suitable classes of biosensors. PMID:26061878

  19. Biosensor method and system based on feature vector extraction

    DOEpatents

    Greenbaum, Elias [Knoxville, TN; Rodriguez, Jr., Miguel; Qi, Hairong [Knoxville, TN; Wang, Xiaoling [San Jose, CA

    2012-04-17

    A method of biosensor-based detection of toxins comprises the steps of providing at least one time-dependent control signal generated by a biosensor in a gas or liquid medium, and obtaining a time-dependent biosensor signal from the biosensor in the gas or liquid medium to be monitored or analyzed for the presence of one or more toxins selected from chemical, biological or radiological agents. The time-dependent biosensor signal is processed to obtain a plurality of feature vectors using at least one of amplitude statistics and a time-frequency analysis. At least one parameter relating to toxicity of the gas or liquid medium is then determined from the feature vectors based on reference to the control signal.

  20. Biosensor method and system based on feature vector extraction

    DOEpatents

    Greenbaum, Elias; Rodriguez, Jr., Miguel; Qi, Hairong; Wang, Xiaoling

    2013-07-02

    A system for biosensor-based detection of toxins includes providing at least one time-dependent control signal generated by a biosensor in a gas or liquid medium, and obtaining a time-dependent biosensor signal from the biosensor in the gas or liquid medium to be monitored or analyzed for the presence of one or more toxins selected from chemical, biological or radiological agents. The time-dependent biosensor signal is processed to obtain a plurality of feature vectors using at least one of amplitude statistics and a time-frequency analysis. At least one parameter relating to toxicity of the gas or liquid medium is then determined from the feature vectors based on reference to the control signal.

  1. Emerging Synergy between Nanotechnology and Implantable Biosensors: A Review

    PubMed Central

    Vaddiraju, Santhisagar; Tomazos, Ioannis; Burgess, Diane J; Jain, Faquir C; Papadimitrakopoulos, Fotios

    2010-01-01

    The development of implantable biosensors for continuous monitoring of metabolites is an area of sustained scientific and technological interest. On the other hand, nanotechnology, a discipline which deals with the properties of materials at the nanoscale, is developing as a potent tool to enhance the performance of these biosensors. This article reviews the current state of implantable biosensors, highlighting the synergy between nanotechnology and sensor performance. Emphasis is placed on the electrochemical method of detection in light of its widespread usage and substantial nanotechnology-based improvements in various aspects of electrochemical biosensor performance. Finally, issues regarding toxicity and biocompatibility of nanomaterials, along with future prospects for the application of nanotechnology in implantable biosensors, are discussed. PMID:20042326

  2. An amperometric urea bisosensor based on covalent immobilization of urease on N2 incorporated diamond nanowire electrode.

    PubMed

    Shalini, Jayakumar; Sankaran, Kamatchi Jothiramalingam; Lee, Chi-Young; Tai, Nyan-Hwa; Lin, I-Nan

    2014-06-15

    N2 incorporated diamond nanowire (N-DNW) film electrochemical biosensor has utilized for the quantitative determination of urea in aqueous solution and urine sample. N-DNW electrode is wet-chemically cleaned (oxidation) by boiling in a mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3 (3:1) at 200°C for 2h to remove graphite. Urease (Urs) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) are covalently attached to the oxidized N-DNW electrode by activating the COOH group of N-DNW using ethyl(dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide as the coupling agent and N-hydroxysuccinimide as activator. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data reveal that carboxylic and hydroxyl functionalized nature of N-DNW electrodes Urs-GLDH immobilized N-DNW (Urs-GLDH/N-DNW) has been successfully utilized in urea biosensor which exhibits good performance in sensitivity (6.18 μA/mg dL/cm(2)), stability (~1 month), reproducibility, lower detection limit (3.87 mg/dL) and fast response time (>10s). Urs-GLDH/N-DNW also exhibits electrochemical response when tested for different concentration of human urine in buffer solution (from 1:9 to 4:6). In addition, Urs-GLDH/N-DNW bioelectrode retains 80% of its initial enzyme activity for <1 month, when stored at 4-6°C in a refrigerator. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Nanowire sensor, sensor array, and method for making the same

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Homer, Margie (Inventor); Fleurial, Jean-Pierre (Inventor); Bugga, Ratnakumar (Inventor); Vasquez, Richard (Inventor); Yun, Minhee (Inventor); Myung, Nosang (Inventor); Choi, Daniel (Inventor); Goddard, William (Inventor); Ryan, Margaret (Inventor); Yen, Shiao-Pin (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    The present invention relates to a nanowire sensor and method for forming the same. More specifically, the nanowire sensor comprises at least one nanowire formed on a substrate, with a sensor receptor disposed on a surface of the nanowire, thereby forming a receptor-coated nanowire. The nanowire sensor can be arranged as a sensor sub-unit comprising a plurality of homogeneously receptor-coated nanowires. A plurality of sensor subunits can be formed to collectively comprise a nanowire sensor array. Each sensor subunit in the nanowire sensor array can be formed to sense a different stimulus, allowing a user to sense a plurality of stimuli. Additionally, each sensor subunit can be formed to sense the same stimuli through different aspects of the stimulus. The sensor array is fabricated through a variety of techniques, such as by creating nanopores on a substrate and electrodepositing nanowires within the nanopores.

  4. Core-shell silicon nanowire solar cells

    PubMed Central

    Adachi, M. M.; Anantram, M. P.; Karim, K. S.

    2013-01-01

    Silicon nanowires can enhance broadband optical absorption and reduce radial carrier collection distances in solar cell devices. Arrays of disordered nanowires grown by vapor-liquid-solid method are attractive because they can be grown on low-cost substrates such as glass, and are large area compatible. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that an array of disordered silicon nanowires surrounded by a thin transparent conductive oxide has both low diffuse and specular reflection with total values as low as < 4% over a broad wavelength range of 400 nm < λ < 650 nm. These anti-reflective properties together with enhanced infrared absorption in the core-shell nanowire facilitates enhancement in external quantum efficiency using two different active shell materials: amorphous silicon and nanocrystalline silicon. As a result, the core-shell nanowire device exhibits a short-circuit current enhancement of 15% with an amorphous Si shell and 26% with a nanocrystalline Si shell compared to their corresponding planar devices. PMID:23529071

  5. An interference-free glucose biosensor based on an anionic redox polymer-mediated enzymatic oxidation of glucose.

    PubMed

    Deng, Huimin; Shen, Wei; Gao, Zhiqiang

    2013-07-22

    Herein a novel strategy for the construction of an amperometric biosensor for highly sensitive and selective determination of glucose is described. The biosensor is made of a biocomposite membrane of glucose oxidase (GOx) and an Os(bpy)2 (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine)-based anionic redox polymer (Os-RP) mediator. The biosensor is fabricated through the co-immobilization of GOx and the Os-RP on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode by a simple one-step chemical crosslinking process. The crosslinked Os-RP/GOx composite membrane shows excellent catalytic activity toward the oxidation of glucose. Under optimal experimental conditions, a linear correlation between the oxidation current of glucose in amperometry at 0.25 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and glucose concentration up to 10 mM with a sensitivity of 16.5 μA mM(-1) cm(-2) and a response time <5 s. Due to the presence of anionic sulfonic acid groups in the backbone of the redox polymer, the biosensor exhibits excellent selectivity to glucose in the presence of ascorbic acid and uric acid. The low hydrophobicity of the composite membrane also effectively retards the transport of molecular oxygen within the membrane. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Diamond nanowires: fabrication, structure, properties, and applications.

    PubMed

    Yu, Yuan; Wu, Liangzhuan; Zhi, Jinfang

    2014-12-22

    C(sp(3) )C-bonded diamond nanowires are wide band gap semiconductors that exhibit a combination of superior properties such as negative electron affinity, chemical inertness, high Young's modulus, the highest hardness, and room-temperature thermal conductivity. The creation of 1D diamond nanowires with their giant surface-to-volume ratio enhancements makes it possible to control and enhance the fundamental properties of diamond. Although theoretical comparisons with carbon nanotubes have shown that diamond nanowires are energetically and mechanically viable structures, reproducibly synthesizing the crystalline diamond nanowires has remained challenging. We present a comprehensive, up-to-date review of diamond nanowires, including a discussion of their synthesis along with their structures, properties, and applications. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. Guided Growth of Horizontal p-Type ZnTe Nanowires

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    A major challenge toward large-scale integration of nanowires is the control over their alignment and position. A possible solution to this challenge is the guided growth process, which enables the synthesis of well-aligned horizontal nanowires that grow according to specific epitaxial or graphoepitaxial relations with the substrate. However, the guided growth of horizontal nanowires was demonstrated for a limited number of materials, most of which exhibit unintentional n-type behavior. Here we demonstrate the vapor–liquid–solid growth of guided horizontal ZnTe nanowires and nanowalls displaying p-type behavior on four different planes of sapphire. The growth directions of the nanowires are determined by epitaxial relations between the nanowires and the substrate or by a graphoepitaxial effect that guides their growth along nanogrooves or nanosteps along the surface. We characterized the crystallographic orientations and elemental composition of the nanowires using transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence. The optoelectronic and electronic properties of the nanowires were studied by fabricating photodetectors and top-gate thin film transistors. These measurements showed that the guided ZnTe nanowires are p-type semiconductors and are photoconductive in the visible range. The guided growth of horizontal p-type nanowires opens up the possibility of parallel nanowire integration into functional systems with a variety of potential applications not available by other means. PMID:27885331

  8. Guided Growth of Horizontal p-Type ZnTe Nanowires.

    PubMed

    Reut, Gilad; Oksenberg, Eitan; Popovitz-Biro, Ronit; Rechav, Katya; Joselevich, Ernesto

    2016-08-04

    A major challenge toward large-scale integration of nanowires is the control over their alignment and position. A possible solution to this challenge is the guided growth process, which enables the synthesis of well-aligned horizontal nanowires that grow according to specific epitaxial or graphoepitaxial relations with the substrate. However, the guided growth of horizontal nanowires was demonstrated for a limited number of materials, most of which exhibit unintentional n-type behavior. Here we demonstrate the vapor-liquid-solid growth of guided horizontal ZnTe nanowires and nanowalls displaying p-type behavior on four different planes of sapphire. The growth directions of the nanowires are determined by epitaxial relations between the nanowires and the substrate or by a graphoepitaxial effect that guides their growth along nanogrooves or nanosteps along the surface. We characterized the crystallographic orientations and elemental composition of the nanowires using transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence. The optoelectronic and electronic properties of the nanowires were studied by fabricating photodetectors and top-gate thin film transistors. These measurements showed that the guided ZnTe nanowires are p-type semiconductors and are photoconductive in the visible range. The guided growth of horizontal p-type nanowires opens up the possibility of parallel nanowire integration into functional systems with a variety of potential applications not available by other means.

  9. Protein immobilization onto electrochemically synthesized CoFe nanowires

    PubMed Central

    Torati, Sri Ramulu; Reddy, Venu; Yoon, Seok Soo; Kim, CheolGi

    2015-01-01

    CoFe nanowires have been synthesized by the electrodeposition technique into the pores of a polycarbonate membrane with a nominal pore diameter of 50 nm, and the composition of CoFe nanowires varying by changing the source concentration of iron. The synthesized nanowire surfaces were functionalized with amine groups by treatment with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) linker, and then conjugated with streptavidin-Cy3 protein via ethyl (dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide coupling chemistry. The oxide surface of CoFe nanowire is easily modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane to form an amine terminating group, which is covalently bonded to streptavidin-Cy3 protein. The physicochemical properties of the nanowires were analyzed through different characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Fluorescence microscopic studies and Fourier transform infrared studies confirmed the immobilization of protein on the nanowire surface. In addition, the transmission electron microscope analysis reveals the thin protein layer which is around 12–15 nm on the nanowire surfaces. PMID:25609966

  10. Development of Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on Prussian Blue Functionlized TiO2 Nanotube Arrays

    PubMed Central

    Gao, Zhi-Da; Qu, Yongfang; Li, Tongtong; Shrestha, Nabeen K.; Song, Yan-Yan

    2014-01-01

    Amperometric biosensors consisting of oxidase and peroxidase have attracted great attention because of their wide application. The current work demonstrates a novel approach to construct an enzymatic biosensor based on TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiNTs) as a supporting electrode on which Prussian Blue (PB)-an “artificial enzyme peroxidase” and enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) have been immobilized. For this, PB nanocrystals are deposited onto the nanotube wall photocatalytically using the intrinsic photocatalytical property of TiO2, and the GOx/AuNPs nanobiocomposites are subsequently immobilized into the nanotubes via the electrodeposition of polymer. The resulting electrode exhibits a fast response, wide linear range, and good stability for glucose sensing. The sensitivity of the sensor is as high as 248 mA M−1 cm−2, and the detection limit is about 3.2 μM. These findings demonstrate a promising strategy to integrate enzymes and TiNTs, which could provide an analytical access to a large group of enzymes for bioelectrochemical applications including biosensors and biofuel cells. PMID:25367086

  11. Optical fiber-based biosensors.

    PubMed

    Monk, David J; Walt, David R

    2004-08-01

    This review outlines optical fiber-based biosensor research from January 2001 through September 2003 and was written to complement the previous review in this journal by Marazuela and Moreno-Bondi. Optical fiber-based biosensors combine the use of a biological recognition element with an optical fiber or optical fiber bundle. They are classified by the nature of the biological recognition element used for sensing: enzyme, antibody/antigen (immunoassay), nucleic acid, whole cell, and biomimetic, and may be used for a variety of analytes ranging from metals and chemicals to physiological materials.

  12. A novel approach for the fabrication of a flexible glucose biosensor: The combination of vertically aligned CNTs and a conjugated polymer.

    PubMed

    Gokoglan, Tugba Ceren; Soylemez, Saniye; Kesik, Melis; Dogru, Itir Bakis; Turel, Onur; Yuksel, Recep; Unalan, Husnu Emrah; Toppare, Levent

    2017-04-01

    A novel flexible glucose biosensor using vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT) and a conjugated polymer (CP) was fabricated. A scaffold based on VACNT grown on aluminum foil (VACNT-Al foil) with poly (9,9-di-(2-ethylhexyl)-fluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-end capped with 2,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (PFLO) was used as the immobilization matrix for the glucose biosensor. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized on a modified indium tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) electrode surface. The biosensor response at a potential of -0.7V versus Ag wire was followed by the decrease in oxygen level as a result of enzymatic reaction. The biosensor exhibited a linear range between 0.02mM and 0.5mM glucose and kinetic parameters (K M app , I max , limit of detection (LOD) and sensitivity) were estimated as 0.193mM, 8.170μA, 7.035×10 -3 mM and 65.816μA/mMcm 2 , respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for surface characterization. The constructed biosensor was applied to determine the glucose content in several beverages. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Real-time reliable determination of binding kinetics of DNA hybridization using a multi-channel graphene biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Shicai; Zhan, Jian; Man, Baoyuan; Jiang, Shouzhen; Yue, Weiwei; Gao, Shoubao; Guo, Chengang; Liu, Hanping; Li, Zhenhua; Wang, Jihua; Zhou, Yaoqi

    2017-03-01

    Reliable determination of binding kinetics and affinity of DNA hybridization and single-base mismatches plays an essential role in systems biology, personalized and precision medicine. The standard tools are optical-based sensors that are difficult to operate in low cost and to miniaturize for high-throughput measurement. Biosensors based on nanowire field-effect transistors have been developed, but reliable and cost-effective fabrication remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate that a graphene single-crystal domain patterned into multiple channels can measure time- and concentration-dependent DNA hybridization kinetics and affinity reliably and sensitively, with a detection limit of 10 pM for DNA. It can distinguish single-base mutations quantitatively in real time. An analytical model is developed to estimate probe density, efficiency of hybridization and the maximum sensor response. The results suggest a promising future for cost-effective, high-throughput screening of drug candidates, genetic variations and disease biomarkers by using an integrated, miniaturized, all-electrical multiplexed, graphene-based DNA array.

  14. The impact of nanocontact on nanowire based nanoelectronics.

    PubMed

    Lin, Yen-Fu; Jian, Wen-Bin

    2008-10-01

    Nanowire-based nanoelectronic devices will be innovative electronic building blocks from bottom up. The reduced nanocontact area of nanowire devices magnifies the contribution of contact electrical properties. Although a lot of two-contact-based ZnO nanoelectronics have been demonstrated, the electrical properties bringing either from the nanocontacts or from the nanowires have not been considered yet. High quality ZnO nanowires with a small deviation and an average diameter of 38 nm were synthesized to fabricate more than thirty nanowire devices. According to temperature behaviors of current-voltage curves and resistances, the devices could be grouped into three types. Type I devices expose thermally activated transport in ZnO nanowires and they could be considered as two Ohmic nanocontacts of the Ti electrode contacting directly on the nanowire. For those nanowire devices having a high resistance at room temperatures, they can be fitted accurately with the thermionic-emission theory and classified into type II and III devices according to their rectifying and symmetrical current-voltage behaviors. The type II device has only one deteriorated nanocontact and the other one Ohmic contact on single ZnO nanowire. An insulating oxide layer with thickness less than 20 nm should be introduced to describe electron hopping in the nanocontacts, so as to signalize one- and high-dimensional hopping conduction in type II and III devices.

  15. Recent Developments in Enzyme, DNA and Immuno-Based Biosensors.

    PubMed

    Asal, Melis; Özen, Özlem; Şahinler, Mert; Polatoğlu, İlker

    2018-06-13

    Novel sensitive, rapid and economical biosensors are being developed in a wide range of medical environmental and food applications. In this paper, we review some of the main advances in the field over the past few years by discussing recent studies from literature. A biosensor, which is defined as an analytical device consisting of a biomolecule, a transducer and an output system, can be categorized according to the type of the incorporated biomolecule. The biomolecules can be enzymes, antibodies, ssDNA, organelles, cells etc. The main biosensor categories classified according to the biomolecules are enzymatic biosensors, immunosensors and DNA-based biosensors. These sensors can measure analytes produced or reduced during reactions at lower costs compared to the conventional detection techniques. Numerous types of biosensor studies conducted over the last decade have been explored here to reveal their key applications in medical, environmental and food industries which provide comprehensive perspective to the readers. Overviews of the working principles and applications of the reviewed sensors are also summarized.

  16. Fundamental Design Principles for Transcription-Factor-Based Metabolite Biosensors.

    PubMed

    Mannan, Ahmad A; Liu, Di; Zhang, Fuzhong; Oyarzún, Diego A

    2017-10-20

    Metabolite biosensors are central to current efforts toward precision engineering of metabolism. Although most research has focused on building new biosensors, their tunability remains poorly understood and is fundamental for their broad applicability. Here we asked how genetic modifications shape the dose-response curve of biosensors based on metabolite-responsive transcription factors. Using the lac system in Escherichia coli as a model system, we built promoter libraries with variable operator sites that reveal interdependencies between biosensor dynamic range and response threshold. We developed a phenomenological theory to quantify such design constraints in biosensors with various architectures and tunable parameters. Our theory reveals a maximal achievable dynamic range and exposes tunable parameters for orthogonal control of dynamic range and response threshold. Our work sheds light on fundamental limits of synthetic biology designs and provides quantitative guidelines for biosensor design in applications such as dynamic pathway control, strain optimization, and real-time monitoring of metabolism.

  17. Biosensors in the small scale: methods and technology trends.

    PubMed

    Senveli, Sukru U; Tigli, Onur

    2013-03-01

    This study presents a review on biosensors with an emphasis on recent developments in the field. A brief history accompanied by a detailed description of the biosensor concepts is followed by rising trends observed in contemporary micro- and nanoscale biosensors. Performance metrics to quantify and compare different detection mechanisms are presented. A comprehensive analysis on various types and subtypes of biosensors are given. The fields of interest within the scope of this review are label-free electrical, mechanical and optical biosensors as well as other emerging and popular technologies. Especially, the latter half of the last decade is reviewed for the types, methods and results of the most prominently researched detection mechanisms. Tables are provided for comparison of various competing technologies in the literature. The conclusion part summarises the noteworthy advantages and disadvantages of all biosensors reviewed in this study. Furthermore, future directions that the micro- and nanoscale biosensing technologies are expected to take are provided along with the immediate outlook.

  18. Cross-phase separation of nanowires and nanoparticles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Qian, Fang; Duoss, Eric; Han, Jinkyu

    In one embodiment, a process includes creating a mixture of an aqueous component, nanowires and nanoparticles, and a hydrophobic solvent and allowing migration of the nanowires to the hydrophobic solvent, where the nanoparticles remain in the aqueous component. Moreover, the nanowires and nanoparticles are in the aqueous component before the migration.

  19. Liquid gallium ball/crystalline silicon polyhedrons/aligned silicon oxide nanowires sandwich structure: An interesting nanowire growth route

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pan, Zheng Wei; Dai, Sheng; Beach, David B.; Lowndes, Douglas H.

    2003-10-01

    We demonstrate the growth of silicon oxide nanowires through a sandwich-like configuration, i.e., Ga ball/Si polyhedrons/silicon oxide nanowires, by using Ga as the catalyst and SiO powder as the source material. The sandwich-like structures have a carrot-like morphology, consisting of three materials with different morphologies, states, and crystallographic structures. The "carrot" top is a liquid Ga ball with diameter of ˜10-30 μm; the middle part is a Si ring usually composed of about 10 μm-sized, clearly faceted, and crystalline Si polyhedrons that are arranged sequentially in a band around the lower hemisphere surface of the Ga ball; the bottom part is a carrot-shaped bunch of highly aligned silicon oxide nanowires that grow out from the downward facing facets of the Si polyhedrons. This study reveals several interesting nanowire growth phenomena that enrich the conventional vapor-liquid-solid nanowire growth mechanism.

  20. Evaluating Plasmonic Transport in Current-carrying Silver Nanowires

    PubMed Central

    Song, Mingxia; Stolz, Arnaud; Zhang, Douguo; Arocas, Juan; Markey, Laurent; Colas des Francs, Gérard; Dujardin, Erik; Bouhelier, Alexandre

    2013-01-01

    Plasmonics is an emerging technology capable of simultaneously transporting a plasmonic signal and an electronic signal on the same information support1,2,3. In this context, metal nanowires are especially desirable for realizing dense routing networks4. A prerequisite to operate such shared nanowire-based platform relies on our ability to electrically contact individual metal nanowires and efficiently excite surface plasmon polaritons5 in this information support. In this article, we describe a protocol to bring electrical terminals to chemically-synthesized silver nanowires6 randomly distributed on a glass substrate7. The positions of the nanowire ends with respect to predefined landmarks are precisely located using standard optical transmission microscopy before encapsulation in an electron-sensitive resist. Trenches representing the electrode layout are subsequently designed by electron-beam lithography. Metal electrodes are then fabricated by thermally evaporating a Cr/Au layer followed by a chemical lift-off. The contacted silver nanowires are finally transferred to a leakage radiation microscope for surface plasmon excitation and characterization8,9. Surface plasmons are launched in the nanowires by focusing a near infrared laser beam on a diffraction-limited spot overlapping one nanowire extremity5,9. For sufficiently large nanowires, the surface plasmon mode leaks into the glass substrate9,10. This leakage radiation is readily detected, imaged, and analyzed in the different conjugate planes in leakage radiation microscopy9,11. The electrical terminals do not affect the plasmon propagation. However, a current-induced morphological deterioration of the nanowire drastically degrades the flow of surface plasmons. The combination of surface plasmon leakage radiation microscopy with a simultaneous analysis of the nanowire electrical transport characteristics reveals the intrinsic limitations of such plasmonic circuitry. PMID:24378340

  1. A Highly Sensitive Electrochemical DNA Biosensor from Acrylic-Gold Nano-composite for the Determination of Arowana Fish Gender

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rahman, Mahbubur; Heng, Lee Yook; Futra, Dedi; Chiang, Chew Poh; Rashid, Zulkafli A.; Ling, Tan Ling

    2017-08-01

    The present research describes a simple method for the identification of the gender of arowana fish ( Scleropages formosus). The DNA biosensor was able to detect specific DNA sequence at extremely low level down to atto M regimes. An electrochemical DNA biosensor based on acrylic microsphere-gold nanoparticle (AcMP-AuNP) hybrid composite was fabricated. Hydrophobic poly(n-butylacrylate-N-acryloxysuccinimide) microspheres were synthesised with a facile and well-established one-step photopolymerization procedure and physically adsorbed on the AuNPs at the surface of a carbon screen printed electrode (SPE). The DNA biosensor was constructed simply by grafting an aminated DNA probe on the succinimide functionalised AcMPs via a strong covalent attachment. DNA hybridisation response was determined by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique using anthraquinone monosulphonic acid redox probe as an electroactive oligonucleotide label (Table 1). A low detection limit at 1.0 × 10-18 M with a wide linear calibration range of 1.0 × 10-18 to 1.0 × 10-8 M ( R 2 = 0.99) can be achieved by the proposed DNA biosensor under optimal conditions. Electrochemical detection of arowana DNA can be completed within 1 hour. Due to its small size and light weight, the developed DNA biosensor holds high promise for the development of functional kit for fish culture usage.

  2. Electric field-assisted deposition of nanowires on carbon nanotubes for nanoelectronics and sensor applications.

    PubMed

    Sivakumar, Kousik; Panchapakesan, Balaji

    2005-02-01

    Manipulation and control of matter at the nanoscale and atomic scale levels are crucial for the success of nanoscale sensors and actuators. The ability to control and synthesize multilayer structures using carbon nanotubes that will enable the building of electronic devices within a nanotube is still in its infancy. In this paper, we present results on selective electric field-assisted deposition of metals on carbon nanotubes realizing metallic nanowire structures. Silver and platinum nanowires have been fabricated using this approach for their applications in chemical sensing as catalytic materials to sniff toxic agents and in the area of biomedical nanotechnology for construction of artificial muscles. Electric field-assisted deposition allows the deposition of metals with a high degree of selectivity on carbon nanotubes by manipulating the charges on the surface of the nanotubes and forming electrostatic double-layer supercapacitors. Deposition of metals primarily occurred due to electrochemical reduction, electrophoresis, and electro-osmosis inside the walls of the nanotube. SEM and TEM investigations revealed silver and platinum nanowires between 10 nm and 100 nm in diameter. The present technique is versatile and enables the fabrication of a host of different types of metallic and semiconducting nanowires using carbon nanotube templates for nanoelectronics and a myriad of sensor applications.

  3. Zinc oxide nanowire networks for macroelectronic devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Unalan, Husnu Emrah; Zhang, Yan; Hiralal, Pritesh; Dalal, Sharvari; Chu, Daping; Eda, Goki; Teo, K. B. K.; Chhowalla, Manish; Milne, William I.; Amaratunga, Gehan A. J.

    2009-04-01

    Highly transparent zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire networks have been used as the active material in thin film transistors (TFTs) and complementary inverter devices. A systematic study on a range of networks of variable density and TFT channel length was performed. ZnO nanowire networks provide a less lithographically intense alternative to individual nanowire devices, are always semiconducting, and yield significantly higher mobilites than those achieved from currently used amorphous Si and organic TFTs. These results suggest that ZnO nanowire networks could be ideal for inexpensive large area electronics.

  4. Growth of metal oxide nanowires from supercooled liquid nanodroplets.

    PubMed

    Kim, Myung Hwa; Lee, Byeongdu; Lee, Sungsik; Larson, Christopher; Baik, Jeong Min; Yavuz, Cafer T; Seifert, Sönke; Vajda, Stefan; Winans, Randall E; Moskovits, Martin; Stucky, Galen D; Wodtke, Alec M

    2009-12-01

    Nanometer-sized liquid droplets formed at temperatures below the bulk melting point become supercooled as they grow through Ostwald ripening or coalescence and can be exploited to grow nanowires without any catalyst. We used this simple approach to synthesize a number of highly crystalline metal oxide nanowires in a chemical or physical vapor deposition apparatus. Examples of nanowires made in this way include VO(2), V(2)O(5), RuO(2), MoO(2), MoO(3), and Fe(3)O(4), some of which have not been previously reported. Direct evidence of this new mechanism of nanowire growth is found from in situ 2-dimensional GISAXS (grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering) measurements of VO(2) nanowire growth, which provides quantitative information on the shapes and sizes of growing nanowires as well as direct evidence of the presence of supercooled liquid droplets. We observe dramatic changes in nanowire growth by varying the choice of substrate, reflecting the influence of wetting forces on the supercooled nanodroplet shape and mobility as well as substrate-nanowire lattice matching on the definition of nanowire orientation. Surfaces with defects can also be used to pattern the growth of the nanowires. The simplicity of this synthesis concept suggests it may be rather general in its application.

  5. Liquid crystal interfaces: Experiments, simulations and biosensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Popov, Piotr

    hydrocarbon surfaces at the atomic level. I show that the vertical alignment of a rod-like liquid crystal molecule first requires its insertion into the alignment layer. In CHAPTER 4, I investigate the Brownian behavior of a tracer molecule at an oil/water interface and explain the experimentally-observed anomaly of its increased mobility. Following my molecular dynamics simulation studies of liquid interfaces, I continue my work in CHAPTER 5 with experimental research. I employ the high sensitivity of liquid crystal alignment to the presence of amphiphiles adsorbed to the liquid crystal surface from water for potential biosensor applications. I propose a more accurate method of sensing using circular polarization and spectrophotometry. In CHAPTER 6, I investigate if cholesteric and smectic liquid crystals can potentially offer new modes of biosensing. In CHAPTER 7, I describe preliminary results toward constructing a liquid crystal biosensor platform with capabilities of specific sensitivity using proteins and antibodies. Finally in CHAPTER 8, I summarize the findings of my studies and research and suggest possible future experiments to further advance our knowledge in interfacial science for future applications.

  6. Emerging synergy between nanotechnology and implantable biosensors: a review.

    PubMed

    Vaddiraju, Santhisagar; Tomazos, Ioannis; Burgess, Diane J; Jain, Faquir C; Papadimitrakopoulos, Fotios

    2010-03-15

    The development of implantable biosensors for continuous monitoring of metabolites is an area of sustained scientific and technological interests. On the other hand, nanotechnology, a discipline which deals with the properties of materials at the nanoscale, is developing as a potent tool to enhance the performance of these biosensors. This article reviews the current state of implantable biosensors, highlighting the synergy between nanotechnology and sensor performance. Emphasis is placed on the electrochemical method of detection in light of its widespread usage and substantial nanotechnology based improvements in various aspects of electrochemical biosensor performance. Finally, issues regarding toxicity and biocompatibility of nanomaterials, along with future prospects for the application of nanotechnology in implantable biosensors, are discussed. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Fiber optic-based regenerable biosensor

    DOEpatents

    Sepaniak, Michael J.; Vo-Dinh, Tuan

    1993-01-01

    A fiber optic-based regenerable biosensor. The biosensor is particularly suitable for use in microscale work in situ. In one embodiment, the biosensor comprises a reaction chamber disposed adjacent the distal end of a waveguide and adapted to receive therein a quantity of a sample containing an analyte. Leading into the chamber is a plurality of capillary conduits suitable for introducing into the chamber antibodies or other reagents suitable for selective interaction with a predetermined analyte. Following such interaction, the contents of the chamber may be subjected to an incident energy signal for developing fluorescence within the chamber that is detectable via the optical fiber and which is representative of the presence, i.e. concentration, of the selected analyte. Regeneration of the biosensor is accomplished by replacement of the reagents and/or the analyte, or a combination of these, at least in part via one or more of the capillary conduits. The capillary conduits extend from their respective terminal ends that are in fluid communication with the chamber, away from the chamber to respective location(s) remote from the chamber thereby permitting in situ location of the chamber and remote manipulation and/or analysis of the activity with the chamber.

  8. Biofuel metabolic engineering with biosensors.

    PubMed

    Morgan, Stacy-Anne; Nadler, Dana C; Yokoo, Rayka; Savage, David F

    2016-12-01

    Metabolic engineering offers the potential to renewably produce important classes of chemicals, particularly biofuels, at an industrial scale. DNA synthesis and editing techniques can generate large pathway libraries, yet identifying the best variants is slow and cumbersome. Traditionally, analytical methods like chromatography and mass spectrometry have been used to evaluate pathway variants, but such techniques cannot be performed with high throughput. Biosensors - genetically encoded components that actuate a cellular output in response to a change in metabolite concentration - are therefore a promising tool for rapid and high-throughput evaluation of candidate pathway variants. Applying biosensors can also dynamically tune pathways in response to metabolic changes, improving balance and productivity. Here, we describe the major classes of biosensors and briefly highlight recent progress in applying them to biofuel-related metabolic pathway engineering. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Transformation of bulk alloys to oxide nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lei, Danni; Benson, Jim; Magasinski, Alexandre; Berdichevsky, Gene; Yushin, Gleb

    2017-01-01

    One dimensional (1D) nanostructures offer prospects for enhancing the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of a broad range of functional materials and composites, but their synthesis methods are typically elaborate and expensive. We demonstrate a direct transformation of bulk materials into nanowires under ambient conditions without the use of catalysts or any external stimuli. The nanowires form via minimization of strain energy at the boundary of a chemical reaction front. We show the transformation of multimicrometer-sized particles of aluminum or magnesium alloys into alkoxide nanowires of tunable dimensions, which are converted into oxide nanowires upon heating in air. Fabricated separators based on aluminum oxide nanowires enhanced the safety and rate capabilities of lithium-ion batteries. The reported approach allows ultralow-cost scalable synthesis of 1D materials and membranes.

  10. Development of a biosensor for caffeine.

    PubMed

    Babu, V R Sarath; Patra, S; Karanth, N G; Kumar, M A; Thakur, M S

    2007-01-23

    We have utilized a microbe, which can degrade caffeine to develop an Amperometric biosensor for determination of caffeine in solutions. Whole cells of Pseudomonas alcaligenes MTCC 5264 having the capability to degrade caffeine were immobilized on a cellophane membrane with a molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of 3000-6000 by covalent crosslinking method using glutaraledhyde as the bifunctional crosslinking agent and gelatin as the protein based stabilizing agent (PBSA). The biosensor system was able to detect caffeine in solution over a concentration range of 0.1 to 1 mg mL(-1). With read-times as short as 3 min, this caffeine biosensor acts as a rapid analysis system for caffeine in solutions. Interestingly, successful isolation and immobilization of caffeine degrading bacteria for the analysis of caffeine described here was enabled by a novel selection strategy that incorporated isolation of caffeine degrading bacteria capable of utilizing caffeine as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen from soils and induction of caffeine degrading capacity in bacteria for the development of the biosensor. This biosensor is highly specific for caffeine and response to interfering compounds such as theophylline, theobromine, paraxanthine, other methyl xanthines and sugars was found to be negligible. Although a few biosensing methods for caffeine are reported, they have limitations in application for commercial samples. The development and application of new caffeine detection methods remains an active area of investigation, particularly in food and clinical chemistry. The optimum pH and temperature of measurement were 6.8 and 30+/-2 degrees C, respectively. Interference in analysis of caffeine due to different substrates was observed but was not considerable. Caffeine content of commercial samples of instant tea and coffee was analyzed by the biosensor and the results compared well with HPLC analysis.

  11. A novel biosensor selective for organoarsenicals.

    PubMed

    Chen, Jian; Zhu, Yong-Guan; Rosen, Barry P

    2012-10-01

    Organoarsenicals used as herbicides and growth promoters for farm animals are degraded to inorganic arsenic. Available bacterial whole-cell biosensors detect only inorganic arsenic. We report a biosensor selective for the trivalent organoarsenicals methylarsenite and phenylarsenite over inorganic arsenite. This sensor may be useful for detecting degradation of arsenic-containing herbicides and growth promoters.

  12. Recent development of nano-materials used in DNA biosensors.

    PubMed

    Xu, Kai; Huang, Junran; Ye, Zunzhong; Ying, Yibin; Li, Yanbin

    2009-01-01

    As knowledge of the structure and function of nucleic acid molecules has increased, sequence-specific DNA detection has gained increased importance. DNA biosensors based on nucleic acid hybridization have been actively developed because of their specificity, speed, portability, and low cost. Recently, there has been considerable interest in using nano-materials for DNA biosensors. Because of their high surface-to-volume ratios and excellent biological compatibilities, nano-materials could be used to increase the amount of DNA immobilization; moreover, DNA bound to nano-materials can maintain its biological activity. Alternatively, signal amplification by labeling a targeted analyte with nano-materials has also been reported for DNA biosensors in many papers. This review summarizes the applications of various nano-materials for DNA biosensors during past five years. We found that nano-materials of small sizes were advantageous as substrates for DNA attachment or as labels for signal amplification; and use of two or more types of nano-materials in the biosensors could improve their overall quality and to overcome the deficiencies of the individual nano-components. Most current DNA biosensors require the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in their protocols. However, further development of nano-materials with smaller size and/or with improved biological and chemical properties would substantially enhance the accuracy, selectivity and sensitivity of DNA biosensors. Thus, DNA biosensors without PCR amplification may become a reality in the foreseeable future.

  13. Recent Development of Nano-Materials Used in DNA Biosensors

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Kai; Huang, Junran; Ye, Zunzhong; Ying, Yibin; Li, Yanbin

    2009-01-01

    As knowledge of the structure and function of nucleic acid molecules has increased, sequence-specific DNA detection has gained increased importance. DNA biosensors based on nucleic acid hybridization have been actively developed because of their specificity, speed, portability, and low cost. Recently, there has been considerable interest in using nano-materials for DNA biosensors. Because of their high surface-to-volume ratios and excellent biological compatibilities, nano-materials could be used to increase the amount of DNA immobilization; moreover, DNA bound to nano-materials can maintain its biological activity. Alternatively, signal amplification by labeling a targeted analyte with nano-materials has also been reported for DNA biosensors in many papers. This review summarizes the applications of various nano-materials for DNA biosensors during past five years. We found that nano-materials of small sizes were advantageous as substrates for DNA attachment or as labels for signal amplification; and use of two or more types of nano-materials in the biosensors could improve their overall quality and to overcome the deficiencies of the individual nano-components. Most current DNA biosensors require the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in their protocols. However, further development of nano-materials with smaller size and/or with improved biological and chemical properties would substantially enhance the accuracy, selectivity and sensitivity of DNA biosensors. Thus, DNA biosensors without PCR amplification may become a reality in the foreseeable future. PMID:22346713

  14. Nanoscale bacteriophage biosensors beyond phage display.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jong-Wook; Song, Jangwon; Hwang, Mintai P; Lee, Kwan Hyi

    2013-01-01

    Bacteriophages are traditionally used for the development of phage display technology. Recently, their nanosized dimensions and ease with which genetic modifications can be made to their structure and function have put them in the spotlight towards their use in a variety of biosensors. In particular, the expression of any protein or peptide on the extraluminal surface of bacteriophages is possible by genetically engineering the genome. In addition, the relatively short replication time of bacteriophages offers researchers the ability to generate mass quantities of any given bacteriophage-based biosensor. Coupled with the emergence of various biomarkers in the clinic as a means to determine pathophysiological states, the development of current and novel technologies for their detection and quantification is imperative. In this review, we categorize bacteriophages by their morphology into M13-based filamentous bacteriophages and T4- or T7-based icosahedral bacteriophages, and examine how such advantages are utilized across a variety of biosensors. In essence, we take a comprehensive approach towards recent trends in bacteriophage-based biosensor applications and discuss their outlook with regards to the field of biotechnology.

  15. Nanoscale bacteriophage biosensors beyond phage display

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Jong-Wook; Song, Jangwon; Hwang, Mintai P; Lee, Kwan Hyi

    2013-01-01

    Bacteriophages are traditionally used for the development of phage display technology. Recently, their nanosized dimensions and ease with which genetic modifications can be made to their structure and function have put them in the spotlight towards their use in a variety of biosensors. In particular, the expression of any protein or peptide on the extraluminal surface of bacteriophages is possible by genetically engineering the genome. In addition, the relatively short replication time of bacteriophages offers researchers the ability to generate mass quantities of any given bacteriophage-based biosensor. Coupled with the emergence of various biomarkers in the clinic as a means to determine pathophysiological states, the development of current and novel technologies for their detection and quantification is imperative. In this review, we categorize bacteriophages by their morphology into M13-based filamentous bacteriophages and T4- or T7-based icosahedral bacteriophages, and examine how such advantages are utilized across a variety of biosensors. In essence, we take a comprehensive approach towards recent trends in bacteriophage-based biosensor applications and discuss their outlook with regards to the field of biotechnology. PMID:24143096

  16. Modularization and Response Curve Engineering of a Naringenin-Responsive Transcriptional Biosensor.

    PubMed

    De Paepe, Brecht; Maertens, Jo; Vanholme, Bartel; De Mey, Marjan

    2018-05-18

    To monitor the intra- and extracellular environment of micro-organisms and to adapt their metabolic processes accordingly, scientists are reprogramming nature's myriad of transcriptional regulatory systems into transcriptional biosensors, which are able to detect small molecules and, in response, express specific output signals of choice. However, the naturally occurring response curve, the key characteristic of biosensor circuits, is typically not in line with the requirements for real-life biosensor applications. In this contribution, a natural LysR-type naringenin-responsive biosensor circuit is developed and characterized with Escherichia coli as host organism. Subsequently, this biosensor is dissected into a clearly defined detector and effector module without loss of functionality, and the influence of the expression levels of both modules on the biosensor response characteristics is investigated. Two collections of ten unique synthetic biosensors each are generated. Each collection demonstrates a unique diversity of response curve characteristics spanning a 128-fold change in dynamic and 2.5-fold change in operational ranges and 3-fold change in levels of Noise, fit for a wide range of applications, such as adaptive laboratory evolution, dynamic pathway control and high-throughput screening methods. The established biosensor engineering concepts, and the developed biosensor collections themselves, are of use for the future development and customization of biosensors in general, for the multitude of biosensor applications and as a compelling alternative for the commonly used LacI-, TetR- and AraC-based inducible circuits.

  17. Stable Defects in Semiconductor Nanowires.

    PubMed

    Sanchez, A M; Gott, J A; Fonseka, H A; Zhang, Y; Liu, H; Beanland, R

    2018-05-09

    Semiconductor nanowires are commonly described as being defect-free due to their ability to expel mobile defects with long-range strain fields. Here, we describe previously undiscovered topologically protected line defects with null Burgers vector that, unlike dislocations, are stable in nanoscale crystals. We analyze the defects present in semiconductor nanowires in regions of imperfect crystal growth, i.e., at the nanowire tip formed during consumption of the droplet in self-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid growth and subsequent vapor-solid shell growth. We use a form of the Burgers circuit method that can be applied to multiply twinned material without difficulty. Our observations show that the nanowire microstructure is very different from bulk material, with line defects either (a) trapped by locks or other defects, (b) arranged as dipoles or groups with a zero total Burgers vector, or (c) have a zero Burgers vector. We find two new line defects with a null Burgers vector, formed from the combination of partial dislocations in twinned material. The most common defect is the three-monolayer high twin facet with a zero Burgers vector. Studies of individual nanowires using cathodoluminescence show that optical emission is quenched in defective regions, showing that they act as strong nonradiative recombination centers.

  18. Heterojunction photovoltaics using GaAs nanowires and conjugated polymers.

    PubMed

    Ren, Shenqiang; Zhao, Ni; Crawford, Samuel C; Tambe, Michael; Bulović, Vladimir; Gradecak, Silvija

    2011-02-09

    We demonstrate an organic/inorganic solar cell architecture based on a blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and narrow bandgap GaAs nanowires. The measured increase of device photocurrent with increased nanowire loading is correlated with structural ordering within the active layer that enhances charge transport. Coating the GaAs nanowires with TiO(x) shells passivates nanowire surface states and further improves the photovoltaic performance. We find that the P3HT/nanowire cells yield power conversion efficiencies of 2.36% under white LED illumination for devices containing 50 wt % of TiO(x)-coated GaAs nanowires. Our results constitute important progress for the use of nanowires in large area solution processed hybrid photovoltaic cells and provide insight into the role of structural ordering in the device performance.

  19. Enhanced photovoltaic performance of an inclined nanowire array solar cell.

    PubMed

    Wu, Yao; Yan, Xin; Zhang, Xia; Ren, Xiaomin

    2015-11-30

    An innovative solar cell based on inclined p-i-n nanowire array is designed and analyzed. The results show that the inclined geometry can sufficiently increase the conversion efficiency of solar cells by enhancing the absorption of light in the active region. By tuning the nanowire array density, nanowire diameter, nanowire length, as well as the proportion of intrinsic region of the inclined nanowire solar cell, a remarkable efficiency in excess of 16% can be obtained in GaAs. Similar results have been obtained in InP and Si nanowire solar cells, demonstrating the universality of the performance enhancement of inclined nanowire arrays.

  20. Size-dependent fracture behavior of silver nanowires.

    PubMed

    Cao, Ke; Han, Ying; Zhang, Hongti; Gao, Libo; Yang, Hongwei; Chen, Jialin; Li, Yuxiu; Lu, Yang

    2018-07-20

    Silver (Ag) nanowires have great potential to be used in the flexible electronics industry for their applications in flexible, transparent conductors due to high conductivity and light reflectivity. Those applications always involve mechanical loading and deformations, which requires an in-depth understanding of their mechanical behavior and performance under loadings. However, current understanding on the mechanical properties of Ag nanowires is limited, especially on their size-dependent fracture behavior. In this work, mechanical properties of Ag nanowires with diameters ranging from 50 to 300 nm were systematically studied by in situ TEM tensile testing for the first time. The size effect was clearly found, with the increasing of the diameter of Ag nanowires, the ultimate tensile stress decreased. More importantly, the fracture behavior of Ag nanowire was studied and a brittle-to-ductile transition in fracture behavior was observed at the diameters around 100 nm which could be attributed to the dislocation activities within the geometry confinement. This work could give insights for understanding nanosized Ag wires and the design of Ag nanowire-based flexible devices and touchable panels.

  1. Size-dependent fracture behavior of silver nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cao, Ke; Han, Ying; Zhang, Hongti; Gao, Libo; Yang, Hongwei; Chen, Jialin; Li, Yuxiu; Lu, Yang

    2018-07-01

    Silver (Ag) nanowires have great potential to be used in the flexible electronics industry for their applications in flexible, transparent conductors due to high conductivity and light reflectivity. Those applications always involve mechanical loading and deformations, which requires an in-depth understanding of their mechanical behavior and performance under loadings. However, current understanding on the mechanical properties of Ag nanowires is limited, especially on their size-dependent fracture behavior. In this work, mechanical properties of Ag nanowires with diameters ranging from 50 to 300 nm were systematically studied by in situ TEM tensile testing for the first time. The size effect was clearly found, with the increasing of the diameter of Ag nanowires, the ultimate tensile stress decreased. More importantly, the fracture behavior of Ag nanowire was studied and a brittle-to-ductile transition in fracture behavior was observed at the diameters around 100 nm which could be attributed to the dislocation activities within the geometry confinement. This work could give insights for understanding nanosized Ag wires and the design of Ag nanowire-based flexible devices and touchable panels.

  2. Recent advances in polyaniline based biosensors.

    PubMed

    Dhand, Chetna; Das, Maumita; Datta, Monika; Malhotra, B D

    2011-02-15

    The present paper contains a detailed overview of recent advances relating to polyaniline (PANI) as a transducer material for biosensor applications. This conducting polymer provides enormous opportunities for binding biomolecules, tuning their bio-catalytic properties, rapid electron transfer and direct communication to produce a range of analytical signals and new analytical applications. Merging the specific nature of different biomolecules (enzymes, nucleic acids, antibodies, etc.) and the key properties of this modern conducting matrix, possible biosensor designs and their biosensing characteristics have been discussed. Efforts have been made to discuss and explore various characteristics of PANI responsible for direct electron transfer leading towards fabrication of mediator-less biosensors. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Effect of the nanowire diameter on the linearity of the response of GaN-based heterostructured nanowire photodetectors.

    PubMed

    Spies, Maria; Polaczyński, Jakub; Ajay, Akhil; Kalita, Dipankar; Luong, Minh Anh; Lähnemann, Jonas; Gayral, Bruno; den Hertog, Martien I; Monroy, Eva

    2018-06-22

    Nanowire photodetectors are investigated because of their compatibility with flexible electronics, or for the implementation of on-chip optical interconnects. Such devices are characterized by ultrahigh photocurrent gain, but their photoresponse scales sublinearly with the optical power. Here, we present a study of single-nanowire photodetectors displaying a linear response to ultraviolet illumination. Their structure consists of a GaN nanowire incorporating an AlN/GaN/AlN heterostructure, which generates an internal electric field. The activity of the heterostructure is confirmed by the rectifying behavior of the current-voltage characteristics in the dark, as well as by the asymmetry of the photoresponse in magnitude and linearity. Under reverse bias (negative bias on the GaN cap segment), the detectors behave linearly with the impinging optical power when the nanowire diameter is below a certain threshold (≈80 nm), which corresponds to the total depletion of the nanowire stem due to the Fermi level pinning at the sidewalls. In the case of nanowires that are only partially depleted, their nonlinearity is explained by a nonlinear variation of the diameter of their central conducting channel under illumination.

  4. Effect of the nanowire diameter on the linearity of the response of GaN-based heterostructured nanowire photodetectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spies, Maria; Polaczyński, Jakub; Ajay, Akhil; Kalita, Dipankar; Luong, Minh Anh; Lähnemann, Jonas; Gayral, Bruno; den Hertog, Martien I.; Monroy, Eva

    2018-06-01

    Nanowire photodetectors are investigated because of their compatibility with flexible electronics, or for the implementation of on-chip optical interconnects. Such devices are characterized by ultrahigh photocurrent gain, but their photoresponse scales sublinearly with the optical power. Here, we present a study of single-nanowire photodetectors displaying a linear response to ultraviolet illumination. Their structure consists of a GaN nanowire incorporating an AlN/GaN/AlN heterostructure, which generates an internal electric field. The activity of the heterostructure is confirmed by the rectifying behavior of the current–voltage characteristics in the dark, as well as by the asymmetry of the photoresponse in magnitude and linearity. Under reverse bias (negative bias on the GaN cap segment), the detectors behave linearly with the impinging optical power when the nanowire diameter is below a certain threshold (≈80 nm), which corresponds to the total depletion of the nanowire stem due to the Fermi level pinning at the sidewalls. In the case of nanowires that are only partially depleted, their nonlinearity is explained by a nonlinear variation of the diameter of their central conducting channel under illumination.

  5. A Two-Dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskite Nanowire Laser Array based on Ultrafast Light-Harvesting Quantum Wells.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Haihua; Wu, Yishi; Liao, Qing; Zhang, Zhaoyi; Liu, Yanping; Gao, Qinggang; Liu, Peng; Li, Meili; Yao, Jiannian; Fu, Hongbing

    2018-06-25

    Miniaturized nanowire nanolasers of 3D perovskites feature a high gain coefficient; however, room-temperature optical gain and nanowire lasers from 2D layered perovskites have not been reported to date. A biomimetic approach is presented to construct an artificial ligh-harvesting system in mixed multiple quantum wells (QWs) of 2D-RPPs of (BA) 2 (FA) n-1 Pb n Br 3n+1 , achieving room-temperature ASE and nanowire (NW) lasing. Owing to the improvement of flexible and deformable characteristics provided by organic BA cation layers, high-density large-area NW laser arrays were fabricated with high photostability. Well-controlled dimensions and uniform geometries enabled 2D-RPPs NWs functioning as high-quality Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers with almost identical optical modes, high quality (Q) factor (ca. 1800), and similarly low lasing thresholds. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Electrodeposited highly-ordered manganese oxide nanowire arrays for supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Haifeng; Lu, Bingqiang; Wei, Shuiqiang; Bao, Mi; Wen, Yanxuan; Wang, Fan

    2012-07-01

    Large arrays of well-aligned Mn oxide nanowires were prepared by electrodeposition using anodic aluminum oxide templates. The sizes of nanowires were tuned by varying the electrotype solution involved and the MnO2 nanowires with 10 μm in length were obtained in a neutral KMnO4 bath for 1 h. MnO2 nanowire arrays grown on conductor substance save the tedious electrode-making process, and electrochemical characterization demonstrates that the MnO2 nanowire arrays electrode has good capacitive behavior. Due to the limited mass transportation in narrow spacing, the spacing effects between the neighbor nanowires have show great influence to the electrochemical performance.

  7. Electrical and Optical Characterization of Nanowire based Semiconductor Devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ayvazian, Talin

    This research project is focused on a new strategy for the creation of nanowire based semiconductor devices. The main goal is to understand and optimize the electrical and optical properties of two types of nanoscale devices; in first type lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition (LPNE) method has been utilized to fabricate nanowire field effect transistors (NWFET) and second type involved the development of light emitting semiconductor nanowire arrays (NWLED). Field effect transistors (NWFETs) have been prepared from arrays of polycrystalline cadmium selenide (pc-CdSe) nanowires using a back gate configuration. pc-CdSe nanowires were fabricated using the lithographically patterned nanowire electrode- position (LPNE) process on SiO2 /Si substrates. After electrodeposition, pc-CdSe nanowires were thermally annealed at 300 °C x 4 h either with or without exposure to CdCl 2 in methanol a grain growth promoter. The influence of CdCl2 treatment was to increase the mean grain diameter as determined by X-ray diffraction pattern and to convert the crystal structure from cubic to wurtzite. Transfer characteristics showed an increase of the field effect mobility (mu eff) by an order of magnitude and increase of the Ion/I off ratio by a factor of 3-4. Light emitting devices (NW-LED) based on lithographically patterned pc-CdSe nanowire arrays have been investigated. Electroluminescence (EL) spectra of CdSe nanowires under various biases exhibited broad emission spectra centered at 750 nm close to the band gap of CdSe (1.7eV). To enhance the intensity of the emitted light and the external quantum efficiency (EQE), the distance between the contacts were reduced from 5 mum to less than 1 mum which increased the efficiency by an order of magnitude. Also, increasing the annealing temperature of nanowires from 300 °C x4 h to 450 This research project is focused on a new strategy for the creation of nanowire based semiconductor devices. The main goal is to understand

  8. Morphology Controlled Fabrication of InN Nanowires on Brass Substrates

    PubMed Central

    Li, Huijie; Zhao, Guijuan; Wang, Lianshan; Chen, Zhen; Yang, Shaoyan

    2016-01-01

    Growth of semiconductor nanowires on cheap metal substrates could pave the way to the large-scale manufacture of low-cost nanowire-based devices. In this work, we demonstrated that high density InN nanowires can be directly grown on brass substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. It was found that Zn from the brass substrates is the key factor in the formation of nanowires by restricting the lateral growth of InN. The nanowire morphology is highly dependent on the growth temperature. While at a lower growth temperature, the nanowires and the In droplets have large diameters. At the elevated growth temperature, the lateral sizes of the nanowires and the In droplets are much smaller. Moreover, the nanowire diameter can be controlled in situ by varying the temperature in the growth process. This method is very instructive to the diameter-controlled growth of nanowires of other materials. PMID:28335323

  9. Tunnel junction enhanced nanowire ultraviolet light emitting diodes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sarwar, A. T. M. Golam; May, Brelon J.; Deitz, Julia I.

    Polarization engineered interband tunnel junctions (TJs) are integrated in nanowire ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs). A ∼6 V reduction in turn-on voltage is achieved by the integration of tunnel junction at the base of polarization doped nanowire UV LEDs. Moreover, efficient hole injection into the nanowire LEDs leads to suppressed efficiency droop in TJ integrated nanowire LEDs. The combination of both reduced bias voltage and increased hole injection increases the wall plug efficiency in these devices. More than 100 μW of UV emission at ∼310 nm is measured with external quantum efficiency in the range of 4–6 m%. The realization of tunnel junctionmore » within the nanowire LEDs opens a pathway towards the monolithic integration of cascaded multi-junction nanowire LEDs on silicon.« less

  10. Biosensor for the enantioselective analysis of the thyroid hormones (+)-3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and (+)-3,3',5,5'-tetraiodo-L-thyronine (T4).

    PubMed

    Aboul-Enein, Hassan V; Stefan, Raluca-Ioana; Litescu, Simona; Radu, Gabriel Lucian

    2002-01-01

    An amperometric biosensor based on L-aminoacid oxidase is proposed for enantioselective assay of (+)-3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (L-T3) and (+)-3,3',5,5'-tetraiodo-L-thyronine (L-T4), due to the fact that only the L enantiomer has the hormonal activity. The construction of the amperometric biosensor is simple and reproducible. The analytical information obtained from enantioselective analysis are reliable. The RSD <1% assured by using the amperometric biosensors for L enantiomers assay as raw materials, and from tablets, demonstrated their suitability for the analysis of T3 and T4 at ppb concentration levels.

  11. Bending nanowire growth in solution by mechanical disturbance.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chao; Wei, Yujie; Jiang, Hongyuan; Sun, Shouheng

    2010-06-09

    The effect of mechanical disturbance on one-dimensional nanocrystal growth in solution phase is investigated by controlled growth of Au nanowires with and without stirring. While a static growth leads to straight, single-crystal Au nanowires, the mechanic disturbance by stirring tends to bend the nanowire growth, yielding nanowire kinks abundant in various types of crystal defects including dislocations, twin boundaries, and grain boundaries. Mechanical modeling and analysis is introduced to elucidate the nanowire growth mechanisms in these two conditions. The provided fundamental understanding of crystal defect formation at nanoscale could be applied to guide the development of advanced nanomaterials with shape control and unique mechanical properties.

  12. Metal-coated microfluidic channels: An approach to eliminate streaming potential effects in nano biosensors.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jieun; Wipf, Mathias; Mu, Luye; Adams, Chris; Hannant, Jennifer; Reed, Mark A

    2017-01-15

    We report a method to suppress streaming potential using an Ag-coated microfluidic channel on a p-type silicon nanowire (SiNW) array measured by a multiplexed electrical readout. The metal layer sets a constant electrical potential along the microfluidic channel for a given reference electrode voltage regardless of the flow velocity. Without the Ag layer, the magnitude and sign of the surface potential change on the SiNW depends on the flow velocity, width of the microfluidic channel and the device's location inside the microfluidic channel with respect to the reference electrode. Noise analysis of the SiNW array with and without the Ag coating in the fluidic channel shows that noise frequency peaks, resulting from the operation of a piezoelectric micropump, are eliminated using the Ag layer with two reference electrodes located at inlet and outlet. This strategy presents a simple platform to eliminate the streaming potential and can become a powerful tool for nanoscale potentiometric biosensors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. An amperometric glutamate biosensor based on immobilization of glutamate oxidase onto carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes/gold nanoparticles/chitosan composite film modified Au electrode.

    PubMed

    Batra, Bhawna; Pundir, C S

    2013-09-15

    A method is described for the construction of a novel amperometric glutamate biosensor based on covalent immobilization of glutamate oxidase (GluOx) onto, carboxylated multi walled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNT), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and chitosan (CHIT) composite film electrodeposited on the surface of a Au electrode. The GluOx/cMWCNT/AuNP/CHIT modified Au electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The biosensor measured current due to electrons generated at 0.135V against Ag/AgCl from H2O2, which is produced from glutamate by immobilized GluOx. The biosensor showed optimum response within 2s at pH 7.5 and 35°C. A linear relationship was obtained between a wide glutamate concentration range (5-500μM) and current (μA) under optimum conditions. The biosensor showed high sensitivity (155nA/μM/cm(2)), low detection limit (1.6μM) and good storage stability. The biosensor was unaffected by a number of serum substances at their physiological concentrations. The biosensor was evaluated and employed for determination of glutamate in sera from apparently healthy subjects and persons suffering from epilepsy. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Nanowires and Electrical Stimulation Synergistically Improve Functions of hiPSC Cardiac Spheroids.

    PubMed

    Richards, Dylan J; Tan, Yu; Coyle, Robert; Li, Yang; Xu, Ruoyu; Yeung, Nelson; Parker, Arran; Menick, Donald R; Tian, Bozhi; Mei, Ying

    2016-07-13

    The advancement of human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) technology has shown promising potential to provide a patient-specific, regenerative cell therapy strategy to treat cardiovascular disease. Despite the progress, the unspecific, underdeveloped phenotype of hiPSC-CMs has shown arrhythmogenic risk and limited functional improvements after transplantation. To address this, tissue engineering strategies have utilized both exogenous and endogenous stimuli to accelerate the development of hiPSC-CMs. Exogenous electrical stimulation provides a biomimetic pacemaker-like stimuli that has been shown to advance the electrical properties of tissue engineered cardiac constructs. Recently, we demonstrated that the incorporation of electrically conductive silicon nanowires to hiPSC cardiac spheroids led to advanced structural and functional development of hiPSC-CMs by improving the endogenous electrical microenvironment. Here, we reasoned that the enhanced endogenous electrical microenvironment of nanowired hiPSC cardiac spheroids would synergize with exogenous electrical stimulation to further advance the functional development of nanowired hiPSC cardiac spheroids. For the first time, we report that the combination of nanowires and electrical stimulation enhanced cell-cell junction formation, improved development of contractile machinery, and led to a significant decrease in the spontaneous beat rate of hiPSC cardiac spheroids. The advancements made here address critical challenges for the use of hiPSC-CMs in cardiac developmental and translational research and provide an advanced cell delivery vehicle for the next generation of cardiac repair.

  15. How Copper Nanowires Grow and How To Control Their Properties.

    PubMed

    Ye, Shengrong; Stewart, Ian E; Chen, Zuofeng; Li, Bo; Rathmell, Aaron R; Wiley, Benjamin J

    2016-03-15

    Scalable, solution-phase nanostructure synthesis has the promise to produce a wide variety of nanomaterials with novel properties at a cost that is low enough for these materials to be used to solve problems. For example, solution-synthesized metal nanowires are now being used to make low cost, flexible transparent electrodes in touch screens, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and solar cells. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of solution-phase syntheses that enable control over the assembly of atoms into nanowires in the last 15 years, but proposed mechanisms for nanowire formation are usually qualitative, and for many syntheses there is little consensus as to how nanowires form. It is often not clear what species is adding to a nanowire growing in solution or what mechanistic step limits its rate of growth. A deeper understanding of nanowire growth is important for efficiently directing the development of nanowire synthesis toward producing a wide variety of nanostructure morphologies for structure-property studies or producing precisely defined nanostructures for a specific application. This Account reviews our progress over the last five years toward understanding how copper nanowires form in solution, how to direct their growth into nanowires with dimensions ideally suited for use in transparent conducting films, and how to use copper nanowires as a template to grow core-shell nanowires. The key advance enabling a better understanding of copper nanowire growth is the first real-time visualization of nanowire growth in solution, enabling the acquisition of nanowire growth kinetics. By measuring the growth rate of individual nanowires as a function of concentration of the reactants and temperature, we show that a growing copper nanowire can be thought of as a microelectrode that is charged with electrons by hydrazine and grows through the diffusion-limited addition of Cu(OH)2(-). This deeper mechanistic understanding, coupled to an

  16. Semiconductor Nanowires and Nanotubes for Energy Conversion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fardy, Melissa Anne

    In recent years semiconductor nanowires and nanotubes have garnered increased attention for their unique properties. With their nanoscale dimensions comes high surface area and quantum confinement, promising enhancements in a wide range of applications. 1-dimensional nanostructures are especially attractive for energy conversion applications where photons, phonons, and electrons come into play. Since the bohr exciton radius and phonon and electron mean free paths are on the same length scales as nanowire diameters, optical, thermal, and electrical properties can be tuned by simple nanowire size adjustments. In addition, the high surface area inherent to nanowires and nanotubes lends them towards efficient charge separation and superior catalytic performance. In thermoelectric power generation, the nanoscale wire diameter can effectively scatter phonons, promoting reductions in thermal conductivity and enhancements in the thermoelectric figure of merit. To that end, single-crystalline arrays of PbS, PbSe, and PbTe nanowires have been synthesized by a chemical vapor transport approach. The electrical and thermal transport properties of the nanowires were characterized to investigate their potential as thermoelectric materials. Compared to bulk, the lead chalcogenide nanowires exhibit reduced thermal conductivity below 100 K by up to 3 orders of magnitude, suggesting that they may be promising thermoelectric materials. Smaller diameters and increased surface roughness are expected to give additional enhancements. The solution-phase synthesis of PbSe nanowires via oriented attachment of nanoparticles enables facile surface engineering and diameter control. Branched PbSe nanowires synthesized by this approach showed near degenerately doped charge carrier concentrations. Compared to the bulk, the PbSe nanowires exhibited a similar Seebeck coefficient and a significant reduction in thermal conductivity in the temperature range 20 K to 300 K. Thermal annealing of the Pb

  17. As-Grown Gallium Nitride Nanowire Electromechanical Resonators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Montague, Joshua R.

    Technological development in recent years has led to a ubiquity of micro- and nano-scale electromechanical devices. Sensors for monitoring temperature, pressure, mass, etc., are now found in nearly all electronic devices at both the industrial and consumer levels. As has been true for integrated circuit electronics, these electromechanical devices have continued to be scaled down in size. For many nanometer-scale structures with large surface-to-volume ratio, dissipation (energy loss) becomes prohibitively large causing a decreasing sensitivity with decreasing sensor size. In this work, gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires are investigated as singly-clamped (cantilever) mechanical resonators with typical mechanical quality factors, Q (equal to the ratio of resonance frequency to peak full-width-at-half-maximum-power) and resonance frequencies, respectively, at or above 30,000, and near 1 MHz. These Q values---in vacuum at room temperature---indicate very low levels of dissipation; they are essentially the same as those for bulk quartz crystal resonators that form the basis of simple clocks and mass sensors. The GaN nanowires have lengths and diameters, respectively, of approximately 15 micrometers and hundreds of nanometers. As-grown GaN nanowire Q values are larger than other similarly-sized, bottom-up, cantilever resonators and this property makes them very attractive for use as resonant sensors. We demonstrate the capability of detecting sub-monolayer levels of atomic layer deposited (ALD) films, and the robust nature of the GaN nanowires structure that allows for their 'reuse' after removal of such layers. In addition to electron microscope-based measurement techniques, we demonstrate the successful capacitive detection of a single nanowire using microwave homodyne reflectometry. This technique is then extended to allow for simultaneous measurements of large ensembles of GaN nanowires on a single sample, providing statistical information about the distribution of

  18. Miniaturized accelerometer made with ZnO nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Sangho; Kim, Jeong Woong; Kim, Hyun Chan; Yun, Youngmin; Kim, Jaehwan

    2017-04-01

    Miniaturized accelerometer is required in many applications, such as, robotics, haptic devices, gyroscopes, simulators and mobile devices. ZnO is an essential semiconductor material with wide direct band gap, thermal stability and piezoelectricity. Especially, well aligned ZnO nanowire is appropriate for piezoelectric applications since it can produce high electrical signal under mechanical load. To miniaturize accelerometer, an aligned ZnO nanowire is adopted to implement active piezoelectric layer of the accelerometer and copper is chosen for the head mass. To grow ZnO nanowire on the copper head mass, hydrothermal synthesis is conducted and the effect of ZnO nanowire length on the accelerometer performance is investigated. Refresh hydrothermal synthesis can increase the length of ZnO nanowire. The performance of the fabricated ZnO accelerometers is compared with a commercial accelerometer. Sensitivity and linearity of the fabricated accelerometers are investigated.

  19. Transformation of bulk alloys to oxide nanowires.

    PubMed

    Lei, Danni; Benson, Jim; Magasinski, Alexandre; Berdichevsky, Gene; Yushin, Gleb

    2017-01-20

    One dimensional (1D) nanostructures offer prospects for enhancing the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of a broad range of functional materials and composites, but their synthesis methods are typically elaborate and expensive. We demonstrate a direct transformation of bulk materials into nanowires under ambient conditions without the use of catalysts or any external stimuli. The nanowires form via minimization of strain energy at the boundary of a chemical reaction front. We show the transformation of multimicrometer-sized particles of aluminum or magnesium alloys into alkoxide nanowires of tunable dimensions, which are converted into oxide nanowires upon heating in air. Fabricated separators based on aluminum oxide nanowires enhanced the safety and rate capabilities of lithium-ion batteries. The reported approach allows ultralow-cost scalable synthesis of 1D materials and membranes. Copyright © 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  20. Carbon nanomaterials in biosensors: should you use nanotubes or graphene?

    PubMed

    Yang, Wenrong; Ratinac, Kyle R; Ringer, Simon P; Thordarson, Pall; Gooding, J Justin; Braet, Filip

    2010-03-15

    From diagnosis of life-threatening diseases to detection of biological agents in warfare or terrorist attacks, biosensors are becoming a critical part of modern life. Many recent biosensors have incorporated carbon nanotubes as sensing elements, while a growing body of work has begun to do the same with the emergent nanomaterial graphene, which is effectively an unrolled nanotube. With this widespread use of carbon nanomaterials in biosensors, it is timely to assess how this trend is contributing to the science and applications of biosensors. This Review explores these issues by presenting the latest advances in electrochemical, electrical, and optical biosensors that use carbon nanotubes and graphene, and critically compares the performance of the two carbon allotropes in this application. Ultimately, carbon nanomaterials, although still to meet key challenges in fabrication and handling, have a bright future as biosensors.