Characterization of optogenetically-induced cortical spreading depression in awake mice using graphene micro-transistor arrays.

Objective.The development of experimental methodology utilizing graphene micro-transistor arrays to facilitate and advance translational research into cortical spreading depression (CSD) in the awake brain.Approach.CSDs were reliably induced in awake nontransgenic mice using optogenetic methods. High-fidelity DC-coupled electrophysiological mapping of propagating CSDs was obtained using flexible arrays of graphene soultion-gated field-effect transistors (gSGFETs).Main results.Viral vectors targetted channelrhopsin expression in neurons of the motor cortex resulting in a transduction volume ⩾1 mm3. 5-10 s of continous blue light stimulation induced CSD that propagated across the cortex at a velocity of 3.0 ± 0.1 mm min-1. Graphene micro-transistor arrays enabled high-density mapping of infraslow activity correlated with neuronal activity suppression across multiple frequency bands during both CSD initiation and propagation. Localized differences in the CSD waveform could be detected and categorized into distinct clusters demonstrating the spatial resolution advantages of DC-coupled recordings. We exploited the reliable and repeatable induction of CSDs using this preparation to perform proof-of-principle pharmacological interrogation studies using NMDA antagonists. MK801 (3 mg kg-1) suppressed CSD induction and propagation, an effect mirrored, albeit transiently, by ketamine (15 mg kg-1), thus demonstrating this models' applicability as a preclinical drug screening platform. Finally, we report that CSDs could be detected through the skull using graphene micro-transistors, highlighting additional advantages and future applications of this technology.Significance.CSD is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of several neurological diseases. CSD research will benefit from technological advances that permit high density electrophysiological mapping of the CSD waveform and propagation across the cortex. We report anin vivoassay that permits minimally invasive optogenetic induction, combined with multichannel DC-coupled recordings enabled by gSGFETs in the awake brain. Adoption of this technological approach could facilitate and transform preclinical investigations of CSD in disease relevant models.

Uniformly coated highly porous graphene/MnO2 foams for flexible asymmetric supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors are called to play a prominent role in the newly emerging markets of electric vehicles, flexible displays and sensors, and wearable electronics. In order to compete with current battery technology, supercapacitors have to be designed with highly conductive current collectors exhibiting high surface area per unit volume and uniformly coated with pseudocapacitive materials, which is crucial to boost the energy density while maintaining a high power density. Here, we present a versatile technique to prepare thickness-controlled thin-film micro graphene foams (µGFs) with pores in the lower micrometer range grown by chemical vapor deposition which can be used as highly conductive current collectors in flexible supercapacitors. To fabricate the µGF, we use porous metallic catalytic substrates consisting of nickel/copper alloy synthesized on nickel foil by electrodeposition in an electrolytic solution. Changing the duration of the electrodeposition allows the control of the thickness of the metal foam, and thus of the µGF, ranging from a few micrometers to the millimeter scale. The resulting µGF with a thickness and pores in the micrometer regime exhibits high structural quality which leads to a very low intrinsic resistance of the devices. Transferred onto flexible substrates, we demonstrate a uniform coating of the µGFs with manganese oxide, a pseudocapacitively active material. Considering the porous structure and the thickness of the µGFs, square wave potential pulses are used to ensure uniform coverage by the oxide material boosting the volumetric and areal capacitance to 14 F cm-3 and 0.16 F cm-2. The µGF with a thickness and pores in the micrometer regime in combination with a coating technique tuned to the porosity of the µGF is of great relevance for the development of supercapacitors based on state-of-the-art graphene foams.

Tuning the electronic properties of monolayer and bilayer transition metal dichalcogenide compounds under direct out-of-plane compression.

The band-gap modulation of atomically thin semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides (MX2; M = Mo or W, X = S or Se) under direct out-of-plane compression is systematically studied by means of the density functional theory (DFT) formalism including spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and dispersion correction (D3). The out-of-plane compared with other regimes stress regime significantly reduces the pressure threshold at which the semimetal state is achieved (2.7-3.1 and 1.9-3.2 GPa for mono- and bilayer systems, respectively). Structural, electronic and bonding properties are investigated for a better understanding of the electronic transitions achieved with compression. A notable relationship with the formal ionic radius (M4+ and X2-) is obtained. On one hand, the monolayer systems with the smallest transition metal radius (Mo4+ < W4+) reach the semimetal state at lower stress, on the other hand, for bilayer specimens the transition to semimetal is observed earlier for compounds with the smallest chalcogenide radius (S2- < Se2-). Moreover, the appearance of non-covalent interaction (NCI) domains in the semimetal state confirms that the out-of-plane compression promotes the interaction between sulfur atoms in the single layered systems and reduces the interlayer space in bilayer configurations. Our predictions, supported by experimental evidences in the case of monolayered MoS2, demonstrate new alternative methods for tuning the electronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides under direct out-of-plane compression.