Disperse-and-Collect Approach for the Type-Selective Detection of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Porous Silicon Resonant Microcavities.

We report on the design and testing of photonic biosensors for the type-selective detection of different types of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The ability to detect a panel of different MMP types has important implications for prognosis of wound healing. We combine the immunocapture of MMPs on dispersed magnetic nanoparticles modified with antibodies specific for target MMPs (immuno-magNPs) with subsequent MMP detection upon fluorogenic peptide cleavage in porous silicon resonant microcavity (pSiRM) architectures. We report fast, sensitive, and type-selective detection of MMPs directly in wound fluid. This study sets the scene for downstream developments of multiparametric biosensors as point-of-care (POC) prognostic tools that may step-change chronic wound management.

The Power of Heterogeneity: Parameter Relationships from Distributions.

Complex scientific data is becoming the norm, many disciplines are growing immensely data-rich, and higher-dimensional measurements are performed to resolve complex relationships between parameters. Inherently multi-dimensional measurements can directly provide information on both the distributions of individual parameters and the relationships between them, such as in nuclear magnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy. However, when data originates from different measurements and comes in different forms, resolving parameter relationships is a matter of data analysis rather than experiment. We present a method for resolving relationships between parameters that are distributed individually and also correlated. In two case studies, we model the relationships between diameter and luminescence properties of quantum dots and the relationship between molecular weight and diffusion coefficient for polymers. Although it is expected that resolving complicated correlated relationships require inherently multi-dimensional measurements, our method constitutes a useful contribution to the modelling of quantitative relationships between correlated parameters and measurements. We emphasise the general applicability of the method in fields where heterogeneity and complex distributions of parameters are obstacles to scientific insight.

Selective assembly of Au-Fe3O4 nanoparticle hetero-dimers.

Hetero-dimeric magnetic nanoparticles of the type Au-Fe3O4 have been synthesised from separately prepared, differently shaped (spheres and cubes), monodisperse nanoparticles. This synthesis was achieved by the following steps: (a) Mono-functionalising each type of nanoparticles with aldehyde functional groups through a solid support approach, where nanoparticle decorated silica nanoparticles were fabricated as an intermediate step; (b) Derivatising the functional faces with complementary functionalities (e.g. amines and carboxylic acids); (c) Dimerising the two types of particles via amide bond formation. The resulting hetero-dimers were characterised by high-resolution TEM, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and other appropriate methods. Graphical AbstractNano-LEGO: Assembling two types of separately prepared nanoparticles into a hetero-dimer is the first step towards complex nano-architectures. This study shows a solid support approach to combine a gold and a magnetite nanocrystal.

A TiO2 Nanofiber-Carbon Nanotube-Composite Photoanode for Improved Efficiency in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

A light-scattering layer fabricated from electrospun titanium dioxide nanofibers (TiO2 -NFs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) formed a fiber-based photoanode. The nanocomposite scattering layer had a lawn-like structure and integration of carbon nanotubes into the NF photoanodes increased the power conversion efficiency from 2.9 % to 4.8 % under 1 Sun illumination. Under reduced light intensity (0.25 Sun), TiO2 -NF and TiO2 -NF/SWCNT-based DSSCs reached PCE values of up to 3.7 % and 6.6 %, respectively.

Monofunctionalization and dimerization of nanoparticles using coordination chemistry.

This paper describes a strategy for controlled nanoparticle dimerization by using a solid support approach. Two types of nanoparticles have been linked by using a 5-([2,2':6',2″-terpyridine]-4'-yloxy)pentan-1-amine (terpy-amine) iron complex. The strategy includes two major steps: first, the monofunctionalization of individual nanoparticles with terpy-amine ligand molecules on a solid support, followed by release of monofunctionalized particles and subsequent dimerization. The versatility of the approach was demonstrated by dimerizing two different types of nanoparticles: spherical gold and cube-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles.