Mobile Point-of-Care Device Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Chemosensors Targeting Interleukin-1ß Biomarker.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have garnered significant attention as a promising material for engineering specific biological receptors with superior chemical complementarity to target molecules. In this study, we present an electrochemical biosensing platform incorporating MIP films for the selective detection of the interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) biomarker, particularly suitable for mobile point-of-care testing (POCT) applications. The IL-1ß-imprinted biosensors were composed of poly(eriochrome black T (EBT)), including an interlayer of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) and a 4-aminothiophenol monolayer, which were electrochemically polymerized simultaneously with template proteins (i.e., IL-1ß) on custom flexible screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). The architecture of the MIP films was designed to enhance the sensor sensitivity and signal stability. This approach involved a straightforward sequential-electropolymerization process and extraction for leaving behind cavities (i.e., rebinding sites), resulting in the efficient production of MIP-based biosensors capable of molecular recognition for selective IL-1ß detection. The electrochemical behaviors were comprehensively investigated using cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy responses to assess the imprinting effect on the MIP films formed on the SPCEs. In line with the current trend in in vitro diagnostic medical devices, our simple and effective MIP-based analytical system integrated with mobile POCT devices offers a promising route to the rapid detection of biomarkers, with particular potential for periodontitis screening.

Foldable and wearable supercapacitors for powering healthcare monitoring applications with improved performance based on hierarchically co-assembled CoO/NiCo networks.

Small-scale and high-performance energy storage devices have drawn tremendous attention with their portable, lightweight, and multi-functionalized features. Here, we present a foldable supercapacitor with affordable flexibility by adopting a developed design and electrode material system as a way to extend usability. Notably, to resolve the limited energy density of conventional capacitors, we successfully synthesize the CoO/NiCo-layered double hydroxide (LDH) core-shell nanostructure on Ni framework as a cathode material. Further, glucose-based activated carbon (GBAC) is utilized for the anode. The CoO/NiCo-LDH electrodes exhibited a high specific capacitance of âˆ¼284.8 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1, and GBAC delivers a high specific capacitance of âˆ¼166 F g-1 at 1 A g-1. In the following, the combinatorial integration of these materials enabled the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) to increase the energy density by enhancing the capacitance and the voltage window, in which a hydrogel-based electrolyte was facilitated for the foldable and wearable capability. The energy density of the ASC device was âˆ¼24.9 Wh kg-1 at a power density of âˆ¼779.5 W kg-1 with a voltage window of âˆ¼1.6 V. As demonstrated, a self-powered energy source was demonstrated by a serially connected multi-ASC device with a help of a commercial solar cell, which was employed for powering wearable healthcare monitoring devices, including personal alarms for patients and recording the human body's electrical signals. The present work offers a viable approach to preparing potential candidates for high-performance electrodes of supercapacitors with deformable configurations to extend the powering capability of other electronic devices with physical functionalities used in wearable electronics.

Recent Advances of Point-of-Care Devices Integrated with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers-Based Biosensors: From Biomolecule Sensing Design to Intraoral Fluid Testing.

Recent developments of point-of-care testing (POCT) and in vitro diagnostic medical devices have provided analytical capabilities and reliable diagnostic results for rapid access at or near the patient's location. Nevertheless, the challenges of reliable diagnosis still remain an important factor in actual clinical trials before on-site medical treatment and making clinical decisions. New classes of POCT devices depict precise diagnostic technologies that can detect biomarkers in biofluids such as sweat, tears, saliva or urine. The introduction of a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) system as an artificial bioreceptor for the POCT devices could be one of the emerging candidates to improve the analytical performance along with physicochemical stability when used in harsh environments. Here, we review the potential availability of MIP-based biorecognition systems as custom artificial receptors with high selectivity and chemical affinity for specific molecules. Further developments to the progress of advanced MIP technology for biomolecule recognition are introduced. Finally, to improve the POCT-based diagnostic system, we summarized the perspectives for high expandability to MIP-based periodontal diagnosis and the future directions of MIP-based biosensors as a wearable format.

Rotating Cylinder-Assisted Nanoimprint Lithography for Enhanced Chemisorbable Filtration Complemented by Molecularly Imprinted Polymers.

Rotating cylindrical stamp-based nanoimprint technique has many advantages, including the continuous fabrication of intriguing micro/nanostructures and rapid pattern transfer on a large scale. Despite these advantages, the previous nanoimprint lithography has rarely been used for producing sophisticated nanoscale patterns on a non-planar substrate that has many extended applications. Here, the simple integration of nanoimprinting process with a help of a transparent stamp wrapped on the cylindrical roll and UV optical source in the core to enable high-throughput pattern transfer, particularly on a fabric substrate is demonstrated. Moreover, as a functional resin material, this innovative strategy involves a synergistic approach on the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer, which are spatially organized free-standing perforated nanostructures such as nano/microscale lines, posts, and holes patterns on various woven or nonwoven blank substrates. The proposed materials can serve as a self-encoded filtration medium for selective separation of formaldehyde molecules. It is envisioned that the combinatorial fabrication process and attractive material paves the way for designing next-generation separation systems in use to capture industrial or household toxic substances.

Spatially Ordered Arrays of Colloidal Inorganic Metal Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals via Controlled Droplet Evaporation in a Confined Geometry.

Inorganic metal halide perovskite nanocrystals, such as quantum dots (QDs), have emerged as intriguing building blocks for miniaturized light-emitting and optoelectronic devices. Although conventional lithographic approaches and printing techniques allow for discrete patterning at the micro/nanoscale, it is still important to utilize intrinsic QDs with the concomitant retaining of physical and chemical stability during the fabrication process. Here, we report a simple strategy for the evaporative self-assembly to produce highly ordered structures of CsPbBr3 and CsPbI3 QDs on a substrate in a precisely controllable manner by using a capillary-bridged restrict geometry. Quantum confined CsPbBr3 and CsPbI3 nanocrystals, synthesized via a modified hot-injection method with excess halide ions condition, were readily adapted to prepare colloidal QD solutions. Subsequently, the spatially patterned arrays of the perovskite QD rings were crafted in a confirmed geometry with high fidelity by spontaneous solvent evaporation. These self-organized concentric rings were systemically characterized regarding the center-to-center distance, width, and height of the patterns. Our results not only facilitate a fundamental understanding of assembly in the perovskite QDs to enable the solution-printing process but also provide a simple route for offering promising practical applications in optoelectronics.

A Sustainable and Flexible Microbrush-Faced Triboelectric Generator for Portable/Wearable Applications.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are put forward as a state-of-the-art energy-scavenging technology for self-powered electronics, but their severe wear and degradation driven by inevitable friction can pose significant durability and sustainability concerns. Here, an array of microfibers is reported that functions as a robust and sustainable TENG in both in-plane sliding and vertical contact-separation modes, with excellent electrical potential as high as 20 V and a high cyclability of 3000. The design flexibility of this microbrush TENG (MB-TENG) on the counter materials facilitates the further improvement of electrical outputs, benefiting numerous applications of human-interactive triboelectrification. Significantly, these MB-TENGs offer sufficient output power for successfully driving a smartwatch as well as an electromyography module. This technology uses a simple and cost-effective manner to provide a robust and reliable monolithic TENG module, which is expected to serve as a promising energy-harvesting source for self-powered electronics in the near future.

Highly Aligned Polymeric Nanowire Etch-Mask Lithography Enabling the Integration of Graphene Nanoribbon Transistors.

Graphene nanoribbons are a greatly intriguing form of nanomaterials owing to their unique properties that overcome the limitations associated with a zero bandgap of two-dimensional graphene at room temperature. Thus, the fabrication of graphene nanoribbons has garnered much attention for building high-performance field-effect transistors. Consequently, various methodologies reported previously have brought significant progress in the development of highly ordered graphene nanoribbons. Nonetheless, easy control in spatial arrangement and alignment of graphene nanoribbons on a large scale is still limited. In this study, we explored a facile, yet effective method for the fabrication of graphene nanoribbons by employing orientationally controlled electrospun polymeric nanowire etch-mask. We started with a thermal chemical vapor deposition process to prepare graphene monolayer, which was conveniently transferred onto a receiving substrate for electrospun polymer nanowires. The polymeric nanowires act as a robust etching barrier underlying graphene sheets to harvest arrays of the graphene nanoribbons. On varying the parametric control in the process, the size, morphology, and width of electrospun polymer nanowires were easily manipulated. Upon O2 plasma etching, highly aligned arrays of graphene nanoribbons were produced, and the sacrificial polymeric nanowires were completely removed. The graphene nanoribbons were used to implement field-effect transistors in a bottom-gated configuration. Such approaches could realistically yield a relatively improved current on-off ratio of ~30 higher than those associated with the usual micro-ribbon strategy, with the clear potential to realize reproducible high-performance devices.

Graphene Templated DNA Arrays and Biotin-Streptavidin Sensitive Bio-Transistors Patterned by Dynamic Self-Assembly of Polymeric Films Confined within a Roll-on-Plate Geometry.

Patterning of surfaces with a simple strategy provides insights into the functional interfaces by suitable modification of the surface by novel techniques. Especially, highly ordered structural topographies and chemical features from the wide range of interfaces have been considered as important characteristics to understand the complex relationship between the surface chemistries and biological systems. Here, we report a simple fabrication method to create patterned surfaces over large areas using evaporative self-assembly that is designed to produce a sacrificial template and lithographic etch masks of polymeric stripe patterns, ranging from micrometer to nanoscale. By facilitating a roll-on-plate geometry, the periodically patterned surface structures formed by repetitive slip-stick motions were thoroughly examined to be used for the deposition of the Au nanoparticles decorated graphene oxide (i.e., AuNPs, ~21 nm) and the formation of conductive graphene channels. The fluorescently labeled thiol-modified DNA was applied on the patterned arrays of graphene oxide (GO)/AuNPs, and biotin-streptavidin sensitive devices built with graphene-based transistors (GFETs, effective mobility of ~320 cm2 V-1 s-1) were demonstrated as examples of the platform for the next-generation biosensors with the high sensing response up to ~1 nM of target analyte (i.e., streptavidin). Our strategy suggests that the stripe patterned arrays of polymer films as sacrificial templates can be a simple route to creating highly sensitive biointerfaces and highlighting the development of new chemically patterned surfaces composed of graphene-based nanomaterials.

Long-Term Stability of Pre-Orthodontic Orthognathic Bimaxillary Surgery Using Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy Versus Conventional Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare the long-term stability of bimaxillary surgery using an intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) with and without presurgical orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present retrospective study included 31 consecutive patients with skeletal Class III malocclusions who had undergone bimaxillary surgery (Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral IVRO). Patients were divided into 2 groups based on treatment type: pre-orthodontic orthognathic surgery (POGS; n = 17) and conventional surgery with presurgical orthodontic treatment (CS; n = 14). Lateral cephalograms were obtained before surgery, 1 day after surgery, 1 month after surgery, 1 year after surgery, and 2 years after surgery to evaluate skeletal and soft tissue changes between the 2 groups. Data were analyzed using χ2 tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, repeated-measures analyses of variance, and independent t tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in skeletal or soft tissue measurements-with the exception of the angle between the sella-and-nasion plane and the occlusal plane (SN-OP; P < .001)-between the CS and POGS groups at 2 years after IVRO. The SN-OP had increased in the CS group but decreased in the POGS group at 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that POGS and CS have similar long-term stability in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion.