Two-Dimensional Metallic NiSe2 Nanoclusters-Based Low-Cost, Flexible, Amperometric Sensor for Detection of Neurological Drug Carbamazepine in Human Sweat Samples

Molecular Simulation of the Interaction of Diclofenac with Halogen (F, Cl, Br)-Encapsulated Ga12As12 Nanoclusters

Diclofenac is one of the most frequently consumed over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents globally, and several reports have confirmed its global ubiquity in several environmental compartments. Therefore, the need to develop more efficient monitoring/sensing devices with high detection limits is still needed. Herein, quantum mechanical simulations using density functional theory (DFT) computations have been utilized to evaluate the nanosensing efficacy and probe the applicability of Ga₁₂As₁₂ nanostructure and its engineered derivatives (halogen encapsulation F, Br, Cl) as efficient adsorbent/sensor materials for diclofenac. Based on the DFT computations, it was observed that diclofenac preferred to interact with the adsorbent material by assuming a flat orientation on the surface while interacting via its hydrogen atoms with the As atoms at the corner of the GaAs cage forming a polar covalent As-H bond. The adsorption energies were observed to be in the range of -17.26 to -24.79 kcal/mol and therefore suggested favorable adsorption with the surface. Nonetheless, considerable deformation was observed for the Br-encapsulated derivative, and therefore, its adsorption energy was observed to be positive. Additionally, encapsulation of the GaAs nanoclusters with halogens (F and Cl) enhanced the sensing attributes by causing a decrease in the energy gap of the nanocluster. And therefore, this suggests the feasibility of the studied materials as potentiometric sensor materials. These findings could offer some implications for the potential application of GaAs and their halogen-encapsulated derivatives for electronic technological applications.

Wearable Sensor for Continuous Sweat Biomarker Monitoring

In recent years, wearable sensors have enabled the unique mode of real-time and noninvasive monitoring to develop rapidly in medical care, sports, and other fields. Sweat contains a wide range of biomarkers such as metabolites, electrolytes, and various hormones. Combined with wearable technology, sweat can reflect human fatigue, disease, mental stress, dehydration, and so on. This paper comprehensively describes the analysis of sweat components such as glucose, lactic acid, electrolytes, pH, cortisol, vitamins, ethanol, and drugs by wearable sensing technology, and the application of sweat wearable devices in glasses, patches, fabrics, tattoos, and paper. The development trend of sweat wearable devices is prospected. It is believed that if the sweat collection, air permeability, biocompatibility, sensing array construction, continuous monitoring, self-healing technology, power consumption, real-time data transmission, specific recognition, and other problems of the wearable sweat sensor are solved, we can provide the wearer with important information about their health level in the true sense.

2D Heterostructures for Ubiquitous Electronics and Optoelectronics: Principles, Opportunities, and Challenges

A grand family of two-dimensional (2D) materials and their heterostructures have been discovered through the extensive experimental and theoretical efforts of chemists, material scientists, physicists, and technologists. These pioneering works contribute to realizing the fundamental platforms to explore and analyze new physical/chemical properties and technological phenomena at the micro-nano-pico scales. Engineering 2D van der Waals (vdW) materials and their heterostructures via chemical and physical methods with a suitable choice of stacking order, thickness, and interlayer interactions enable exotic carrier dynamics, showing potential in high-frequency electronics, broadband optoelectronics, low-power neuromorphic computing, and ubiquitous electronics. This comprehensive review addresses recent advances in terms of representative 2D materials, the general fabrication methods, and characterization techniques and the vital role of the physical parameters affecting the quality of 2D heterostructures. The main emphasis is on 2D heterostructures and 3D-bulk (3D) hybrid systems exhibiting intrinsic quantum mechanical responses in the optical, valley, and topological states. Finally, we discuss the universality of 2D heterostructures with representative applications and trends for future electronics and optoelectronics (FEO) under the challenges and opportunities from physical, nanotechnological, and material synthesis perspectives.

A Molecular Imprinted PEDOT CMOS Chip-Based Biosensor for Carbamazepine Detection

A miniaturized biosensor for carbamazepine (CBZ) detection and quantification was designed, implemented and fabricated. The 1×1 mm² CMOS chip was packaged and coupled with a 3-electrode electrochemical cell. A complete characterization of the sensor was conducted via two steps: 1) Molecular imprinting of PEDOT polymer sites by cyclic voltammetry (CV) on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surfaces; and 2) Quantification of CBZ solutions through both CV, and a current peak detection circuitry. The proposed biosensor offered high-selectivity and high-sensitivity to CBZ molecules. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to validate the synthesis of the PEDOT chains. CBZ removal from the imprinted polymer was conducted through soaking the modified GCEs in acetonitrile (ACN). Extraction was then confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and CV analyzing data from pre- and post-template extraction. Furthermore, in order to characterize the electrodes' response to CBZ levels in phosphate buffered solution (PBS) with [Fe(CN)₆]^3-/4- as a redox pair/mediator, CV and peak detection was conducted resulting in redox peak currents vs. CBZ concentration graphs. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were calculated to be 2.04 and 6.2 μg/mL respectively. Finally, selectivity towards CBZ was validated by studying the effect of valproic acid (VPA) and phenytoin (PHT) on the biosensor's performance. The proposed biosensor is highly sensitive and selective to CBZ molecules, simple to construct and easy to operate.