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By adopting a single-enzyme approach, scientists have unlocked a new era in enzymatic biofuel cell technology, where one device serves a dual purpose: harvesting electricity and providing an analytical signal for glucose detection, all powered by a single enzyme, glucose oxidase, on both the anode and cathode.
In an effort to reduce the size of optical spectrometers, researchers have been working on developing miniature on-chip spectrometers that could be integrated into small handheld devices or even smartphones. Now, reducing the size down to the micrometer scale, researchers have developed a single-dot spectrometer based on an in situ modulated perovskite photodetector. The device is enabled by photogain manipulation controlled by ion redistribution in the perovskite film under an externally applied bias. This unique spectrometer design breaks the footprint-resolution restriction of spectrum analysis and leads to a new design direction of perovskite in situ modulation for the development of new functional devices.
Researchers demonstrate a multitarget real-time trajectory tracking system by using a time-division position sensitive detector (TD-PSD) system by employing a graphene-silicon Schottky heterojunction. The system allows for multi-target real-time trajectory tracking with a maximum image output frame rate of up to 62 000 frames per second (which is superior to commercial optical high-speed motion capture systems of about 1000 frames per second). This breaks the bottleneck in precise high-speed trajectory tracking and multi-target detection of traditional position sensitive detectors.
New research describes the first example of self-powered bioelectronics on a mask that can measure the biological glucose signal with continuous energy. In their work, the researchers demonstrate a 3-in-1 mask device that can 1) harvest energy (a biofuel cell); 2) store energy (a supercapacitor); and 3) indicate glucose concentration (a biosensor). The small biofuel cells can harvest energy from the sweat on a person's face and indicate the level of the analyte that tracks health and nutrition.
Researchers have developed a sprayable on-site sensing tool. The main application area for this sensor spray is the detection of specific analytes in an environment where sample collection is a difficult task either due to the target chemicals themselves or the area where the samples are located. A nebulization method allows for nanofibers to be sprayed onto any surface, while the accompanying phone-based application allows for direct on-site detection.
Researchers propose a first-of-a-kind smart orthopedic implant with both diagnostic and energy harvesting capabilities. This mechanically tunable, multifunctional metamaterial implant can sense and harvest energy from body motions. These implants only use their constituent components to achieve these advanced functionalities - they don't require any external power source or bulky electronics. Furthermore, the implants can be 3D printed and customized for each patient based on the clinical requirements and anatomical matching.
Researchers have designed a self-powered, 'one-terminal' tactile sensor that can distinguish various motions on a single electrode. They did this by using a thermoplastic polymer that can easily change the electrostatic signal in a selective area. The sensor array can perceive the position and the sequence of touches, shape of touching objects, and dynamic motions (sliding, rolling) of an object and can distinguish various motions on a single electrode.
The mechanical properties of cells and their intracellular mechanical loads are as relevant for a cell's accurate functioning as the biochemical portion of the cell. This offers a novel perspective that addresses the study of cell mechanics and even the alteration of the mechanical equilibrium of the cells by using silicon chips as an intracellular intervention mechanism. These 'echanical drugs' open the possibility to determine and measure intracellular forces and internalization routes. They can also produce intracellular mechanical perturbations by altering the cell cycle and even, if they are designed accordingly, destroy the cells.