1. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(author)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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In: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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2. |
- Luo, Yifei, et al.
(author)
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Technology Roadmap for Flexible Sensors
- 2023
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In: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society. - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 17:6, s. 5211-5295
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited. To ease and to expedite their deployment, here, we identify bottlenecks hindering the maturation of flexible sensors and propose promising solutions. We first analyze challenges in achieving satisfactory sensing performance for real-world applications and then summarize issues in compatible sensor-biology interfaces, followed by brief discussions on powering and connecting sensor networks. Issues en route to commercialization and for sustainable growth of the sector are also analyzed, highlighting environmental concerns and emphasizing nontechnical issues such as business, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Additionally, we look at future intelligent flexible sensors. In proposing a comprehensive roadmap, we hope to steer research efforts towards common goals and to guide coordinated development strategies from disparate communities. Through such collaborative efforts, scientific breakthroughs can be made sooner and capitalized for the betterment of humanity.
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3. |
- Zhang, Xiaoyun, et al.
(author)
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Metal–Support Interaction of Carbon–Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
- 2023
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In: nanoenergy advances. - : MDPI AG. - 2673-706X. ; 3:1, s. 48-72
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Metal–support interaction (MSI) is considered a key effect of electronic and geometric structures of catalysts on tuning catalytic performance. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a crucial process during energy conversion and storage. However, the OER process requires the help of noble metal catalysts to reduce the reaction overpotential, enhance reactivity with intermediates, and maintain good operating stability. Carbon–supported metal catalysts have been considered candidates for noble metal catalysts for OER. MSI occurs at the interface of carbon supports and metals, affecting the catalytic performance through electronic and geometric modulation. MSI can influence the catalytic performance and change reaction pathways from charge redistribution, electron transfer, chemical coordination and bonding, and steric effect. Connecting MSI effects with the OER mechanism can provide theoretical guidance and a practical approach to the design of efficient catalysts, including the modulation of particle size, morphology, heteroatom doping, defect engineering, and coordination atom and number. Advantage can be taken of MSI modulation between metal compounds and carbon supports to provide guidance for catalyst design.
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4. |
- Bao, Qinye, et al.
(author)
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Effects of ultraviolet soaking on surface electronic structures of solution processed ZnO nanoparticle films in polymer solar cells
- 2014
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2050-7488. ; 2:41, s. 17676-17682
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We systematically show the effect of UV-light soaking on surface electronic structures and chemical states of solution processed ZnO nanoparticle (ZnONP) films in UHV, dry air and UV-ozone. UV exposure in UHV induces a slight decrease in work function and surface-desorption of chemisorbed oxygen, whereas UV exposure in the presence of oxygen causes an increase in work function due to oxygen atom vacancy filling in the ZnO matrix. We demonstrate that UV-light soaking in combination with vacuum or oxygen can tune the work function of the ZnONP films over a range exceeding 1 eV. Based on photovoltaic performance and diode measurements, we conclude that the oxygen atom vacancy filling occurs mainly at the surface of the ZnONP films and that the films consequently retain their n-type behavior despite a significant increase in the measured work function.
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5. |
- Bao, Zijia, et al.
(author)
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A bimetallic 3D interconnected metal–organic framework with 2D morphology and its derived electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction
- 2023
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In: CrystEngComm. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1466-8033. ; 25:13, s. 1869-1873
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely used as precursors to generate derivatives for electrocatalysis. However, two-dimensional (2D) MOFs often suffer from the collapse of their 2D structures after being treated at high temperature. Herein, we used the dense ZIF-EC1 as a precursor and doped Co as a secondary metal. The content of Co in ZIF-EC1 can be tuned without changing the crystalline structure. After pyrolysis, the derived carbon-based material maintains the 2D morphology from the parental precursor. The derived ZIF-EC1(ZnCo)-20-900 exhibits the best activity toward the ORR, which is even better than that of Pt/C. This work demonstrates the potential of using a nonporous dense MOF as a precursor and optimizing electrocatalytic ORR activity by tuning the Co content.
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6. |
- Cao, Shun, et al.
(author)
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Strong Coupling between a Single Quantum Emitter and a Plasmonic Nanoantenna on a Metallic Film
- 2022
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In: Nanomaterials. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-4991. ; 12:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The strong coupling between single quantum emitters and resonant optical micro/nanocavities is beneficial for understanding light and matter interactions. Here, we propose a plasmonic nanoantenna placed on a metal film to achieve an ultra-high electric field enhancement in the nanogap and an ultra-small optical mode volume. The strong coupling between a single quantum dot (QD) and the designed structure is investigated in detail by both numerical simulations and theoretical calculations. When a single QD is inserted into the nanogap of the silver nanoantenna, the scattering spectra show a remarkably large splitting and anticrossing behavior of the vacuum Rabi splitting, which can be achieved in the scattering spectra by optimizing the nanoantenna thickness. Our work shows another way to enhance the light/matter interaction at a single quantum emitter limit, which can be useful for many nanophotonic and quantum applications.
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7. |
- Deng, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Significance of Photosynthetic Characters in the Evolution of Asian Gnetum (Gnetales)
- 2019
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In: Frontiers in Plant Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-462X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gnetum is a genus in the Gnetales that has a unique but ambiguous placement within seed plant phylogeny. Previous studies have shown that Gnetum has lower values of photosynthetic characters than those of other seed plants, but few Gnetum species have been studied, and those that have been studied are restricted to narrow taxonomic and geographic ranges. In addition, the mechanism underlying the lower values of photosynthetic characters in Gnetum remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the photosynthetic characters of a Chinese lianoid species, i.e., Gnetum parvifolium, and co-occurring woody angiosperms growing in the wild, as well as seedlings of five Chinese Gnetum species cultivated in a greenhouse. The five Gnetum species had considerably lower values for photosynthesis parameters (net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and stomatal conductance) than those of other seed plant representatives. Interrelated analyses revealed that the low photosynthetic capacity may be an intrinsic property of Gnetum, and may be associated with its evolutionary history. Comparison of the chloroplast genomes (cpDNAs) of Gnetum with those of other seed plant representatives revealed that 17 coding genes are absent from the cpDNAs of all species of Gnetum. This lack of multiple functional genes from the cpDNAs probably leads to the low photosynthetic rates of Gnetum. Our results provide a new perspective on the evolutionary history of the Gnetales, and on the ecophysiological and genomic attributes of tropical biomes in general. These results could also be useful for the breeding and cultivation of Gnetum.
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8. |
- Elfwing, Anders, et al.
(author)
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DNA Based Hybrid Material for Interface Engineering in Polymer Solar Cells
- 2018
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In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 10:11, s. 9579-9586
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new solution processable electron transport material (ETM) is introduced for use in photovoltaic devices, which consists of a metallic conjugated polyelectrolyte, poly(4-(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b]-[1,4]dioxin-2-yl-methoxy)-1-butanesulfonic acid (PEDOT-S), and surfactant-functionalized deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (named DNA:CTMA:PEDOT-S). This ETM is demonstrated to effectively work for bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices (OPV) based on different electron acceptor materials. The fill factor, the open circuit voltage, and the overall power conversion efficiency of the solar cells with a DNA:CTMA:PEDOT-S modified cathode are comparable to those of devices with a traditional lithium fluoride/aluminum cathode. The new electron transport layer has high optical transmittance, desired work function and selective electron transport. A dipole effect induced by the use of the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTMA) is responsible for lowering the electrode work function. The DNA:CTMA complex works as an optical absorption dilutor, while PEDOT-S provides the conducting pathway for electron transport, and allows thicker layer to be used, enabling printing. This materials design opens a new pathway to harness and optimize the electronic and optical properties of printable interface materials.
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9. |
- Fan, Qunping, 1989, et al.
(author)
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Over 14% efficiency all-polymer solar cells enabled by a low bandgap polymer acceptor with low energy loss and efficient charge separation
- 2020
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In: Energy & Environmental Science. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1754-5692 .- 1754-5706. ; 13:12, s. 5017-5027
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Obtaining both high open-circuit voltage (V-oc) and short-circuit current density (J(sc)) has been a major challenge for efficient all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs). Herein, we developed a polymer acceptor PF5-Y5 with excellent optical absorption capability (onset extending to similar to 880 nm and maximum absorption coefficient exceeding 105 cm(-1) in a film), high electron mobility (3.18 x 10(3) cm(2) V-1 s(-1)) and high LUMO level (-3.84 eV) to address such a challenge. As a result, the PBDB-T:PF5-Y5-based all-PSCs achieved a high power conversion efficiency of up to 14.45% with both a high Voc (0.946 V) and a high Jsc (20.65 mA cm(-2)), due to the high and broad absorption coverage, small energy loss (0.57 eV) and efficient charge separation and transport in the device, which are among the best values in the all-PSC field. In addition, the all-PSC shows a similar to 15% improvement in PCE compared to its counterpart small molecule acceptor (Y5)-based device. Our results suggest that PF5-Y5 is a very promising polymer acceptor candidate for applications in efficient all-PSCs.
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10. |
- Fu, Yifeng, 1984, et al.
(author)
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Templated Growth of Covalently Bonded Three-Dimensional Carbon Nanotube Networks Originated from Graphene
- 2012
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In: Advanced Materials. - : Wiley. - 0935-9648 .- 1521-4095. ; 24:12, s. 1576-1581
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A template-assisted method that enables the growth of covalently bonded three-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) originating from graphene at a large scale is demonstrated. Atomic force microscopy-based mechanical tests show that the covalently bonded CNT structure can effectively distribute external loading throughout the network to improve the mechanical strength of the material.
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