Interfacial Engineering with One-Dimensional Lepidocrocite TiO-Based Nanofilaments for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells.

The optimization of nonradiative recombination losses through interface engineering is key to the development of efficient, stable, and hysteresis-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, for the first time in solar cell technology, we present a novel approach to interface modification by employing one-dimensional lepidocrocite (henceforth referred to as 1DL) TiO-based nanofilaments, NFs, between the mesoporous TiO (mp TiO) and halide perovskite film in PSCs to improve both the efficiency and stability of the devices. The 1DLs can be easily produced on the kilogram scale starting with cheap and earth-abundant precursor powders, such as TiC, TiN, TiB, etc.

Expanding treatment pathways for sexually abusive behaviour in young people: an examination of Therapeutic Treatment Orders.

Young people who engage in sexually abusive behaviour account for a substantial number of sexual offences worldwide. Despite this, a limited body of work has explored the optimal pathways into treatment for these young people. This is an important question to explore given the iatrogenic effects of receiving treatment following incarceration and burgeoning legislative frameworks focusing on the diversion of youth who sexually offend.

An Exploration of Risk Factors for Further Police Contact Among Females Known for Online Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses.

Despite increases in online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) internationally, no study has examined risk factors for re-offending among females who perpetrate OCSE, resulting in limited knowledge regarding the idiosyncratic needs of this cohort. This study explored factors predictive of further police contact among 116 females known to police for OCSE offenses in Victoria, Australia. Four binary regressions were run for each of Any, Violent, and Non-Violent re-offending, with one regression each focusing on characteristics related to offending history, index offending, co-offending, and victimization.

Combination of gold nanoparticles with near-infrared light as an alternative approach for melanoma management.

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and recently approved drugs are often associated with resistance and significant adverse effects. Therefore, the design of more effective and safe options remains imperative. Photothermal therapy (PTT) using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) presents a promising and innovative approach.

Poly(Ionic) Liquid-Enhanced Ion Dynamics in Cellulose-Derived Gel Polymer Electrolytes.

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are regarded as a promising alternative to conventional electrolytes, combining the advantages of solid and liquid electrolytes. Leveraging the abundance and eco-friendliness of cellulose-based materials, GPEs were produced using methyl cellulose and incorporating various doping agents, either an ionic liquid (1-Butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Pyr14][TFSI]), its polymeric ionic liquid analogue (Poly(diallyldimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) [PDADMA][TFSI]), or an anionically charged backbone polymeric ionic liquid (lithium poly[(4-styrenesulfonyl)(trifluoromethyl(S-trifluoromethylsulfonylimino) sulfonyl) imide] LiP[STFSI]). The ion dynamics and molecular interactions within the GPEs were thoroughly analyzed using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Heteronuclear Overhauser Enhancement Spectroscopy (HOESY), and Pulsed-Field Gradient Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Diffusion (PFG-NMR).

Understanding the Potential of Light Absorption in Dots-in-Host Semiconductors.

The outstanding physical properties of dots-in-host (QD@Host) hetero semiconductors demand detailed methods to fundamentally understand the best routes to optimize their potentialities for different applications. In this work, a 4-band k.p-based method was developed for rock-salt quantum dots (QDs) that describes the complete optical properties of arbitrary QD@Host systems, trailblazing the way for the full optoelectronic analysis of quantum-structured solar cells.

Flexographic printed microwave-assisted grown zinc oxide nanostructures for sensing applications.

The development of flexible electronics has increased the demand for wearable pressure sensors that can be used to monitor various biomedical signals. In this context, pressure sensors based on zinc oxide (ZnO) have great potential since, besides the biocompatibility and biodegradability of this metal oxide, it also has piezoelectric properties. The common feature of these sensors is the alignment of the ZnO nanostructures in the strain direction.

A high-performance organic lithium salt-doped OFET with the optical radical effect for photoelectric pulse synaptic simulation and neuromorphic memory learning.

Simulation of synaptic characteristics is essential for the application of organic field effect transistors (OFETs) in neural morphology. Although excellent performance, including bias stability and mobility, as well as photoelectric pulse synaptic simulation, has been achieved in SiO-gated OFETs with PDVT-10 as an organic channel, there are relatively few studies on photoelectric pulse synaptic simulation of electrolyte-gated OFETs based on environmentally friendly and low-voltage operation. Herein, synaptic transistors based on organic semiconductors are reported to simulate the photoelectric pulse response by developing solution-based organic semiconductor PDVT-10, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with an electric double layer (EDL) effect to act as a channel and gate dielectric layer, respectively, and organic lithium salt-doped PVA is used to enhance the EDL effect.

Direct Laser Writing: From Materials Synthesis and Conversion to Electronic Device Processing.

Direct Laser Writing (DLW) has been increasingly selected as a microfabrication route for efficient, cost-effective, high-resolution material synthesis and conversion. Concurrently, lasers participate in the patterning and assembly of functional geometries in several fields of application, of which electronics stand out. In this review, recent advances and strategies based on DLW for electronics microfabrication are surveyed and outlined, based on laser material growth strategies.

MXene-Enhanced Nanoscale Photoconduction in Perovskite Solar Cells Revealed by Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy.

The use of MXene materials in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has received significant interest due to their distinct features that result from the termination of functional groups and the oxidation of MXene. Herein, we have used photoconductive atomic force microscopy (pcAFM) to map the local (nanoscale) photovoltaic performances of the TiCT MXene nanosheet-integrated TiO (MXene@TiO) electron transport layer-based PSCs to determine the influence of the treatment on the microscopic charge flow inside the devices. At different applied voltages, the morphology and current have been simultaneously measured with nanoscale resolution from the top surfaces of the solar cells without back contacts.

Rational approach to design gold nanoparticles for photothermal therapy: the effect of gold salt on physicochemical, optical and biological properties.

Among the unique characteristics associated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in biomedicine, their ability to convert light energy into heat opens ventures for improved cancer therapeutic options, such as photothermal therapy (PTT). PTT relies on the local hyperthermia of tumor cells upon irradiation with light beams, and the association of AuNPs with radiation within the near infrared (NIR) range constitutes an advantageous strategy to potentially improve PTT efficacy. Herein, it was explored the effect of the gold salt on the AuNPs' physicochemical and optical properties.

Amphetamines Improve the Motivation to Invest Effort in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Prevailing frameworks propose that a key feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is lower motivation. An important component of motivation is the willingness to engage in cognitively or physically effortful behavior. However, the degree to which effort sensitivity is impaired in ADHD has rarely been tested, and the efficacy of stimulant medication in ameliorating any such impairments is unclear.

A simple polystyrene microfluidic device for sensitive and accurate SERS-based detection of infection by malaria parasites.

Early and accurate detection of infection by pathogenic microorganisms, such as Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, is critical for clinical diagnosis and ultimately determines the patient's outcome. We have combined a polystyrene-based microfluidic device with an immunoassay which utilises Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to detect malaria. The method can be easily translated to a point-of-care testing format and shows excellent sensitivity and specificity, when compared to the gold standard for laboratorial detection of Plasmodium infections.

Hybrid Digital-Droplet Microfluidic Chip for Applications in Droplet Digital Nucleic Acid Amplification: Design, Fabrication and Characterization.

Microfluidic-based platforms have become a hallmark for chemical and biological assays, empowering micro- and nano-reaction vessels. The fusion of microfluidic technologies (digital microfluidics, continuous-flow microfluidics, and droplet microfluidics, just to name a few) presents great potential for overcoming the inherent limitations of each approach, while also elevating their respective strengths. This work exploits the combination of digital microfluidics (DMF) and droplet microfluidics (DrMF) on a single substrate, where DMF enables droplet mixing and further acts as a controlled liquid supplier for a high-throughput nano-liter droplet generator.

Parylene C as a Multipurpose Material for Electronics and Microfluidics.

Poly(p-xylylene) derivatives, widely known as Parylenes, have been considerably adopted by the scientific community for several applications, ranging from simple passive coatings to active device components. Here, we explore the thermal, structural, and electrical properties of Parylene C, and further present a variety of electronic devices featuring this polymer: transistors, capacitors, and digital microfluidic (DMF) devices. We evaluate transistors produced with Parylene C as a dielectric, substrate, and encapsulation layer, either semitransparent or fully transparent.

HCMV Infection Reduces Nidogen-1 Expression, Contributing to Impaired Neural Rosette Development in Brain Organoids.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a leading cause of birth defects in humans. These birth defects include microcephaly, sensorineural hearing loss, vision loss, and cognitive impairment. The process by which the developing fetus incurs these neurological defects is poorly understood.

Truly form-factor-free industrially scalable system integration for electronic textile architectures with multifunctional fiber devices.

An integrated textile electronic system is reported here, enabling a truly free form factor system via textile manufacturing integration of fiber-based electronic components. Intelligent and smart systems require freedom of form factor, unrestricted design, and unlimited scale. Initial attempts to develop conductive fibers and textile electronics failed to achieve reliable integration and performance required for industrial-scale manufacturing of technical textiles by standard weaving technologies.

Microwave Synthesis of Visible-Light-Activated g-CN/TiO Photocatalysts.

The preparation of visible-light-driven photocatalysts has become highly appealing for environmental remediation through simple, fast and green chemical methods. The current study reports the synthesis and characterization of graphitic carbon nitride/titanium dioxide (g-CN/TiO) heterostructures through a fast (1 h) and simple microwave-assisted approach. Different g-CN amounts mixed with TiO (15, 30 and 45 wt.

Alkali-Doped Nanopaper Membranes Applied as a Gate Dielectric in FETs and Logic Gates with an Enhanced Dynamic Response.

The market for flexible, hybrid, and printed electronic systems, which can appear in everything from sensors and wearables to displays and lighting, is still uncertain. What is clear is that these systems are appearing every day, enabling devices and systems that can, in the near future, be crumpled up and tucked in our pockets. Within this context, cellulose-based modified nanopapers were developed to serve both as a physical support and a gate dielectric layer in field-effect transistors (FETs) that are fully recyclable.

Paper-based laser-induced graphene for sustainable and flexible microsupercapacitor applications.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is as a promising material for flexible microsupercapacitors (MSCs) due to its simple and cost-effective processing. However, LIG-MSC research and production has been centered on non-sustainable polymeric substrates, such as polyimide. In this work, it is presented a cost-effective, reproducible, and robust approach for the preparation of LIG structures via a one-step laser direct writing on chromatography paper.

Microfluidic SERS devices: brightening the future of bioanalysis.

A new avenue has opened up for applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the biomedical field, mainly due to the striking advantages offered by SERS tags. SERS tags provide indirect identification of analytes with rich and highly specific spectral fingerprint information, high sensitivity, and outstanding multiplexing potential, making them very useful in in vitro and in vivo assays. The recent and innovative advances in nanomaterial science, novel Raman reporters, and emerging bioconjugation protocols have helped develop ultra-bright SERS tags as powerful tools for multiplex SERS-based detection and diagnosis applications.

Leveraging the future of diagnosis and management of diabetes: From old indexes to new technologies.

Background: Diabetes is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disease. However, glycemia and glycated hemoglobin have been the focus of diabetes diagnosis and management for the last decades. As diabetes management goes far beyond glucose control, it has become clear that assessment of other biochemical parameters gives a much wider view of the metabolic state of each individual, enabling a precision medicine approach.

Water Peel-Off Transfer of Electronically Enhanced, Paper-Based Laser-Induced Graphene for Wearable Electronics.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has gained preponderance in recent years, as a very attractive material for the fabrication and patterning of graphitic structures and electrodes, for multiple applications in electronics. Typically, polymeric substrates, such as polyimide, have been used as precursor materials, but other organic, more sustainable, and accessible precursor materials have emerged as viable alternatives, including cellulose substrates. However, these substrates have lacked the conductive and chemical properties achieved by conventional LIG precursor substrates and have not been translated into fully flexible, wearable scenarios.

Bandlike Transport in FaPbBr Quantum Dot Phototransistor with High Hole Mobility and Ultrahigh Photodetectivity.

Halide perovskites have been widely explored for numerous optoelectronic applications among which phototransistors have appeared as one of the most promising light signal detectors. However, it is still a great challenge to endow halide perovskites with both mobility and high photosensitivity because of their high sensitivity to moisture in ambient atmosphere. Here, we explore an FAPbBr perovskite quantum dot (QD) phototransistor with bandlike charge transport and measure a dark hole mobility of 14.