Enhancing the sub-bandgap photo-response of silicon by inert element co-hyperdoping.

The introduction of intermediate bands by hyperdoping is an efficient way to realize infrared light absorption of silicon. In this Letter, inert element (helium and argon for specific)-doped black silicon is obtained by helium ion-implantation followed by femtosecond pulse laser irradiation in an argon atmosphere based on near-intrinsic silicon substrates. Within the 200 nm of the silicon surface, the concentrations of helium and argon are both above the order of 10 cm.

All-In-One Entropy-Driven DNA Nanomachine for Tumor Cell-Selective Fluorescence/SERS Dual-Mode Imaging of MicroRNA.

An entropy-driven catalysis (EDC) strategy is appealing for amplified bioimaging of microRNAs in living cells; yet, complex operation procedures, lacking of cell selectivity, and insufficient accuracy hamper its further applications. Here, we introduce an ingenious all-in-one entropy-driven DNA nanomachine (termed as AIO-EDN), which can be triggered by endogenous apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) to achieve tumor cell-selective dual-mode imaging of microRNA. Compared with the traditional EDC strategy, the integrated design of AIO-EDN achieves autocatalytic signal amplification without extra fuel strands.

Direct low concentration CO electroreduction to multicarbon products via rate-determining step tuning.

Direct converting low concentration CO in industrial exhaust gases to high-value multi-carbon products via renewable-energy-powered electrochemical catalysis provides a sustainable strategy for CO utilization with minimized CO separation and purification capital and energy cost. Nonetheless, the electrocatalytic conversion of dilute CO into value-added chemicals (C products, e.g.

Acid-responsive liposomal nanodrug with promoted tumor penetration for photoacoustic imaging-guided sonodynamic therapy.

Herein, an acid-responsive liposomal nanodrug was developed for photoacoustic (PA) imaging-guided oxygen (O)-independent sonodynamic therapy (SDT). This liposomal nanodrug offers several advantages: (i) it facilitates O-independent alkyl radical generation upon ultrasound irradiation, (ii) it exhibits acid-responsive charge reversion that enhances tumor penetration, and (iii) it enables activated PA imaging for therapeutic feedback.

Alkynyl Ligands Templated Assemblies of Silver Nanoclusters with Exceptional Electrochemiluminescence Activity for Pancreatic Cancer Specific tsRNAs Measurement.

Proper manipulation of the ligand complex on the motifs of metal nanoclusters (MNCs) to form an ordered self-assembly is an effective approach to enhance the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission of MNCs. We report a facile approach for the preparation of self-assembled AgNCs (AgNCs) induced by alkynyl ligands with enhanced ECL and stability. The formation of these AgNCs was simultaneously driven by the diverse coordination modes of alkynyl ligands with Ag and intercluster interactions, for which it was found that the para-substituted alkynyl ligands exhibited apparently irregular nanoparticles, while the monosubstituted counterparts were present in the form of ribbons.

Designable Electrochemiluminescence Patterning for Renewable and Enhanced Bioimaging.

Electrochemical imaging enables an in-depth analysis of the interface heterogeneity and reaction kinetics of single entities. However, electrode passivation during electrochemical reactions decreases the active sites and harms the long-term stability. Here, we introduce a method using laser-induced photothermal effects to restore the electrochemical activity, which is particularly displayed as enhanced micrometric patterns in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy.

Water Resource Recovery Facilities Empower the Electrolytic Hydrogen Economy.

The global transition to net-zero emissions necessitates the integration of clean hydrogen as a key solution. To facilitate the required expansion of clean hydrogen production, sustainable water sources are required to support the electrolysis process. Utilizing nontraditional water sources such as water resource recovery facility (WRRF) effluents could potentially alleviate the water constraints and create cobenefits, but the real-world feasibility has not been explored in depth.

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot-intensified tungsten oxide nanosheets as a SERS substrate for antibiotics detection.

In this study, tungsten oxide nanosheets loaded with nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots (NGQDs/WO NSs) were fabricated as SERS substrates. The promoted photo-induced charge transfer (PICT) and the strong π-π stacking effect resulting from the unique structure of the NGQDs contributed to the enhanced SERS signal.

Label-Free Raman Probing of the Intrinsic Electric Field for High-Efficiency Screening of Electricity-Producing Bacteria at the Single-Cell Level.

The fabrication of high-performance microbial fuel cells requires the evaluation of the activity of electrochemically active bacteria. However, this is challenging because of the time-consuming nature of biofilm formation and the invasive nature of labeling. To address this issue, we developed a fast, label-free, single-cell Raman spectroscopic method.

MicroRNA-Triggered Programmable DNA-Encoded Pre-PROTACs for Cell-Selective and Controlled Protein Degradation.

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have accelerated drug development; however, some challenges still exist owing to their lack of tumor selectivity and on-demand protein degradation. Here, we developed a miRNA-initiated assembled pre-PROTAC (miRiaTAC) platform that enables the on-demand activation and termination of target degradation in a cell type-specific manner. Using miRNA-21 as a model, we engineered DNA hairpins labeled with JQ-1 and pomalidomide and facilitated the modular assembly of DNA-encoded pre-PROTACs through a hybridization chain reaction.

Nanozyme coating-gated multifunctional COF composite based dual-ratio enhanced dual-mode sensor for highly sensitive and reliable detection of organophosphorus pesticides in real samples.

The reliable detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in complex matrices remains an enormous challenge due to inevitable interference of sample matrices and testing factors. To address this issue, we designed a nanozyme-coated mesoporous COF with guest molecule loading, and successfully used it to construct a dual-ratio dual-mode sensor through target-regulated signal generation. The multifunctional COF-based composite (MB/COF@MnO, MCM) featured high loading of methylene blue (MB), oxidase-like MnO coatings as gatekeepers, and specific recognition of thiocholine (TCh).

How local electric field regulates C-C coupling at a single nanocavity in electrocatalytic CO reduction.

C-C coupling is of utmost importance in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO, as it governs the selectivity of diverse product formation. Nevertheless, the difficulties to directly observe C-C coupling pathways at a specific nanocavity hinder the advances in catalysts and electrolyzer design for efficient high-value hydrocarbon production. Here we develop a nano-confined Raman technology to elucidate the influence of the local electric field on the evolution of C-C coupling intermediates.

Photo-triggered AuAg@g-CN composite nanoplatform for multimodal broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy.

Strategies based on nanomaterials for sterilization address the problem of antibiotic resistance faced by conventional antimicrobials, with the contribution of photocatalytic compounds being particularly prominent. Herein, to integrate multiple bactericidal techniques into a system for generating synergistic antibacterial effects, a novel photo-triggered AuAg@g-CN composite nanoplatform was constructed by anchoring AuAg on the surface of a g-CN layer. As the composite nanoplatform had a lower bandgap and superior visible light utilization efficiency, it could facilitate free electron transfer better and exhibit superior photocatalytic activity under light conditions.

Multi-Shell Nanourchin-Integrated Dual Mode Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Clinical Cardiac Myosin-Binding Protein C.

Cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) is a novel cardiac marker of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute cardiac injuries (ACI). Construction of point-of-care testing techniques capable of sensing cMyBP-C with high sensitivity and precision is urgently needed. Herein, we synthesized an Au@NGQDs@Au/Ag multi-shell nanoUrchins (MSNUs), and then applied it in a colorimetric/SERS dual-mode immunoassay for detection of cMyBP-C.

Bioinspired molecule-functionalized Cu with high CO adsorption for efficient CO electroreduction to acetate.

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO) or carbon monoxide (CO) to valuable multi-carbon (C) products like acetate is a promising approach for a sustainable energy economy. However, it is still challenging to achieve high activity and selectivity for acetate production, especially in neutral electrolytes. Herein, a bioinspired hemin/Cu hybrid catalyst was developed to enhance the surface *CO coverage for highly efficient electroreduction of CO to acetate fuels.

A photoactivatable upconverting nanodevice boosts the lysosomal escape of PROTAC degraders for enhanced combination therapy.

PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras have received increasing attention due to their capability to induce potent degradation of various disease-related proteins. However, the effective and controlled cytosolic delivery of current small-molecule PROTACs remains a challenge, primarily due to their intrinsic shortcomings, including unfavorable solubility, poor cell permeability, and limited spatiotemporal precision. Here, we develop a near-infrared light-controlled PROTAC delivery device (abbreviated as USDPR) that allows the efficient photoactivation of PROTAC function to achieve enhanced protein degradation.

Self-Regenerating Photothermal Agents for Tandem Photothermal and Thermodynamic Tumor Therapy.

Small molecule-based photothermal agents (PTAs) hold promising future for photothermal therapy; however, unexpected inactivation exerts negative impacts on their application clinically. Herein, a self-regenerating PTA strategy is proposed by integrating 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS) with a thermodynamic agent (TDA) 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl) propane] dihydrochloride (AIPH). Under NIR laser, the photothermal effect of ABTS accelerates the production of alkyl radicals by AIPH, which activates the regeneration of ABTS, thus creating a continuous positive feedback loop between photothermal and thermodynamic effects.

Operando Spectroscopic Elucidation of the Bubble Sunshade Effect in Inorganic-Biological Hybrids for Photosynthetic Hydrogen Production.

Hydrogen production by photosynthetic hybrid systems (PBSs) offers a promising avenue for renewable energy. However, the light-harvesting efficiency of PBSs remains constrained due to unclear intracellular kinetic factors. Here, we present an operando elucidation of the sluggish light-harvesting behavior for existing PBSs and strategies to circumvent them.

Versatile Metal-Organic Framework Incorporating AgS for Constructing a Photoelectrochemical Immunosensor for Two Breast Cancer Markers.

Breast cancer poses the significance of early diagnosis and treatment. Here, we developed an innovative photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor characterized by high-level dual photocurrent signals and exceptional sensitivity. The PEC sensor, denoted as MIL&AgS, was constructed by incorporating AgS into a metal-organic framework of MIL-101(Cr).

Machine Learning for Polymer Design to Enhance Pervaporation-Based Organic Recovery.

Pervaporation (PV) is an effective membrane separation process for organic dehydration, recovery, and upgrading. However, it is crucial to improve membrane materials beyond the current permeability-selectivity trade-off. In this research, we introduce machine learning (ML) models to identify high-potential polymers, greatly improving the efficiency and reducing cost compared to conventional trial-and-error approach.