Energy Harvesting of Deionized Water Droplet Flow over an Epitaxial Graphene Film on a SiC Substrate.

This study investigates energy harvesting by a deionized (DI) water droplet flow on an epitaxial graphene film on a SiC substrate. We obtain an epitaxial single-crystal graphene film by annealing a 4H-SiC substrate. Energy harvesting of the solution droplet flow on the graphene surface has been investigated by using NaCl or HCl solutions.

Peptide aptamer-modified single-walled carbon nanotube-based transistors for high-performance biosensors.

Biosensors employing single-walled carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (SWCNT FETs) offer ultimate sensitivity. However, besides the sensitivity, a high selectivity is critically important to distinguish the true signal from interference signals in a non-controlled environment. This work presents the first demonstration of the successful integration of a novel peptide aptamer with a liquid-gated SWCNT FET to achieve highly sensitive and specific detection of Cathepsin E (CatE), a useful prognostic biomarker for cancer diagnosis.

Dual-gated topological insulator thin-film device for efficient Fermi-level tuning.

Observations of novel quantum phenomena expected for three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) often require fabrications of thin-film devices and tuning of the Fermi level across the Dirac point. Since thin films have both top and bottom surfaces, an effective control of the surface chemical potential requires dual gating. However, a reliable dual-gating technique for TI thin films has not yet been developed.

Fabrication of new single-walled carbon nanotubes microelectrode for electrochemical sensors application.

In this paper, we describe two simple different ways to fabricate an array of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) microelectrodes from SWCNT network, grown on Si substrate, through micro-fabrication process. Two kinds of material, photoresist - organic compound and sputtered SiO(2), were used as an insulator layer for these arrays of SWCNT microelectrodes. The SWCNT microelectrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements.

Label-free biosensors based on aptamer-modified graphene field-effect transistors.

A label-free immunosensor based on an aptamer-modified graphene field-effect transistor (G-FET) is demonstrated. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) aptamers with an approximate height of 3 nm were successfully immobilized on a graphene surface, as confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The aptamer-modified G-FET showed selective electrical detection of IgE protein.

Chemical and biological sensing applications based on graphene field-effect transistors.

Chemical and biological sensors based on graphene field-effect transistors (G-FETs) were investigated. A single-layer of graphene was prepared by mechanical cleavage of natural graphite. The G-FETs were driven by a reference-gate operating in buffer solution, and exhibited very good transport characteristics.

Electrolyte-gated graphene field-effect transistors for detecting pH and protein adsorption.

We investigated electrolyte-gated graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) for electrical detecting pH and protein adsorptions. Nonfunctionalized single-layer graphene was used as a channel. GFETs immersed in an electrolyte showed transconductances 30 times higher than those in a vacuum and their conductances exhibited a direct linear increase with electrolyte pH, indicating their potential for use in pH sensor applications.

Application of a focused ion beam mill to the characterisation of a microstructure in tin plating on a Fe 42wt% Ni substrate.

The application of a focused ion beam (FIB) mill equipped with a microsampling unit to a tin-plated specimen was reported briefly. Tin-plating has a serious problem: Whiskers are liable to grow on the surface of tinplates. In order to clarify the mechanism of the whisker growth, detail characterisation is conducted using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).