In this study, we report high-performance amorphous In2O3/InZnO bilayer metal-oxide (BMO) thin-film transistor (TFT) using an ultra-thin solution-processed amorphous ZrOx dielectric. A thin layer of In2O3 offers a higher carrier concentration, thereby maximizing the charge accumulation and yielding high carrier mobility. A thick amorphous layer of InZnO controls the charge conductance resulting in low off-state current and suitable threshold voltage. As a consequence, the BMO TFT showed higher filed-effect mobility (37.9 cm2/V s) than single-layer InZnO TFT (7.6 cm2/V s). Apart from that we obtain an on/off current ratio of 109, a subthreshold swing voltage of 120 mV/decade, and a voltage shift ≤ 0.4 V under positive bias stress for 2.5 h, for a gate voltage of 3 V and drain voltage of 1 V. These data demonstrate that the BMO TFT has great potential for a broad range of applications as switching low-power transistors.

Field-effect-based devices are becoming a basic structural element in a new generation of microbiosensors. Reliable molecular characterization of DNA and/or RNA is of paramount importance for disease diagnostics and to follow up alterations in gene expression profiles. The use of such devices for point-of-need diagnostics has been hindered by the need of standard or real-time PCR amplification procedures. The present work focuses on the development of a tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) based sensor for the real-time label free detection of DNA amplification via loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) allowing for quantitative analysis of the cMYC proto-oncogene. The strategy based on the field effect sensor was tested within a range of 1×108–1011 copies of target DNA, and a linear relationship between the log copy number of the initial template DNA and threshold time was observed allowing for a semi-quantitative analysis of DNA template. The concept offers many of the advantages of isothermal quantitative real-time DNA amplification in a label free approach and may pave the way to point-of-care quantitative molecular analysis focused on ease of use and low cost.

Cotton-based nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), also known as nanopaper, one of the major sources of renewable materials, is a promising substrate and component for producing low cost fully recyclable flexible paper electronic devices and systems due to its properties (lightweight, stiffness, non-toxicity, transparency, low thermal expansion, gas impermeability and improved mechanical properties). Here, we have demonstrated for the first time a thin transparent nanopaper-based field effect transistor (FET) where NCC is simultaneously used as the substrate and as the gate dielectric layer in an ‘interstrate' structure, since the device is built on both sides of the NCC films; while the active channel layer is based on oxide amorphous semiconductors, the gate electrode is based on a transparent conductive oxide. Such hybrid FETs present excellent operating characteristics such as high channel saturation mobility ({\textgreater}7 cm 2 V −1 s −1 ), drain–source current on/off modulation ratio higher than 10 5 , enhancement n-type operation and subthreshold gate voltage swing of 2.11 V/decade. The NCC film FET characteristics have been measured in air ambient conditions and present good stability, after two weeks of being processed, without any type of encapsulation or passivation layer. The results obtained are comparable to ones produced for conventional cellulose paper, marking this out as a promising approach for attaining high-performance disposable electronics such as paper displays, smart labels, smart packaging, RFID (radio-frequency identification) and point-of-care systems for self-analysis in bioscience applications, among others.

n/a

The present work reports the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures produced either under microwave irradiation using low cost domestic microwave equipment or by conventional heating, both under hydrothermal conditions. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, room/low temperature photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy have been used to investigate the structure, morphology, and optical properties of the produced ZnO nanorods. Identical structures with aspect ratio up to 13 have been achieved for both synthesis routes displaying similar final properties. The hexagonal wurtzite structure has been identified, and a red-orange emission has been detected in the presence of UV irradiation for all the conditions studied. Thermal stability of the as-prepared nanostructures has been evaluated through thermogravimetric measurements revealing an increase of superficial defects. The as-prepared ZnO nanorods were tested as UV sensors on paper substrate, which led to fast response (30 s) and rapid recovery (100 s) times, as well as sensitivity up to 10 indicating that these materials may have a high potential in low cost, disposable UV photodetector applications.

Paper electronics is a topic of great interest due the possibility of having low-cost, disposable and recyclable electronic devices. The final goal is to make paper itself an active part of such devices. In this work we present new approaches in the selection of tailored paper, aiming to use it simultaneously as substrate and dielectric in oxide based paper field effect transistors (FETs). From the work performed, it was observed that the gate leakage current in paper FETs can be reduced using a dense microfiber/nanofiber cellulose paper as the dielectric. Also, the stability of these devices against changes in relative humidity is improved. On other hand, if the pH of the microfiber/nanofiber cellulose pulp is modified by the addition of HCl, the saturation mobility of the devices increases up to 16 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , with an I ON / I OFF ratio close to 10 5 .

pH is a vital physiological parameter that can be used for disease diagnosis and treatment as well as in monitoring other biological processes. Metal/metal oxide based pH sensors have several advantages regarding their reliability, miniaturization, and cost-effectiveness, which are critical characteristics for in vivo applications. In this work, WO3 nanoparticles were electrodeposited on flexible substrates over metal electrodes with a sensing area of 1 mm2. These sensors show a sensitivity of ?56.7 ± 1.3 mV/pH, in a wide pH range of 9 to 5. A proof of concept is also demonstrated using a flexible reference electrode in solid electrolyte with a curved surface. A good balance between the performance parameters (sensitivity), the production costs, and simplicity of the sensors was accomplished, as required for wearable biomedical devices.

The effect of post-deposition annealing temperature on the pH sensitivity of room temperature RF sputtered Ta2O5 was investigated. Structural and morphological features of these films were analyzed before and after annealing at various temperatures. The deposited films are amorphous up to 600 degrees C and crystallize at 700 degrees C in an orthorhombic phase. Electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field effect based sensors with an amorphous Ta2O5 sensing layer showed pH sensitivity above 50 mV/pH. For sensors annealed above 200 degrees C pH sensitivity decreased with increasing temperature. Stabilized sensor response and maximum pH sensitivity was achieved after low temperature annealing at 200 degrees C, which is compatible with the use of polymeric substrates and application as sensitive layer in oxides TFT-based sensors.

n/a

n/a

We have projected and fabricated a microfluidic platform for DNA sensing that makes use of an optical colorimetric detection method based on gold nanoparticles. The platform was fabricated using replica moulding technology in PDMS patterned by high-aspect-ratio SU-8 moulds. Biochips of various geometries were tested and evaluated in order to find out the most efficient architecture, and the rational for design, microfabrication and detection performance is presented. The best biochip configuration has been successfully applied to the DNA detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using only 3 mu l on DNA solution (i.e. 90 ng of target DNA), therefore a 20-fold reduction of reagents volume is obtained when compared with the actual state of the art.

We previously reported a strategy that combines Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based spectral codification with a single base extension (SBE) reaction for single nucleotide sequence discrimination in solution. This strategy is capable of unequivocally detect the allele variants present in solution. To extend the use of this tool to any locus of interest, it would be required the development of an universal approach capable of combining a sequence specific SBE primer to an universal sequence labeled and optimized for spectral codification.Here, we extend this concept to a general strategy by means of a labeled universal oligonucleotide primer (donor), a sequence specific primer that allows for incorporation of the complementary acceptor labeled ddNTP, which allows discrimination the allele variant in the sample via the unambiguous FRET signature of the donor/acceptor pair

Up to now, functionalized gold nanoparticles have been optimized as an effective intracellular invitro delivery vehicle for siRNAs to interfere with the expression of specific genes by selective targeting, and provide protection against nucleases. Few examples however of suchlike invivo applications have been described so far. In this study, we report the use of siRNA/RGD gold nanoparticles capable of targeting tumor cells in a lung cancer syngeneic orthotopic murine model. Therapeutic RGD-nanoparticle treatment resulted in successful targeting evident from significant c-myc oncogene down-regulation followed by tumor growth inhibition and prolonged survival of lung tumor bearing mice, possibly via αvβ3 integrin interaction. Our results suggest that RGD gold nanoparticles-mediated delivery of siRNA by intratracheal instillation in mice leads to successful suppression of tumor cell proliferation and respective tumor size reduction. These results reiterate the capability of functionalized gold nanoparticles for targeted delivery of siRNA to cancer cells towards effective silencing of the specific target oncogene. What is more, we demonstrate that the gold-nanoconjugates trigger a complex inflammatory and immune response that might promote the therapeutic effect of the RNAi to reduce tumor size with low doses of siRNA.

sistema de dete{\c c}ão e quantifica{\c c}ão de matéria biológica constituído por um ou mais sensores óticos e uma ou mais fontes luminosas, processo associado e aplica{\c c}ões relacionadas a inven{\c c}ão atual relaciona- se a um sistema e a um processo para a dete{\c c}ão e/ou a identifica{\c c}ão qualitativa e quantitativa do material biológico, tal como seqüências específicas de ácidos nucleicos ou de proteínas como anticorpos, presente em amostras biológicas. o sistema é composto por uma ou mais fontes luminosas ( 1) combinadas com um ou mais fotosensores óticos integrados, ou não, e vários componentes eletrônicos ( 4) , necessários para obter/processar o sinal emitido pelas nanosondas de metal funcionalizadas com uma solu{\c c}ão de compósi to biológico, assim como igualmente um microcontrolador e um microprocessador, reparados ou portátil. esta estrutura do fotosensor pode detectar e determinar as varia{\c c}ões da cor produzidas por nanosondas do metal, sendo este preferencialmente ouro, funcionalizado pelos oligonucleotídeos complementares às seqüências específicas, as proteínas de dna/rna, como por exemplo os anticorpos e/ou os antígenos relativos a determinada doen{\c c}a, ou a outra amostra ou solu{\c c}ão de composto biológico, que devem ser investigada. a dete{\c c}ão e o processo da quantifica{\c c}ão são baseados na resposta de um fotosensor, singular ou integrados, baseado na tecnologia da película fina de silicones amorfos, nanocristalinos ou microcristalino e suas ligas, assim como os semicondutores cerâmicos ativos novos, amorfos e não amorfos.

This protocol describes the synthesis and detailed calibration of a gold nanoparticle-based nanobeacon (Au-nanobeacon) as an innovative theranostic approach for detection and inhibition of sequence-specific DNA and RNA for in vitro and ex vivo applications. Under hairpin configuration, proximity to gold nanoparticles leads to fluorescence quenching; hybridization to a complementary target restores fluorescence emission due to the gold nanobeacons’ conformational reorganization that causes the fluorophore and the AuNP to part from each other. This concept can easily be extended and adapted to assist the in vitro evaluation of silencing potential of a given sequence to be later used for ex vivo gene silencing and RNAi approaches, with the ability to monitor real-time gene delivery action. The time range for the entire protocol is  8 days, including synthesis, functionalization and calibration of Au-nanobeacons, RNAi and gene silencing assays.

Background: Tuberculosis accounted for 8.7 million new cases in 2011 and continues to be one of the leading human infectious diseases. Burdensome is the increasing rate of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) and the difficulties created for treatment and public health control programs, especially in developing countries. Resistance to rifampicin (RIF), a first line antibiotic, is commonly associated with point mutations within the rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) whose detection is considered the best early molecular predictor for MDRTB. Gold nanoparticles functionalized with thiol-modified oligonucleotides (Au-nanoprobes) have shown the potential to provide a rapid and sensitive detection method for Mtb and single base alterations associated with antibiotic resistance, namely in rpoB gene associated to RIF resistance.Results: We developed a strategy based on the isothermal amplification of sample DNA (LAMP) coupled to specific Au-nanoprobes capable of identifying members of the Mtb complex (MTBC) and discriminating specific mutations within the rpoB gene. Integration of LAMP and Au-nanoprobe assay allowed to detect MTBC member and identify mutations linked to RIF resistance. A total of 12 biological samples were tested and a 100% specificity and sensitivity was attained.Conclusions: There is an increasing demand for simple, fast and cheap methods for the molecular identification of Mtb and for the detection of molecular tags associated to drug resistance suitable for use at point-of-need. Here we describe such a method, that as the potential to get molecular diagnostic of tuberculosis to remote environments.

The potential of a single molecular nanoconjugate to intersect all RNA pathways: from gene specific downregulation to silencing the silencers, i.e. siRNA and miRNA pathways, is demonstrated. Gold-nanobeacons are capable of efficiently silencing single gene expression, exogenous siRNA and endogenous miRNAs while yielding a quantifiable fluorescence signal directly proportional to the level of silencing. The silencing potential is comparable to that of traditional siRNA but the same nanoconjugates structure is also capable of reversing the effect of an exogenous siRNA. We further demonstrate the Gold-nanobeacons' efficiency at targeting and silencing miR-21, an endogenous miRNA involved in cancer development, which could become a valid nanotheranostics approach. Again, expression of miR-21 was inhibited with concomitant increase of the Au-nanobeacons' fluorescence that can be used to assess the silencing effect. This way, a single nanostructure can be used to intersect all RNA regulatory pathways while allowing for direct assessment of effective silencing and cell localization via a quantifiable fluorescence signal, making cancer nanotheranostics possible.

The design of work organisation systems with automated equipment is facing new challenges and the emergence of new concepts. The social aspects that are related with new concepts on the complex work environments (CWE) are becoming more relevant for that design. The work with autonomous systems implies options in the design of workplaces. Especially that happens in such complex environments. The concepts of “agents”, “co-working” or “human-centred technical systems” reveal new dimensions related to human-computer interaction (HCI). With an increase in the number and complexity of those human-technology interfaces, the capacities of human intervention can become limited, originating further problems. The case of robotics is used to exemplify the issues related with automation in working environments and the emergence of new HCI approaches that would include social implications. We conclude that studies on technology assessment of industrial robotics and autonomous agents on manufacturing environment should also focus on the human involvement strategies in organisations. A needed participatory strategy implies a new approach to workplaces design. This means that the research focus must be on the relation between technology and social dimensions not as separate entities, but integrated in the design of an interaction system.

The paper aims to understand the degree of transition towards e-mobility. The assumption is that the degree of convergence between actors of each system (batteries, vehicles, grid, policies, business models and consumers) is an indicator of changes in the present socio-technical regime. After an introduction to the socio-technical transition towards e-mobility, the paper presents and discusses three technology assessment approaches to several projects related to technology, society and politics. There are several thematic crossovers between all projects presented leading to a synergetic technology assessment. This output results from the overlapping areas between the cases and can be used to first assess the extent of changes in the present socio-technical regime, as well as to extract standards and regulations, acceptance/risk analyses and behaviour changes that could be significant in the context of a transition towards electric mobility.