SWCNT Network-FET Device for Human Serum Albumin Detection.

A thin film of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) network field-effect transistor (FET) was fabricated by a simple, fast, and reliable deposition method for electronic applications. This study aims to develop a method for fabricating a thin film of random SWCNTs to be used as a transducer to detect human serum albumin (HSA) in biosensor applications. The random SWCNT network was deposited using the airbrush technique. The morphology of the CNT network was examined by utilising atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), while electrical characteristics were analysed using three-terminal IV measurements. The thin film (SWCNT network) was applied as a transducer to detect human serum albumin (HSA) based on its covalent interaction with antibodies. HSA plays a significant part in the physiological functions of the human body. The surface alteration of the SWCNTs was verified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Electrical current-voltage measurements validated the surface binding and HSA detection. The biosensor linearly recorded a 0.47 fg/mL limit of detection (LOD) and a high sensitivity of 3.44 µA (g/mL)-1 between 1 fg/mL and 10 pg/mL. This device can also be used to identify a genuine HSA despite interference from other biomolecules (i.e., bovine serum albumin (BSA)), thus demonstrating the random SWCNT-FET immunosensor ability to quantify HSA in a complex biological environment.

Flexible Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Tag Antenna for Sensor Applications.

In this paper, an inkjet-printed flexible Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag antenna is proposed for an ultra-high frequency (UHF) sensor application. The proposed tag antenna facilitates a system-level solution for low-cost and faster mass production of RFID passive tag antenna. The tag antenna consists of a modified meander line radiator with a semi-circular shaped feed network. The structure is printed on photo paper using silver nanoparticle conductive ink. The generic design outline, as well as tag antenna performances for several practical application aspects are investigated. The simulated and measured results verify the coverage of universal UHF RFID band with an omnidirectional radiation pattern and a long-read range of 15 ft. In addition, the read range for different bending angles and lifetimes of the tag antenna are also demonstrated.

Hybrid carbon nanotube networks as efficient hole extraction layers for organic photovoltaics.

Transparent, highly percolated networks of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rr-P3HT)-wrapped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs) are deposited, and the charge transfer processes of these nanohybrids are studied using spectroscopic and electrical measurements. The data disclose hole doping of s-SWNTs by the polymer, challenging the prevalent electron-doping hypothesis. Through controlled fabrication, high- to low-density nanohybrid networks are achieved, with low-density hybrid carbon nanotube networks tested as hole transport layers (HTLs) for bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaics (OPV). OPVs incorporating these rr-P3HT/s-SWNT networks as the HTL demonstrate the best large area (70 mm(2)) carbon nanotube incorporated organic solar cells to date with a power conversion efficiency of 7.6%. This signifies the strong capability of nanohybrids as an efficient hole extraction layer, and we believe that dense nanohybrid networks have the potential to replace expensive and material scarce inorganic transparent electrodes in large area electronics toward the realization of low-cost flexible electronics.