Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael Skowrons, Drona Dahal, Pushpa Raj Paudel, Bjoern Luessem
Summary: The applicability of the gradual channel approximation in organic electrochemical transistors is studied using a 2D drift-diffusion model. It is found that switching in OECTs is governed by two separate mechanisms - doping/de-doping and the formation of an electrostatic double layer. The balance between these mechanisms depends on the morphology of the mixed conductor.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anil Koklu, Shofarul Wustoni, Keying Guo, Raphaela Silva, Luca Salvigni, Adel Hama, Escarlet Diaz-Galicia, Maximilian Moser, Adam Marks, Iain McCulloch, Raik Grunberg, Stefan T. Arold, Sahika Inal
Summary: Conventional biosensors rely on diffusion-dominated transport, requiring an incubation step and resulting in long sample-to-result times. This study integrates alternating current electrothermal flow (ACET) in an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) sensor to accelerate device operation. With only 2 minutes of sample exposure, ACET enables protein recognition, showing potential for clinical use. The ACET integrated sensor exhibits improved selectivity, sensitivity, and detection limit compared to diffusion-dominated sensors.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pushpa R. Paudel, Michael Skowrons, Orono Dahal, Raj Kishen Radha Krishnan, Bjoern Luessem
Summary: A fast and reliable response of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) to electrical or chemical changes is crucial for their widespread use. However, current models for OECTs are overly simplified and neglect important details of ion and hole concentration inside the transistor channel, making it difficult to find design rules for fast switching. In this study, a 2D drift-diffusion model is presented and experimentally validated, revealing that lateral ion currents play a significant role in the switching process, contrary to previous models. The results demonstrate that the time constants for switching depend on the applied drain potential and the specific device geometry. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the transient response of OECTs and emphasize the challenges in accurately characterizing their switching time constants.
ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Katharina Lieberth, Paolo Romele, Fabrizio Torricelli, Dimitrios A. Koutsouras, Maximilian Bruckner, Volker Mailander, Paschalis Gkoupidenis, Paul W. M. Blom
Summary: This report provides an overview of using organic electrochemical transistors (OECT) as biosensors for impedance sensing of cell layers, with a focus on the enhanced ion-sensitivity achieved through current-driven OECT. The potential applications of this technology in drug delivery and toxicology studies are also discussed.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hanlin Wang, Yusheng Chen, Zhenjie Ni, Paolo Samori
Summary: In this study, an electrochemical-electret coupled organic synapse (EECS) with a reversible facilitation-to-depression switch is designed, which can emulate the function of biological synapses. By adjusting the energy level offset, the transition threshold of the device can be tuned for specific applications, providing additional responsiveness. This novel synapse architecture represents a significant advancement in the field of artificial organic synapses and opens up new possibilities for the fabrication of abiotic neural networks.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anton Weissbach, Matteo Cucchi, Hsin Tseng, Karl Leo, Hans Kleemann
Summary: Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are promising for bioelectronics and neuromorphic computing, but their integration into real-world applications is hindered by a lack of understanding of their complex operation. This study reveals a peculiar behavior of integrated OECTs in their electrolytic environment, called electrochemical electrode coupling (EEC), which significantly affects device and circuit performance. A physical model is developed to describe this effect and experimental data substantiate it, highlighting the crucial role of the gate electrode. The study also explores the impact of electrode/channel overlap on output saturation and demonstrates ways to minimize its detrimental effect on circuit performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Reem B. Rashid, Austin M. Evans, Lyndon A. Hall, Raghunath R. Dasari, Emily K. Roesner, Seth R. Marder, Deanna M. D'Allesandro, William R. Dichtel, Jonathan Rivnay
Summary: Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have great potential in bioelectronic sensing, circuits, and neuromorphic hardware. The use of organic mixed ionic/electronic conductors (OMIECs) as the active channel allows for precise control of electronic and ion transport. Two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) offer new opportunities to control OECT performance by providing well-defined channels for ion transport.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dahyun Jeong, Il-Young Jo, Seungjin Lee, Ji Hwan Kim, Youngseok Kim, Donguk Kim, John R. Reynolds, Myung-Han Yoon, Bumjoon J. Kim
Summary: Despite the limited number of high-performance n-type materials, this study develops a series of naphthalene diimide-based polymers with asymmetrically branched oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) side chains for green-solvent-processed, high-performance n-type organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). The incorporation of branched OEG side chains enables solubility in eco-friendly ethanol/water solvent mixtures and produces highly ordered polymer packing with excellent lateral charge transport. The resulting n-type OECT exhibits the best electrical/electrochemical performance in the family, indicating important guidelines for the design of n-type organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors with excellent OECT characteristics.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tung Nguyen-Dang, Sangmin Chae, Jirat Chatsirisupachai, Hiba Wakidi, Vinich Promarak, Yon Visell, Thuc-Quyen Nguyen
Summary: This study reports an organic reconfigurable logic gate based on dual-mode organic electrochemical transistors. The gate has a simple structure and design, low power consumption, and can operate in both depletion mode and enhancement mode. Mode switching is achieved by altering the polarity of the applied gate and drain voltages.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Loren G. Kaake, Bruno Gompf, Sabine Ludwigs
Summary: Poly-(ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is widely used in electrochemical technologies, but its fundamental polymer science under electrochemical conditions is still being investigated. In this study, in situ UV-vis absorption and in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry were used to measure the changes of a cross-linked PEDOT:PSS film under an applied electrochemical potential. Multiple component regression data analyses revealed the presence of two polaronic charge carriers and two neutral forms of PEDOT. Swelling studies of PEDOT:PSS films in non-aqueous solvents showed that a traditional Flory-Huggins model can describe the thickness changes. Electrochemical oxidation and reduction caused significant thickness changes to PEDOT:PSS films, and in-operando spectroscopic ellipsometry revealed that cation transport plays a primary role in the electrochemistry of PEDOT:PSS. The voltage dependence of enthalpy of mixing should be considered when approaching the changes in film thickness due to electrochemically driven swelling.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tung Nguyen-Dang, Sangmin Chae, Kelsey Harrison, Luana C. Llanes, Ahra Yi, Hyo Jung Kim, Shantonu Biswas, Yon Visell, Guillermo C. Bazan, Thuc-Quyen Nguyen
Summary: A wet processing method for fabricating high-performance OECTs is reported, simplifying the fabrication process and enhancing the electrical properties of the active material. OECTs fabricated using this method have been demonstrated to be applicable for chemical sensors with good detection capabilities.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yizhou Zhong, Anil Koklu, Diego Rosas Villalva, Yongcao Zhang, Luis Huerta Hernandez, Maximilian Moser, Rawad K. Hallani, Iain McCulloch, Derya Baran, Sahika Inal
Summary: Organic photodiodes (OPDs) have the potential to be used in flexible, lightweight, and miniaturized photodetectors for wearable applications. However, the current and light responsivity of OPDs are limited, and alternative methods are needed to enhance the signal response. In this study, a miniaturized organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) is integrated with an OPD module to harness the potential of OPDs in acquiring physiological signals. The integrated photodetector (IPD) system uses the light intensity to regulate the OPD voltage output, which in turn modulates the OECT channel current. The high transconductance of the OECT enables efficient voltage-to-current conversion, improving the signal-to-noise ratio at the sensing site. The IPD achieves significantly higher photocurrent and responsivity compared to the standalone OPD, highlighting its potential as a wearable biosensor for detecting weak light-based signals from living systems.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sanggil Han, Anastasios G. Polyravas, Shofarul Wustoni, Sahika Inal, George G. Malliaras
Summary: Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are widely used as amplifying transducers of biological signals due to their high transconductance and biocompatibility. This work highlights the impact of small local gate electrodes and narrow interconnects on the performance of OECTs, showing a decrease in maximum transconductance and an increase in gate voltage required. Additionally, coating the gate electrode with a thick conducting polymer is shown to improve performance, guiding the development of efficient OECTs on implantable probes.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Youngseok Kim, Gunwoo Kim, Bowen Ding, Dahyun Jeong, Inho Lee, Sungjun Park, Bumjoon J. Kim, Iain McCulloch, Martin Heeney, Myung-Han Yoon
Summary: Organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors have great potential as implantable electrodes and active channels for circuit architectures. This study designs high-performance electrochemical diodes and elucidates the underlying mechanism and material requirements. The broad impact of organic electrochemical diodes is demonstrated.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yazhou Wang, Anil Koklu, Yizhou Zhong, Tianrui Chang, Keying Guo, Chao Zhao, Tania Cecilia Hidalgo Castillo, Zhonggao Bu, Chengyi Xiao, Wan Yue, Wei Ma, Sahika Inal
Summary: This study demonstrates the synthesis of lactone-based n-type conjugated polymers using green aldol polymerization, which exhibit high performance in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with high mobility-capacitance product, excellent mobility, low threshold voltage, and fast switching speed. The study also shows the applications of this n-type OECT in artificial synapse and detection of α-synuclein, a potential biomarker of Parkinson's disease. The research provides diverse form factors of devices for exploration in other application areas.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Valentina Gallo, Andrea Zappettini, Marco Villani, Nelson Marmiroli, Marta Marmiroli
Summary: In this study, a comparison was made on protein extracts from two Arabidopsis thaliana mutant lines and wild type plants treated with cadmium sulfide quantum dots. The results showed significant differences in gene expression levels, indicating that the mutants responded differently to the treatment compared to the wild type.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aida Cavallo, Matteo Beccatelli, Alessia Favero, Tamer Al Kayal, Davide Seletti, Paola Losi, Giorgio Soldani, Nicola Coppede
Summary: By studying the effects of different scaffold structures and their conductive functionalization on the response of electronic sensors, a new class of customizable, easy to manufacture and biocompatible integrated devices for medical applications is being developed.
ORGANIC ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giuseppe Bonapace, Francesco Gentile, Nicola Coppede, Maria Laura Coluccio, Virginia Garo, Marco Flavio Michele Vismara, Patrizio Candeloro, Giuseppe Donato, Natalia Malara
Summary: This study introduces a method to assess methylglyoxal adducts content in secretome using near-infrared spectroscopy and extreme learning machine. The method is simple, rapid, and can automatically segregate tumor patients from non-tumor patients, showing potential for cancer detection and differentiation.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Francesco Gentile, Matteo Ferro, Bartolomeo Della Ventura, Evelina La Civita, Antonietta Liotti, Michele Cennamo, Dario Bruzzese, Raffaele Velotta, Daniela Terracciano
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luca Pagano, Marta Marmiroli, Marco Villani, Jacopo Magnani, Riccardo Rossi, Andrea Zappettini, Jason C. White, Nelson Marmiroli
Summary: This study found that nanoparticles can affect the functionality and genome of chloroplasts and mitochondria in A. thaliana, and different nanoparticles have different effects, which are related to the toxicity and dissolution rate of the metal salts. These findings suggest that changes in stoichiometry are an adaptive response to nanoparticle exposure.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Riccardo Rossi, Roberta Ruotolo, Giuseppe De Giorgio, Marta Marmiroli, Marco Villani, Andrea Zappettini, Nelson Marmiroli
Summary: Nanotechnology-based tools have gained significant attention in the scientific community for their potential applications, but their toxic effects on the environment and human health have also been observed. This study investigates the effects of cadmium sulfide quantum dots on gametogenesis using a yeast model, and finds that these quantum dots inhibit spore development and lead to the formation of aberrant, multinucleated cells. These effects are mediated through the down-regulation of key regulators of the sporulation process.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aida Cavallo, Paola Losi, Marianna Buscemi, Tamer Al Kayal, Matteo Beccatelli, Giorgio Soldani, Nicola Coppede
Summary: Currently, there is no wearable device available for continuous monitoring of ulcer status. This study aimed to produce an innovative scaffold for monitoring wound pH. The results suggest that the sensorised scaffold has potential application for monitoring wound healing process.
FLEXIBLE AND PRINTED ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Valentina Gallo, Valentina M. Serianni, Davide Imperiale, Andrea Zappettini, Marco Villani, Marta Marmiroli, Nelson Marmiroli
Summary: This study assessed the change in proteins in Arabidopsis halleri and Noccea caerulescens after growth in soil with cadmium and zinc. The results showed that the mechanisms involved at protein levels in these two hyperaccumulator plants are different, but ultimately lead to similar physiological effects.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Riccardo Manfredi, Filippo Vurro, Michela Janni, Manuele Bettelli, Francesco Gentile, Andrea Zappettini, Nicola Coppede
Summary: Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) serve as efficient interfaces between living environments and electronic devices in bioelectronic applications. The peculiar properties of conductive polymers allow for improved performances compared to conventional inorganic biosensors. In this study, the stability and sensitivity of OECTs were evaluated using two different textile fiber preparation processes. Results showed that devices obtained with the sulfuric acid approach exhibited the most stable performances over time.
Article
Oncology
Francesco Gentile, Evelina La Civita, Bartolomeo Della Ventura, Matteo Ferro, Dario Bruzzese, Felice Crocetto, Pierre Tennstedt, Thomas Steuber, Raffaele Velotta, Daniela Terracciano
Summary: The widespread use of PSA for prostate cancer diagnosis has led to high rates of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. A combination of the Prostate Health Index (PHI) and Proclarix tests can improve risk stratification of PCa patients at initial diagnosis. An artificial neural network model combining kallikrein markers in PHI and cancer-related markers in Proclarix showed increased accuracy in identifying aggressive PCa at initial diagnosis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marta Marmiroli, Giovanni Birarda, Valentina Gallo, Marco Villani, Andrea Zappettini, Lisa Vaccari, Nelson Marmiroli, Luca Pagano
Summary: Research has shown that engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can affect mitochondria, leading to changes in ROS production, gametogenesis, and organellar genome replication. The effects of cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) on mitochondria can be observed through variations in enzymatic kinetics and by analyzing changes in bonds using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This study investigated the response to CdS QDs treatment in yeast cells, both in intact cells and isolated mitochondria, and found that the changes in enzymatic activity differed depending on the genetic background and respiratory chain functionality.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
D. Calestani, M. Villani, G. Cristoforetti, F. Brandi, P. Koester, L. Labate, L. A. Gizzi
Summary: The research explores the growth of ZnO nanowires on metallic thin-foil targets, highlighting how laser absorption can be enhanced via micro or nanopatterning of the target surface to optimize the generation of hot dense matter.
MATTER AND RADIATION AT EXTREMES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Matteo Beccatelli, Marco Villani, Francesco Gentile, Luigi Bruno, Davide Seletti, Domna Maria Nikolaidou, Maurizio Culiolo, Andrea Zappettini, Nicola Coppede
Summary: The study demonstrates the functionalization of a sensor using PU foam and conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS, which can convert mechanical pressure into electrical signal with linear response and a wide frequency range. A simple micromechanical model is proposed to predict device performance, leading to the development of a flexible shoe insole prototype embedded with pressure sensors to provide critical information on real-time bodyweight distribution and walking dynamics for medical teams.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
M. Villani, F. Rossi, D. Calestani, G. Salviati, F. Fabbri
Summary: The interaction between excitons in zinc oxide tetrapods and surface plasmons of gold nanostructures with different morphologies was evaluated. The blue-shifted and broadened excitonic emission from ZnO in close proximity to gold nanostructures was strongly mediated by the morphology of metal nanostructures, forming a Schottky barrier.