Abstract Nanophotonic device building blocks, such as optical nano/microcavities and plasmonic nanostructures, lie at the forefront of sensing spectrometry trace biological chemical substances. A new class nanophotonic architecture has emerged by combining optically resonant dielectric with plasmonically metal nanostructures to enable detection nanoscale extraordinary sensitivity. Initial demonstrations include single-molecule even single-ion sensing. The coupled photonic-plasmonic resonator...

The systematic study of nanoparticle-biological interactions requires particles to be reproducibly dispersed in relevant fluids along with further development the identification biologically structural details at materials-biology interface. Here, we develop a biocompatible long-term colloidally stable water dispersion few-layered graphene nanoflakes biological exposure medium which it will studied. We also report orientation and functionality key proteins interest biolayer (corona) that are...

Ceramic filter candles, based on the natural material diatomaceous earth, are widely used to purify water at point-of-use. Although such depth filters known improve drinking quality by removing human pathogenic protozoa and bacteria, their removal regarding viruses has rarely been investigated. These have relatively large pore diameters compared physical dimension of viruses. However, may be retained adsorption mechanisms due intermolecular surface forces. Here, we use three types...

Abstract Progress towards green and autonomous energy sources includes harnessing living systems biological tissue. It is recently discovered that the cuticle‐cellular tissue bilayer in higher plant leaves functions as an integrated triboelectric generator conductor couple capable of converting mechanical stimuli into electricity. Here, it investigated for first time, detail how charge generation at leaf occurs, shown whole plants could be used plant‐hybrid wind‐energy harvesting systems....

Abstract The electrical signals in plant's physiological processes are of great interest biology, biohybrid robotics, and sensors for interfacing the living organisms with an electronic readout control. This paper reports on application conformable, self‐adhering surface electrodes measurement bidirectional stimulation plants. inkjet‐printed poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate based <3 µm thick, light‐weight, soft flexible, can be easily non‐invasively transferred onto...

Some climbing plants use tendrils as efficient strategies to anchor and support their weights while they move in unstructured environments. In this letter, we mimic the essential functions of that wrap around a soft state by spiral winding (coiling) then lignify or stiffen strengthen attachment. We implement simple hierarchical pre-programmed functionality at material level using off-the-shelf materials easy fabrication methods achieve coiling stiffening incorporate an electrical control....

The largest existing biological interface, the surface of living plants, as it stands is capable converting mechanical energy into electricity based on a combination contact electrification and electrostatic induction plant its inner tissue. Herein, first design strategies are reported for plant‐based wind harvesting systems that use this effect simultaneously from multiple leaves single to upscale output. This study under outdoor‐relevant conditions in controlled test environment relates...

Materials capable of actuation through remote stimuli are crucial for untethering soft robotic systems from hardware powering and control. Fluidic is one the most applied versatile strategies in robotics. Here, first macroscale fluidic actuator derived that operates remotely powered controlled by light a plasmonically induced phase transition an elastomeric constraint. A multiphase assembly liquid layer concentrated gold nanoparticles silicone or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene elastic...

Abstract Nature has inspired a new generation of robots that not only imitate the behavior natural systems but also share their adaptability to environment and level compliance due materials used manufacture them, which are typically made soft matter. In order be adaptable compliant, these need able locally change mechanical properties material‐based bodies according external feedback. this work, actuator embodies highly controllable thermo‐responsive hydrogel changes its stiffness on direct...

Abstract New sustainable strategies for preserving plants are crucial tackling environmental challenges. Bioinspired soft and miniature machines have the potential to operate in forests agricultural fields by adapting their morphology plant organs like leaves. However, applications on leaf surfaces limited due fragility heterogeneity of leaves, harsh outdoor conditions. Here, we exploit strong shear-dependent leaf-attachment hook-climber Galium aparine create systems that enable precision...

Soft (bio)hybrid robotics aims at interfacing living beings with artificial technology.It was recently demonstrated that plant leaves coupled of selected materials and tailored mechanics can convert wind-driven leaf fluttering into electricity.Here, we significantly advance this technology by establishing the additional opportunity to kinetic energy from raindrops hitting upper surface electricity.To achieve this, integrated an extra electrification layer exposed electrodes on free wind...

We show that different ratios of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LSZ) can be achieved in a mixed protein adsorption layer by tailoring the amounts carboxyl (-COOH) aluminum hydroxyl (AlOH) groups on colloidal alumina particles (d50 ≈ 180 nm). The are surface-functionalized with -COOH groups, resultant surface chemistry, including remaining AlOH is characterized quantified using elemental analysis, ζ potential measurements, acid-base titration, IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy,...

Abstract Contact electrification has gained interest as a mechanism for generating charges on surfaces. It also been shown that plant leaves generate by both solid-solid and liquid-solid contact. However, it is unclear how water droplets hitting leaf causes charging which structural features affect this phenomenon. Here, we show the in-situ surface structures of leaves, droplet composition, prior ionization influence living contact several superhydrophobic hydrophilic species. We find...

Turning common plants into devices harvesting electricity from wind and radio frequency radiation endows a surprising prospect for energy-autonomous sensors.

Observing structural integrity of nanoparticles is essential in bionanotechnology but not always straightforward to measure situ and real-time. Fluorescent labels used for tracking intrinsically nonfluorescent nanomaterials generally do allow simultaneous observation integrity. Consequently, changes like degradation disassembly cannot easily be followed using fluorescence signals. We show that thioflavin T (ThT), a fluorophore molecular rotor known tag specific fibril structures amyloids,...

As miscellaneous as the Plant Kingdom is, correspondingly diverse are opportunities for taking inspiration from plants innovations in science and engineering. Especially robotics, properties like growth, adaptation to environments, ingenious materials, sustainability, energy-effectiveness of provide an extremely rich source develop new technologies-and many them still beginning being discovered. In last decade, researchers have begun reproduce complex plant functions leading functionality...

Understanding the interrelation between surface chemistry of colloidal particles and adsorption biomolecules is a crucial prerequisite for design materials biotechnological nanomedical applications. Here, we elucidate how tailoring alumina (d50 = 180 nm) with amino (−NH2), carboxylate (−COOH), phosphate (−PO3H2) or sulfonate (−SO3H) groups affects orientation model peptide glutathione disulfide (GSSG). GSSG adsorbed on native, −NH2-functionalized, −SO3H-functionalized but not −COOH-...

Nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with two active targeting ligands have been proposed in drug delivery for their promising capability to stimulate different pathways one object. Due the multivalency, construction and analysis of effective surface such bifunctional nanoparticles, however, is significantly more complex than nanoparticles bearing only ligand. Here, we optimize NPs containing recognizable combinations human serum albumin (HSA), transferrin (Tf), epidermal growth factor (EGF)...

Energy harvesting techniques can exploit even subtle passive motion like that of plant leaves in wind as a consequence contact electrification the leaf surface. The effect is strongly enhanced by artificial materials installed 'artificial leaves' on natural creating recurring mechanical and separation. However, this requires controlled interaction between biological component during complex motion. Here, we build test four designs with varying flexibility degrees freedom across blade operating