On‐Body Bioelectronics: Wearable Biofuel Cells for Bioenergy Harvesting and Self‐Powered Biosensing

The growing power demands of wearable electronic devices have stimulated the development of on‐body energy‐harvesting strategies. This article reviews the recent progress on rapidly emerging wearable biofuel cells (BFCs), along with related challenges and prospects. Advanced on‐body BFCs in various wearable platforms, e.g., textiles, patches, temporary tattoo, or contact lenses, enable attractive advantages for bioenergy harnessing and self‐powered biosensing. These noninvasive BFCs open up unique opportunities for utilizing bioenergy or monitoring biomarkers present in biofluids, e.g., sweat, saliva, interstitial fluid, and tears, toward new biomedical, fitness, or defense applications. However, the realization of effective wearable BFC requires high‐quality enzyme‐electronic interface with efficient enzymatic and electrochemical processes and mechanical flexibility. Understanding the kinetics and mechanisms involved in the electron transfer process, as well as enzyme immobilization techniques, is essential for efficient and stable bioenergy harvesting under diverse mechanical strains and changing operational conditions expected in different biofluids and in a variety of outdoor activities. These key challenges of wearable BFCs are discussed along with potential solutions and future prospects. Understanding these obstacles and opportunities is crucial for transforming traditional bench‐top BFCs to effective and successful wearable BFCs.     

Impact of Materials versus Geometric Parameters on the Contact Resistance in Organic Thin‐Film Transistors

The contact resistance is known to severely hamper the performance of organic thin‐film transistors, especially when dealing with large injection barriers, high mobility organic semiconductors, or short channel lengths. Here, the relative significance of how it is affected by materials‐parameters (mobility and interfacial level‐offsets) and geometric factors (bottom‐contact vs top‐contact geometries) is assessed. This is done using drift‐diffusion‐based simulations on idealized device structures aiming at a characterization of the “intrinsic” situation in the absence of traps, differences in the film morphology, or metal‐atoms diffusing into the organic semiconductor. It is found that, in contrast to common wisdom, in such a situation the top‐contact devices do not always outperform the bottom‐contact ones. In fact, the observed ratio between the contact resistances of the two device structures changes by up to two orders of magnitude depending on the assumed materials parameters. The contact resistance is also shown to be strongly dependent on the hole mobility in the organic semiconductor and influenced by the chosen point of operation of the device.     

Long Minority‐Carrier Diffusion Length and Low Surface‐Recombination Velocity in Inorganic Lead‐Free CsSnI3 Perovskite Crystal for Solar Cells

Sn‐based perovskites are promising Pb‐free photovoltaic materials with an ideal 1.3 eV bandgap. However, to date, Sn‐based thin film perovskite solar cells have yielded relatively low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). This is traced to their poor photophysical properties (i.e., short diffusion lengths (<30 nm) and two orders of magnitude higher defect densities) than Pb‐based systems. Herein, it is revealed that melt‐synthesized cesium tin iodide (CsSnI₃) ingots containing high‐quality large single crystal (SC) grains transcend these fundamental limitations. Through detailed optical spectroscopy, their inherently superior properties are uncovered, with bulk carrier lifetimes reaching 6.6 ns, doping concentrations of around 4.5 × 10¹⁷ cm^?3, and minority‐carrier diffusion lengths approaching 1 µm, as compared to their polycrystalline counterparts having ≈54 ps, ≈9.2 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3, and ≈16 nm, respectively. CsSnI₃ SCs also exhibit very low surface recombination velocity of ≈2 × 10³ cm s^?1, similar to Pb‐based perovskites. Importantly, these key parameters are comparable to high‐performance p‐type photovoltaic materials (e.g., InP crystals). The findings predict a PCE of ≈23% for optimized CsSnI₃ SCs solar cells, highlighting their great potential.     

Synthesis and Characterization of n‐Type Materials for Non‐Doped Organic Red‐Light‐Emitting Diodes

Two compounds, 2,3‐dicyano‐5,6‐di(4′‐diphenylamino‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)pyrazine (CAPP) and 6,7‐dicyano‐2,3‐di(4′‐diphenylamino‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)quinoxaline (CAPQ), capable of intramolecular charge transfer, have been designed and synthesized in high yield by a convenient procedure. The compounds have been fully characterized spectroscopically. They have a high thermal stability and show bright light emission both in non‐polar solvents and in the solid state. Moreover, they exhibit excellent reversible oxidation and reduction waves. The higher energy level of the highest occupied molecular orbital (–5.3 eV) and the triphenylamine group are advantageous for hole‐injection/transport. In addition, the high electron affinities of 3.4 eV and the observed reversible reductive process suggest that these compounds enhance electron injection and have potential for use in electron transport. Three types of non‐doped red‐light‐emitting diodes have been studied using CAPP and CAPQ as the electron‐transporting and host‐light‐emitting layers, respectively. The devices exhibit red electroluminescence (EL), and constant Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates have been observed on increasing the current density. Pure red EL of CAPP, with a maximum brightness of 536 cd m^–2 and an external quantum efficiency of 0.7 % in ambient air, was achieved.     

Relationship between Service‐Related Activities,Service Capability and Market Diffusion: Case of WiBro

The market performance of WiBro in Korea has not been as expected, and its rapid diffusion in the near future is unlikely owing to the existence of competing services. There has been little research on the factors affecting this low market diffusion. This study is based on an analytical framework in which a lack of service capability and the insufficiency of service‐related activities have resulted in the current poor market performance. An expert survey was conducted on WiBro specialists and verified using the analytical hierarchy process method. The result of this analysis is as follows: underinvestment in network deployment and marketing, insufficient promotional policies, and a shortage of service capabilities are to be analyzed as the main causes of WiBro's low market diffusion.     

Multifunctional Three‐Dimensional T‐Junction Graphene Micro‐Wells: Energy‐Efficient,Plasma‐Enabled Growth and Instant Water‐Based Transfer for Flexible Device Applications

The “third‐generation” 3D graphene structures, T‐junction graphene micro‐wells (T‐GMWs) are produced on cheap polycrystalline Cu foils in a single‐step, low‐temperature (270 °C), energy‐efficient, and environment‐friendly dry plasma‐enabled process. T‐GMWs comprise vertical graphene (VG) petal‐like sheets that seemlessly integrate with each other and the underlying horizontal graphene sheets by forming T‐junctions. The microwells have the pico‐to‐femto‐liter storage capacity and precipitate compartmentalized PBS crystals. The T‐GMW films are transferred from the Cu substrates, without damage to the both, in de‐ionized or tap water, at room temperature, and without commonly used sacrificial materials or hazardous chemicals. The Cu substrates are then re‐used to produce similar‐quality T‐GMWs after a simple plasma conditioning. The isolated T‐GMW films are transferred to diverse substrates and devices and show remarkable recovery of their electrical, optical, and hazardous NO₂ gas sensing properties upon repeated bending (down to 1 mm radius) and release of flexible trasparent display plastic substrates. The plasma‐enabled mechanism of T‐GMW isolation in water is proposed and supported by the Cu plasma surface modification analysis. Our GMWs are suitable for various optoelectronic, sesning, energy, and biomedical applications while the growth approach is potentially scalable for future pilot‐scale industrial production.     

Identifying Factors Affecting Behavioral Intent of Potential and Existing N‐screen Service Users

With recent advances in media technology, the creation of a relatively new service, N‐screen, has been realized. N‐screen provides seamless connections among various media and enables users to enjoy entertainment content at any time and any location. With such recent advances comes opportunity; therefore, for those N‐screen service providers who have established an early edge in the ICT industry, it is imperative that they maintain this and stay ahead of the ensuing competition. In this context, the objective of this study is two‐fold; first, we aim to find factors influencing the behavior of existing and potential N‐screen service users, and then second, to examine the differences in how these factors operate within the two user types. The results of this study show that the perceived value and subjective norm are important influencers in both user types. However, price fairness and innovativeness are only influential on the attitude and intention of potential users, while some aspects of media usage have only significant influences on the behavior and loyalty of existing users. Based on these results, we provide some implications for both researchers and practitioners who wish to better understand the nature of N‐screen users.     

Efficient cell design and fabrication of concentration‐gradient composite electrodes for high‐power and high‐energy‐density all‐solid‐state batteries

All‐solid‐state batteries are promising energy storage devices in which high‐energy‐density and superior safety can be obtained by efficient cell design and the use of nonflammable solid electrolytes, respectively. This paper presents a systematic study of experimental factors that affect the electrochemical performance of all‐solid‐state batteries. The morphological changes in composite electrodes fabricated using different mixing speeds are carefully observed, and the corresponding electrochemical performances are evaluated in symmetric cell and half‐cell configurations. We also investigate the effect of the composite electrode thickness at different charge/discharge rates for the realization of all‐solid‐state batteries with high‐energy‐density. The results of this investigation confirm a consistent relationship between the cell capacity and the ionic resistance within the composite electrodes. Finally, a concentration‐gradient composite electrode design is presented for enhanced power density in thick composite electrodes; it provides a promising route to improving the cell performance simply by composite electrode design.     

Unexpected Propeller‐Like Hexakis(fluoren‐2‐yl)benzene Cores for Six‐Arm Star‐Shaped Oligofluorenes: Highly Efficient Deep‐Blue Fluorescent Emitters and Good Hole‐Transporting Materials

Grafting six fluorene units to a benzene ring generates a new highly twisted core of hexakis(fluoren‐2‐yl)benzene. Based on the new core, six‐arm star‐shaped oligofluorenes from the first generation T1 to third generation T3 are constructed. Their thermal, photophysical, and electrochemical properties are studied, and the relationship between the structures and properties is discussed. Simple double‐layer electroluminescence (EL) devices using T1–T3 as non‐doped solution‐processed emitters display deep‐blue emissions with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.17, 0.08) for T1 , (0.16, 0.08) for T2 , and (0.16, 0.07) for T3 . These devices exhibit excellent performance, with maximum current efficiency of up to 5.4 cd A^?1, and maximum external quantum efficiency of up to 6.8%, which is the highest efficiency for non‐doped solution‐processed deep‐blue organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on starburst oligofluorenes, and is even comparable with other solution‐processed deep‐blue fluorescent OLEDs. Furthermore, T2‐ and T3‐ based devices show striking blue EL color stability independent of driving voltage. In addition, using T0–T3 as hole‐transporting materials, the devices of indium tin oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS)/ T0–T3 /tris(8‐hydroxyquinolinato)aluminium (Alq₃)/LiF/Al achieve maximum current efficiencies of 5.51–6.62 cd A^?1, which are among the highest for hole‐transporting materials in identical device structure.     

Formation of Boron‐doped region using spin‐on dopant: investigation on the impact of metallic impurities

Investigation on the electrical properties of p⁺‐doped regions formed by spin‐on‐dopant (SOD) technique was achieved. Using this technique, boron‐diffused regions were formed on both p‐type and n‐type float zone wafers. Homogeneous sheet resistances were obtained for both types of wafers. Bulk properties were investigated by measuring effective carrier lifetime. An iron contamination was observed after the boron diffusion step and interstitial iron concentrations were deduced from lifetime measurements. More investigations proved that the iron was initially present within the SOD film. A phosphorus diffusion allows to remove this bulk contamination, leading to an improvement of effective lifetime values. Nevertheless, the corresponding emitter saturation current density was estimated on n‐type wafers and presented a high value. It is likely that this poor electrical quality is the consequence of a high iron concentration which remains in the diffused region. Some possibilities are suggested to avoid or to limit this contamination. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biofunctional Polyelectrolyte Multilayers and Microcapsules: Control of Non‐Specific and Bio‐Specific Protein Adsorption

Layers of the polyelectrolytes poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH, polycationic) and poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS, polyanionic) are consecutively adsorbed on flat silicon oxide surfaces, forming stable, ultrathin multilayer films. Subsequently, a final monolayer of the polycationic copolymer poly(L ‐lysine)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL‐g‐PEG) is adsorbed onto the PSS‐terminated multilayer in order to impart protein resistance to the surface. The growth of each of the polyelectrolyte layers and the protein resistance of the resulting [PAH/PPS]_n(PLL‐g‐PEG) multilayer (n = 1–4) are followed quantitatively ex situ using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ using real‐time optical‐waveguide lightmode spectroscopy. In a second approach, the same type of [PAH/PSS]_n(PLL‐g‐PEG) multilayer coatings are successfully formed on the surface of colloidal particles in order to produce surface‐functionalized, hollow microcapsules after dissolution of the core materials (melamine formaldehyde (MF) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA; colloid diameters: 1.2–20 μm). Microelectrophoresis and confocal laser scanning microscopy are used to study multilayer formation on the colloids and protein resistance of the final capsule. The quality of the PLL‐g‐PEG layer on the microcapsules depends on both the type of core material and the dissolution protocols used. The greatest protein resistance is achieved using PLA cores and coating the polyelectrolyte microcapsules with PLL‐g‐PEG after dissolution of the cores. Protein adsorption from full serum on [PAH/PPS]_n(PLL‐g‐PEG) multilayers (on both flat substrates and microcapsules) decreases by three orders of magnitude in comparison to the standard [PAH/PPS]_n layer. Finally, biofunctional capsules of the type [PAH/PPS]_n(PLL‐g‐PEG/PEG‐biotin) (top copolymer layer with a fraction of the PEG chains end‐functionalized with biotin) are produced which allow for specific recognition and immobilization of controlled amounts of streptavidin at the surface of the capsules. Biofunctional multilayer films and capsules are believed to have a potential for future applications as novel platforms for biotechnological applications such as biosensors and carriers for targeted drug delivery.     

Self‐Powered Electrowetting Valve for Instantaneous and Simultaneous Actuation of Paper‐Based Microfluidic Assays

In this work, a self‐powered electrowetting valve (SPEV) driven by an energy‐harvesting triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is reported. The TENG (5 × 5 cm²) can produce an open‐circuit voltage of 380 V by applying a mechanical stimulus, which is much higher than the actuation voltage of the SPEV (130 V). Once actuated, the electrowetting valve can be instantly switched on at a response time of 0.18 s, allowing liquid reagent to flow through the valve. The SPEV can be used for simultaneous addition of multiple reagents in an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay on a paper‐based microfluidic analytical device (µPAD). This assay involves a chromogenic reaction that achieves effective detection of alpha‐fetoprotein, a critical tumor marker for early diagnosis of liver cancer. The SPEV reported in this work can be potentially used in other complex multiprocedure µPADs, which will potentially enable portable, accessible, and cost‐effective assays for early diagnosis, food safety, pollution detection, etc.     

In‐Plane Micro‐Supercapacitors for an Integrated Device on One Piece of Paper

Portable and wearable sensors have attracted considerable attention in the healthcare field because they can be worn or implanted into a human body to monitor environmental information. However, sensors cannot work independently and require power. Flexible in‐plane micro‐supercapacitor (MSC) is a suitable power device that can be integrated with sensors on a single chip. Meanwhile, paper is an ideal flexible substrate because it is cheap and disposable and has a porous and rough surface that enhances interface adhesion with electronic devices. In this study, a new strategy to integrate MSCs, which have excellent electrochemical and mechanical performances, with sensors on a single piece of paper is proposed. The integration is achieved by printing Ni circuit on paper without using a precoating underlay. Ink diffusion is also addressed to some degree. Meanwhile, a UV sensor is integrated on a single paper, and the as‐integrated device shows good sensing and self‐powering capabilities. MSCs can also be integrated with a gas sensor on one‐piece paper and can be charged by connecting it to a solar cell. Thus, it is potentially feasible that a flexible paper can be used for integrating MSCs with solar cell and various sensors to generate, store, and use energy.     

Manipulation of Disodium Rhodizonate: Factors for Fast‐Charge and Fast‐Discharge Sodium‐Ion Batteries with Long‐Term Cyclability

Organic sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are one of the most promising alternatives of current commercial inorganic lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) especially in the foreseeable large‐scale flexible and wearable electronics. However, only a few reports are involving organic SIBs so far. To achieve fast‐charge and fast‐discharge performance and the long‐term cycling suitable for practical applications, is still challenging. Here, important factors for high performance SIBs especially with high capacity and long‐term cyclability under fast‐charge and fast‐discharge process are investigated. It is found that controlling the solubility through molecular design and determination of the electrochemical window is essential to eliminate dissolution of the electrode material, resulting in improved cyclability. The results show that poly(vinylidenedifluoride) will decompose during the charge/discharge process, indicating the significance of the binder for achieving high cyclability. Beside of these, it is also shown that decent charge transport and ionic diffusion are beneficial to the fast‐charge and fast‐discharge batteries. For instance, the flake morphology facilitates the ionic diffusion and thereby can lead to a capacitive effect that is favorable to fast charge and fast discharge.     

Similar or Totally Different: The Control of Conjugation Degree through Minor Structural Modifications,and Deep‐Blue Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminogens for Non‐Doped OLEDs

Four 4,4′‐bis(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)biphenyl (BTPE) derivatives, 4,4′‐bis(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)biphenyl, 2,3′‐bis(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)biphenyl, 2,4′‐bis(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)biphenyl, 3,3′‐bis(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)biphenyl and 3,4′‐bis(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)biphenyl (oTPE‐mTPE, oTPE‐pTPE, mTPE‐mTPE, and mTPE‐pTPE, respectively), are successfully synthesized and their thermal, optical, and electronic properties fully investigated. By merging two simple tetraphenylethene (TPE) units together through different linking positions, the π‐conjugation length is effectively controlled to ensure the deep‐blue emission. Because of the minor but intelligent structural modification, all the four fluorophores exhibit deep‐blue emissions from 435 to 459 nm with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of, respectively, (0.16, 0.14), (0.15, 0.11), (0.16, 0.14), and (0.16, 0.16), when fabricated as emitters in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). This is completely different from BTPE with sky‐blue emission (0.20, 0.36). Thus, these results may provide a novel and versatile approach for the design of deep‐blue aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) luminogens.     

Study of Configuration Differentia and Highly Efficient,Deep‐Blue,Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Novel Naphtho[1,2‐d]imidazole Derivatives

Two novel naphtho[1,2‐d]imidazole derivatives are developed as deep‐blue, light‐emitting materials for organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). The 1H‐naphtho[1,2‐d]imidazole based compounds exhibit a significantly superior performance than the 3H‐naphtho[1,2‐d]imidazole analogues in the single‐layer devices. This is because they have a much higher capacity for direct electron‐injection from the cathode compared to their isomeric counterparts resulting in a ground‐breaking EQE (external quantum efficiency) of 4.37% and a low turn‐on voltage of 2.7 V, and this is hitherto the best performance for a non‐doped single‐layer fluorescent OLED. Multi‐layer devices consisting of both hole‐ and electron‐transporting layers, result in identically excellent performances with EQE values of 4.12–6.08% and deep‐blue light emission (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) y values of 0.077–0.115) is obtained for both isomers due to the improved carrier injection and confinement within the emissive layer. In addition, they showed a significantly better blue‐color purity than analogous molecules based on benzimidazole or phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole segments.     

Free‐Standing and Eco‐Friendly Polyaniline Thin Films for Multifunctional Sensing of Physical and Chemical Stimuli

Multifunctional flexible sensors that are sensitive to different physical and chemical stimuli but remain unaffected by any mechanical deformation and/or changes still present a challenge in the implementation of flexible devices in real‐world conditions. This challenge is greatly intensified by the need for an eco‐friendly fabrication technique suitable for mass production. A new eco‐friendly and scalable fabrication approach is reported for obtaining thin and transparent multifunctional sensors with regulated electrical conductivity and tunable band‐gap. A thin (≈190 nm thickness) freestanding sensing film with up to 4 inch diameter is demonstrated. Integration of the freestanding films with different substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate substrates, silk textile, commercial polyethylene thin film, and human skin, is also described. These multifunctional sensors can detect and distinguish between different stimuli, including pressure, temperature, and volatile organic compounds. All the sensing properties explored are stable under different bending/strain states.