Nonlinear Distortion in a Silicon Microring-Based Electro-Optic Modulator for Analog Optical Links

We analyze silicon microring modulators for analog signal generation, in terms of harmonic and intermodulation distortions. Free carrier plasma dispersion effect in silicon, Lorentzian-shaped resonance profile, and cavity photon lifetime are identified as the sources of modulation nonlinearity. Simulations show that the silicon microring modulators exhibit good modulation index and carrier-to-distortion ratio (CDR). For the generation of 10-GHz suboctave analog signals, a high optical-modulation-index of up to 46%, a CDR of 57 dB, and a spurious free dynamic range of 96 dB can be obtained. In fiber transmission, the microring-generated signal CDR can be improved by 10 dB due to the interaction between frequency chirp and chromatic dispersion.      

Stereoselective and Enantioselective Electrochemical Sensing of Monosaccharides Using Imprinted Boronic Acid‐Functionalized Polyphenol Films

Imprinted polymer films for the selective analysis of D‐glucose and D‐mannose are prepared by the co‐electropolymerization of phenol with a 3‐hydroxyphenyl boronic acid‐monosaccharide complex containing D‐glucose or D‐mannose on a Au support. The analysis of the monosaccharides is based on a competitive electrochemical assay that employs the ferrocene‐modified‐monosaccharides as the redox labels. Similarly, enantioselectivity is demonstrated by the imprint of D‐glucose recognition sites in the polymer and the application of the redox‐active indicator.     

Optical aptasensors for the analysis of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

The vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF, is an important biomarker for different diseases and clinical disorders. We present a series of optical aptasensor-based sensing platforms for VEGF that include the following: (i) A FRET-based sensor that involves the VEGF-induced separation of aptamer-functionalized quantum dots blocked by a quencher nucleic acid (detection limit 1 nM). (ii) A FRET-based sensor based on the VEGF-induced assembly of the aptamer subunits functionalized with QDs and a dye acceptor (Cy5), respectively (detection limit 12 nM). (iii) A chemiluminescence aptasensor based on VEGF-induced assembly of a hemin/G-quadruplex catalyst (detection limit 18 nM). (iv) A chemiluminescence aptasensor based on the VEGF-stimulated assembly of two aptamer subunits into the hemin/G-quadruplex catalyst (detection limit 2.6 nM). (v) A chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET) aptasensor based on the VEGF-induced assembly of a semiconductor QDs-hemin/G-quadruplex supramolecular structure (detection limit 875 pM). Furthermore, an amplified optical aptasensor system based on the Exonuclease III (Exo III) recycling of the VEGF analyte was developed. In this system, one aptamer subunit is modified at its 5' and 3' ends with QDs and a black hole quencher, respectively. The VEGF-induced self-assembly of the aptamer subunits result in the digestion of the quencher units and the autonomous recycling of the analyte, while triggering-on the luminescence of the QDs (detection limit 5 pM). The system was implemented to analyze VEGF in human sera samples.     

Amplified detection of DNA through the enzyme-free autonomous assembly of hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme nanowires

An enzyme-free amplified detection platform is described using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mimicking DNAzyme as an amplifying label. Two hairpin structures that include three-fourths and one-fourth of the HRP-mimicking DNAzyme in caged, inactive configurations are used as functional elements for the amplified detection of the target DNA. In the presence of the analyte DNA, one of the hairpins is opened, and this triggers the autonomous cross-opening of the two hairpins using the strand displacement principle. This leads to the formation of nanowires consisting of the HRP-mimicking DNAzyme. The resulting DNA nanowires act as catalytic labels for the colorimetric or chemiluminescent readout of the sensing processes (the term "enzyme-free" refers to a protein-free catalyst). The analytical platform allows the sensing of the analyte DNA with a detection limit corresponding to 1 × 10(-13) M. The optimized system acts as a versatile sensing platform, and by coaddition of a "helper" hairpin structure any DNA sequence may be analyzed by the system. This is exemplified with the detection of the BRCA1 oncogene with a detection limit of 1 × 10(-13) M.     

Lanthanide oxide-doped titanium dioxide photocatalysts: novel photocatalysts for the enhanced degradation of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid

The photocatalytic degradation of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid has been investigated in oxygenated aqueous suspensions of lanthanide oxide-doped TiO2 photocatalysts. Complete mineralization was achieved. The enhanced degradation is attributed to the formation of Lewis acid-base complex between the lanthanide ion and the substrate.     

Tailored chemosensors for chloroaromatic acids using molecular imprinted TiO2 thin films on ion-sensitive field-effect transistors

The SiO2 gate of an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor, (ISFET), is functionalized with a TiO2 film that includes imprinted molecular sites for 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid, (1), or 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, (2). The functionalized devices that include the imprinted interfaces reveal an impressive selectivity in the sensing of the imprinted substrates Na+ -1 or Na+ -2. The detection limit for Na+ -1 is (5+/-2) x 10(-4) M, which corresponds to 38 mV x dec(-1) in the concentration range of 0.5 to 6 mM. The detection limit for the analysis of Na+ -2 is (1.0+/-0.2) x 10(-5) M, which corresponds to 28 mV dec(-1) in the concentration range 0.1-9.0 mM. The equilibration time of the devices is ca. 5 min.     

Growing Metal Nanoparticles by Enzymes

Enzymes act as catalysts for the growth of metallic nanoparticles (NPs). The enzyme‐mediated growth of metallic NPs provides a general means to follow biocatalyzed transformations, and to develop optical sensors for different substrates such as glucose, L‐DOPA, alcohols, lactate or nerve gas analogs. Enzymes modified with Au NPs act as biocatalysts for the fabrication of metallic nanowires. The dip‐pen nanolithography of NP‐functionalized enzymes on Si surfaces yields biocatalytic templates that enable the orthogonal evolution of nanowires consisting of different metals.