Abstract: A sensing element comprises a transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode, a gate electrode and a semiconductor nanostructure connecting between the source and the gate electrodes. The semiconductor nanostructure is modified by a functional moiety covalently attached thereto. A voltage source is connected to the gate electrode. A controller controls a gate voltage applied by the voltage source to the gate electrode such as to reverse a redox reaction occurring when the moiety contacts a redox reactive agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing target molecules such as redox reactive agents, comprising a sample compartment and a sensing compartment being in fluid communication, are disclosed. A sensing compartment which comprises nanostructures to which a functional moiety is covalently attached and which is such that upon contacting a redox reactive agent a change in electrical property of the nanostructure occurs, and integration of such a sensing compartment with sensing systems as described herein are also disclosed. Methods of monitoring a metabolic activity of cells, and uses thereof, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for identifying an explosive in a sample, an explosive fingerprint defined by a set of kinetic parameters is received. The kinetic parameters describe a plurality of interactions between the explosive and each of a respective plurality of functional moieties. A data processor is used for accessing a database of explosive fingerprints, and searching the database for a database fingerprint matching the received fingerprint.

Abstract: A carbon electrode having a functional moiety that forms a charge-transfer complex with a nitro-containing compound covalently attached to a surface of the electrode, and a process of preparing such an electrode are provided. Also provided are sensing systems integrating the carbon electrode and methods utilizing same for electrochemical detection of nitro-containing compounds.

Abstract: A method of detecting a presence and/or concentration of a marker, e.g., a marker, in a liquid, e.g., a liquid, is disclosed. The method comprises: contacting the liquid with a sensor having an immobilized affinity moiety interacting with the marker and being configured to generate a detectable signal responsively to the interaction. The method further comprises washing the liquid off the sensor, and detecting the presence and/or concentration of the marker based on a detectable signal received from the sensor within a time-window beginning a predetermined time period after a beginning time of the washing.

Abstract: A sensing electrode, and an electrochemical system and method utilizing same for detecting peroxide-containing compounds in a sample, are provided. The sensing electrode is a carbon electrode having ions of a metal that promotes decomposition of a peroxide absorbed to its surface, optionally along with a solid electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for detecting nitro-containing compounds such as TNT, which utilize semiconductor nanostructures modified by a functional moiety that interacts with the nitro-containing compound, are disclosed. The functional moiety is attached to the nanostructures and is being such that upon contacting a sample that contains the nitro-containing compound, the nanostructure exhibits a detectable change in an electrical property, which is indicative of the presence and/or amount of the nitro-containing compound in the sample. Electronic noses for generating recognition patterns of various nitro-containing compounds, made of a plurality of nanostructures modified by versatile functional moieties are also disclosed. The devices, methods and systems are suitable for detecting nitro-containing compounds in both liquid and gaseous states and for detecting a concentration of a nitro-containing compound such as TNT as low as attomolar concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanotechnology and sub-microelectronic circuitry, as well as associated methods and devices, for example, nanoscale wire devices and methods for use in determining nucleic acids or other analytes suspected to be present in a sample. For example, a nanoscale wire device can be used in some cases to detect single base mismatches within a nucleic acid. In one aspect, dynamical information such as a binding constant, an association rate, and/or a dissociation rate, can be determined between a nucleic acid or other analyte, and a binding partner immobilized relative to a nanoscale wire. In some cases, the nanoscale wire includes a first portion comprising a metal-semiconductor compound, and a second portion that does not include a metal-semiconductor compound. The binding partner, in some embodiments, is immobilized relative to at least the second portion of the nanoscale wire.

Abstract: A method of measuring a metabolic activity (MA) of a cell is provided. The method comprising independently measuring in an extracellular environment of the cell, time-dependent acidification profiles due to secretion of: (i) non-volatile soluble metabolic products; (ii) non-volatile soluble metabolic products and volatile soluble metabolic products; and (iii) volatile soluble metabolic products; wherein at least one of the time dependent acidification profiles is indicative of the metabolic activity of the cell. Also provided are clinical methods which make use of the assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides anodes comprising an electrically conductive substrate, comprising at least one non-uniform surface; and a random network of silicon nanowires (Si NWs) chemically grown on said at least one non-uniform surface of the substrate, wherein the Si NWs have at least about 30% amorphous morphology, and methods of manufacturing of the anodes. Further provided are lithium ion batteries comprising said anodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising an anode compartment which comprises an anode having a copper catalyst layer, a cathode configured as an air cathode and a separator interposed between said anode and said cathode, operable by an amine-derived fuel and oxygen (or air) is disclosed. Further disclosed are fuel cell systems comprising an anode compartment which comprises an anode having a copper catalyst layer, a cathode and a separator interposed between said anode and said cathode, which are operable by a mixture of two types of amine-derived compounds (e.g., ammonia borane, hydrazine and derivatives thereof). Also disclosed are methods of producing electric energy by, and electric-consuming devices containing and operable by, the disclosed fuel cell systems.

Abstract: A method of measuring a metabolic activity (MA) of a cell is provided. The method comprising independently measuring in an extracellular environment of the cell, time-dependent acidification profiles due to secretion of: (i) non-volatile soluble metabolic products; (ii) non-volatile soluble metabolic products and volatile soluble metabolic products; and (iii) volatile soluble metabolic products; wherein at least one of the time dependent acidification profiles is indicative of the metabolic activity of the cell. Also provided are clinical methods which make use of the assay.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanostructure, which comprises forming an elongated tubular nanostructure, and generating conditions for said tubular nanostructure to unwrap.

Abstract: A light sensor comprises a nanostructure connectable to a source electrode and a drain electrode, and light sensitive moiety covalently attached to a surface of the nanostructure. The light sensitive moiety comprises a light sensitive molecule having an absorbance spectrum in a visible range. The light sensitive molecule is selected such that upon irradiation of the light sensor by light having a central wavelength within the absorbance spectrum, the sensitive molecule transfers or extracts an electron to or from the surface of the nanostructure.

Abstract: A process of preparing a plurality of nanostructures, each being composed of at least one target material is disclosed. The process comprises sequentially electrodepositing a first material and the at least one target material into pores of a porous membrane having a nanometric pore diameter, to thereby obtain within the pores nanometric rods, each of the nanometric rods having a plurality of segments where any two adjacent segments are made of different materials. The process further comprises and etching the membrane and the first material, thereby obtaining the nanostructures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanostructure, which comprises forming an elongated tubular nanostructure, and generating conditions for said tubular nanostructure to unwrap.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems comprising ammonia borane or derivatives thereof as fuel and an anode and/or cathode which comprises a non-noble metal (e.g., copper) or a non-metallic substance (e.g., an iron electron-transfer mediating complex) as a catalyst are disclosed. Fuel cell systems comprising ammonia borane or derivatives thereof as fuel and a peroxide as an oxidant are also disclosed. Uses of the fuel devices are further disclosed.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a nanostructure is disclosed. The process is effected by growing the nanostructure in situ within a trench formed in a substrate and having therein a metal catalyst selected for catalyzing the nanostructure growth, under the conditions in which the growth is guided by the trench. Also disclosed are nanostructure systems comprising a nanostructure, devices containing such systems and uses thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing target molecules such as redox reactive agents, comprising a sample compartment and a sensing compartment being in fluid communication, are disclosed. A sensing compartment which comprises nanostructures to which a functional moiety is covalently attached and which is such that upon contacting a redox reactive agent a change in electrical property of the nanostructure occurs, and integration of such a sensing compartment with sensing systems as described herein are also disclosed. Methods of monitoring a metabolic activity of cells, and uses thereof, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for detecting nitro-containing compounds such as TNT, which utilize semiconductor nanostructures modified by a functional moiety that interacts with the nitro-containing compound, are disclosed. The functional moiety is attached to the nanostructures and is being such that upon contacting a sample that contains the nitro-containing compound, the nanostructure exhibits a detectable change in an electrical property, which is indicative of the presence and/or amount of the nitro-containing compound in the sample. Electronic noses for generating recognition patterns of various nitro-containing compounds, made of a plurality of nanostructures modified by versatile functional moieties are also disclosed. The devices, methods and systems are suitable for detecting nitro-containing compounds in both liquid and gaseous states and for detecting a concentration of a nitro-containing compound such as TNT as low as attomolar concentrations.