Abstract: A biosensor comprising an electrode and inverted molecular pendulums (iMPs) is described. Each IMP includes a linker bound to the electrode, and an analyte receptor and a redox reporter both bound to the linker. The redox reporter is reactive at positive potential when the linker presents a net negative charge and reactive at negative potential when the linker presents a net positive charge. Upon application of an electric field, the biosensor is characterized by an iMPs unbound state, where no analyte is bound to the receptor, at which the iMPs are displaced towards the electrode and electron transfer from the iMPs towards the electrode occurs at an unbound electron transfer rate, and an iMPs bound state, where the analyte is bound to the receptor, at which the iMPs are displaced towards the electrode and electron transfer from the iMPs towards the electrode occurs at a bound electron transfer rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) that is capable of harvesting mechanical energy into electricity. The PENG comprises one dimensional (1D) and two dimensional (2D) nanostructures integrated together to form a composite nanostructure. A major advantage of the present invention is that the composite nanostructure provides enhanced electrical output and enhanced mechanical stability as compared to previously reported 1D or 2D nanostructures alone. Also described is a hybrid nanogenerator that combines the PENG with a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). A method of synthesizing the composite nanostructure PENG, in which the 1D and 2D nanostructures are grown together on the same substrate using a low temperature hydrothermal method is also described. The provided method is simple and cost-effective.