Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an electrode having a first layer and a second layer. In some embodiments, the first layer includes a conductive polymer. In some embodiments, the second layer is positioned above the first layer. In some embodiments, the second layer includes an inorganic material that forms a conductive network on the first layer. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making an electrode. In general, the method providing a mold with a desired indented pattern, pouring a solution including a conductive polymer into the indented pattern to form a first layer, and pouring a solution including an inorganic material onto the first layer to form a second layer. In some embodiments, the inorganic material forms a conductive network on the first layer.

Abstract: A flexible electrode includes a layer of an interpenetrating network of silver nanowires and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), and a core comprising a foam. The layer of interpenetrating network of silver nanowires and PEDOT:PSS are wrapped around the core. A wearable device includes a current source comprising a pair of outer electrodes, and voltage sensors comprising one or two pairs of internal electrodes that are arranged between the outer electrodes. At least one electrode of these electrodes is a flexible electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a sensor that includes a transduction agent, a plurality of analyte binding agents immobilized on the transduction agent, and a coating agent that forms a coating around at least some of the analyte binding agents. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting one or more analytes in a sample by associating the sample with a sensor of the present disclosure; detecting a signal from the sensor; and correlating the signal to the presence or absence of the one or more analytes in the sample. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making the sensors of the present disclosure by immobilizing a plurality of analyte binding agents on a transduction agent; and coating at least some of the analyte binding agents with a coating agent to form a sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor-based regulated variable-damping vibration isolator, includes a base, a magnetorheological damper, and an adapter plate. The magnetorheological damper is mainly used to support and deplete the energy of vibration; the magnetorheological damper includes an upper cavity, a lower cavity, a connecting ring, a permanent magnet, orifices, a magnetic permeable ring, an ultrasonic motor and the like; a magnetorheological fluid is stored in the upper and lower cavities defined by bellows. The magnetorheological damper uses the ultrasonic motor to drive the permanent magnet to rotate to adjust the overlap ratio of the permanent magnet and the orifices, that is, to adjust the number of the orifices entering the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, so as to change the damping intensity of the damper. After rotating in place, the ultrasonic motor can be powered off and self-locked.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to steam generation through the efficient harvesting of solar energy. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to bilayered structures that are cost-effective, scalable and/or biodegradable that provide high steam-generation efficiency.

Abstract: Plasmonic nanotransducers, methods of preparing plasmonic nanotransducers, and methods for label-free detection of target molecules are disclosed. The plasmonic nanotransducers include hollow nanostructure cores and artificial antibodies. The plasmonic nanotransducers are exposed to a biological sample that can contain the specific target molecules. The plasmonic nanotransducers can be analyzed with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the target molecule in the sample.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for preventing marine biofouling by using the principle of harmonic vibration. The method includes coating a surface of a device to be disposed in water with an elastic material layer. The elastic material may vibrate harmonically under the influence of the water traveling wave, thereby forming a cosine wave form. Taking “a” as the wavelength of the harmonic vibration, “b” as the amplitude of the harmonic vibration and “L” as the body length of a mussel larva, an algae larva or a barnacle larva, where L/2 is larger than “a” or “b”, the larva will be easily stripped off under the effect of harmonic vibration. The frequency of the cosine wave ranges from 0.02 Hz to 0.1 Hz so that the larva has insufficient time to stay, thereby preventing the larva from attaching.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to plasmonic superstructures having a nanostructure core and a plurality of nanoparticle satellites and methods for preparing plasmonic superstructures. The present disclosure is further directed to methods of bioimaging, biosensing and therapeutic applications using the plasmonic superstructures.

Abstract: Plasmonic nanotransducers, methods of preparing plasmonic nanotransducers, and methods for label-free detection of target molecules are disclosed. The plasmonic nanotransducers include hollow nanostructure cores and artificial antibodies. The plasmonic nanotransducers are exposed to a biological sample that can contain the specific target molecules. The plasmonic nanotransducers can be analyzed with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the target molecule in the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to plasmonic calligraphy and, more specifically, to bioplasmonic calligraphy for label-free biodetection.