Abstract: In various embodiments, synthetic bridge molecules are disclosed, usable in molecular electronics sensors. In various aspects, bridge molecules comprise fused ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon structures in the shape of a long and narrow ribbon, with end groups on opposite short ends for selective binding to metal electrodes, one or more substituents near the midpoint of a long edge for binding to a probe molecule, and one or more additional substituent groups for solubility or other effects. In various embodiments, the bridge molecules herein are conducting, and provide a closed circuit in a sensor when forming a bridge between gapped electrodes.

Abstract: A structure usable in a molecular sensor device comprises a substrate defining a substrate plane and spaced apart pairs of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets attached to the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The structure further includes intervening dielectric sheets. Fabrication methods for manufacturing structures for molecular sensors are disclosed comprising oblique angle deposition of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride and dielectric layers, planarization of the resulting stack, and reduction of portions of the reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets to the corresponding base metal.

Abstract: A structure usable in a molecular sensor device comprises a substrate defining a substrate plane and spaced apart pairs of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets attached to the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The structure further includes intervening dielectric sheets. Fabrication methods for manufacturing structures for molecular sensors are disclosed comprising oblique angle deposition of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride and dielectric layers, planarization of the resulting stack, and reduction of portions of the reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets to the corresponding base metal.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a molecular electronics sensor array chip comprises: (a) an integrated circuit semiconductor chip; and (b) a plurality of molecular electronic sensor devices disposed thereon, each of said sensor devices comprising: (i) a pair of nanoscale source and drain electrodes separated by a nanogap; (ii) a gate electrode; and (iii) a bridge and/or probe molecule spanning the nanogap and connecting the source and drain electrodes, wherein the molecular electronic sensor devices are organized into an electronically addressable, controllable, and readable array of sensor pixels.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a molecular electronics sensor array chip comprises: (a) an integrated circuit semiconductor chip; and (b) a plurality of molecular electronic sensor devices disposed thereon, each of said sensor devices comprising: (i) a pair of nanoscale source and drain electrodes separated by a nanogap; (ii) a gate electrode; and (iii) a bridge and/or probe molecule spanning the nanogap and connecting the source and drain electrodes, wherein the molecular electronic sensor devices are organized into an electronically addressable, controllable, and readable array of sensor pixels.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus and systems for single-molecule biosensors having nanowire or nanoribbon bridges between electrodes for sequencing and information storage and reading. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides nanofabrication of biomolecular sensing devices beginning with parallel arrangements of transferable nanowires or nanoribbons, and provides in general methods of manufacturing biosensor devices for sequencing DNA or RNA and analyzing biomolecules.

Abstract: A processive enzyme molecular sensor for use in a DNA data storage system is disclosed that can extract digital information suitably encoded into a synthetic DNA molecule. In various aspects, such sensors are provided in a high-density chip-based format that can provide the high throughput, low-cost and fast data extraction capability required for large scale DNA data storage systems. The sensor for reading the digital data stored in DNA molecules processes individual encoded DNA molecules directly, eliminating the need for complicated sample preparation such as making copies of DNA or clonal populations of such molecules.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device useable in DNA or genome sequencing comprises disposing pairs of electrodes on a substrate, the electrodes within each pair separated by a nanogap; depositing a resist layer over the electrodes; patterning the resist layer to create an exposed region on each electrode at or near each nanogap; roughening the electrode surface within each exposed region using various methods; and exposing the exposed regions to biomolecules, wherein one biomolecule bridges each nanogap of each electrode pair, with each end of each biomolecule bound to the electrodes at each exposed region.

Abstract: A structure usable in a molecular sensor device comprises a substrate defining a substrate plane and spaced apart pairs of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets attached to the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The structure further includes intervening dielectric sheets. Fabrication methods for manufacturing structures for molecular sensors are disclosed comprising oblique angle deposition of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride and dielectric layers, planarization of the resulting stack, and reduction of portions of the reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets to the corresponding base metal.

Abstract: A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device useable in DNA or genome sequencing comprises disposing pairs of electrodes on a substrate, the electrodes within each pair separated by a nanogap; depositing a resist layer over the electrodes; patterning the resist layer to create an exposed region on each electrode at or near each nanogap; roughening the electrode surface within each exposed region using various methods; and exposing the exposed regions to biomolecules, wherein one biomolecule bridges each nanogap of each electrode pair, with each end of each biomolecule bound to the electrodes at each exposed region.

Abstract: A molecular electronics sensor capable of performing genetic analysis is described. In various embodiments, the sensor comprises spaced-apart electrodes, a bridge molecule coupled to the electrodes, and an oligonucleotide hybridization probe conjugated to the bridge molecule. The hybridization probe may comprise an oligonucleotide sequence complementary to a segment of a pathogen genome to be detected. In various aspects, a plurality of such sensors are disposed as an array of pixels on a CMOS chip. Sensors herein can be configured to detect a segment of SARS-CoV-2 genome in a bio-sample.

Abstract: A molecular electronics sensor capable of performing genetic analysis is described. In various embodiments, the sensor comprises spaced-apart electrodes, a bridge molecule coupled to the electrodes, and an oligonucleotide hybridization probe conjugated to the bridge molecule. The hybridization probe may comprise an oligonucleotide sequence complementary to a segment of a pathogen genome to be detected. In various aspects, a plurality of such sensors are disposed as an array of pixels on a CMOS chip. Sensors herein can be configured to detect a segment of SARS-CoV-2 genome in a bio-sample.

Abstract: In various embodiments a molecular circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, and a binding probe molecule conductively attached to both the positive and negative electrodes to form a circuit having a conduction pathway through the binding probe. In various examples, the binding probe is an antibody, the Fab domain of an antibody, a protein, a nucleic acid oligomer hybridization probe, or an aptamer. The circuit may further comprise molecular arms used to wire the binding probe to the electrodes. In various embodiments, the circuit functions as a sensor wherein electrical signals, such as changes to voltage, current, impedance, conductance, or resistance in the circuit, are measured as targets interact with the binding probe. In various embodiments, the circuit provides a means to measure the presence, absence, or concentration of an analyte in a solution.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a signal enhancement process for single molecule molecular sensors is disclosed along with new modified dNTPs. In general, the enhancement process comprises providing a molecular electronic sensor comprising a polymerase and providing a nucleotide template and modified dNTPs in appropriate buffers to the polymerase, wherein incorporation of the modified dNTPs during action of the polymerase enzyme provides an enhanced electrical signal or improved signal-to-noise ratio for the incorporation event relative to the performance with corresponding native dNTPs.

Abstract: A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device useable in DNA or genome sequencing comprises disposing pairs of electrodes on a substrate, the electrodes within each pair separated by a nanogap; depositing a resist layer over the electrodes; patterning the resist layer to create an exposed region on each electrode at or near each nanogap; roughening the electrode surface within each exposed region using various methods; and exposing the exposed regions to biomolecules, wherein one biomolecule bridges each nanogap of each electrode pair, with each end of each biomolecule bound to the electrodes at each exposed region.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating at least one nanoparticle include providing one or more substrates and depositing a substance on the one or more substrates. At least one portion of the substance is heated or annealed so the at least one portion beads up on the one or more substrates due to cohesive forces of the substance being greater than adhesive forces between the substrate and the substance. In some methods, a pattern generation process is performed to define the at least one portion. A combination of a substance material for the substance and a substrate material for the one or more substrates may also be selected so that the at least one portion beads up into a predetermined shape. The substance may also be deposited on the one or more substrates with a sub-monolayer thickness or with gaps to further reduce a nanoparticle size.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device useable in DNA or genome sequencing comprises disposing pairs of electrodes on a substrate, the electrodes within each pair separated by a nanogap; depositing a resist layer over the electrodes; patterning the resist layer to create an exposed region on each electrode at or near each nanogap; roughening the electrode surface within each exposed region using various methods; and exposing the exposed regions to biomolecules, wherein one biomolecule bridges each nanogap of each electrode pair, with each end of each biomolecule bound to the electrodes at each exposed region.

Abstract: A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.