Back to basics: a plea for a fundamental reappraisal of the representation of acidity and basicity in biological solutions

Even under the most optimistic scenarios, significant global climate change is now inevitable. Although we cannot tell with certainty how much average global temperatures will rise, we do know that the warming we have experienced to date has already caused significant losses, and that the failure to prepare for the consequences of further warming may prove to be staggering. This book does not dwell on overhyped descriptions of apocalyptic climate scenarios, nor does it travel down well-trodden paths surrounding the politics of reducing carbon emissions. Instead, it starts with two central facts: there will be future climate impacts, and we can make changes now to buffer their effects. While squarely confronting the scale of the risks we face, this pragmatic guide focuses on solutions—some gradual and some more revolutionary—currently being deployed around the globe. Each chapter presents a thematic lesson for decision-makers and engaged citizens to consider, outlining replicable successes and identifying provocative recommendations to strengthen climate resilience. Between discussions of ideas as wide-ranging as managed retreat from coastal hot zones to biological solutions for resurgent climate-related disease threats, the authors draw on their personal experiences to tell behind-the-scenes stories of what it really takes to advance progress on these issues. The narrative is dotted with stories of on-the-ground citizenry, from small-town mayors and bankers to generals and engineers, who are chipping away at financial disincentives and bureaucratic hurdles to prepare for life on a warmer planet.

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Controlling surface chemistry and mechanical properties of metal ionogels through Lewis acidity and basicity

Journal of Materials Chemistry A ◽

10.1039/d0ta11821d ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 4679-4686

Author(s):

Coby J. Clarke ◽

Richard P. Matthews ◽

Alex P. S. Brogan ◽

Jason P. Hallett

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Ionic Liquids ◽

Ethylene Glycol ◽

Surface Chemistry ◽

Lewis Acidity ◽

Metal Species ◽

Poly Ethylene Glycol ◽

Acidity And Basicity ◽

Poly Ethylene

Gels prepared from metal containing ionic liquids with cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) have surface compositions and mechanical properties that can be controlled by Lewis basicity and acidity of the metal species.

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Bio-Separated and Gate-Free 2D MoS2 Biosensor Array for Ultrasensitive Detection of BRCA1

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11020545 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 545

Author(s):

Yi Zhang ◽

Wei Jiang ◽

Dezhi Feng ◽

Chenguang Wang ◽

Yi Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Low Cost ◽

Chemical Vapor ◽

Signal Interference ◽

Ultrasensitive Detection ◽

Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth ◽

Biosensor Array ◽

Growth Method ◽

Biological Modification ◽

Biological Solutions

2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based thin film transistors are widely used in biosensing, and many efforts have been made to improve the detection limit and linear range. However, in addition to the complexity of device technology and biological modification, the compatibility of the physical device with biological solutions and device reusability have rarely been considered. Herein, we designed and synthesized an array of MoS2 by employing a simple-patterned chemical vapor deposition growth method and meanwhile exploited a one-step biomodification in a sensing pad based on DNA tetrahedron probes to form a bio-separated sensing part. This solves the signal interference, solution erosion, and instability of semiconductor-based biosensors after contacting biological solutions, and also allows physical devices to be reused. Furthermore, the gate-free detection structure that we first proposed for DNA (BRCA1) detection demonstrates ultrasensitive detection over a broad range of 1 fM to 1 μM with a good linear response of R2 = 0.98. Our findings provide a practical solution for high-performance, low-cost, biocompatible, reusable, and bio-separated biosensor platforms.

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