Non-Invasive, Reliable, and Fast Quantification of DNA Loading on Gold Nanoparticles by a One-Step Optical Measurement

An exquisite, versatile, and reproducible quantification of DNA loading on gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) has long been pursued because this loading influences the analytical, therapeutic, and self-assembly behaviors of DNA-Au NPs. Nevertheless, the existing methods used thus far rely solely on the invasive detachment and subsequent spectroscopic quantification of DNA, which are error-prone and highly dependent on trained personnel. Here, we present a non-invasive optical framework that can determine the number of DNA strands on Au NPs by versatile one-step measurement of the visible absorption spectra of DNA-Au NP solutions without any invasive modifications or downstream processes. Using effective medium theory in conjunction with electromagnetic numerical calculation, the change in DNA loading density, resulting from varying the ion concentration, Au NP size, DNA strand length, and surrounding temperature, can be tracked in situ merely by the one-step measurement of visible absorption spectra, which is otherwise impossible to achieve. Moreover, the simplicity and robustness of this method promote reproducible DNA loading quantification regardless of experimental adeptness, which is in stark contrast with existing invasive and multistep methods. Overall, the optical framework outlined in this work can contribute to democratizing research on DNA-Au NPs and facilitating their rapid adoption in transformative applications

Non-Invasive, Reliable, and Fast Quantification of DNA Loading on Gold Nanoparticles by a One-Step Optical Measurement

An exquisite, versatile, and reproducible quantification of DNA loading on gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) has long been pursued because this loading influences the analytical, therapeutic, and self-assembly behaviors of DNA-Au NPs. Nevertheless, the existing methods used thus far rely solely on the invasive detachment and subsequent spectroscopic quantification of DNA, which are error-prone and highly dependent on trained personnel. Here, we present a non-invasive optical framework that can determine the number of DNA strands on Au NPs by versatile one-step measurement of the visible absorption spectra of DNA-Au NP solutions without any invasive modifications or downstream processes. Using effective medium theory in conjunction with electromagnetic numerical calculation, the change in DNA loading density, resulting from varying the ion concentration, Au NP size, DNA strand length, and surrounding temperature, can be tracked in situ merely by the one-step measurement of visible absorption spectra, which is otherwise impossible to achieve. Moreover, the simplicity and robustness of this method promote reproducible DNA loading quantification regardless of experimental adeptness, which is in stark contrast with existing invasive and multistep methods. Overall, the optical framework outlined in this work can contribute to democratizing research on DNA-Au NPs and facilitating their rapid adoption in transformative applications

Self-Healing Properties of Fibers Constructed from Mushroom-Derived Chitinous Polymers

Chitinous polymers were extracted from common Agaricus bisporus mushrooms through simple processes, which are successfully formed into continuous fibers with a custom-built laboratory-scale fiber spinning setup. The spun fibers are composed of numerous chitin fibrils embedded within the glucan matrix, and their fiber diameters are controlled by the needle gauges. All the mushroom chitin fibers exhibited self-healing properties upon exposure to a small amount (<10 μL) of water within 30 s. The macroscopically damaged mushroom chitin fibers with a microblade can repair their original shape and tensile properties effectively, as evidenced by high self-healing efficiency for the tensile strength (up to 119%) and breaking strain (up to 132%). Interestingly, no solvents, such as ethanol or acetone, other than water induced the self-healing. This indicates that swelling and deswelling of mushroom chitin fibers may have led to the intermeshing of chitin fibrils and glucan across the damaged fiber interfaces, resulting in powerful self-healing action. Simple preparation of chitin fibers provides sustainable manufacturing opportunities for real-world applications in various technical areas, as we demonstrated the repeatable self-healing performance on a large scale in the form of fibers and woven structures

Normalized pressure contours of the inlet isolator for the start case.

Normalized pressure contours of the inlet isolator for the start case.</p

Self-Healing Properties of Fibers Constructed from Mushroom-Derived Chitinous Polymers

Chitinous polymers were extracted from common Agaricus bisporus mushrooms through simple processes, which are successfully formed into continuous fibers with a custom-built laboratory-scale fiber spinning setup. The spun fibers are composed of numerous chitin fibrils embedded within the glucan matrix, and their fiber diameters are controlled by the needle gauges. All the mushroom chitin fibers exhibited self-healing properties upon exposure to a small amount (<10 μL) of water within 30 s. The macroscopically damaged mushroom chitin fibers with a microblade can repair their original shape and tensile properties effectively, as evidenced by high self-healing efficiency for the tensile strength (up to 119%) and breaking strain (up to 132%). Interestingly, no solvents, such as ethanol or acetone, other than water induced the self-healing. This indicates that swelling and deswelling of mushroom chitin fibers may have led to the intermeshing of chitin fibrils and glucan across the damaged fiber interfaces, resulting in powerful self-healing action. Simple preparation of chitin fibers provides sustainable manufacturing opportunities for real-world applications in various technical areas, as we demonstrated the repeatable self-healing performance on a large scale in the form of fibers and woven structures

Comparison of pressure time history at x/h = 12.21 with experimental data.

Comparison of pressure time history at x/h = 12.21 with experimental data.</p

Oscillation characteristics for different boundary layer cases.

Oscillation characteristics for different boundary layer cases.</p

Self-Healing Properties of Fibers Constructed from Mushroom-Derived Chitinous Polymers

Chitinous polymers were extracted from common Agaricus bisporus mushrooms through simple processes, which are successfully formed into continuous fibers with a custom-built laboratory-scale fiber spinning setup. The spun fibers are composed of numerous chitin fibrils embedded within the glucan matrix, and their fiber diameters are controlled by the needle gauges. All the mushroom chitin fibers exhibited self-healing properties upon exposure to a small amount (<10 μL) of water within 30 s. The macroscopically damaged mushroom chitin fibers with a microblade can repair their original shape and tensile properties effectively, as evidenced by high self-healing efficiency for the tensile strength (up to 119%) and breaking strain (up to 132%). Interestingly, no solvents, such as ethanol or acetone, other than water induced the self-healing. This indicates that swelling and deswelling of mushroom chitin fibers may have led to the intermeshing of chitin fibrils and glucan across the damaged fiber interfaces, resulting in powerful self-healing action. Simple preparation of chitin fibers provides sustainable manufacturing opportunities for real-world applications in various technical areas, as we demonstrated the repeatable self-healing performance on a large scale in the form of fibers and woven structures

Grid system of the scramjet inlet isolator.

(a) Domain 1. (b) Domain 2. (c) Domain 3.</p

Self-Healing Properties of Fibers Constructed from Mushroom-Derived Chitinous Polymers

Chitinous polymers were extracted from common Agaricus bisporus mushrooms through simple processes, which are successfully formed into continuous fibers with a custom-built laboratory-scale fiber spinning setup. The spun fibers are composed of numerous chitin fibrils embedded within the glucan matrix, and their fiber diameters are controlled by the needle gauges. All the mushroom chitin fibers exhibited self-healing properties upon exposure to a small amount (<10 μL) of water within 30 s. The macroscopically damaged mushroom chitin fibers with a microblade can repair their original shape and tensile properties effectively, as evidenced by high self-healing efficiency for the tensile strength (up to 119%) and breaking strain (up to 132%). Interestingly, no solvents, such as ethanol or acetone, other than water induced the self-healing. This indicates that swelling and deswelling of mushroom chitin fibers may have led to the intermeshing of chitin fibrils and glucan across the damaged fiber interfaces, resulting in powerful self-healing action. Simple preparation of chitin fibers provides sustainable manufacturing opportunities for real-world applications in various technical areas, as we demonstrated the repeatable self-healing performance on a large scale in the form of fibers and woven structures