Review: The increasing importance of carbon nanotubes and nanostructured conducting polymers in biosensors

The growing need for analytical devices requiring smaller sample volumes, decreased power consumption and improved performance have been driving forces behind the rapid growth in nanomaterials research. Due to their dimensions, nanostructured materials display unique properties not traditionally observed in bulk materials. Characteristics such as increased surface area along with enhanced electrical/optical properties make them suitable for numerous applications such as nanoelectronics, photovoltaics and chemical/biological sensing. In this review we examine the potential that exists to use nanostructured materials for biosensor devices. By incorporating nanomaterials, it is possible to achieve enhanced sensitivity, improved response time and smaller size. Here we report some of the success that has been achieved in this area. Many nanoparticle and nanofibre geometries are particularly relevant, but in this paper we specifically focus on organic nanostructures, reviewing conducting polymer nanostructures and carbon nanotubes

Intergenerational differences in descriptions of life-span stages among Hong Kong Chinese

The general purpose of the study was to yield information on intergenerational differences in descriptions of life-span stages. The setting for the investigation was Hong Kong; the participants were 248 Hong Kong Chinese (ranging from 9 to 63 years of age). Participants generated three words which in their opinions described each of eight age-stages, 0-9 through 70-79. Response protocols were scored positive, neutral, or negative, and the easiest and hardest age-decades to describe were identified. Results indicated that younger age groups were easiest to describe; older age groups and the respondents' own age group were hardest to describe. Females were significantly more positive than males in their descriptions. There was a tendency for older age groups to be more positive in their descriptions than younger-age respondents. Younger age-decades were described more positively than older-age decades. Discussion was in terms of traditional concepts of Chinese socialization practices, the Confucian concept of filial piety, and other cross-cultural research. © 1983.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Wet-spinning of PEDOT:PSS/Functionalized-SWNTs Composite: a Facile Route Toward Production of Strong and Highly Conducting Multifunctional Fibers

With the aim of fabricating multifunctional fibers with enhanced mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance, we develop wet-spinning of composite formulation based on functionalized PEG-SWNT and PEDOT:PSS. The method of addition and loading are directly correlated to the quality and the ease of spinnability of the formulation and to the mechanical and electrical properties of the resultant fibers. Both the fiber modulus (Y) and strength (σ) scaled linearly with PEG-SWNT volume fraction (Vf). A remarkable reinforcement rate of dY/dVf = 417 GPa and dσ/dVf = 4 GPa were obtained when PEG-SWNTs at Vf ≤ 0.02. Further increase of PEG-SWNTs loading (i.e. up to Vf 0.12) resulted in further enhancements up to 22.8 GPa and 254 MPa in Modulus and ultimate stress, respectively. We also show the enhancement of electrochemical supercapacitor performance of composite fibers. These outstanding mechanical, electrical and electrochemical performances place these fibers among the best performing multifunctional composite fibers