Single spin-torque vortex oscillator using combined bottom-up approach and e-beam lithography

A combined bottom-up assembly of electrodeposited nanowires and electron beam lithography technique has been developed to investigate the spin transfer torque and microwave emission on specially designed nanowires containing a single Co/Cu/Co pseudo spin valve. Microwave signals have been obtained even at zero magnetic field. Interestingly, high frequency vs. magnetic field tunability was demonstrated, in the range 0.4 - 2 MHz/Oe, depending on the orientation of the applied magnetic field relative to the magnetic layers of the pseudo spin valve. The frequency values and the emitted signal frequency as a function of the external magnetic field are in good quantitative agreement with the analytical vortex model as well as with micromagnetic simulations.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

The influence of LiF layer abd ZnO nanoparticels addings on the performances of flexible photovoltaic cells based on polymer blends

International audienceFlexible organic solar cells were successfully prepared using spin-coating technique on PET substrates covered with a thick layer of ITO. The goal of this study is to identify the effects of the LiF layer and ZnO nanoparticles mixing in PEDOT:PSS solution and to compare the photovoltaic properties of these „customized” cells PET/ITO/PEDOT:PSS + ZnO nanoparticles/P3HT:PCBM(1:1)/Al, PET/ITO/PEDOT:PSS + ZnO nanoparticles/P3HT:PCBM(1:1)/LiF/Al, with ones of the “conventional” structures, PET/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM(1:1)/Al. The thickness of the LiF layer, deposited by thermal vacuum evaporation, was two nanometers. Composite samples were prepared by adding ZnO nanoparticles into PEDOT:PSS solution, followed by ultrasonication. I-V characteristics were measured in dark and under A.M.1.5 conditions for all samples immediately and after one month from the preparation date. The action spectra measurements revealed that the structures which have a nanometric LiF layer are more stable than those without. Photoelectrical measurements indicate that the ZnO nanoparticles have a positive influence on the conversion efficiency and also to reduce the serial resistance of the structure

EFFECTS OF ALPHA PARTICLES IRRADIATION ON THE PHOTO- ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF CdS/CdTe HETEROJUNCTIONS

The effects of irradiation with energetic alpha particles on the electrical properties of CdS/CdTe thin films photovoltaic cells were studied. The irradiation energy and the fluency of alpha particles were 3 MeV and 10 13 alpha particles/cm 2 , respectively. The samples were fabricated in "superstrate" configuration, with a CdS thin film as window layer and CdTe as an active layer. The films were deposited by conventional thermal vacuum evaporation. To improve the structural properties of the obtained samples thermal and chemical treatments were made. The photovoltaic response of the structures was analyzed before and after alpha particles irradiation and the results were compared

Analytical techniques for multiplex analysis of protein biomarkers

Introduction: The importance of biomarkers for pharmaceutical drug development and clinical diagnostics is more significant than ever in the current shift toward personalized medicine. Biomarkers have taken a central position either as companion markers to support drug development and patient selection, or as indicators aiming to detect the earliest perturbations indicative of disease, minimizing therapeutic intervention or even enabling disease reversal. Protein biomarkers are of particular interest given their central role in biochemical pathways. Hence, capabilities to analyze multiple protein biomarkers in one assay are highly interesting for biomedical research. Areas covered: We here review multiple methods that are suitable for robust, high throughput, standardized, and affordable analysis of protein biomarkers in a multiplex format. We describe innovative developments in immunoassays, the vanguard of methods in clinical laboratories, and mass spectrometry, increasingly implemented for protein biomarker analysis. Moreover, emerging techniques are discussed with potentially improved protein capture, separation, and detection that will further boost multiplex analyses. Expert commentary: The development of clinically applied multiplex protein biomarker assays is essential as multi-protein signatures provide more comprehensive information about biological systems than single biomarkers, leading to improved insights in mechanisms of disease, diagnostics, and the effect of personalized medicine

Analytical techniques for multiplex analysis of protein biomarkers

Introduction: The importance of biomarkers for pharmaceutical drug development and clinical diagnostics is more significant than ever in the current shift toward personalized medicine. Biomarkers have taken a central position either as companion markers to support drug development and patient selection, or as indicators aiming to detect the earliest perturbations indicative of disease, minimizing therapeutic intervention or even enabling disease reversal. Protein biomarkers are of particular interest given their central role in biochemical pathways. Hence, capabilities to analyze multiple protein biomarkers in one assay are highly interesting for biomedical research. Areas covered: We here review multiple methods that are suitable for robust, high throughput, standardized, and affordable analysis of protein biomarkers in a multiplex format. We describe innovative developments in immunoassays, the vanguard of methods in clinical laboratories, and mass spectrometry, increasingly implemented for protein biomarker analysis. Moreover, emerging techniques are discussed with potentially improved protein capture, separation, and detection that will further boost multiplex analyses. Expert commentary: The development of clinically applied multiplex protein biomarker assays is essential as multi-protein signatures provide more comprehensive information about biological systems than single biomarkers, leading to improved insights in mechanisms of disease, diagnostics, and the effect of personalized medicine.</div

Neonatal Fc Receptor: From Immunity to Therapeutics

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), also known as the Brambell receptor and encoded by Fcgrt, is a MHC class I like molecule that functions to protect IgG and albumin from catabolism, mediates transport of IgG across epithelial cells, and is involved in antigen presentation by professional antigen presenting cells. Its function is evident in early life in the transport of IgG from mother to fetus and neonate for passive immunity and later in the development of adaptive immunity and other functions throughout life. The unique ability of this receptor to prolong the half-life of IgG and albumin has guided engineering of novel therapeutics. Here, we aim to summarize the basic understanding of FcRn biology, its functions in various organs, and the therapeutic design of antibody- and albumin-based therapeutics in light of their interactions with FcRn

Iron oxide/hydroxide-nitrogen doped graphene-like visible-light active photocatalytic layers for antibiotics removal from wastewater

Hybrid layers consisting of Fe oxide, Fe hydroxide, and nitrogen doped graphene-like platelets have been synthesized by an eco-friendly laser-based method for photocatalytic applications. The complex composite layers show high photodecomposition efficiency towards degradation of antibiotic molecules under visible light irradiation. The photodecomposition efficiency was investigated as a function of relative concentrations of base materials, Fe oxide nanoparticles and graphene oxide platelets used for the preparation of target dispersions submitted to laser irradiation. Although reference pure Fe oxide/Fe hydroxide layers have high absorption in the visible spectral region, their photodecomposition efficiency is negligible under the same irradiation conditions. The high photocatalytic decomposition efficiency of the nanohybrid layer, up to 80% of the initial antibiotic molecules was assigned to synergistic effects between the constituent materials, efficient separation of the electron-hole pairs generated by visible light irradiation on the surface of Fe oxide and Fe hydroxide nanoparticles, in the presence of conducting graphene-like platelets. Nitrogen doped graphene-like platelets contribute also to the generation of electron-hole pairs under visible light irradiation, as demonstrated by the photocatalytic activity of pure, reference nitrogen doped graphene-like layers. The results also showed that adsorption processes do not contribute significantly to the removal of antibiotic molecules from the test solutions. The decrease of the antibiotic concentration under visible light irradiation was assigned primarily to photocatalytic decomposition mechanisms.The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 under the project PID2020-116612RB-C31, Generalitat de Catalunya, AGAUR through the projects 2017 SGR 1086 and 2017 SGR 1771, and the Romanian Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, UEFISCDI under the contract PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2024. ICMAB acknowledges the financial support from MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033, through the Severo Ochoa FUNFUTURE grant (CEX2019-000917-S).With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000917-S).Peer reviewe

The influence of lif layer and ZnO nanoparticles addings on the performances of flexible photovoltaic cells based on polymer blends

cited By 24Flexible organic solar cells were successfully prepared using spin-coating technique on PET substrates covered with a thick layer of ITO. The goal of this study is to identify the effects of the LiF layer and ZnO nanoparticles mixing in PEDOT:PSS solution and to compare the photovoltaic properties of these "customized" cells PET/ITO/PEDOT:PSS + ZnO nanoparticles/P3HT:PCBM(1:1)/Al, PET/ITO/PEDOT:PSS + ZnO nanoparticles/P3HT:PCBM(1:1)/LiF/Al, with ones of the "conventional" structures, PET/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM(1:1)/Al. The thickness of the LiF layer, deposited by thermal vacuum evaporation, was two nanometers. Composite samples were prepared by adding ZnO nanoparticles into PEDOT:PSS solution, followed by ultrasonication. I-V characteristics were measured in dark and under A.M.1.5 conditions for all samples immediately and after one month from the preparation date. The action spectra measurements revealed that the structures which have a nanometric LiF layer are more stable than those without. Photoelectrical measurements indicate that the ZnO nanoparticles have a positive influence on the conversion efficiency and also to reduce the serial resistance of the structure