Electrically active field-effect transistors (FET) based biosensors are of paramount importance in life science applications, as they offer direct, fast, and highly sensitive label-free detection capabilities of several biomolecules of specific interest. In this work, we report a detailed investigation on surface functionalization and covalent immobilization of biomarkers using biocompatible ethanolamine and poly(ethylene glycol) derivate coatings, as compared to the conventional approaches using silica monoliths, in order to substantially increase both the sensitivity and molecular selectivity of nanowire-based FET biosensor platforms. Quantitative fluorescence, atomic and Kelvin probe force microscopy allowed detailed investigation of the homogeneity and density of immobilized biomarkers on different biofunctionalized surfaces. Significantly enhanced binding specificity, biomarker density, and target biomolecule capture efficiency were thus achieved for DNA as well as for proteins from pathogens. This optimized functionalization methodology was applied to InP nanowires that due to their low surface recombination rates were used as new active transducers for biosensors. The developed devices provide ultrahigh label-free detection sensitivities ∼1 fM for specific DNA sequences, measured via the net change in device electrical resistance. Similar levels of ultrasensitive detection of ∼6 fM were achieved for a Chagas Disease protein marker (IBMP8-1). The developed InP nanowire biosensor provides thus a qualified tool for detection of the chronic infection stage of this disease, leading to improved diagnosis and control of spread. These methodological developments are expected to substantially enhance the chemical robustness, diagnostic reliability, detection sensitivity, and biomarker selectivity for current and future biosensing devices.

The growth of wurtzite/zincblende (WZ and ZB, respectively) superstructures opens new avenues for band structure engineering and holds the promise of digitally controlling the energy spectrum of quantum confined systems. Here, we study growth kinetics of pure and thus defect-free WZ/ZB homostructures in GaP nanowires with the aim to obtain monolayer control of the ZB and WZ segment lengths. We find that the Ga concentration and the supersaturation in the catalyst particle are the key parameters determining growth kinetics. These parameters can be tuned by the gallium partial pressure and the temperature. The formation of WZ and ZB can be understood with a model based on nucleation either at the triple phase line for the WZ phase or in the center of the solid-liquid interface for the ZB phase. Furthermore, the observed delay/offset time needed to induce WZ and ZB growth after growth of the other phase can be explained within this framework.

The diameter dependence of the thermal conductivity of InAs nanowires in the range of 40-1500 nm has been measured. We demonstrate a reduction in thermal conductivity of 80% for 40 nm nanowires, opening the way for further design strategies for nanoscaled thermoelectric materials. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of thermal contact in the most common measurement method for nanoscale thermal conductivity. Our study allows for the determination of the thermal contact using existing measurement setups. The thermal contact resistance is found to be comparable to the wire thermal resistance for wires with a diameter of 90 nm and higher.

We have observed that thin InP nanowires generated by vapor-liquid-solid growth display spontaneous periodic diameter oscillations when large group III supersaturations are used. Diameter variations are associated with a large number of stacking faults and crystallographic phase changes(wurtzite/zinc-blende); also the axial distance between oscillations depends on the indium precursor flow used during the run. We attribute the morphology changes to a substantial deformation of the triple phase line (vapor-liquid-solid) at the catalyst nanoparticle edge originated from multistep nucleation during growth. The deformation alters the mechanical force balance acting on the nanoparticle during growth in such a way that the particle displaces from the nanowire top and wets the nanowire sidewall. Subsequently, as catalytic growth occurs at the sidewall, the associated increase in diameter will eventually push the NP back to its original wire-top position until the onset of a new instability at the triple phase line.

Based on the results of our review, we concluded that the use of rhBMP-2 for the preservation of the alveolar ridge after tooth extraction or for increasing the local defects is safe and viable. The use of rhBMP-2/Bio-Oss® for the elevation of the maxillary sinus membrane is unnecessary; however, it can improve and accelerate the maturation process in cases of guided bone regeneration in peri-implant defects. Compounds comprising rhBMP-2, allogenic bone, and plasma-rich platelet (PRP) can act as autograft substitutes in mandibular critical defects.

Sodium alendronate is a bisphosphonate drug that exerts antiresorptive action and is used to treat osteoporosis. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone repair process at the bone/implant interface of osteoporotic rats treated with sodium alendronate through the analysis of microtomography, real time polymerase chain reactions and immunohistochemistry (RUNX2 protein, bone sialoprotein (BSP), alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin).Material and Methods A total of 42 rats were used and divided in to the following experimental groups: CTL: control group (rats submitted to fictitious surgery and fed with a balanced diet), OST: osteoporosis group (rats submitted to a bilateral ovariectomy and fed with a low calcium diet) and ALE: alendronate group (rats submitted to a bilateral ovariectomy, fed with a low calcium diet and treated with sodium alendronate). A surface treated implant was installed in both tibial metaphyses of each rat. Euthanasia of the animals was conducted at 14 (immunhostochemistry) and 42 days (immunohistochemistry, micro CT and PCR). Data were subjected to statistical analysis with a 5% significance level.Results Bone volume (BV) and total pore volume were higher for ALE group (P<0.05). Molecular data for RUNX2 and BSP proteins were significantly expressed in the ALE group (P<0.05), in comparison with the other groups. ALP expression was higher in the CTL group (P<0.05). The immunostaining for RUNX2 and osteopontin was positive in the osteoblastic lineage cells of neoformed bone for the CTL and ALE groups in both periods (14 and 42 days). Alkaline phosphatase presented a lower staining area in the OST group compared to the CTL in both periods and the ALE at 42 days.Conclusion There was a decrease of osteocalcin precipitation at 42 days for the ALE and OST groups. Therefore, treatment with short-term sodium alendronate improved bone repair around the implants installed in the tibia of osteoporotic rats.

Surface potential (SP) using Kelvin probe microscopy is employed, as a measure to sense humidity, exploiting localized nanoprotrusions of freestanding GaN microbelts. These belts with distinct nanofeatures are grown using chemical vapor deposition technique in the vapor−solid process. The variation of SP value is associated with the surface charge accumulation. Pronounced enhancement of the SP variation is found to arise from the localized inhomogeneity on the nanoprotrusions of microbelt. Role of oxygen-related native defect complexes is also discussed for the observed SP variation with humidity. Furthermore, the rough surface of belts favors a high level of defects on the surface and appears more sensitive to moisture level in atmosphere. Hence attention is essential for any sensing application of chemical species using GaN. A dissociative path way for the reaction mechanism of water molecules on GaN surfaces has been predicted.

Semiconductor nanowires oriented along the [211] direction usually present twins parallel to their axis. For group IV nanowires this kind of twin allows the formation of a catalyst-nanowire interface composed of two equivalent {111} facets. For III-V nanowires, however, the twin will generate two facets with different polarities. In order to keep the <211> orientation stable, a balance in growth rates for these different facets must be reached. We report here the observation of stable, micron-long <211>-oriented InGaP nanowires with a spontaneous core-shell structure. We show that stacking fault formation in the crystal region corresponding to the {111}A facet termination provides a stable NW/NP interface for growth along the <211> direction. During sample cool down, however, the catalyst migrates to a lateral {111}B facet, allowing the growth of branches perpendicular to the initial orientation. In addition to that, we show that the core-shell structure is non-concentric, most likely due to the asymmetry between the facets formed in the NW sidewall; this effect generates stress along the nanowire, which can be relieved through bending.