most prevalent and conventional method for fabrication of PDMS-based microchips relies on softlithography, the main drawback of which is the preparation of a master mold which is costly and time-consuming. To prevent the attachment of PDMS to the master mold, silanization is necessary which can be detrimental for cellular studies. Also, using cell-compatible surfactant for mold coating adds extra pre-processing time. Recent advances in 3D printing have shown great promise in expediting the microfabrication process. Nevertheless, current 3D printing techniques are suboptimal for PDMS softlithography. In this paper, using a newly developed 3D printing resin, we have demonstrated the feasibility of producing master molds suitable for rapid softlithography. Moreover, we have showcased the utility of this technique for a number of widely used applications such as concentration gradient generation, particle separation, cell culture (to show biocompatibility of the process) and fluid mixing. The present study can open new opportunities for biologists and scientists with minimum knowledge of microfabrication to build functional microfluidic devices for their basic and applied research.
Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were used to model the incorporation and diffusion of Ag inAg/a-SiO2 resistive randomaccess memory (RRAM) devices. The Ag clustering mechanism is vital for understanding device operation, but is poorly understood. In this paper, an O vacancy (VO) mediated model of the initial stages of Ag clustering is presented, where the VO is identified as the principle site for Ag + reduction. The Ag + interstitial is energetically favoured at the Fermi energies of Ag, W and Pt, indicating that Ag + ions are not reduced at any electrode via electron tunnelling. The adiabatic diffusion barriers of Ag + are lower than Ag 0 with a strong dependence on the local morphology, supporting Ag + being the mobile species during device operation. Ag + ions bind to VO forming the [Ag/VO] + complex, which reduce Ag + via charge transfer from the Si atoms in the vacancy. The [Ag/VO] + complex is then able to trap an electron forming [Ag/VO] 0 . The probability for a vacancy to act as a reduction site is 33, 33 and 11 % at the Ag, W and Pt electrodes respectively. This complex then acts as a nucleation site for Ag clustering with the formation of [Ag2/VO] + which is reduced by the above mechanism.
Carbon nanodots (CNDs) are an emerging class of nanomaterials and have generated much interest in the field of biomedicine by way of unique properties, such as superior biocompatibility, stability, excellent photoluminescence, simple green synthesis, and easy surface modification. CNDs have been featured in a host of applications, including bioimaging, biosensing, and therapy. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress of CNDs and discuss key advances in our comprehension of CNDs and their potential as biomedical tools. We highlighted the recent developments in the understanding of the functional tailoring of CNDs by modifying dopants and surface molecules, which have yielded a deeper understanding of their antioxidant behavior and mechanisms of action. The increasing amount of in vitro research regarding CNDs has also spawned interest in in vivo practices. Chief among them, we discuss the emergence of research analyzing CNDs as useful therapeutic agents in various disease states. Each subject is debated with reflection on future studies that may further our grasp of CNDs.
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