Peptides have higher information density than DNA and equivalent molecular recognition ability and durability. However, there are currently no reports on the comprehensive use of peptides' recognition ability and structural diversity for sensing, logic computing, information coding, and protection. Herein, we, for the first time, demonstrate peptide-based sensing, logic computing, and information security on the antimonene platform. The molecular recognition capability and structural diversity (amino acid sequence) of peptides (Pb 2+ -binding peptide DHHTQQHD as a model) adsorbed on the antimonene universal fluorescence quenching platform were comprehensively utilized to sense targets (Pb 2+ ) and give a response (fluorescence turn-on) and then to encode, encrypt, and hide information. Fluorescently labeled peptides used as the recognition probe and the information carrier were quenched and hidden by the large-plane twodimensional material antimonene and specifically bound by Pb 2+ as the stego key, resulting in fluorescence recovery. The above interaction and signal change can be considered as a peptide-based sensing and steganographic process to further implement quantitative detection of Pb 2+ , complex logic operation, information coding, encrypting, and hiding using a peptide sequence and the binary conversion of its selectivity. This research provides a basic paradigm for the construction of a molecular sensing and informatization platform and will inspire the development of biopolymer-based molecular information technology (processing, communication, control, security).
Plasmonic materials have been widely used in chemo/biosensing and biomedicine. However, little attention has been paid to the application of plasmonic materials in terms of the transition from molecular sensing to molecular informatization. Herein, we demonstrated that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared through facile and rapid microwave heating have multimode colorimetric sensing capabilities to different metal ions (Cr 3+ , Hg 2+ , and Ni 2+ ), which can be further transformed into interesting and powerful molecular information technology (massively parallel molecular logic computing and molecular information protection). The prepared AgNPs can quantitatively and sensitively detect Cr 3+ and Hg 2+ in actual water samples. The AgNPs' multimode-guided multianalyte sensing processing was further investigated to construct a series of basic logic gates and advanced cascaded logic circuits by considering the analytes as the inputs and the colorimetric signals (like color, absorbance, wavelength shift) as the outputs. Moreover, the selective responses and molecular logic computing ability of AgNPs were also utilized to develop molecular cryptosteganography for encrypting and hiding some specific information, which proves that the molecular world and the information world are interconnected and use each other. This research not only opens the door for the transition from molecular sensing to molecular informatization but also provides an excellent opportunity for the construction of the "metaverse" of the molecular world.
Inspired by information exchange and logic functions of life based on molecular recognition and interaction networks, ongoing efforts are directed toward development of molecular or nanosystems for multiplexed chem/biosensing and advanced information processing. However, because of their preparation shortcomings, poor functionality, and limited paradigms, it is still a big challenge to develop advanced nanomaterials‐based systems and comprehensively realize neuron‐like functions from multimode sensing to molecular information processing and safety. Herein, using fish scales derived carbon nanoparticles (FSCN) as a reducing agent and stabilizer, a simple one‐step synthesis method of multifunctional silver–carbon nanocomposites (AgNPs–FSCN) is developed. The prepared AgNPs–FSCN own wide antibacterial and multisignal response abilities in five channels (including color, Tyndall, absorption and fluorescence intensities, and absorption wavelength) for quantitative colorimetric and fluorescence sensing of H2O2, ascorbic acid, and dopamine. Benefiting from its multicoding stimuli‐responsive ability, molecular concealment, and programmability, AgNPs–FSCN can be abstracted as nanoneurons for implementing batch and parallel molecular logic computing, steganography, and cryptography. This research will promote the preparation of advanced multifunctional nanocomposites and the development of their multipurpose applications, including the multireadout‐guided multianalyte intelligent sensing and sophisticated molecular computing, communication, and security.
Cumbersome and inefficient synthesis
of chromium-based nanomaterials
with unique physicochemical properties and bioactivity limits their
wide and practical applications. Simple, fast, and green synthesis
of chromium-based nanomaterials will help promote the discovery of
their properties and expansion of their application fields. Herein,
we proposed rapid, inexpensive, and large-scale methods for the synthesis
of chromium oxide nanoparticles (Cr2O3 NPs)
by simply microwave-heating Cr3+ ions and citrate for several
minutes. The citrate-coated Cr2O3 NPs with a
universal fluorescence quenching ability as the sensing platform can
combine with biomolecules (DNA) for application in fluorescence biosensing
of mercury ions and complex molecular logic computing. The Hg2+ assay had wide linear ranges (0.21–2 and 4.2–50.5
μM), a low detection limit (5.78 nM), and good recovery rates
in actual water samples. In addition, the interaction of matter and
energy (fluorescence) in the Cr2O3 NPs-based
sensing system can be used to perform molecular logic gate operations
from simple (YES, NOT, AND, and OR gates) to complex circuits. This
research can provide an idea for rapid and large-scale preparation
of chromium-based nanomaterials and offer an opportunity for the extensive
and in-depth exploration of properties (such as unique optical or
enzyme-mimetic) and multipurpose applications (sensing, catalysis,
logic computing, and encryption) of chromium-based nanomaterials.
Bimetallic nanomaterials (BNMs) have been used in sensing, biomedicine, and environmental remediation, but their multipurpose and comprehensive applications in molecular logic computing and information security protection have received little attention. Herein, This synthesis method is achieved by sequentially adding reactants under ice bath conditions. Interestingly, Ag‐Cr NPs can dynamically selectively sense anions and reductants in multiple channels. Especially, ClO− can be quantitatively detected by oxidizing Ag‐Cr NPs with detection limits of 98.37 nM (at 270 nm) and 31.83 nM (at 394 nm). Based on sequential‐dependent synthesis process of Ag‐Cr NPs, Boolean logic gates and customizable molecular keypad locks are constructed by setting the reactants as the inputs, the states of the resulting solutions as the outputs. Furthermore, dynamically selective response patterns of the Ag‐Cr NPs can be converted into binary strings to exploit molecular crypto‐steganography to encode, store, and hide information. By integrating the three dimensions of authorization, encryption, and steganography, 3 in 1 advanced information protection based on Ag‐Cr nanosensing system can be achieved, which can enhance the anti‐cracking ability of information. This research will promote the development and application of nanocomposites in the field of information security and deepen the connection between molecular sensing and the information world.
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