A complex nanostructure, which includes a first nanostructure component having at least one aperture in a side thereof; at least one second nanostructure component having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the at least one second nanostructure is inserted through a corresponding one of the at least one aperture in the first nanostructure, thereby forming at least one junction. Embodiments of the complex nanostructure include a bifurcated nanostructure transistor constructed of linear carbon nanotubes, a multiplexer constructed of a circular carbon nanotube and multiple linear carbon nanotubes, and an information unfolder constructed of linear or a combination of linear and circular carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes may optionally be decorated with genetic material such as single-strand or double-strand human DNA segments and/or may be modified by e-beam or ozone gas to add defects into the nanotubes to alter electrical/functional characteristics.

A semiconductor material and a multilayer semiconductor material are earth-conscious and are less harmful to living organisms. The semiconductor material has fibers containing, as a main component, a filament derived from at least any one of a wood material, a plant fiber (pulp), an animal, an alga, a microorganism and a product produced by a microorganism, and has N-type negative resistance. It is preferred that the fibers include bundles of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), and the width of each of the bundles be 30 to 50 nm. It is also preferred that the fibers are fibers in which a plurality of hydroxy groups and a plurality of carbonyl groups be bound to cellulose.

A biological field-effect transistor (BioFET) includes source and drain regions formed in a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on a surface of the substrate, a gate disposed on the insulating layer and extending between the source and drain regions, a well region containing an electrolyte solution configured to retain an analyte, a three-dimensional (3D) graphene layer forming a channel region in the substrate, and a passivation layer. The graphene layer is biofunctionalized with a molecular recognition element configured to alter one or more electrical properties of the 3D graphene layer in response to exposure of the molecular recognition element to the analyte. The passivation layer is configured to prevent the electrolyte solution from contacting the source and drain. In some aspects, the 3D graphene layer is produced from carbon-containing inks. In other aspects, the 3D graphene layer includes a convoluted 3D structure configured to prevent graphene restacking.

A complex nanostructure, which includes a first nanostructure component having at least one aperture in a side thereof; at least one second nanostructure component having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the at least one second nanostructure is inserted through a corresponding one of the at least one aperture in the first nanostructure, thereby forming at least one junction. Embodiments of the complex nanostructure include a bifurcated nanostructure transistor constructed of linear carbon nanotubes, a multiplexer constructed of a circular carbon nanotube and multiple linear carbon nanotubes, and an information unfolder constructed of linear or a combination of linear and circular carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes may optionally be decorated with genetic material such as single-strand or double-strand human DNA segments and/or may be modified by e-beam or ozone gas to add defects into the nanotubes to alter electrical/functional characteristics.

The present invention relates to a nanovesicle comprising a heterodimeric G-protein coupled receptor, a method for preparing the nanovesicle, a field effect transistor-based taste sensor comprising the nanovesicle, and a method for manufacturing the taste sensor. The field effect transistor based taste sensor functionalized by the nanovesicle comprising the heterodimer G-protein coupled receptor according to the present invention has excellent sensitivity and selectivity and may highly specifically detect a sweet taste substance in real time, by using the heterodimeric G-protein coupled receptor and the nanovesicle comprising the same.

A complex nanostructure, which includes a first nanostructure component having at least one aperture in a side thereof; at least one second nanostructure component having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the at least one second nanostructure is inserted through a corresponding one of the at least one aperture in the first nanostructure, thereby forming at least one junction. Embodiments of the complex nanostructure include a bifurcated nanostructure transistor constructed of linear carbon nanotubes, a multiplexer constructed of a circular carbon nanotube and multiple linear carbon nanotubes, and an information unfolder constructed of linear or a combination of linear and circular carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes may optionally be decorated with genetic material such as single-strand or double-strand human DNA segments and/or may be modified by e-beam or ozone gas to add defects into the nanotubes to alter electrical/functional characteristics.

In various embodiments a molecular circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, and an enzyme molecule conductively attached to both the positive and negative electrodes to form a circuit having a conduction pathway through the enzyme. In various examples, the enzyme is a polymerase. The circuit may further comprise molecular arms used to wire the enzyme to the electrodes. In various embodiments, the circuit functions as a sensor, wherein electrical signals, such as changes to voltage, current, impedance, conductance, or resistance in the circuit, are measured as substrates interact with the enzyme.

Presented herein is a voltaic cell containing light harvesting antennae or other biologically-based electron generating structures optionally in a microbial population, an electron siphon population having electron conductive properties with individual siphons configured to accept electrons from the light harvesting antennae and transport the electrons to a current collector, an optional light directing system (e.g., a mirror), and a regulator having sensing and regulatory feedback properties for the conversion of photobiochemical energy and biochemical energy to electricity. Also presented herein is a voltaic cell having electricity-generating abilities in the absence of light. Also presented herein is the use of the voltaic cell in a solar panel.

This invention relates to a melanin derivate and process for its production. The invention further relates to the use of the product from the process disclosed herein in a multi-functional integrated energy conversion device comprising the melanin derivate. In accordance with the single example, Hephamelanin is produced from a process wherein melanin (from cuttlefish) has been purified by repeat centrifugation and washing (at least 3-10 times) and then subjected to thermal treatment at 200-850 C. under alternative vacuum or noble gas atmosphere conditions (and thereafter given the title Hephamelanin). The process also applies to all forms of melanin materials, including natural or synthetic alternatives. In embodiments when the source melanin is from naturally occurring sources (i.e. cuttlefish) the centrifugation/washing step is to remove unwanted impurities/proteins to achieve necessary purity prior to thermal treatment at the aforesaid temperature and atmosphere conditions. Synthetic alternative melanin sources may be used directly (such as other polydopamines), as their purity may already be satisfactory prior to thermal treatment without the need for any centrifugation steps. Hephamelanin also absorbs radiation, including the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Hephamelanin is remarkably hard and resists abrasion like a metal or synthetic polymer. Hephamelanin variants include starting with a synthetic or natural melanin and doping it with metal ions such as bismuth, copper, silver, etc. or other ions, which enhance its properties for various applications. The disclosure provides that Hephamelanin is as strong as metals and hard polymers, has superior abrasion resistance, heat resistance, tensile strength, and other highly desirable physical properties. It can be used in armour or shielding. It will protect against attack by physical agents and by radiation. It will absorb or reflect most types of radiation, including the entire electromagnetic spectrum. The energy absorbed from the radiation can be transduced to electricity. The present invention concerns an energy conversion and/or storage method and apparatus for providing electric power by employing several physical characteristics of melanin, Hephamelanin, and composite materials as disclosed herein, including the ability of such materials to transduce energy into electrical energy. The disclosure provides a multifunctional integrated energy conversion device comprising: at least one electric transducer comprising the Hephamelanin material as disclosed.

A hole transport body includes: an organic semiconductor; and a nonionic surfactant having a critical micelle concentration of 0.001 g/L or more and 0.080 g/L or less in pure water. A photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, a hole transport layer, and a second electrode, and the hole transport layer includes the hole transport body of the present disclosure. A composition for producing a hole transport body includes: an organic semiconductor; a nonionic surfactant having a critical micelle concentration of 0.001 g/L or more and 0.080 g/L or less in pure water; and a solvent.