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Bacterial spores are highly resilient and capable of surviving extreme conditions, making them a persistent threat in contexts such as disease transmission, food safety, and bioterrorism. Their ability to withstand conventional sterilization methods necessitates rapid and accurate detection techniques to effectively mitigate the risks they present. In this study, we introduce a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) approach for detecting Bacillus thuringiensis spores by targeting calcium dipicolinate acid (CaDPA), a biomarker uniquely associated with bacterial spores. Our method uses probe sonication to disrupt spores, releasing their CaDPA, which is then detected by SERS on drop-dried supernatant mixed with gold nanorods. This simple approach enables the selective detection of CaDPA, distinguishing it from other spore components and background noise. We demonstrate detection of biogenic CaDPA from concentrations as low as 10³ spores/mL, with sensitivity reaching beyond CaDPA levels of a single spore. Finally, we show the method’s robustness by detecting CaDPA from a realistic sample of fresh milk mixed with spores. These findings highlight the potential of SERS as a sensitive and specific technique for bacterial spore detection, with implications for fields requiring rapid and reliable spore identification.

The insulation in the stator of a low voltage electric motor has a double purpose: ensuring the electric insulation around the stator wiring as well as permitting a good evacuation of the generated heat. Improving the heat transfer properties of the slot liner within the stator while maintaining its electrical insulation properties allows for more efficient electric motors. This paper presents different types of composites based on an aramid matrix with boron nitride, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide fillers. The effect of the different filler materials on the thermal conductivity and the electric insulation properties of the slot liner are presented. Perspectives on the needs for a life cycle assessment of the slot liner constituents are evoked.

A Pb-containing PtAu nanoflower electrocatalyst was deposited on the cathode via galvanic replacement reaction in a double-cabin galvanic cell (DCGC) with a Cu plate as the anode, a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as the cathode, 0.1 M HClO₄ aqueous solution as the anolyte, and Pb²⁺-containing Pt⁴⁺ salt and Au³⁺ salt mixed aqueous solution as the catholyte, respectively, and the electrocatalytic performance of the modified electrode toward methanol oxidation in the alkaline medium was investigated. Electrochemical studies reveal that the stripping of bulk Cu can induce underpotential deposition (UPD) of Pb on Pt during the galvanic replacement reaction, which affects the morphology and composition of Pb-containing PtAu nanoparticles. Under the optimal experimental conditions, a Pb-Pt₃Au₁/MWCNTs/GCE shows the highest activity and the best stability toward electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol in the alkaline medium, and the Pt active area-normalized specific electrocatalytic activity of Pb-Pt₃Au₁/MWCNTs/GCE is as high as 59.8 mA cm_Pt⁻². We believe that the method presented here of depositing highly active noble metal nanostructures by galvanic replacement reaction in a DCGC device is expected to be widely applied in the preparation of nanomaterials for their study in fuel cells and electrocatalysis.

Bisphenol A is one of the most widely used industrial compounds. Over the years, it has raised severe concern as a potential hazard to the human endocrine system and the environment. Developing robust and easy-to-use sensors for bisphenol A is important in various areas, such as controlling and monitoring water purification and sewage water systems, food safety monitoring, etc. Here, we report an electrochemical method to fabricate a bisphenol A (BPA) sensor based on a modified Au nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite electrocatalyst electrode (AuCu-UPD/MWCNTs/GCE). Firstly, the Au-Cu alloy was prepared via a convenient and controllable Cu underpotential/bulk Au co-electrodeposition on a multiwalled modified carbon nanotubes glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Then, the AuCu-UPD/MWCNTs/GCE was obtained via the electrochemical anodic stripping of Cu underpotential deposition (UPD). Our novel prepared sensor enables the high-electrocatalytic and high-performance sensing of BPA. Under optimal conditions, the modified electrode showed a two-segment linear response from 0.01 to 1 µM and 1 to 20 µM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.43 nM based on differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Determination of BPA in real water samples using AuCu-UPD/MWCNTs/GCE yielded satisfactory results. The proposed electrochemical sensor is promising for the development of a simple, low-cost water quality monitoring system for the detection of BPA in ambient water samples.

Plasmonic nanometasurfaces/nanostructures possess strong electromagnetic field enhancement caused by resonant oscillations of free electrons, and has been extensively applied in biosensing, nanophotonic and photocatalysis. However, fabrication of uniform nanostructured metasurfaces by conventional methods is complicated and costly, which mitigates a wide-spread use of this technique in ubiquitous applications. Here, we present a facile and scalable method to fabricate an active nanotrench plasmonic gold substrate. The surface comprises sub-10 nm plasmonic nanogaps and their formation is assisted by a pre-fabrication of nano-imprinted polymer nano-well arrays. The plasmonic metasurface is optimized to maximize the density of the nano-trenches by tuning the substrate material, imprinting procedure and film deposition. We show that the surface Raman enhancement due to plasmonic resonances correlates well with trench density and reach a meritorious enhancement factor of EF > 105 over large surfaces.

We further show that the electric field strength at the nanotrench features are well explained by finite element method simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics. The plasmonic substrate is transparent in the visible spectrum and conductive. In combination with a scalable bottom-up fabrication the plasmonic metasurface opens up for a wider use of the sensitive and reliable SERS substrate in applications such as portable sensing devices and for future internet of things.

Pro-inflammatory protein S100A9 was established as a biomarker of dementia progression and compared with others such as Aβ1-42 and tau-proteins. CSF samples from 104 stringently diagnosed individuals divided into five subgroups were analyzed, including nondemented controls, stable mild cognitive impairment (SMCI), mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (MCI-AD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) patients. ELISA, dot-blotting, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used as research methods. The S100A9 and Aβ1-42 levels correlated with each other: their CSF content decreased already at the SMCI stage and declined further under MCI-AD, AD, and VaD conditions. Immunohistochemical analysis also revealed involvement of both Aβ1-42 and S100A9 in the amyloid-neuroinflammatory cascade already during SMCI. Tau proteins were not yet altered in SMCI; however their contents increased during MCI-AD and AD, diagnosing later dementia stages. Thus, four biomarkers together, reflecting different underlying pathological causes, can accurately differentiate dementia progression and also distinguish AD from VaD.

We report efficient electrolysis of both water splitting half reactions in the same medium by a bifunctional 3D electrode comprising Co3O4 nanospheres nucleated on the surface of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) that in turn are grown on conductive carbon paper (CP). The resulting electrode exhibits high stability and large electrochemical activity for both oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER). We obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm(2) in 0.1 M KOH solution at overpotentials of only 0.47 and 0.38 V for OER and HER, respectively. Additionally, the experimental observations are understood and supported by analyzing the Co3O4:NCNT and NCNT:CP interfaces by ab initio calculations. Both the experimental and the theoretical studies indicate that firm and well-established interfaces along the electrode play a crucial role on the stability and electrochemical activity for both OER and HER.

Graphene and its derivatives hold great potential as support for nanocatalyst in various energy applications, such as fuel cells, batteries, and capacitors. In this work, we used density functional theory to analyze substrate effect on the electrocatalytic activity of Pt–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The dissociative mechanism is used to evaluate the ORR performance (energy barrier for O2 dissociation, free energy of intermediates, d-band center, overpotential, and electrochemical activity) for a Pt–Ni core–shell-like nanoparticle (PtNiCS) deposited on nondefective graphene (GS) or nitrogen-doped graphene (N-GS). The electronic and catalytic properties of PtNiCS on N-GS designate N-doped graphene as the best substrate to use for ORR, showing better interaction with the bimetallic cluster, improved charge transfer between constitutes, and a superior ORR performance when compared to PtNiCS on GS. The N-GS has a significant effect in reducing the energy barrier for O2 dissociation and decrease the energetic stability of HO* intermediates, resulting in enhanced ORR activity compared with the PtNiCS on GS. In addition, the strong interaction between PtNiCS cluster and N-GS substrate may lead to an improved long-term stability of the catalytic particle during ORR cycles.

We report on the synthesis and decoration of high-aspect-ratio crystalline C-60 nanorods (NRs) by functionalized palladium nanoparticles with an average size of 4.78 +/- 0.66 nm. In their pristine form, C-60 NRs suffer from partial damage in the solution-based decoration process resulting in poor crystallinity. However, by modifying the NR surface via in situ photochemical transformation in the liquid state, we are able to prepare highly stable NRs that retain their crystalline structure during the decoration process. Our method thus opens up for the synthesis of highly crystalline nanocomposite hybrids comprising Pd nanoparticles and C-60 NRs. Bys measuring the electron mobility of different C-60 NRs, we relate both the effect of electron mobility and crystallinity to the final electrocatalytic performance of the synthesized hybrid structures. We show that the photo-transformed C-60 NRs exhibit highly advantageous properties for ethanol oxidation based on both a better crystallinity and a higher bulk conductivity. These findings give important information in the search for efficient catalyst support.

The development of easy and environmentally benign synthesis methods of efficient electrocatalysts for use in energy conversion applications motivates researchers all over the world. Here we report a novel and versatile method to synthesize well-dispersed palladium-functionalized ordered mesoporous carbons (Pd/OMCs) at room temperature without any reducing agent by one-pot mixing of tri(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0) (Pd2DBA3) and OMCs together in a common N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. The formation of Pd nanoparticles and their crystallization on the OMC is catalyzed by protons in the solution and can thus be controlled by the solution pH. The complete process and the as-prepared nanocomposite was characterized by UV-spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (HTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrocatalytic property of the as-decorated material was examined with cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Pd/OMC composite shows up to two times higher electrocatalytic ability with a significantly better durability towards ethanol and methanol oxidation in alkaline media compared to commercial high surface area conductive carbon black Vulcan XC-72 decorated with equivalent Pd nanoparticles. Our described method provides new insight for the development of highly efficient carbon based nanocatalysts by simple and environmentally sound methods.