Wireless multimodal light-emitting arrays operating on the principles of LEDs and ECL

Electrochemistry-based light-emitting devices have gained considerable attention in different applications such as sensing and optical imaging. In particular, such systems are an interesting alternative for the development of multimodal light-emitting platforms. Herein we designed a multicolor light-emitting array, based on the electrochemical switch-on of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a different intrinsic threshold voltage. Thermodynamically and kinetically favored coupled redox reactions, i.e. the oxidation of Mg and the reduction of protons on Pt, act as driving force to power the diodes. Moreover, this system enables to trigger an additional light emission based on the interfacial reductive-oxidative electrochemiluminescence (ECL) mechanism of the Ru(bpy)32+/S2O82- system. The synergy between these light-emission pathways offers a multimodal platform for the straightforward optical readout of physico-chemical information based on composition changes of the solution.

Wireless Light-Emitting Electrode Arrays for the Evaluation of Electrocatalytic Activity

Water splitting has become a sustainable and clean alternative for hydrogen production. Commonly, the efficiency of such reactions is intimately related to the physico-chemical properties of the catalysts that constitute the electrolyzer. Thus, the development of simple and fast methods to evaluate the electrocatalytic efficiency of an electrolyzer is highly required. In this work, we present an unconventional method based on the combination of bipolar electrochemistry and light-emitting diodes, which allows the evaluation of the electrocatalytic performance of the two types of catalysts, composing an electrolyzer, namely for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions, respectively. The integrated light emission of the diode acts as an optical readout of the electrocatalytic information, which simultaneously depends on the composition of the anode and the cathode. The electrocatalytic activity of Au, Pt, and Ni electrodes, connected to the LED in multiple anode/cathode configurations, towards the water splitting reactions has been evaluated. The efficiency of the electrolyzer can be represented in terms of the onset electric field (ϵonset) for light emission, obtaining variations that are in agreement with data reported with conventional electrochemistry. This work introduces a straightforward method for evaluating electrocatalysts and underscores the importance of material characterization in developing efficient electrolyzers for hydrogen production.

Wireless Magnetoelectrochemical Induction of Rotational Motion

Electromagnetically induced rotation is a key process of many technological systems that are used in daily life, especially for energy conversion. In this context, the Lorentz force-induced deviation of charges is a crucial physical phenomenon to generate rotation. Herein, they combine the latter with the concept of bipolar electrochemistry to design a wireless magnetoelectrochemical rotor. Such a device can be considered as a wet analog of a conventional electric motor. The main driving force that propels this actuator is the result of the synergy between the charge-compensating ion flux along a bipolar electrode and an external magnetic field applied orthogonally to the surface of the object. The trajectory of the wirelessly polarized rotor can be controlled by the orientation of the magnetic field relative to the direction of the global electric field, producing a predictable clockwise or anticlockwise motion. Fine-tuning of the applied electric field allows for addressing conducting objects having variable characteristic lengths.

Magnetic field-enhanced redox chemistry on-the-fly for enantioselective synthesis

Chemistry on-the-fly is an interesting concept, extensively studied in recent years due to its potential use for recognition, quantification and conversion of chemical species in solution. In this context, chemistry on-the-fly for asymmetric synthesis is a promising field of investigation, since it can help to overcome mass transport limitations, present for example in conventional organic electrosynthesis. Herein, the synergy between a magnetic field-enhanced self-electrophoretic propulsion mechanism and enantioselective redox chemistry on-the-fly is proposed as an efficient method to boost stereoselective conversion. We employ Janus swimmers as redox-active elements, exhibiting a well-controlled clockwise or anticlockwise motion with a speed that can be increased by one order of magnitude in the presence of an external magnetic field. While moving, these bifunctional objects convert spontaneously on-the-fly a prochiral molecule into a specific enantiomer with high enantiomeric excess. The magnetic field-enhanced self-mixing of the swimmers, based on the formation of local magnetohydrodynamic vortices, leads to a significant improvement of the reaction yield and the conversion rate.

Bi-enzymatic chemo-mechanical feedback loop for continuous self-sustained actuation of conducting polymers

Artificial actuators have been extensively studied due to their wide range of applications from soft robotics to biomedicine. Herein we introduce an autonomous bi-enzymatic system where reversible motion is triggered by the spontaneous oxidation and reduction of glucose and oxygen, respectively. This chemo-mechanical actuation is completely autonomous and does not require any external trigger to induce self-sustained motion. The device takes advantage of the asymmetric uptake and release of ions on the anisotropic surface of a conducting polymer strip, occurring during the operation of the enzymes glucose oxidase and bilirubin oxidase immobilized on its surface. Both enzymes are connected via a redox polymer at each extremity of the strip, but at the opposite faces of the polymer film. The time-asymmetric consumption of both fuels by the enzymatic reactions produces a double break of symmetry of the film, leading to autonomous actuation. An additional break of symmetry, introduced by the irreversible overoxidation of one extremity of the polymer film, leads to a crawling-type motion of the free-standing polymer film. These reactions occur in a virtually unlimited continuous loop, causing long-term autonomous actuation of the device.

Endogenous and exogenous wireless multimodal light-emitting chemical devices

Multimodal imaging is a powerful and versatile approach that integrates and correlates multiple optical modalities within a single device. This concept has gained considerable attention due to its potential applications ranging from sensing to medicine. Herein, we develop several wireless multimodal light-emitting chemical systems by coupling two light sources based on different physical principles: electrochemiluminescence (ECL) occurring at the electrode interface and a light-emitting diode (LED) switched on by an electrochemically triggered electron flow. Endogenous (thermodynamically spontaneous redox process) and exogenous (requiring an external power source) bipolar electrochemistry acts as a driving force to trigger both light emissions at different wavelengths. The results presented here interconnect optical imaging and electrochemical reactions, providing a novel and so far unexplored alternative to design autonomous hybrid systems with multimodal and multicolor optical readouts for complex bio-chemical systems.

Spatial Precision Tailoring the Catalytic Activity of Graphene Monolayers for Designing Janus Swimmers

Graphene monolayers have interesting applications in many fields due to their intrinsic physicochemical properties, especially when they can be postmodified with high precision. Herein, we describe the highly site-selective functionalization of freestanding graphene monolayers with platinum (Pt) clusters by bipolar electrochemistry. The deposition of such metal spots leads to catalytically active hybrid two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. Their catalytic functionality is illustrated by the spatially controlled decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, inducing motion at the water/air interface due to oxygen bubble evolution. A series of such 2D Janus structures with Pt deposition at predefined positions (corners and edges) is studied with respect to the generation of autonomous motion. The type and speed of motion can be fine-tuned by controlling the deposition time and location of the Pt clusters. These proof-of-principle experiments indicate that this type of hybrid 2D object opens up interesting perspectives in terms of applications, such as environmental detection or remediation.

Self-Sustained Rotation of Lorentz Force-Driven Janus Systems

Rotation is an interesting type of motion that is currently involved in many technological applications. In this frame, different and sophisticated external stimuli to induce rotation have been developed. In this work, we have designed a simple and original self-propelled bimetallic Janus rotor powered by the synergy between a spontaneous electric and ionic current, produced by two coupled redox reactions, and a magnetic field, placed orthogonal to the surface of the device. Such a combination induces a magnetohydrodynamic vortex at each extremity of the rotor arm, which generates an overall driving force able to propel the rotor. Furthermore, the motion of the self-polarized object can be controlled by the direction of the spontaneous electric current or the orientation of the external magnetic field, resulting in a predictable clockwise or anticlockwise motion. In addition, these devices exhibit directional corkscrew-type displacement, when representing their displacement as a function of time, producing time-space specular behavior. The concept can be used to design alternative self-mixing systems for a variety of (micro)fluidic equipment.

Enantioselective resolution of two model amino acids using inherently chiral oligomer films with uncorrelated molecular structures

Preferential crystallization induced by chiral surfaces is an interesting alternative to isolate enantiopure antipodes. Herein, we take advantage of the outstanding enantiorecognition capabilities of inherently chiral oligomers to induce an enantioselective crystallization process. We exemplify this strategy with two amino acid model molecules, asparagine and glutamic acid, having a completely uncorrelated structure with respect to the template. This illustrates the versatility of the approach with potential applications in the resolution of pharmaceutical compounds.

Wireless electromechanical enantio-responsive valves

Microfluidic valves based on chemically responsive materials have gained considerable attention in recent years. Herein, a wireless enantio-responsive valve triggered by bipolar electrochemistry combined with chiral recognition is reported. A conducting polymer actuator functionalized with the enantiomers of an inherently chiral oligomer was used as bipolar valve to cover a tube loaded with a dye and immersed in a solution containing chiral analytes. When an electric field is applied, the designed actuator shows a reversible cantilever-type deflection, allowing the release of the dye from the reservoir. The tube can be opened and closed by simply switching the polarity of the system. Qualitative results show the successful release of the colorant, driven by chirality and redox reactions occurring at the bipolar valve. The device works well even in the presence of chemically different chiral analytes in the same solution. These systems open up new possibilities in the field of microfluidics, including also controlled drug delivery applications.

Wireless electrochemical light emission in ultrathin 2D nanoconfinements

Spatial confinement of chemical reactions or physical effects may lead to original phenomena and new properties. Here, the generation of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in confined free-standing 2D spaces, exemplified by surfactant-based air bubbles is reported. For this, the ultrathin walls of the bubbles (typically in the range of 100-700 nm) are chosen as a host where graphene sheets, acting as bipolar ECL-emitting electrodes, are trapped and dispersed. The proposed system demonstrates that the required potential for the generation of ECL is up to three orders of magnitude smaller compared to conventional systems, due to the nanoconfinement of the potential drop. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the key advantages of a 2D environment, allowing a wireless activation of ECL at rather low potentials, compatible with (bio)analytical systems.

Wireless Imaging of Transient Redox Activity Based on Bipolar Light-Emitting Electrode Arrays

Bipolar electrochemistry (BE) is a wireless electrochemical technique, which enables asymmetric electroactivity on the surface of conducting objects. This technique has been extensively studied for different electrochemical applications, including synthesis, separation, sensing, and surface modification. Here, we employ BE for imaging the transient electrochemical activity of different redox species with high accuracy via an array of light-emitting diodes having different lengths. Such a gradient allows the differentiation of redox systems due to their intrinsic difference in thermodynamic potential and the evaluation of their diffusional behavior based on the intensity of light emission. The result is an instantaneous optical readout of analytical information, equivalent to classic electrochemical scanning techniques, such as linear sweep voltammetry.

Bipolar electrochemical rotors for the direct transduction of molecular chiral information

Efficient monitoring of chiral information of bioactive compounds has gained considerable attention, due to their involvement in different biochemical processes. In this work, we propose a novel dynamic system for the easy and straightforward recognition of chiral redox active molecules and its possible use for the efficient measurement of enantiomeric excess in solution. The approach is based on the synergy between the localized enantioselective oxidation of only one of the two antipodes of a chiral molecule and the produced charge-compensating asymmetric proton flux along a bipolar electrode. The resulting clockwise or anticlockwise rotation is triggered only when the probe with the right chirality is present in solution. The angle of rotation shows a linear correlation with the analyte concentration, enabling the quantification of enantiomeric ratios in mixtures where the two antipodes are present in solution. This device was successfully used to simultaneously measure different ratios of the enantiomers of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and tryptophan. The versatility of the proposed approach opens up the possibility to use such a dynamic system as a straightforward (bio)analytical tool for the qualitative and quantitative discrimination of different redox active chiral probes.

Electropolymerizable Thiophene-Oligonucleotides for Electrode Functionalization

Inserting complex biomolecules such as oligonucleotides during the synthesis of polymers remains an important challenge in the development of functionalized materials. In order to engineer such a biofunctionalized interface, a single-step method for the covalent immobilization of oligonucleotides (ONs) based on novel electropolymerizable lipid thiophene-oligonucleotide (L-ThON) conjugates was employed. Here, we report a new thiophene phosphoramidite building block for the synthesis of modified L-ThONs. The biofunctionalized material was obtained by direct electropolymerization of L-ThONs in the presence of 2,2'-bithiophene (BTh) to obtain a copolymer film on indium tin oxide electrodes. In situ electroconductance measurements and microstructural studies showed that the L-ThON was incorporated in the BTh copolymer backbone. Furthermore, the covalently immobilized L-ThON sequence showed selectivity in subsequent hybridization processes with a complementary target, demonstrating that L-ThONs can directly be used for manufacturing materials via an electropolymerization strategy. These results indicate that L-ThONs are promising candidates for the development of stable ON-based bioelectrochemical platforms.

Bipolar Electrochemical Measurement of Enantiomeric Excess with Inherently Chiral Polymer Actuators

Straightforward enantioselective analytical methods are very important for drug safety, considering that in certain cases one of the two enantiomers of a chiral molecule might be harmful for humans. In this work, we propose a simple system for the direct and easy read-out of the enantiomeric excess of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) as a model analyte. A conducting oligomer, i.e. oligo-(3,3'-dibenzothiophene), bearing inherently chiral features, is electrogenerated on a polypyrrole film. The resulting freestanding hybrid material is used as a wireless enantioselective actuator in a bipolar electrochemical cell. Combining in a single setup two individual actuators with opposite chiral features allows a direct visual read-out of enantiomeric excess, as the bending amplitude of each of the two actuators is directly correlated with the concentration of the corresponding stereoisomer of the analyte. Optimization of the experimental parameters results in efficient bending, giving access to the percentage values of the enantiomeric excess in mixtures containing different ratios of the antipodes, thus opening the way to potential applications for chiral in situ analysis.

In Situ Spectroelectrochemical-Conductance Measurements as an Efficient Tool for the Evaluation of Charge Trapping in Conducting Polymers

In situ UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry has been intensively used to evaluate the electronic transitions during the charging/discharging process of π-conjugated polymers. However, the type of charge carrier and the mechanisms of their transport, remains still a point of discussion. Herein, the coupling between UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and in situ electrochemical-conductance measurements is proposed to compare the doping process of three different thiophene-based conducting polymers. The simultaneous monitoring of electrical and absorption properties, associated with low energy electronic transitions characteristic for polarons and bipolarons, was achieved. In addition, this method allows evaluating the reversible charge trapping mechanism of poly-3,4-o-xylendioxythiophene (PXDOT), caused by the formation of σ-dimers, making it a very useful tool to determine relevant physicochemical properties of conductive materials.

Hybrid light-emitting devices for the straightforward readout of chiral information

Bipolar electrochemistry has gained increasing attention in recent years as an attractive transduction concept in analytical chemistry in general and, more specifically, in the frame of chiral recognition. Herein, we use this concept of wireless electrochemistry, based on the combination of the enantioselective oxidation of a chiral probe with the emission of light from a light-emitting diode (LED), as an alternative for an easy and straightforward readout of the presence of chiral molecules in solution. A hybrid polymer-microelectronic device was designed, using an inherently chiral oligomer, that is, oligo-(3,3'-dibenzothiophene) and a polypyrrole strip as the anode and cathode of a miniaturized LED. The wireless induced redox reactions trigger light emission when the probe with the right chirality is present in solution, whereas no light emission is observed for the opposite enantiomer. The average light intensity shows a linear correlation with the analyte concentration, and the concept opens the possibility to quantify the enantiomeric excess in mixtures of the molecular antipodes.

Lorentz Force-Driven Autonomous Janus Swimmers

Autonomous swimmers have been intensively studied in recent years due to their numerous potential applications in many areas ranging from biomedicine to environmental remediation. Their motion is based either on different self-propulsion mechanisms or on the use of various external stimuli. Herein, the synergy between the ion flux around self-electrophoretic Mg/Pt Janus swimmers and an external magnetic field is proposed as an efficient alternative mechanism to power swimmers on the basis of the resulting Lorentz force. A strong magnetohydrodynamic effect is observed due to the orthogonal combination of magnetic field and spontaneous ionic currents, leading to an increase of the swimmer speed by up to 2 orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the trajectory of the self-propelled swimmers can be controlled by the orientation of the magnetic field, due to the presence of an additional torque force caused by a horizontal cation flux along the swimmer edges, resulting in predictable clockwise or anticlockwise motion. In addition, this effect is independent of the swimmer size, since a similar type of rotational motion is observed for macro- and microscale objects.

Cooperative Chemotaxis of Magnesium Microswimmers for Corrosion Spotting

Numerous artificial micro- and nanomotors, as well as various swimmers have been inspired by living organisms that are able to move in a coordinated manner. Their cooperation has also gained a lot of attention because the resulting clusters are able to adapt to changes in their environment and to perform complex tasks. However, mimicking such a collective behavior remains a challenge. In the present work, magnesium microparticles are used as chemotactic swimmers with pronounced collective features, allowing the gradual formation of macroscopic agglomerates. The formed clusters act like a single swimmer able to follow pH gradients. This dynamic behavior can be used to spot localized corrosion events in a straightforward way. The autonomous docking of the swimmers to the corrosion site leads to the formation of a local protection layer, thus increasing corrosion resistance and triggering partial self-healing.

Asymmetry controlled dynamic behavior of autonomous chemiluminescent Janus microswimmers

Asymmetrically modified Janus microparticles are presented as autonomous light emitting swimmers. The localized dissolution of hybrid magnesium/polymer objects allows combining chemiluminescence with the spontaneous production of H₂ bubbles, and thus generating directed motion. These light-emitting microswimmers are synthesized by using a straightforward methodology based on bipolar electromilling, followed by indirect bipolar electrodeposition of an electrophoretic paint. An optimization of the experimental parameters enables in the first step the formation of well-defined isotropic or anisotropic Mg microparticles. Subsequently, they are asymmetrically modified by wireless deposition of an anodic paint. The degree of asymmetry of the resulting Janus particles can be fine-tuned, leading to a controlled directional motion due to anisotropic gas formation. This autonomous motion is coupled with the emission of bright orange light when Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and S₂O₈²⁻ are present in the solution as chemiluminescent reagents. The light emission is based on an original process of interfacial redox-induced chemiluminescence, thus allowing an easy visualization of the swimmer trajectories.

Asymmetrically modified Janus microparticles are presented as autonomous light emitting swimmers with shape-controlled trajectories.

Chiral platinum-polypyrrole hybrid films as efficient enantioselective actuators

We report the synthesis of a hybrid bilayer, being composed of a free-standing conducting polymer film and a layer of mesoporous metal, encoded with chiral features. The resulting structure constitutes an enantioselective actuator, which can be electrochemically addressed in a wireless way. The controlled discriminatory deformation of the film allows an easy readout of chiral information.

Highly Ordered Macroporous Poly-3,4- ortho-xylendioxythiophene Electrodes as a Sensitive Analytical Tool for Heavy Metal Quantification

Highly ordered macroporous electrodes of the conducting polymer poly-3,4- ortho-xylendioxythiophene (PXDOT) are presented as a sensitive analytical tool for heavy metal ion quantification due to a controlled gain in electroactive area. They were designed by using colloidal crystal templates. A direct correlation between the final number of porous layers and the deposition charge ( Q_d) employed for electropolymerization is observed. All the electrodes exhibit a surface-templated structure due to an interaction between the radical cation, formed during the electropolymerization, and the surface groups of the silica beads. The voltamperometric response of the macroporous PXDOT electrodes shows a rather fast electron transfer with Δ E_p values between 70 mV and 110 mV. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetric (SWASV) analysis of Cu²⁺ as a representative heavy metal ion shows a linear response in the subppm range. As a model application, the efficient quantification of Cu²⁺ in a commercial mezcal sample is validated by the standard addition method and the results correlate adequately with the values obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

A relevant enzyme in granulomatous reaction, active matrix metalloproteinase-9, found in bovine Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst wall and fluid

In addition to the ability of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) to degrade components of the extracellular matrix and their involvement in pathology-related processes of tissue remodeling, they were recently reported to enhance inflammation by activation of proinflammatory cytokines, or their release from the cell surface. In the work reported here, proteolytic activity previously found for hydatid cysts was further characterized as MMP-9. Active host MMP-9 was found in walls and fluids of bovine hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus in the environment of granulomatous reaction. Pooled walls and fluids of hydatid cysts obtained from infected cattle were processed. Strong proteolytic activity was detected by zymography. The proteolytic fraction was purified by anion exchange and gelatin-agarose affinity chromatography. Major proteinases of the purified fraction were subjected to mass spectrometry and their identities were further confirmed by Western blotting using commercial anti-human MMP-9 monoclonal antibodies. Two proteinases were characterized as latent and active forms of host MMP-9. Using the same antibody for immunoblot, activity was localized, in paraffin-embedded sections of the parasite and the local host environment, to epithelioid and giant multinucleated cells. It is proposed here that MMP-9 is secreted by specialized host cells of monocytic lineage (epithelioid/giant cells) as an effector, in an attempt to digest the persistent foreign body. In vivo activation of MMP-9 suggests its involvement in inflammatory reaction and in the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells to the cyst. However, E. granulosus can deal efficiently with MMP-9. Research is suggested into possible immune evasion mechanisms, including the secretion of an inhibitory molecule.

Prevalence and risk factors for gallstone disease

Gallstone disease is a main public health problem. The overall prevalence data range from 3.9% in the pre-echographic era to 13.7% when ultrasonography was used as a diagnostic tool. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of gallstone disease in a medium income level population in Lima, as well as the relationship with some risk factors: age, sex, familiar history and obesity. A total of 534 adult men and women from a medium economic level underwent ultrasonographic examination of abdomen for detection of gallstone disease (July 2003). The echographic evaluation was performed by 10 general surgeons trained in ultrasonography. Likewise, 4 risk factors--age, gender, familial history, and obesity--were analyzed. Pearson chi2 test (2-sided) was used with a probability of <0.05 for statistical significance and logistic regression analyses for assessment of confounding factors. The prevalence founded was 15%. Eighty-one of 534 participants had lithiasis. Compared to the age group under 30, the odds ratio for the 31 to 50 years and >50 years of age group was 0.9 and 1.1, respectively. The female-male ratio was 1.07 and the odds ratio 0.8. The prevalence of gallstone disease in people reporting a first-degree relative with lithiasis was 21%, whereas in participants without such a condition, it was 13%. On the other hand, a familial history was present in 38% of the lithiasis group and in 25% of the nonlithiasis group. The odds ratio for familial history was 1.8 (P = 0.01, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.9). The prevalence of the disease for body mass index <24, 25 to 29, and higher than 30 was 17%, 14% and 13%, respectively. Compared to the reference group (body mass index <24), the other 2 groups (body mass index 25-29 and >30) both had a similar odds ratio, 0.8. Logistic regression analyses showed an odds ratio of 1.9 for familiar history (95% confidence interval 1.1-3.2), whereas the odds ratio of the overweight (body mass index 25-29) and obese group (body mass index >30) when compared to the normal group, BMI <24, was 0.7 and 0.9, respectively. The prevalence data for gallstone disease remain slightly higher than those previously reported. Although the familiar history was the only characteristic with a statistically significant positive relationship with lithiasis, additional studies are needed because few biases could not be completely avoided and some confounding factors were not controlled.