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Accurate and population-scale screening technology is crucial in the control and prevention of COVID-19, such as pooled testing with high overall testing efficiency. Nevertheless, pooled testing faces challenges in sensitivity and specificity due to diluted targets and increased contaminations. Here, we develop a graphene field-effect transistor sensor modified with triple-probe tetrahedral DNA framework (TDF) dimers for 10-in-1 pooled testing of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The synergy effect of triple probes as well as the special nanostructure achieve a higher binding affinity, faster response, and better specificity. The detectable concentration reaches 0.025-0.05 copy μL

Direct SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing with fast speed and high frequency is crucial for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, direct testing of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid is realized by field-effect transistors (FETs) with an electro-enrichable liquid gate (LG) anchored by tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs). The applied gate bias electrostatically preconcentrates nucleic acids, while the liquid gate with TDNs provides efficient analyte recognition and signal transduction. The average diagnosis time is ∼80 s, and the limit of detection approaches 1-2 copies in 100 µL of clinical samples without nucleic acid extraction and amplification. As such, TDN-LG FETs solve the dilemma of COVID-19 testing on mass scale that diagnosis accuracy and speed undergo trade-off. In addition, TDN-LG FETs achieve unamplified 10-in-1 pooled nucleic acid testing for the first time, and the results are consistent with PCR. Thus, this technology promises on-site and wide population COVID-19 screening and ensures safe world-reopening.

The fast spread of SARS-CoV-2 has severely threatened the public health. Establishing a sensitive method for SARS-CoV-2 detection is of great significance to contain the worldwide pandemic. Here, we develop a graphene field-effect transistor (g-FET) biosensor and realize ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection with a limit of detection (LoD) down to 10-18 M (equivalent to 10-16 g mL-1) level. The g-FETs are modified with spike S1 proteins, and the SARS-CoV-2 antibody biorecognition events occur in the vicinity of the graphene surface, yielding an LoD of ∼150 antibodies in 100 μL full serum, which is the lowest LoD value of antibody detection. The diagnoses time is down to 2 min for detecting clinical serum samples. As such, the g-FETs leverage rapid and precise SARS-CoV-2 screening and also hold great promise in prevention and control of other epidemic outbreaks in the future.

Molecular electronics is often limited by the lack of a simple method to fabricate nanoelectrodes with controlled gap size. This is partly attributed to the lack of a real time characterization in the fabrication. Here, we report a new method based on an electron induced deposition process operated in scanning electron microscopy that realizes in situ and real time characterization in the nanoelectrode fabrication; thus the gap size can be controlled easily and precisely. It is a clean and nondestructive process for carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes. The mechanism is detailed. The nanoelectrodes have a pi-conjugated surface due to the deposition of sp(2)-rich amorphous carbon. As an application, DNA molecules are assembled between the CNT electrodes by pi-stacking interaction for current-voltage measurement. Our result provides a feasible route to prepare nanoelectrodes with controlled gap size, and it will be valuable for current efforts in molecular electronics and nanoelectronics.

To realize graphene-based electronics, various types of graphene are required; thus, modulation of its electrical properties is of great importance. Theoretic studies show that intentional doping is a promising route for this goal, and the doped graphene might promise fascinating properties and widespread applications. However, there is no experimental example and electrical testing of the substitutionally doped graphene up to date. Here, we synthesize the N-doped graphene by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. We find that most of them are few-layer graphene, although single-layer graphene can be occasionally detected. As doping accompanies with the recombination of carbon atoms into graphene in the CVD process, N atoms can be substitutionally doped into the graphene lattice, which is hard to realize by other synthetic methods. Electrical measurements show that the N-doped graphene exhibits an n-type behavior, indicating substitutional doping can effectively modulate the electrical properties of graphene. Our finding provides a new experimental instance of graphene and would promote the research and applications of graphene.

Here we develop a simple method by using flow fluctuation to synthesize arrays of multi-branched carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are far more complex than those previously reported. The architectures and compositions can be well controlled, thus avoiding any template or additive. A branching mechanism of fluctuation-promoted coalescence of catalyst particles is proposed. This finding will provide a hopeful approach to the goal of CNT-based integrated circuits and be valuable for applying branched junctions in nanoelectronics and producing branched junctions of other materials.