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As a new type of one-dimensional semiconductor nanometer material, silicon nanowires (SiNWs) possess good application prospects in the field of biomedical sensing. SiNWs have excellent electronic properties for improving the detection sensitivity of biosensors. The combination of SiNWs and field effect transistors (FETs) formed one special biosensor with high sensitivity and target selectivity in real-time and label-free. Recently, SiNW-FETs have received more attention in fields of biomedical detection. Here, we give a critical review of the progress of SiNW-FETs, in particular, about the reversible surface modification methods. Moreover, we summarized the applications of SiNW-FETs in DNA, protein, and microbial detection. We also discuss the related working principle and technical approaches. Our review provides an extensive discussion for studying the challenges in the future development of SiNW-FETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve electrical contact problem of horizontal multilayer graphene nanoribbon (GNR), a vertical GNR (VGNR) interconnect scheme is proposed. Performance of the VGNR interconnect is theoretically evaluated and compared with those of conventional interconnect technologies. It is shown that the performance of VGNR is comparable (and even superior) to that of the horizontal GNR (HGNR). Moreover, VGNRs may provide a promising solution to the thermal challenges faced by HGNRs in nanoscale ICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a few-layer WS 2 nanosheets-based electrochemical biosensor was fabricated for the highly sensitive detection of breast cancer tumor marker miRNA-4484. Firstly, few-layer WS 2 nanosheets were prepared by shear stripping and characterized by SEM, TEM, AFM and UV spectrophotometer. After modification of few-layer WS 2 nanosheets on the electrode surface, the miRNA probe was fixed on the few-layer WS 2 nanosheets by polycytosine (PolyC). Then short-chain miRNA containing PolyC was used as the blocking agent to close the excess active sites on the surface of WS 2 nanosheets to complete the fabrication of the sensor biosensing interface. Finally, the current changes caused by the specific binding of miRNA-4484 to the probe were analyzed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The results showed that the sensor had a good linear relationship for the detection of miRNA-4484 in the concentration range of 1 aM–100 fM, and the detection limit was as low as 1.61 aM. In addition, the electrochemical sensor had excellent selectivity, stability and reproducibility. The artificial sample tests indicated that the developed biosensors have the potential for clinical application in the future. [Display omitted] • A few-layer WS 2 nanosheets-based electrochemical biosensor is developed for miRNA-4484. • The nanosheets (Thickness: ∼10 nm, Layers: ∼10 layers) are prepared by shear stripping. • Ultra-low detection limit (1.61 aM) with good linearity in the range of 1 aM–100 fM. • High specificity for miRNA-4484 and excellent stability, reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]