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Current methods for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) in centralized medical facilities are a bottleneck in TB surveillance, particularly in resource-constrained regions. In response, we present a groundbreaking portable bio-tool, the lab-in-a-cartridge (LIC) system, designed for on-site detection of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in trace amounts within the urine. The innovative design combines pumpless liquid handling and magnetic force-based enrichment with horseradish peroxidase polymer amplification to precisely quantify low biomarker levels. Employing a tetramethylbenzidine-based colorimetric reaction, the LIC enables semi-quantitative LAM detection. This LIC incorporates all necessary reagents, achieving a detection threshold of as low as 0.01 pg/mL in pooled urine samples within 40 minutes. The LIC distinguishes TB patients in clinical urine samples with 92% sensitivity and 88% specificity. This pioneering device not only sets an improved standard for detecting low LAM concentrations but also holds the potential to realize a decentralized diagnosis of TB. Tuberculosis detection methods in centralized facilities are bottlenecks in low resource areas. Here, the authors develop a portable lab-in-a-cartridge system that detects TB biomarkers in urine with 92% sensitivity in 40 minutes enabling decentralized TB diagnosis.

The breath gas analysis through gas phase chemical analysis draws attention in terms of non-invasive and real time monitoring. The array-type sensors are one of the diagnostic methods with high sensitivity and selectivity towards the target gases. Herein, we presented a 2 × 4 sensor array with a micro-heater and ceramic chip. The device is designed in a small size for portability, including the internal eight-channel sensor array. In2O3 NRs and WO3 NRs manufactured through the E-beam evaporator’s glancing angle method were used as sensing materials. Pt, Pd, and Au metal catalysts were decorated for each channel to enhance functionality. The sensor array was measured for the exhaled gas biomarkers CH3COCH3, NO2, and H2S to confirm the respiratory diagnostic performance. Through this operation, the theoretical detection limit was calculated as 1.48 ppb for CH3COCH3, 1.9 ppt for NO2, and 2.47 ppb for H2S. This excellent detection performance indicates that our sensor array detected the CH3COCH3, NO2, and H2S as biomarkers, applying to the breath gas analysis. Our results showed the high potential of the gas sensor array as a non-invasive diagnostic tool that enables real-time monitoring.

Wireless energy transfer (WET) based on ultrasound‐driven generators with enormous beneficial functions, is technologically in progress by the valuation of ultrasonic metamaterials (UMMs) in science and engineering domains. Indeed, novel metamaterial structures can develop the efficiency of mechanical and physical features of ultrasound energy receivers (US‐ETs), including ultrasound‐driven piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators (US‐PENGs and US‐TENGs) for advantageous applications. This review article first summarizes the fundamentals, classification, and design engineering of UMMs after introducing ultrasound energy for WET technology. In addition to addressing using UMMs, the topical progress of innovative UMMs in US‐ETs is conceptually presented. Moreover, the advanced approaches of metamaterials are reported in the categorized applications of US‐PENGs and US‐TENGs. Finally, some current perspectives and encounters of UMMs in US‐ETs are offered. With this objective in mind, this review explores the potential revolution of reliable integrated energy transfer systems through the transformation of metamaterials into ultrasound‐driven active mediums for generators. With the quick growth of ultrasound energy transfer technology based on triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators (TENGs and PENGs), the recent progress in achieving efficient energy harvesting is presented, with a review of design strategies through understanding the influence and significance of ultrasonic metamaterials concept in ultrasound‐driven TENG and PENG devices for current applications.

The energy crisis and global shift toward sustainability drive the need for sustainable technologies that utilize often‐wasted forms of energy. A multipurpose lighting device with a simplistic design that does not need electricity sources or conversions can be one such futuristic device. This study investigates the novel concept of a powerless lighting device driven by stray magnetic fields induced by power infrastructure for obstruction warning light systems. The device consists of mechanoluminescence (ML) composites of a Kirigami‐shaped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer, ZnS:Cu particles, and a magneto–mechano‐vibration (MMV) cantilever beam. Finite element analysis and luminescence characterization of the Kirigami structured ML composites are discussed, including the stress–strain distribution map and comparisons between different Kirigami structures based on stretchability and ML characteristic trade‐offs. By coupling a Kirigami‐structured ML material and an MMV cantilever structure, a device that can generate visible light as luminescence from a magnetic field can be created. Significant factors that contribute to luminescence generation and intensity are identified and optimized. Furthermore, the feasibility of the device is demonstrated by placing it in a practical environment. This further proves the functionality of the device in harvesting weak magnetic fields into luminescence or light, without complicated electrical energy conversion steps. A concept of magnetically driven powerless lighting device is introduced by combining mechanoluminescence material and magneto–mechano vibration of cantilever structure. Such device has the potential to be a sustainable and efficient alternative lighting source as it can be driven by stray magnetic fields. The design, optimization, and testing in practical environments are summarized and presented.

We investigated potential protein markers of post-mortem interval (PMI) using rat kidney and psoas muscle. Tissue samples were taken at 12 h intervals for up to 96 h after death by suffocation. Expression levels of eight soluble proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Degradation patterns of selected proteins were clearly divided into three groups: short-term, mid-term, and long-term PMI markers based on the half maximum intensity of intact protein expression. In kidney, glycogen synthase (GS) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β were degraded completely within 48 h making them short-term PMI markers. AMP-activated protein kinase α, caspase 3 and GS were short-term PMI markers in psoas muscle. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was a mid-term PMI marker in both tissues. Expression levels of the typical long-term PMI markers, p53 and β-catenin, were constant for at least 96 h post-mortem in both tissues. The degradation patterns of GS and caspase-3 were verified by immunohistochemistry in both tissues. GAPDH was chosen as a test PMI protein to perform a lateral flow assay (LFA). The presence of recombinant GAPDH was clearly detected in LFA and quantified in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that LFA might be used to estimate PMI at a crime scene.

2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have significant research interests in various novel applications due to their intriguing physicochemical properties. Notably, one of the 2D TMDs, SnS2, has superior chemiresistive sensing properties, including a planar crystal structure, a large surface‐to‐volume ratio, and a low electronic noise. However, the long‐term stability of SnS2 in humid conditions remains a critical shortcoming towards a significant degradation of sensitivity. Herein, it is demonstrated that the subsequent self‐assembly of zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) can be achieved in situ growing on SnS2 nanoflakes as the homogeneous porous materials. ZIF‐8 layer on SnS2 allows the selective diffusion of target gas species, while effectively preventing the SnS2 from severe oxidative degradation. Molecular modeling such as molecular dynamic simulation and DFT calculation, further supports the mechanism of sensing stability and selectivity. From the results, the in situ grown ZIF‐8 porous membrane on 2D materials corroborates the generalizable strategy for durable and reliable high‐performance electronic applications of 2D materials. Here, ‘Sandwich‐like’ porous metal‐organic frameworks / 2D conductive heterostructures for realizing ultra‐stable and selective surface reactivity of conductive 2D materials as proven by chemical sensing case study and multiscale simulations are described for the first time.

An innovative autonomous resonance‐tuning (ART) energy harvester is reported that utilizes adaptive clamping systems driven by intrinsic mechanical mechanisms without outsourcing additional energy. The adaptive clamping system modulates the natural frequency of the harvester's main beam (MB) by adjusting the clamping position of the MB. The pulling force induced by the resonance vibration of the tuning beam (TB) provides the driving force for operating the adaptive clamp. The ART mechanism is possible by matching the natural frequencies of the TB and clamped MB. Detailed evaluations are conducted on the optimization of the adaptive clamp tolerance and TB design to increase the pulling force. The energy harvester exhibits an ultrawide resonance bandwidth of over 30 Hz in the commonly accessible low vibration frequency range (<100 Hz) owing to the ART function. The practical feasibility is demonstrated by evaluating the ART performance under both frequency and acceleration‐variant conditions and powering a location tracking sensor. To maximize the harvesting power, the resonance frequency of the energy harvester must match that of ambient vibration. The novel autonomous resonance‐tuning (ART) energy harvester that automatically adjusts its resonance frequency in accordance with ambient vibrations under low‐frequency (<100 Hz) without any external assistance or human intervention is proposed for the first time.

Sepsis, a life-threatening disease caused by infection, presents a major global health challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. A rapid and precise diagnosis of sepsis is essential for better patient outcomes. However, conventional diagnostic methods, such as bacterial cultures, are time-consuming and can delay sepsis diagnosis. Considering these, researchers investigated alternative techniques that detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria. In this study, we designed colorimetric gas sensor arrays, which change color upon interaction with biomarkers, offer a direct visual signal, and demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity in detecting sepsis-related VOCs. Furthermore, an artificial intelligence (AI) based algorithm, Rapid Sepsis Boosting (RSBoost), was employed as an analytical technique to enhance diagnostic accuracy (96.2%) in blood sample. This approach significantly improves the speed and accuracy of sepsis diagnostics within 24 h, holding great potential for transforming clinical diagnostics, saving lives, and reducing healthcare costs.

Soft microfluidic systems that capture, store, and perform biomarker analysis of microliter volumes of sweat, in situ, as it emerges from the surface of the skin, represent an emerging class of wearable technology with powerful capabilities that complement those of traditional biophysical sensing devices. Recent work establishes applications in the real-time characterization of sweat dynamics and sweat chemistry in the context of sports performance and healthcare diagnostics. This paper presents a collection of advances in biochemical sensors and microfluidic designs that support multimodal operation in the monitoring of physiological signatures directly correlated to physical and mental stresses. These wireless, battery-free, skin-interfaced devices combine lateral flow immunoassays for cortisol, fluorometric assays for glucose and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and digital tracking of skin galvanic responses. Systematic benchtop evaluations and field studies on human subjects highlight the key features of this platform for the continuous, noninvasive monitoring of biochemical and biophysical correlates of the stress state.

2D Materials In article number 2301002, Jihan Kim, Chong‐Yun Kang, Ji‐Soo Jang, and co‐workers describe ‘Sandwich‐like’ porous MOFs/2D conductive heterostructures for realizing ultra‐stable and selective surface reactivity of conductive 2D materials as proven by chemical sensing case study and multiscale simulations. Highlights of this work include the following; (i) Fabrication of defect‐free and uniformly porous ZIF‐8 membrane on conductive 2D active materials, (ii) the realization of the ultra‐stable and selective surface reaction behavior with fast response by coupling conductive 2D active materials with breathable ZIF‐8 passivation layer. Moreover, a further developed model of the MOFs/2D conductive heterostructures system will actively contribute to overcoming the world‐wide problem of unstable 2D material characteristics.