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The article discusses the potential of implantable, living pharmacies that could produce medications inside patients using cell-based drug factories. These biohybrid systems combine synthetic biology and bioelectronics to regulate drug production in real-time, potentially reducing manufacturing costs and improving patient access to treatments. The integration of engineered cells, biomaterials, and electronics in biohybrid devices could revolutionize healthcare by delivering therapies at desired dosages and communicating across the healthcare ecosystem. However, challenges such as manufacturing costs, technical hurdles, and payment models need to be addressed to ensure equitable and accessible healthcare for all. [Extracted from the article]

The Young's modulus, strength; and toughness of nanostructures are important to proposed applications ranging from nanocomposites to probe microscopy, yet there is little direct knowledge of these key mechanical properties. Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the mechanical properties of individual, structurally isolated silicon carbide (SIC) nanorods (NRs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) that were pinned at one end to molybdenum disulfide surfaces. The bending force was measured versus displacement along the unpinned lengths. The MWNTs were about two times as stiff as the SiC Nits. Continued bending of the SiC NRs ultimately led to fracture, whereas the MWNTs exhibited an interesting elastic buckling process. The strengths of the SiC NRs were substantially greater than those found previously for larger SiC structures, and they approach theoretical values. Because of buckling, the ultimate strengths of the stiffer MWNTs were less than those of the SiC Nits, although the MWNTs represent a uniquely tough, energy-absorbing material, The mechanical properties of small, rodlike materials are of considerable interest. For example, small whiskers can have strengths considerably greater than those observed in corresponding macroscopic single crystals (1-3), an [...]

Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the sliding of molybdenum oxide ([MoO.sub.3]) nanocrystals on single-crystal molybdenum disulfide ([MOS.sub.2]) surfaces. Highly anisotropic friction was observed whereby [MoO.sub.3] nanocrystals moved only along specific directions of the [MoS.sub.2] surface lattice. The energy per unit area to move the [MoO.sub.3] nanocrystals along their preferred sliding direction was an order of magnitude less than required to slide macroscopic [MoS.sub.2]-bearing contacts. This extreme friction anisotropy was exploited to fabricate multicomponent [MoO.sub.3] nanostructures. These reversibly interlocking structures could serve as the basis for devices such as mechanical logic gates., Three centuries of macroscopic studies of friction, adhesion, and wear have contributed much to the phenomenological understanding of tribology (1, 2). However, studies of interactions between macroscopic bodies are influenced [...]

The reduced form of graphene oxide (GO) is an attractive alternative to graphene for producing large-scale flexible conductors and for creating devices that require an electronic gap. We report on a means to tune the topographical and electrical properties of reduced GO (rGO) with nanoscopic resolution by local thermal reduction of GO with a heated atomic force microscope tip. The rGO regions are up to four orders of magnitude more conductive than pristine GO. No sign of tip wear or sample tearing was observed. Variably conductive nanoribbons with dimensions down to 12 nanometers could be produced in oxidized epitaxial graphene films in a single step that is dean, rapid, and reliable. 10.1126/science.1188119

The article provides perspective on research reported by Dimiev et al. elsewhere in the issue on a technique for peeling individual layers of graphene. Differences in electron behavior that characterize single and double layers of graphene are noted. The research team's use of zinc and hydrochloric acid to separate layers of graphene is described.

The reduced form of graphene oxide (GO) is an attractive alternative to graphene for producing large-scale flexible conductors and for creating devices that require an electronic gap. We report on a means to tune the topographical and electrical properties of reduced GO (rGO) with nanoscopic resolution by local thermal reduction of GO with a heated atomic force microscope tip. The rGO regions are up to four orders of magnitude more conductive than pristine GO. No sign of tip wear or sample tearing was observed. Variably conductive nanoribbons with dimensions down to 12 nanometers could be produced in oxidized epitaxial graphene films in a single step that is clean, rapid, and reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]