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The electrical stability of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) transistors is crucial for their use in various applications. However, it is tricky to evaluate the inherent stability of MoS2 transistors because it is highly dependent on environmental conditions during measurement such as humidity, light, and electrical factors. We studied the threshold voltage instability under negative bias stress at a variety of temperatures in a vacuum and in the dark to eliminate any environmental effects. In particular, the measurement of transfer curves under stress is minimized in order to study the inherent instability of MoS2 transistors, even though the measurement of transfer curves is normally indispensable to check for the evolution of electrical instability. MoS2 transistors have high average effective energy when compared to conventional amorphous Si and oxide semiconductor transistors, which allows for adequate operation at high temperatures. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensors that detect and discriminate external mechanical forces are a principal component in the development of electronic tactile systems that can mimic the multifunctional properties of human skin. This study demonstrates a pyramid‐plug structure for highly sensitive tactile sensors that enables them to detect pressure, shear force, and torsion. The device is composed of pyramid‐patterned ionic gel inspired by neural mechanoreceptors and engraved electrodes. Based on a pyramid‐plug structure, the deformation mechanism differs between different types of external mechanical loadings. The sensor provides the high sensitivities of 1.93 kPa−1, 29.88 N−1, and 3.39 (N cm)−1, and a wide range of detection for tactile daily activity. Moreover, this tactile sensor could work through either of the two transduction methods (capacitive transduction and piezoresistive transduction). It is shown that this tactile sensor can be used to monitor changes in electrical signals ranging from those caused by human breathing to those caused by arbitrary multiplex human touching. A pyramid‐plug structure for highly sensitive tactile sensors that enables them to detect pressure, shear force, and torsion is demonstrated. This tactile sensor could work by each of the two transduction methods. The sensor provides the high sensitivities of 1.93 kPa−1, 29.88 N−1, and 3.39 (N cm)−1, and a wide range of detection for tactile daily activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated that the mechanisms through which biopolymers like RNA interconvert between multiple folded structures are critical for their cellular functions. A major obstacle to elucidating these mechanisms is the lack of experimental approaches that can resolve these interconversions between functionally relevant biomolecular structures. Here, using a nano-electronic device with microsecond time resolution, we dissect the complete set of structural rearrangements executed by an ultra-stable RNA, the UUCG stem-loop, at the single-molecule level. We show that the stem-loop samples at least four conformations along two folding pathways leading to two distinct folded structures, only one of which has been previously observed. By modulating its flexibility, the stem-loop can adaptively select between these pathways, enabling it to both fold rapidly and resist unfolding. This paradigm of stabilization through compensatory changes in flexibility broadens our understanding of stable RNA structures and is expected to serve as a general strategy employed by all biopolymers., Competing Interests: Competing Interests D.G.L. and K.L.S. have a financial interest in Quicksilver Biosciences, Inc., which is commercializing smFET technology for molecular diagnostic applications. The other authors declare no competing financial interest.