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The scaling of bulk Si-based transistors has reached its limits, while novel architectures such as FinFETs and GAAFETs face challenges in sub-10 nm nodes due to complex fabrication processes and severe drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) effects. An effective strategy to avoid short-channel effects (SCEs) is the integration of low-dimensional materials into novel device architectures, leveraging the coupling between multiple gates to achieve efficient electrostatic control of the channel. We employed TCAD simulations to model multi-gate FETs based on various dimensional systems and comprehensively investigated electric fields, potentials, current densities, and electron densities within the devices. Through continuous parameter scaling and extracting the sub-threshold swing (SS) and DIBL from the electrical outputs, we offered optimal MoS2 layer numbers and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) diameters, as well as designed structures for multi-gate FETs based on monolayer MoS2, identifying dual-gate transistors as suitable for high-speed switching applications. Comparing the switching performance of two device types at the same node revealed CNT's advantages as a channel material in mitigating SCEs at sub-3 nm nodes. We validated the performance enhancement of 2D materials in the novel device architecture and reduced the complexity of the related experimental processes. Consequently, our research provides crucial insights for designing next-generation high-performance transistors based on low-dimensional materials at the scaling limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is currently a major contributor to unnatural deaths and the healthcare burden globally, and a patient's battle with depression is often a long one. Because the causes, symptoms, and effects of medications are complex and highly individualized, early identification and personalized treatment of depression are key to improving treatment outcomes. The development of wearable electronics, machine learning, and other technologies in recent years has provided more possibilities for the realization of this goal. Conducting regular monitoring through biosensing technology allows for a more comprehensive and objective analysis than previous self-evaluations. This includes identifying depressive episodes, distinguishing somatization symptoms, analyzing etiology, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs. This review summarizes recent research on biosensing technologies for depression. Special attention is given to technologies that can be portable or wearable, with the potential to enable patient use outside of the hospital, for long periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two exotic non-fullerene acceptors (JX1 and JX2) were effectively developed, and were designed to include, respectively, decameric and dodecameric S,N-heteroacenes. The tandem coupling of electron-donating and electron-deficient moieties on the molecular skeleton enhanced intramolecular charge transfer dramatically, endowing specifically JX2 with excellent absorption of light of low energy approaching 1000 nm. Finally, a JX2-based device outputs a good PCE of 10.83%, providing a rare yet highly promising molecular platform for achieving efficient OSCs with near-infrared-II absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimeric acceptors are expected to satisfy both excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational stability of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, comparing to highly planar and symmetrical monomer-like acceptors, the quite different steric/spatial configurations of dimeric acceptors affect device outcomes greatly. Herein, on basis of the same dimeric molecular platform that constructed by bridging central units of two monomer-like acceptor, diverse substituents (─OCH 3 for D1, ─CH 3 for D2, and ─CF 3 for D3) are grafted on central units to regulate the three dimensions (3D) geometries of dimeric acceptors delicately. A systematic investigation reveals the substituent-dependent variation of energy level, absorption, and molecular packing behavior. Consequently, D2 acceptor, characteristic of more favorable configuration, affords a superior film morphology and charge transfer/transport dynamics in resulting OSCs, thus yielding an excellent PCE of 17.50% along with a good long-term stability. This work manifests the crucially important role of central substituents in constructing high-performance dimeric acceptors., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The eustachian tube (ET) is one of the most complex organs in the human body, and its dysfunction may lead to a variety of diseases. In recent years, an increasing number of scholars have opted to conduct ET-related studies using large experimental animals such as miniature pigs or sheep, yielding promising results. Typically, conventional endoscopic procedures are performed through the nasal approach for large experimental animals. However, due to the elongated and narrow nasal cavity in these animals, transnasal surgeries are challenging. To address this issue, we explored an ET surgery approach via the soft palate. The animal was placed in a supine position. After endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia, a mouth opener was used to fully expose the upper palate. Local infiltration with diluted adrenal fluid was performed for anesthesia of the area. A sickle knife was then used to make a longitudinal soft palate incision at the junction of the soft and hard palates. After hemostasis, an endoscope was inserted into the nasopharynx cavity, allowing the visualization of the pharyngeal opening of the ET on the posterior lateral wall of the nasal cavity. Subsequently, a specialized pusher was used to insert a balloon into ET. The balloon was inflated, maintained at 10 bar for 2 min, and then removed. The incision in the soft palate was then sutured to ensure proper alignment. The soft palate healed well after the operation. This surgical approach is suitable for ET-related procedures in large experimental animals (e.g., miniature pigs, sheep, and dogs). The surgical procedure is simple, with a short surgical time, and wound healing is rapid. Under endoscopy, the pharyngeal opening of the ET is visible, and it is thus a good choice for procedures such as balloon dilation of the ET.

Two exotic 6-cantilever small molecular platforms, characteristic of quite different molecular configurations of propeller and quasi-plane, are established by extremely two-dimensional conjugated extension. When applied in small molecular acceptors, the only two cases of CH25 and CH26 that could contain six terminals and such broad conjugated backbones have been afforded thus far, rendering featured absorptions, small reorganization and exciton binding energies. Moreover, their distinctive but completely different molecular geometries result in sharply contrasting nanoscale film morphologies. Finally, CH26 contributes to the best device efficiency of 15.41 % among acceptors with six terminals, demonstrating two pioneered yet highly promising 6-cantilever molecular innovation platforms., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Due to the intrinsically flexible molecular skeletons and loose aggregations, organic semiconductors, like small molecular acceptors (SMAs) in organic solar cells (OSCs), greatly suffer from larger structural/packing disorders and weaker intermolecular interactions comparing to their inorganic counterparts, further leading to hindered exciton diffusion/dissociation and charge carrier migration in resulting OSCs. To overcome this challenge, complete peripheral fluorination was performed on basis of a two-dimensional (2D) conjugation extended molecular platform of CH-series SMAs, rendering an acceptor of CH8F with eight fluorine atoms surrounding the molecular backbone. Benefitting from the broad 2D backbone, more importantly, strengthened fluorine-induced secondary interactions, CH8F and its D18 blends afford much enhanced and more ordered molecular packings accompanying with enlarged dielectric constants, reduced exciton binding energies and more obvious fibrillary networks comparing to CH6F controls. Consequently, D18:CH8F-based OSCs reached an excellent efficiency of 18.80 %, much better than that of 17.91 % for CH6F-based ones. More excitingly, by employing D18-Cl that possesses a highly similar structure to D18 as a third component, the highest efficiency of 19.28 % for CH-series SMAs-based OSCs has been achieved so far. Our work demonstrates the dramatical structural multiformity of CH-series SMAs, meanwhile, their high potential for constructing record-breaking OSCs through peripheral fine-tuning., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)