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Access to clean water is fundamental to public health and safety, serving as the cornerstone of well-being in communities. Despite the significant investments of millions of dollars in water testing and treatment processes, the United States continues to grapple with over 7 million waterborne-related cases annually. This persistent challenge underscores the pressing need for the development of a new, efficient, rapid, low-cost, and reliable method for ensuring water quality. The urgency of this endeavor cannot be overstated, as it holds the potential to safeguard countless lives and mitigate the pervasive risks associated with contaminated water sources. In this study, we introduce a biochip LAMP assay tailored for water source monitoring. Our method swiftly detects even extremely low concentrations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water, and 10 copies/μL of E. coli aqueous solution could yield positive results within 15 min on a PC-MEDA biochip. This innovation marks a significant departure from the current reliance on lab-dependent methods, which typically necessitate several days for bacterial culture and colony counting. Our multifunctional biochip system not only enables the real-time LAMP testing of crude E. coli samples but also holds promise for future modifications to facilitate on-site usage, thereby revolutionizing water quality assessment and ensuring rapid responses to potential contamination events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By introducing a novel photothermal radiator that effectively harnesses diffused light through plasmonic Fe3O4@Cu2−xS nanoparticles, it is sought to offer a sustainable solution for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures without heavy reliance on traditional solar sources. The approach involves the use of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) lights to photothermally activate transparent Fe3O4@Cu2−xS thin films, showcasing a proactive strategy to optimize energy capture even in low‐light scenarios such as cloudy days or nighttime hours. This innovative technology carries immense potential for energy‐neutral buildings, paving the way to reduce dependence on external energy grids and promoting a more sustainable future for indoor heating and comfort control. The developed photothermal radiator incorporates multiple transparent thin films infused with plasmonic Fe3O4@Cu2−xS nanoparticles, known for their robust UV and IR absorptions driven by localized surface plasmon resonance. Through the application of UV and IR lights, these thin films efficiently convert incident photons into thermal energy. The experiments within a specially constructed diffused light photothermal box, designed to simulate indoor environments, demonstrate the system's capability to raise temperatures above 50 °C effectively. This pioneering photothermal radiator offers a promising pathway for sustainable heat generation in indoor spaces, harnessing ubiquitous diffused light sources to enhance energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]