In this article, we review recent progress concerning the development of sensorial platforms based on graphene derivatives and conducting polymers (CPs), alternatively deposited or co-deposited on the working electrode (usually a glassy carbon electrode; GCE) using a simple potentiostatic method (often cyclic voltammetry; CV), possibly followed by the deposition of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) on the electrode surface (ES). These materials have been successfully used to detect an extended range of biomolecules of clinical interest, such as uric acid (UA), dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), adenine, guanine, and others. The most common method is electrochemical synthesis. In the composites, which are often combined with metallic NPs, the interaction between the graphene derivatives—including graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), or graphene quantum dots (GQDs)—and the CPs is usually governed by non-covalent functionalization through π–π interactions, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals (VW) forces. The functionalization of GO, RGO, or GQDs with CPs has been shown to speed up electron transfer during the oxidation process, thus improving the electrochemical response of the resulting sensor. The oxidation mechanism behind the electrochemical response of the sensor seems to involve a partial charge transfer (CT) from the analytes to graphene derivatives, due to the overlapping of π orbitals.

Electronic coupling between adjacent molecules is one of the key parameters determining the charge transfer (CT) rates in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells (PSCs). We calculate theoretically electronic couplings for exciton dissociation (ED) and charge recombination (CR) processes at local poly(thiophene-co-quinoxaline) (TQ)–PC₇₁BM interfaces. We use eigenstate-based coupling schemes, i.e. the generalized Mulliken–Hush (GMH) and fragment charge difference (FCD) schemes, including 2 to multiple (3–11) states. Moreover, we study the effects of functionals, excited state methods, basis sets, surrounding media, and relative placements of TQ and PC₇₁BM on the coupling values. Generally, both schemes provide consistent couplings with the global hybrid functionals, which yield more charge-localized diabatic states and constant coupling values regardless of the number of states, and so the 2-state schemes may be sufficient. The (non-tuned and optimally tuned) long-range corrected (LRC) functionals result in more notable mixing of the local components with the CT states. Employing multiple states reduces the mixing and thus improves the LRC results, although the method still affects the GMH CR couplings. As the FCD scheme is less sensitive, we recommend combining it with the multi-state treatment for polymer–fullerene systems when using the LRC functionals. Finally, we employ the 11-state FCD couplings to calculate the ED and CR rates, which are consistent with the experimental rates of the polymer–fullerene systems. Our results provide more insight into choosing a suitable eigenstate-based coupling scheme for predicting the electronic couplings and CT rates in photoactive systems.

This paper provides a unique multi-disciplinary survey of standalone solutions for clean and sustainable water access in Africa and proposes a three-segment architecture, comprised of an UV-LED-based water disinfection unit, a solar-powered battery, and a wireless positioning system. In addition, our paper also provides initial snapshot results from all the three segments of the proposed architecture, as well as two examples of the water analysis and user-survey-based results collected from Togo, Africa. We believe that the features of our envisaged system such as long battery life, low maintenance cost, ability to significantly increase the quality and disinfect at least 1.5 l/min of water and ability to offer wireless positioning without the need to access a cellular or WiFi network, for accurate annotation of water sources, localization of misplaced or lost disinfection systems, and user standalone positioning capabilities, are attractive features towards improving the quality of life of people with limited access to potable water or to water that fulfills international quality criteria.

Nanocomposites based on Fe₃O₄ and carbonaceous nanoparticles (CNPs), including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene derivatives (graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO)), such as Fe₃O₄@GO, Fe₃O₄@RGO, and Fe₃O₄@CNT, have demonstrated considerable potential in a number of health applications, including tissue regeneration and innovative cancer treatments such as hyperthermia (HT). This is due to their ability to transport drugs and generate localized heat under the influence of an alternating magnetic field on Fe₃O₄. Despite the promising potential of CNTs and graphene derivatives as drug delivery systems, their use in biological applications is hindered by challenges related to dispersion in physiological media and particle agglomeration. Hence, a solid foundation has been established for the integration of various synthesis techniques for these nanocomposites, with the wet co-precipitation method being the most prevalent. Moreover, the dimensions and morphology of the composite nanoparticles are directly correlated with the value of magnetic saturation, thus influencing the efficiency of the composite in drug delivery and other significant biomedical applications. The current demand for this type of material is related to the loading of a larger quantity of drugs within the hybrid structure of the carrier, with the objective of releasing this amount into the tumor cells. A second demand refers to the biocompatibility of the drug carrier and its capacity to permeate cell membranes, as well as the processes occurring within the drug carriers. The main objective of this paper is to review the synthesis methods used to prepare hybrids based on Fe₃O₄ and CNPs, such as GO, RGO, and CNTs, and to examinate their role in the formation of hybrid nanoparticles and the correlation between their morphology, the dimensions, and optical/magnetic properties.

This paper describes CAREUP, a novel older adult healthy aging support platform based on Intrinsic Capacity (IC) monitoring. Besides standard functionalities like storing health measurement data or providing users with personalized recommendations, the platform includes novel intrinsic capacity assessment and prediction algorithms. Older adults’ performance is continuously monitored in all five IC domains—locomotion, psychology, cognition, vitality, and sensory capacity—based on measurement results and answers to questionnaires gathered using the platform’s mobile applications. The users are also presented with a machine learning-based prediction of how their intrinsic capacity might change over the following years. The platform’s operation was successfully tested with the participation of older adults and their caregivers in three countries: Austria, Italy, and Romania.

The worldwide population is undergoing a fundamental change in its age structure, which challenges the health- and social-services system. The need to migrate towards a more person-centered and coordinated model of care that supports the optimization of abilities and capacities for older people has to be matched. In this sense, eHealth technologies can play a fundamental role. In this paper, through a questionnaire-based data collection using 30 primary (older people) and 32 secondary (informal caregivers) end-users, we share our vision on how to sustainably develop a product by optimizing the user experience and ensuring adoption. We hypothesized that a technology-based intervention can promote healthy ageing through informed and active user involvement at all stages of the care process. Both older adults and caregivers consider the use of a smartphone and smartwatch to be very important; in addition, the use of digital devices for healthcare can be helpful. Seniors care about self-monitoring health parameters through the use of wearable devices, regardless of their health status, and would like to be included in the process of making good health decisions, because they need to feel in control of their healthcare process. Digital solutions in health and care can support the well-being of older adults in many areas of their daily lives, both at home and in their communities, but only if such innovation is designed around the natural voice of the intended target.