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Perforated microelectrode arrays (pMEAs) have become essential tools for ex vivo retinal electrophysiological studies. pMEAs increase the nutrient supply to the explant and alleviate the accentuated curvature of the retina, allowing for long-term culture and intimate contacts between the retina and electrodes for electrophysiological measurements. However, commercial pMEAs are not compatible with in situ high-resolution optical imaging and lack the capability of controlling the local microenvironment, which are highly desirable features for relating function to anatomy and probing physiological and pathological mechanisms in retina. Here we report on microfluidic pMEAs (μpMEAs) that combine transparent graphene electrodes and the capability of locally delivering chemical stimulation. We demonstrate the potential of μpMEAs by measuring the electrical response of ganglion cells to locally delivered high K + stimulation under controlled microenvironments. Importantly, the capability for high-resolution confocal imaging of the retina tissue on top of the graphene electrodes allows for further analyses of the electrical signal source. The new capabilities provided by μpMEAs could allow for retinal electrophysiology assays to address key questions in retinal circuitry studies. 

Group IVB transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have attracted significant attention due to their predicted high charge carrier mobility, large sheet current density, and enhanced thermoelectric power. Here, we investigate the electrical and optoelectronic properties of few-layer titanium diselenide (TiSe 2 )-metal junctions through spatial-, wavelength-, temperature-, power- and temporal-dependent scanning photocurrent measurements. Strong photocurrent responses have been detected at TiSe 2 -metal junctions, which is likely attributed to both photovoltaic and photothermoelectric effects. A fast response time of 31 μs has been achieved, which is two orders of magnitude better than HfSe 2 based devices. More importantly, our experimental results reveal a significant enhancement in the response speed upon cooling to the charge-density-wave (CDW) phase transition temperature ( T CDW = 206 K), which may result from dramatic reduction in carrier scattering that occurs as a result of the switching between the normal and CDW phases of TiSe 2 . Additionally, the photoresponsivity at 145 K is up to an order of magnitude higher than that obtained at room temperature. These fundamental studies not only offer insight for the photocurrent generation mechanisms of group IVB TMDC materials, but also provide a route to engineering future temperature-dependent, two-dimensional, fast electronic and optoelectronic devices. 

Exploring ways to tune and improve the performance of graphene is of paramount importance in creating functional graphene-based electronic and optoelectronic devices. Recent advancements have shown that altering the morphology of graphene can have a pronounced effect on its properties. Here, we present a practical and facile method to manipulate the morphology of a suspended graphene ribbon using a laser to locally induce heating while monitoring its electrical and optoelectronic properties in situ . Electrical measurements reveal that the conductance of suspended graphene transistors can be tuned by modifying its morphology. Additionally, scanning photocurrent measurements show that laser-induced folded graphene ribbons display significantly enhanced localized photocurrent responses in comparison with their flat counterparts. Moreover, the localization of the laser-induced heating allows for a series of folds to be induced along the entire graphene ribbon, creating targeted photocurrent enhancement. Through further investigations, it is revealed that the photo-thermoelectric effect is the primary mechanism for the increased photocurrent response of the device. Our experimental results explore the mechanisms and consequences of the folding process as well as provide a strategy to manipulate morphology and physical properties of graphene for future engineering of electronics and optoelectronics. 

Understanding transport mechanisms of electrons and phonons, two major energy carriers in solids, are crucial for various engineering applications. It is widely believed that more free electrons in a material should correspond to a higher thermal conductivity; however, free electrons also scatter phonons to lower the lattice thermal conductivity. The net contribution of free electrons has been rarely studied because the effects of electron–phonon (e–ph) interactions on lattice thermal conductivity have not been well investigated. Here an experimental study of e–ph scattering in quasi-one-dimensional NbSe 3 nanowires is reported, taking advantage of the spontaneous free carrier concentration change during charge density wave (CDW) phase transition. Contrary to the common wisdom that more free electrons would lead to a higher thermal conductivity, results show that during the depinning process of the condensed electrons, while the released electrons enhance the electronic thermal conductivity, the overall thermal conductivity decreases due to the escalated e–ph scattering. This study discloses how competing effects of free electrons result in unexpected trends and provides solid experimental data to dissect the contribution of e–ph scattering on lattice thermal conductivity. Lastly, an active thermal switch design is demonstrated based on tuning electron concentration through electric field. 

The optical momentum alignment effect is demonstrated in WSe₂phototransistors . When the photon energy is above the A exciton energy, the maximum photocurrent response occurs for the light polarization direction parallel to the metal electrode edge, suggesting that electrons in the valence band of WSe₂prefer to absorb photons with the polarization direction perpendicular to their momentum direction. Further studies indicate that the anisotropic distribution of photo‐excited carriers is likely due to the pseudospin‐induced optical transition selection rules. If the photon energy is below the A exciton energy, the photocurrent signals are maximized when the incident light is polarized in the direction perpendicular to the electrode edge, which is mainly attributed to the polarized absorption of the plasmonic gold electrodes. Moreover, the photocurrent peak can be controlled by an electric field via the quantum confined Stark effect. This resonance peak can also be shifted by adjusting environmental temperatures due to the temperature‐dependent nature of the WSe₂band gap. These experimental studies shed light on the knowledge of photocurrent generation mechanisms, opening the door for engineering future anisotropic optoelectronics.