Strain sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity under microstrain have numerous potential applications in heartbeat monitoring, pulsebeat detection, sound signal acquisition, and recognition. In this work, a two-part strain sensor (i.e., polyurethane part and brittle conductive hybrid particles layer on top) based on silver nanowires/graphene hybrid particles is developed via a simple coprecipitation, reduction, vacuum filtration, and casting process. Because of the nonuniform interface, weak interfacial bonding, and the hybrid particles' point-to-point conductive networks, the crack and overlap morphologies are successfully formed on the strain sensor after a prestretching; the crack-based stain sensor exhibits gauge factors as high as 20 (Δε < 0.3%), 1000 (0.3% < Δε < 0.5%), and 4000 (0.8% < Δε < 1%). In addition, we demonstrate the sensing mechanism under strain results in the high gauge factor of the strain sensor. Combined with its good response to bending, high strain resolution, and high working stability, the developed strain sensor is promising in the applications of electronic skins, motion sensors, and health monitoring sensors.

Undergraduate students participating in the UCLA Undergraduate Research Consortium for Functional Genomics (URCFG) have conducted a two-phased screen using RNA interference (RNAi) in combination with fluorescent reporter proteins to identify genes important for hematopoiesis in Drosophila. This screen disrupted the function of approximately 3500 genes and identified 137 candidate genes for which loss of function leads to observable changes in the hematopoietic development. Targeting RNAi to maturing, progenitor, and regulatory cell types identified key subsets that either limit or promote blood cell maturation. Bioinformatic analysis reveals gene enrichment in several previously uncharacterized areas, including RNA processing and export and vesicular trafficking. Lastly, the participation of students in this course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) correlated with increased learning gains across several areas, as well as increased STEM retention, indicating that authentic, student-driven research in the form of a CURE represents an impactful and enriching pedagogical approach.

No abstract