Review Article
Enlisting electrochemistry to reveal melanin's redox-related properties
Melanins have complex structures, difficult-to-characterize properties, and poorly understood biological functions. Electrochemical methods are revealing how melanin's redox-state molecular-switching is coupled to its electron-transfer activities.
Review Article
Decoding eumelanin's spin label signature: a comprehensive EPR analysis
Through electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, one secret of eumelanin was unlocked revealing its intricate paramagnetic signature.
Paper
Exploring the chemistry and composition of black soldier fly eumelanin, a material for a circular economy
Demonstrated is the first example of dihydroxyindole carboxylic acid presence within an insect eumelanin, a conductive biomaterial material for the circular economy.
Paper
A synergistic radical concentration increase in eumelanin–PEDOT:PSS blends: mammalian pigment-based doping for thermopower improvement
The impact of eumelanin integration into PEDOT:PSS is explored here by means of in-depth electron paramagnetic resonance measurements to shed light on the possible contribution of the mammalian pigment to thermopower improvement of PEDOT:PSS.
Paper
A computational investigation of eumelanin–drug binding in aqueous solutions
Melanin is a widely found natural pigment serving multiple physiological functions and having numerous applications in industries and pharmaceuticals.
Paper
Tuning melanin: theoretical analysis of functional group impact on electrochemical and optical properties
Theoretical analysis of derivatized melanin tetramer protomolecules highlights aminated melanin as a promising candidate for energy storage, given its favourable electronic and optical properties.
About this collection
Guest Edited by Pooi See Lee (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), Bernard Mostert (Swansea University, UK), and Carlos F. O. Graeff (Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”, Brazil). The focus of this collection is linked to the Symposium at 2023 Fall E-MRS, featuring research on melanins, polyindolequinones, polydopamine and related materials. This biomaterial class has seen significant research progress including: understanding basic material properties; their use as functional materials and devices; and biological/health advances.