Advanced Sensor Research最新文献

3D Printing Optical Fiber Technology

In article 2300205, Yanhua Luo, Yushi Chu, and co-workers fabricate all solid photonic crystal optical fiber by 3D printing optical fiber technology (3DOFT). Advanced fiber sensors for sensing of multiple parameters are enabled. 3DOFT will bring more opportunities to many cutting-edge fields, e.g., aerospace, life & health, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and radiation detection.

Graphene-Based Lab-On-a-Chip

A Graphene-based Lab-On-a-Chip (G-LOC) has been developed and validated for multiplex self-testing renal biomarkers in capillary blood. G-LOC offers over 98.7% accuracy and a user-friendly interface, enabling true at-home and digital diagnostics with lab-grade precision and instant results. It has the potential to tackle major healthcare challenges, including large-scale screening and monitoring of chronic kidney disease (CKD). More details can be found in article 2400061 by Esteban Piccinini, Omar Azzaroni, and co-workers.

Piezoelectric-Based Ultrasound Systems

The cover image of article 2300175 by Canan Dagdeviren and co-workers depicts a 2-dimensional array of bulk piezoelectric discs embedded in a soft, flexible polymer substrate. The electromechanical surface deformation of the discs (top two) and polymer encapsulation (bottom two) is shown in the blown view of the discs, as predicted by Multiphysics COMSOL models. The modelling and experimental pipeline presented in this work provides a framework for rapid design and characterization of wearable ultrasound systems.

Air pollution is a major global concern, leading to serious health problems and environmental damage. This article provides a comprehensive review of historical and current methods used to monitor and predict air quality. It emphasizes the ongoing need for better monitoring techniques. 47 studies are critically analyzed, and computational advancements in air quality monitoring are categorized into sensor-based and image-based techniques. This review reveals that sensor-based algorithmic methods, representing 62% of the reviewed literature, are reliable but often lack flexibility and real-time monitoring capabilities. On the other hand, image-based techniques, while innovative, are limited by the size and diversity of datasets, primarily functioning only during daylight hours. To address these limitations, a hybrid approach that integrates both sensor and image-based methods is proposed. This aims to enhance monitoring by allowing users to visualize pollution levels through an augmented reality layer. The proposed model seeks to provide mobile users with the ability to accurately monitor surrounding air quality by establishing a comprehensive image-based dataset that includes various features not previously considered in existing datasets.

The synergy resulting from the high conductivity of graphene and catalytic properties of metal nanoparticle has been a resource to improve the activity and functionality of electrochemical sensors. This work focuses on the simultaneous synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and laser-induced graphene (LIG) derived from paper, through a one-step laser processing approach. A chromatography paper substrate with drop-casted copper sulfate is used for the fabrication of this hybrid material, characterized in terms of its morphological, chemical, and conductive properties. Appealing conductive properties are achieved, with sheet resistance of 170 Ω sq⁻¹ being reached, while chemical characterization confirms the simultaneous synthesis of the conductive carbon electrode material and metallic copper nanostructures. Using optimized laser synthesis and patterning conditions, LIG/CuNPs-based working electrodes are fabricated within a three-electrode planar cell, and their electrochemical performance is assessed against pristine LIG electrodes, demonstrating good electron transfer kinetics appropriate for electrochemical sensing. The sensor's ability to detect glucose through a non-enzymatic route is optimized, to assure good sensing performance in standard samples and in artificial sweat complex matrix.

Research on implantable glucose biosensors is driven by the need for innovative medical devices for continuous glucose monitoring in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, biosensor sterilization is a step that is widely omitted during the process of innovation. To compare the effects of gamma irradiation and chemical treatment with ethylene oxide (carbon microarray electrodes are fabricated, functionalized with glucose oxidizing enzymes (cellobiose dehydrogenase CDH or glucose oxidase GOx), and coated with a specifically designed zwitterionic polymer prior to the sterilization step. Cyclic voltammetry in the presence of 100 mm glucose of the biosensors before and after sterilization shows that gamma irradiation with a low radiation rate (25 kGy, 260 Gy h⁻¹) does not induce a sensor performance loss, unlike the EtO treatment. In addition, no cytotoxic by-products are released after gamma sterilization. Based on these results obtained with both glucose oxidizing enzymes (CDH and GOx), gamma irradiation of the glucose biosensors with a low dose rate is preferable to exposure to EtO for biosensor terminal sterilization.

 Recently, significant progress has been made regarding conductive hydrogels-based flexible sensors in health detection, electronic skin, soft robots, etc. However, the requirement of bonding with the substrate through the adhesive tape, brokenness sensitivity, and degradation of performance under low-temperature environments, strongly limit the wide applications of conductive hydrogels in flexible sensors. To solve these problems, this study introduces lithium chloride (LiCl) into poly(vinyl alcohol)/tannic acid/polyacrylamide (PVA/TA/PAM) hydrogels to endow the hydrogels with excellent conductivity and antifreeze properties. In addition, the addition of tannic acid (TA) and zwitterionic 3-[Dimethyl-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethyl]azaniumyl]propane-1-sulfonate (SBMA) enables the hydrogel to have good self-healing performance (after 72 h of healing at 20 °C, the healing efficiency of fracture stress is 24%, and the healing efficiency of fracture strain is 52%) and adhesion (the adhesion strength to paper at 20 °C is 14.12 KPa). The sensors based on PVA/TA/PAM composite hydrogels exhibit good sensibility, stability, and durability, and can respond quickly to human joint activities (finger bending, wrist bending, arm bending, and leg bending). Therefore, the multifunctional PVA/TA/PAM composite hydrogel demonstrates significant potential for applications in flexible strain sensors under extreme environments.

This mini-review explores the evolution of image sensors, essential electronic components increasingly integrated into daily life. Traditional manufacturing methods for image sensors and photodetectors, employing high carbon footprint techniques like thermal evaporation and chemical vapor deposition, are being replaced by environmentally conscious solution processing. Organic and Colloidal Quantum Dot-based image sensors emerge as promising candidates, aligning with the shift toward solution-based device integration. This review provides insights into the working principles of photodetectors and image sensors, summarizing relevant materials and fabrication approaches. Additionally, it delves into the detailed exploration of pixelated patterning techniques and their potential applications in the realm of solution-processed image sensor fabrication.