Advanced Sensor Research最新文献

Achieving and maintaining optimal oral health necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the complex bio-adhesive and metabolic processes occurring within the oral cavity. These processes are significantly influenced by the intricate composition of oral fluids, particularly saliva and its resident microbiome. Currently available methodologies struggle to accurately monitor the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of key oral biomarkers, such as glucose. The development of miniaturized sensors for continuous and quantitative monitoring of clinically relevant salivary parameters represents a significant advancement in diagnostic capabilities. This work introduces an electrochemical sensor array designed for the continuous, quantitative monitoring of the clinically relevant and paradigmatic metabolite glucose. To address the challenges posed by the complex salivary environment, a surface modification strategy is implemented involving hybrid films of Prussian blue with chitosan and glucose oxidase enzyme entrapped within chitosan. The incorporation of chitosan, along with the further integration of zwitterionic polymer based on self-polymerized dopamine (pDA) and 2- Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphoryl Choline (MPC), facilitates the sensitive, selective, and reliable glucose monitoring in harsh salivary environments. Continuous amperometric glucose monitoring showcases the platform's capability for real-time quantification, as increasing glucose concentrations correspond with elevated current signals. Pilot experiments show the sensors' capacity to precisely quantify salivary glucose levels and ascertain unknown concentrations, validated through the use of commercial glucometers. While the initial focus lies on glucose detection as a proof of concept, the final device integrates multiple electrochemical and potentiometric sensors. This advanced configuration enables the comprehensive quantification of several clinically relevant parameters in saliva. The development of multi-sensor devices for continuous monitoring within the oral cavity holds immense potential: by unlocking deeper insights into the mechanisms driving the onset and progression of oral diseases, it will pave the way for further innovations in preventive dentistry.

Excessive sun exposure is the major environmental risk factor for melanoma and other types of skin cancer. Reducing cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and avoiding repeated, sporadic episodes of acute photodamage can drastically lower this risk. Photodamage after sun exposure can be assessed by monitoring erythema – skin redness – and increased pigmentation, both key indicators of excessive UV exposure. In this work, a compact optical device designed to monitor changes in pigmentation and erythema through reflectance measurements using four micro-LEDs is presented, emitting at 405, 572, 650, and 700 nm, and a photodiode with extended visible-near infrared sensitivity. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to optimize the device design by evaluating light penetration into skin tissue as a function of source-to-detector distance to target key chromophores. The device is validated using skin-mimicking tissue phantoms containing coffee, with similar optical properties to melanin, and hemoglobin to simulate changes in pigmentation and erythema, respectively. Using a signal-to-noise ratio threshold of 2, it is able to detect changes in pigmentation as small as 5% across all phototypes and erythema changes in lighter skin tones. This miniaturized device shows potential for personalized skin monitoring in therapeutic, cosmetic, and diagnostic applications.

In this study, a novel 3D-printed glassy carbon gyroid anode is constructed using stereolithography, aiming to improve microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensor performance through a simple method that optimizes both the macroporous structure and hydrophilicity of the anode. Comparative studies are conducted between MFC-based biosensors with traditional carbon felt (CF-MFCs) and those with the 3D-printed resin anode (RE-MFCs). In batch mode, RE-MFCs show a linear dynamic range from 26 to 405 mg L⁻¹, +126% higher than CF-MFCs (26–194 mg L⁻¹). However, a reduction in sensitivity is observed (0.40 ± 0.08 mA m⁻² mg⁻¹ L⁻¹ for RE-MFCs and 1.02 ± 0.08 mA m⁻² mg⁻¹ L⁻¹). In continuous flow mode at a flow rate of 0.1 mL min⁻¹ (HRT = 5 h), the RE-MFCs demonstrated up to 35% higher sensitivity (1.45 mA m⁻² mg⁻¹ L⁻¹) than the CF-MFCs (0.94 mA m⁻² mg⁻¹ L⁻¹) due to increased mass transport and better biofilm activity. Despite using the same inoculum, different microbial electroactive biofilms formed on the CF and RE anodes. Biofilm communities are influenced more by the operation mode than by the anode material choice. This study introduces an innovative anode material that can be tailored to increase dynamic range or sensitivity based on MFC operation mode and calibration strategy.

Biosensing by Particle Motion (BPM) is an affinity-based biosensing technology for the continuous monitoring of concentrations of specific biomolecules. Previous work has shown that BPM sensor signals change over long time spans, caused in part by losses of binder molecules from the particles and the sensing surface. This paper studies whether the aging effects of particles and the sensing surface depend on the applied temperature. Particles and surface were separately aged, and their functionalities were quantified in a glycoalkaloid BPM sensor, with anti-solanidine antibodies on the particles and solanidine-analogue on the sensing surface. The results show that the particles are stable up to 40 °C and lose functionality when exposed to 50 °C and higher. The surface aging experiments show both decreasing and increasing signals with temperature exposures, potentially caused by rearrangements of the low-fouling polymer coating on the sensing surface. The experimental results give pointers on how long-term changes of continuous biosensors can be studied and eventually mitigated.

Lipid droplets (LDs) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are dynamic organelles central to cellular metabolism, signaling, and stress response. Despite their biological relevance and close interplay, tools to selectively track their dynamic behavior remain limited. Here, the design, synthesis, and characterization of a new class of fluorescent probes obtained through green multicomponent synthetic strategies are reported. These previously unexplored fluorophore scaffolds display unexpected and differential subcellular localization, selectively targeting either LDs or the ER with high photostability. Mechanistic studies suggest that such selectivity arises from a synergistic interplay between partition coefficient, conformational geometry, and strategically positioned targeting moieties. These features enable the probes to adapt to distinct microenvironments within cells, supporting real-time visualization of both LD and ER dynamics. These findings provide versatile sensing tools and novel insights into organelle-targeting principles, establishing an eco-conscious route to next-generation fluorescent sensors.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sustained during sports activity represent a complex and heterogeneous spectrum of neuropathological conditions that remain underdiagnosed and often poorly managed, particularly in the amateur athletic populations. Traditional diagnostic paradigms, heavily reliant on subjective symptom reporting and clinical observation, lack the sensitivity and specificity required for early and accurate detection of mild and sub-concussive injuries. This review fills a critical gap by synthesizing recent advances in precision diagnostic tools, including AI-enhanced neuroimaging, blood-based biomarkers, and wearable biosensors, which are reshaping the detection and monitoring of sports-related TBIs. Despite significant research, diagnostic inconsistency persists, particularly in youth and amateur athletes. By integrating these converging technologies, a unified framework for earlier and more accurate detection as well as longitudinal monitoring, is proposed. Through a systems biology framework, the study evaluates the translational relevance of these tools in stratifying injury severity, monitoring recovery trajectories, and informing return-to-play decisions. Furthermore, the review addresses inherent challenges, including inter-individual variability, lack of consensus on diagnostic thresholds, ethical considerations in youth, and collegiate sports and the need for large-scale, sport-specific normative datasets. Looking ahead, the synergistic application of AI and digital diagnostics offers a transformative shift in sports neurology and public health surveillance.

Clean, disinfected surfaces and medical instruments are critical to maintaining a hygienic environment, especially in healthcare settings. Current methods for disinfection validation and training require either a long evaluation time or do not distinguish between physical (dilution) and chemical (disintegration) disinfection procedures. However, to achieve effective disinfection, both effects, dilution and disintegration, are required for many commonly used disinfectants (e.g., alcohol, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium compounds). In this study, a method is established for the real-time monitoring of surface disinfection using fluorescence-labeled DNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNP) encapsulating such DNA. It is shown that the spatial separation of quencher-modified DNA and fluorophore-modified complementary DNA by LNPs can be disrupted by ethanolic disinfectants, facilitating the disintegration of LNPs. The resulting quenching of fluorescence can immediately be detected using a manual setup comprising a hand-held laser, a color filter, and a smartphone camera. To demonstrate a potential application of this novel disinfection detection technology, disinfection of a commonly used medical instrument, a scalpel, is validated using the qualitative change in fluorescence upon disintegration of LNPs, enabling distinction between physical dilution and chemical disintegration. Therefore, LNPs spatially separating quencher and fluorophore offer real-time, qualitative monitoring of surface disinfection.

Raman Microscopy

The resonance structure of 4-nitrophenol undergoes a distinct change upon interaction with surface-modified porous silica, as revealed by Raman microscopy. The silica surface is functionalized with a complex mixture comprising covalently attached acetylated mannoside via a linker, precipitated N-acylurea, and urea. The quinone-type resonance form can be monitored in situ without the need for alkaline treatment. More details can be found in the Research Article by Osamu Kanie and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/adsr.202500093).