Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100976
Tomasz Wasilewski , Damian Neubauer , Nathália F. Brito , Ana Claudia A. Melo , Bartosz Szulczyński , Rafał Kiejzik , Marek Wojciechowski , Jacek Gębicki , Wojciech Kamysz
The detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with metabolic and pathological processes offers a promising route toward non-invasive disease diagnostics. Cyclohexane and xylene, classified as lung cancer biomarkers, lack selective bioreceptors for sensitive and selective detection. This article explores the potential of peptides derived from odorant-binding protein (OBP) of Aedes aegypti for the detection of cyclohexane and xylene, hydrocarbons relevant to breath analysis and environmental monitoring. Specifically, the modPep_17 sensor showed selective affinity to xylene with an LOD of 52.6 ppm, while modPep_25 was most responsive to cyclohexane with an LOD of 86.5 ppm, with concentration-dependent responses and approximately linear behavior within the three tested concentration levels. The novelty of this work lies in the use of insect-derived peptide sequences as recognition layers for the selective binding of chosen VOCs, a chemical group rarely addressed by biological receptors. This work explores insect-derived peptide sequences for VOCs sensing applications, providing a foundation for bioelectronic nose arrays targeting biomarkers.
{"title":"Detection of cyclohexane and xylene with insect odorant-binding protein-derived peptide receptors","authors":"Tomasz Wasilewski , Damian Neubauer , Nathália F. Brito , Ana Claudia A. Melo , Bartosz Szulczyński , Rafał Kiejzik , Marek Wojciechowski , Jacek Gębicki , Wojciech Kamysz","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with metabolic and pathological processes offers a promising route toward non-invasive disease diagnostics. Cyclohexane and xylene, classified as lung cancer biomarkers, lack selective bioreceptors for sensitive and selective detection. This article explores the potential of peptides derived from odorant-binding protein (OBP) of <em>Aedes aegypti</em> for the detection of cyclohexane and xylene, hydrocarbons relevant to breath analysis and environmental monitoring. Specifically, the modPep_17 sensor showed selective affinity to xylene with an LOD of 52.6 ppm, while modPep_25 was most responsive to cyclohexane with an LOD of 86.5 ppm, with concentration-dependent responses and approximately linear behavior within the three tested concentration levels. The novelty of this work lies in the use of insect-derived peptide sequences as recognition layers for the selective binding of chosen VOCs, a chemical group rarely addressed by biological receptors. This work explores insect-derived peptide sequences for VOCs sensing applications, providing a foundation for bioelectronic nose arrays targeting biomarkers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100976"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100974
Michael C. Kohler , Alex Rothstein , Eric Greenberg , Ioana Voiculescu , Nikhil Tiwale , Fang Li
Accurate assessment of skeletal muscle forces and net joint torque is essential for preventing fatigue-related injuries, optimizing physical training, and monitoring disease progression in neuromuscular conditions. However, existing joint torque evaluation techniques are hindered by limited portability and high operational costs, confining their use to controlled laboratory or clinical settings. Despite substantial advances in wearable joint torque estimation systems, ongoing challenges such as power constraints, bulky wired setups, and susceptibility to environmental or motion artifacts underscore the urgent need for truly batteryless, wireless solutions deployable in real-world settings. This paper proposes a novel surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based force myography (FMG) system for noninvasive measurement of joint torque, validated against a gold-standard electromechanical dynamometer. The approach uses a single SAW sensor embedded in an armband to detect volumetric biceps brachii changes, with a second-order polynomial mapping sensor output and elbow angle to torque. Seven participants were tested in both isometric (15°–90°) and isokinetic (10°/s and 20°/s) supinated elbow flexion tasks. Under isometric conditions, subject-specific calibration achieved a normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) of and , while a group-level model yielded and , respectively. For isokinetic trials, the group model produced an NRMSE of at 10°/s and at 20°/s, highlighting the feasibility of using a single-sensor SAW-FMG setup across different speeds. Because SAW devices support wireless, battery-free operation, the proposed system offers a pathway to portable, real-time monitoring for sports medicine, rehabilitation, and clinical diagnostics.
{"title":"Correlation of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) force myography sensor output with elbow joint torque","authors":"Michael C. Kohler , Alex Rothstein , Eric Greenberg , Ioana Voiculescu , Nikhil Tiwale , Fang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100974","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100974","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate assessment of skeletal muscle forces and net joint torque is essential for preventing fatigue-related injuries, optimizing physical training, and monitoring disease progression in neuromuscular conditions. However, existing joint torque evaluation techniques are hindered by limited portability and high operational costs, confining their use to controlled laboratory or clinical settings. Despite substantial advances in wearable joint torque estimation systems, ongoing challenges such as power constraints, bulky wired setups, and susceptibility to environmental or motion artifacts underscore the urgent need for truly batteryless, wireless solutions deployable in real-world settings. This paper proposes a novel surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based force myography (FMG) system for noninvasive measurement of joint torque, validated against a gold-standard electromechanical dynamometer. The approach uses a single SAW sensor embedded in an armband to detect volumetric biceps brachii changes, with a second-order polynomial mapping sensor output and elbow angle to torque. Seven participants were tested in both isometric (15°–90°) and isokinetic (10°/s and 20°/s) supinated elbow flexion tasks. Under isometric conditions, subject-specific calibration achieved a normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) of <span><math><mrow><mn>13</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>6</mn><mtext>%</mtext><mo>±</mo><mn>6</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>0</mn><mtext>%</mtext></mrow></math></span> and <span><math><mrow><msup><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>834</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>180</mn></mrow></math></span>, while a group-level model yielded <span><math><mrow><mn>14</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>4</mn><mtext>%</mtext><mo>±</mo><mn>6</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>8</mn><mtext>%</mtext></mrow></math></span> and <span><math><mrow><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>808</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>208</mn></mrow></math></span>, respectively. For isokinetic trials, the group model produced an NRMSE of <span><math><mrow><mn>24</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>1</mn><mtext>%</mtext><mo>±</mo><mn>6</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>6</mn><mtext>%</mtext></mrow></math></span> at 10°/s and <span><math><mrow><mn>24</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>9</mn><mtext>%</mtext><mo>±</mo><mn>08</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>9</mn><mtext>%</mtext></mrow></math></span> at 20°/s, highlighting the feasibility of using a single-sensor SAW-FMG setup across different speeds. Because SAW devices support wireless, battery-free operation, the proposed system offers a pathway to portable, real-time monitoring for sports medicine, rehabilitation, and clinical diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100974"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100973
Nader Ghobadi , Reza Daqiq , Seyed Ali Hosseini Moradi
Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJs) are promising weak magnetic field sensors, yet designing optimal device configurations requires accurate electromagnetic and thermal modeling. This work presents a quasi-static electrical-thermal simulation for MTJ sensors, integrating magnetotransport models, sub-Poissonian shot noise, and Bloch-law TMR degradation. The framework characterizes single devices, 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 parallel arrays, and 4-series configurations. For single devices, the simulation predicts a detectivity floor of 64.1 pT/. Parallel 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 arrays achieve 32.05 pT/ and 16.02 pT/ respectively, validating theoretical uncorrelated noise scaling under ideal conditions. Temperature analysis reveals that while sensitivity degrades according to magnon excitation models, offset drift—driven by magnetic layer asymmetry—constitutes the primary accuracy limitation for DC applications, necessitating active compensation. This framework provides a critical computational baseline for system-level trade-off analysis, bridging the gap between isolated device physics and the design of optimized sensor arrays.
{"title":"Unified computational framework for high-sensitivity MTJ magnetometry: Integrating sub-poissonian shot noise, thermal drift, and array scaling","authors":"Nader Ghobadi , Reza Daqiq , Seyed Ali Hosseini Moradi","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100973","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100973","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJs) are promising weak magnetic field sensors, yet designing optimal device configurations requires accurate electromagnetic and thermal modeling. This work presents a quasi-static electrical-thermal simulation for MTJ sensors, integrating magnetotransport models, sub-Poissonian shot noise, and Bloch-law TMR degradation. The framework characterizes single devices, 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 parallel arrays, and 4-series configurations. For single devices, the simulation predicts a detectivity floor of 64.1 pT/<span><math><msqrt><mi>Hz</mi></msqrt></math></span>. Parallel 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 arrays achieve 32.05 pT/<span><math><msqrt><mi>Hz</mi></msqrt></math></span> and 16.02 pT/<span><math><msqrt><mi>Hz</mi></msqrt></math></span> respectively, validating theoretical <span><math><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mi>N</mi></msqrt></math></span> uncorrelated noise scaling under ideal conditions. Temperature analysis reveals that while sensitivity degrades according to magnon excitation models, offset drift—driven by magnetic layer asymmetry—constitutes the primary accuracy limitation for DC applications, necessitating active compensation. This framework provides a critical computational baseline for system-level trade-off analysis, bridging the gap between isolated device physics and the design of optimized sensor arrays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100973"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100972
Xue Ding , Yuto Ohmi , Jin Wang , Hirofumi Inoue , Toshihiko Kiwa
Terahertz chemical microscopy (TCM) is a promising label-free technique for detecting biochemical interactions by monitoring changes in terahertz (THz) wave emission from semiconductor sensing plates. However, quantitative biological detection has been hindered by large plate-to-plate variations originating from uncontrolled depletion-layer electric fields formed during fabrication. These variations shift the response curve of THz amplitude and reduce reproducibility and sensitivity. Here, we introduce a voltage-tuned sensing plate that allows direct control of the depletion-layer electric field by applying a bias voltage to the Si layer of the sensing plate. This enables deliberate adjustment of surface potential and alignment of the THz response curve to the region of highest gain. Using lung adenocarcinoma cells (PC9) captured via AE1/AE3 antibodies targeting specific cell-surface antigens, we demonstrate that voltage tuning enhances detection sensitivity by up to 50-fold and restores linearity between THz amplitude and the logarithm of cell concentration, even in plates with negligible response at 0 V. These findings establish voltage control as a simple, universally applicable strategy to stabilize TCM performance, reduce fabrication-induced variability, and improve analytical sensitivity for biosensing and materials-analysis applications.
{"title":"Highly sensitive detection of cancer cells using a voltage-tuned terahertz chemical microscope","authors":"Xue Ding , Yuto Ohmi , Jin Wang , Hirofumi Inoue , Toshihiko Kiwa","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100972","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100972","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Terahertz chemical microscopy (TCM) is a promising label-free technique for detecting biochemical interactions by monitoring changes in terahertz (THz) wave emission from semiconductor sensing plates. However, quantitative biological detection has been hindered by large plate-to-plate variations originating from uncontrolled depletion-layer electric fields formed during fabrication. These variations shift the response curve of THz amplitude and reduce reproducibility and sensitivity. Here, we introduce a voltage-tuned sensing plate that allows direct control of the depletion-layer electric field by applying a bias voltage to the Si layer of the sensing plate. This enables deliberate adjustment of surface potential and alignment of the THz response curve to the region of highest gain. Using lung adenocarcinoma cells (PC9) captured via AE1/AE3 antibodies targeting specific cell-surface antigens, we demonstrate that voltage tuning enhances detection sensitivity by up to 50-fold and restores linearity between THz amplitude and the logarithm of cell concentration, even in plates with negligible response at 0 V. These findings establish voltage control as a simple, universally applicable strategy to stabilize TCM performance, reduce fabrication-induced variability, and improve analytical sensitivity for biosensing and materials-analysis applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100972"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Because of their exceptional electrical, mechanical, dimensional, chemical, and magnetic characteristics, MXenes have attracted an abundance of interest in scholarly study lately. According to recent developments and discoveries, MXene, a multilayered compound with a two-dimensional (2D) framework, has a lot greater promise for use in bioengineering and medical research than other nanosystems. These uses encompass medical procedures, administering medications, biosensor technologies, incorporation, antimicrobial agents, and biological imaging. MXenes are very attractive prospects for therapeutic, diagnostic, and theranostic use because of their distinctive features, which include their substantial conductivity to electricity, magnetic luminescence, wide extent of coverage, excellent biocompatibility, and low toxicological profile. Modifications to the MXene surfaces are biocompatible and serve a variety of purposes, such as directing ligands to certain locations for preferred aggregation, which makes them suitable for use in particular applications. A description of the properties, changes, and synthesis techniques of MXene nanostructures is presented in this work. The practical applications of MXene-derived nanostructures in biomedical fields are also thoroughly evaluated in this study, with an emphasis on implants, biosensing, biological imaging, antibacterial activities, and versatile therapeutic systems. The potential opportunities and difficulties related to the use of MXenes throughout the field of biological medicine are also covered in this paper.
{"title":"A comprehensive review on MXene nanostructures for biosensing, imaging, and therapeutic systems","authors":"Ali Mohammad Amani , Ehsan Vafa , Maryam Mirzae , Milad Abbasi , Ahmad Vaez , Atena Najdian , Alireza Jahanbin , Seyed Reza Kasaei , Sareh Mosleh-Shirazi , Hesam Kamyab , Tayebeh Khademi , Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan , Saravanan Rajendran","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100912","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100912","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Because of their exceptional electrical, mechanical, dimensional, chemical, and magnetic characteristics, MXenes have attracted an abundance of interest in scholarly study lately. According to recent developments and discoveries, MXene, a multilayered compound with a two-dimensional (2D) framework, has a lot greater promise for use in bioengineering and medical research than other nanosystems. These uses encompass medical procedures, administering medications, biosensor technologies, incorporation, antimicrobial agents, and biological imaging. MXenes are very attractive prospects for therapeutic, diagnostic, and theranostic use because of their distinctive features, which include their substantial conductivity to electricity, magnetic luminescence, wide extent of coverage, excellent biocompatibility, and low toxicological profile. Modifications to the MXene surfaces are biocompatible and serve a variety of purposes, such as directing ligands to certain locations for preferred aggregation, which makes them suitable for use in particular applications. A description of the properties, changes, and synthesis techniques of MXene nanostructures is presented in this work. The practical applications of MXene-derived nanostructures in biomedical fields are also thoroughly evaluated in this study, with an emphasis on implants, biosensing, biological imaging, antibacterial activities, and versatile therapeutic systems. The potential opportunities and difficulties related to the use of MXenes throughout the field of biological medicine are also covered in this paper.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100912"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145692327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-03-04DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100990
Minh-Hai Nguyen , Pankaj Singla , Amy Dann , Trung Hieu Tran , Jan Sündermann , Michaela Kreienmeyer , Heike Schmitt , Thomas Butterbrodt , Tobias Schwarz , Jana Schwieger , Verena Scheper , Marloes Peeters , Patrick Wagner , Athanasia Warnecke , Corinna Kaulen , Julia Körner , Thomas Lenarz , Theodor Doll
A major challenge in cochlear implant (CI) therapy is postoperative inflammation, which can compromise long-term electrode function. Conventional interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection is challenging due to factors such as its inherent instability. In this study, we present a cost-effective detection strategy using epitope-specific molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs). These nanoMIPs enable sensitive detection of both IL-6 and its epitope, representing a scalable and economical alternative for inflammation monitoring. NanoMIPs were embedded in a biodegradable chitosan matrix and sprayed onto electrodes. To detect the biomarker, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used, a functionality which is already embedded in CI circuits. The sensors enabled reliable detection of IL-6 down to 29 pg/mL, which represents the lowest concentration investigated in this study, with improved sensitivity to the small epitope, as the larger protein causes higher impedance changes due to steric hindrance. Additionally, the sensors enabled concentration-dependent IL-6 detection in human perilymph samples down to 2 pg/mL, with higher signal responses for IL-6 relative to other perilymph components. Comparison with an immunoassay supported analytical accuracy and diagnostic relevance. The sensors were subsequently tested weekly for functionality over four weeks under physiological conditions, with nanoMIP:chitosan ratios of 1:6 and 1:8 being optimal for long-term monitoring. Moreover, the nanoMIPs have a diameter of 56 nm (a parameter that can influence physiological excretion) and cytotoxicity tests demonstrated their biocompatibility. This work presents an epitope-based nanoMIP sensor platform that overcomes economic and biochemical limitations of protein-based biosensors, enabling advanced, real-time self-monitoring CI systems for in-vivo inflammation tracking to reduce implant failure.
{"title":"Intra-cochlear detection of Interleukin-6 using nanoMIPs embedded in a biodegradable matrix","authors":"Minh-Hai Nguyen , Pankaj Singla , Amy Dann , Trung Hieu Tran , Jan Sündermann , Michaela Kreienmeyer , Heike Schmitt , Thomas Butterbrodt , Tobias Schwarz , Jana Schwieger , Verena Scheper , Marloes Peeters , Patrick Wagner , Athanasia Warnecke , Corinna Kaulen , Julia Körner , Thomas Lenarz , Theodor Doll","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100990","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100990","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A major challenge in cochlear implant (CI) therapy is postoperative inflammation, which can compromise long-term electrode function. Conventional interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection is challenging due to factors such as its inherent instability. In this study, we present a cost-effective detection strategy using epitope-specific molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs). These nanoMIPs enable sensitive detection of both IL-6 and its epitope, representing a scalable and economical alternative for inflammation monitoring. NanoMIPs were embedded in a biodegradable chitosan matrix and sprayed onto electrodes. To detect the biomarker, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used, a functionality which is already embedded in CI circuits. The sensors enabled reliable detection of IL-6 down to 29 pg/mL, which represents the lowest concentration investigated in this study, with improved sensitivity to the small epitope, as the larger protein causes higher impedance changes due to steric hindrance. Additionally, the sensors enabled concentration-dependent IL-6 detection in human perilymph samples down to 2 pg/mL, with higher signal responses for IL-6 relative to other perilymph components. Comparison with an immunoassay supported analytical accuracy and diagnostic relevance. The sensors were subsequently tested weekly for functionality over four weeks under physiological conditions, with nanoMIP:chitosan ratios of 1:6 and 1:8 being optimal for long-term monitoring. Moreover, the nanoMIPs have a diameter of 56 nm (a parameter that can influence physiological excretion) and cytotoxicity tests demonstrated their biocompatibility. This work presents an epitope-based nanoMIP sensor platform that overcomes economic and biochemical limitations of protein-based biosensors, enabling advanced, real-time self-monitoring CI systems for in-vivo inflammation tracking to reduce implant failure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100990"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147419800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this work, a high-performance metal–insulator–metal plasmonic biosensor is presented and numerically investigated for label-free detection of prostate-specific antigen, which is an important biomarker for early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis. The device architecture utilizes a coupled semi-rectangular resonator side-coupled with the waveguide, in order to achieve a strong waveguide–cavity interaction. This structural configuration enables enhanced confinement of surface plasmon polaritons, and thereby improves light–matter interaction. The finite element method solution in commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics was used to do numerical simulations, where the structural parameters were optimized to maximize sensitivity, spectral sharpness, and achieve a narrower transmittance spectrum. After optimization, the designed sensor was systematically examined for its performance in prostate-specific antigen detection. The proposed sensor achieves a sensitivity of 1872.3 nm/RIU, a narrow full width at half maximum of 24 nm, a figure of merit of 76.6 RIU−1, a Q-factor of 60.3, and a limit of detection of 0.0108 RIU. Furthermore, the simple geometry and compatibility with scalable nanofabrication techniques emphasize its potential application in real-time, portable, and point-of-care cancer diagnostics.
{"title":"Numerical simulation plasmonic biosensor based on metal-insulator-metal waveguide for label-free and non-invasive detection of prostate-specific antigen","authors":"Asghar Molaei-Yeznabad , Hamid Bahador , Ghazal Abdi , Azadeh Nilghaz","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100937","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100937","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work, a high-performance metal–insulator–metal plasmonic biosensor is presented and numerically investigated for label-free detection of prostate-specific antigen, which is an important biomarker for early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis. The device architecture utilizes a coupled semi-rectangular resonator side-coupled with the waveguide, in order to achieve a strong waveguide–cavity interaction. This structural configuration enables enhanced confinement of surface plasmon polaritons, and thereby improves light–matter interaction. The finite element method solution in commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics was used to do numerical simulations, where the structural parameters were optimized to maximize sensitivity, spectral sharpness, and achieve a narrower transmittance spectrum. After optimization, the designed sensor was systematically examined for its performance in prostate-specific antigen detection. The proposed sensor achieves a sensitivity of 1872.3 nm/RIU, a narrow full width at half maximum of 24 nm, a figure of merit of 76.6 RIU<sup>−1</sup>, a Q-factor of 60.3, and a limit of detection of 0.0108 RIU. Furthermore, the simple geometry and compatibility with scalable nanofabrication techniques emphasize its potential application in real-time, portable, and point-of-care cancer diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100937"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Exploring sensing mode with new detection signal is of great significance in analytical chemistry. In this study, we introduce a new sensing mode that employs the deformation of liquid crystal (LC) droplets as a new detection signal. As a proof-of-concept, we fabricated SDS-coated liquid crystal (LC) droplets, where the degree of deformation shows a positive correlation with the concentration of the target analyte, lead ions (Pb2+). The limit of detection (LOD) for Pb2+ was determined to be 106.4 μg/mL, which is lower than the other metal ions. It is worth noting that preliminary experimental results demonstrate that other surfactants (such as sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, AOS) and organic phase (such as vegetable oil) also could be employed to fabricate the droplets and show different response to metal ions, which show high flexibility of the as-proposed detection method.
{"title":"Deformation of liquid crystal droplets: A new sensing mode for Pb2+ detection","authors":"Xuewan Wu, Rui Huang, Yanting Liu, Ruyi Deng, Ziyi Xiao, Zhixin Liu, Zhexuan Lin, Kaisong Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100962","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100962","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exploring sensing mode with new detection signal is of great significance in analytical chemistry. In this study, we introduce a new sensing mode that employs the deformation of liquid crystal (LC) droplets as a new detection signal. As a proof-of-concept, we fabricated SDS-coated liquid crystal (LC) droplets, where the degree of deformation shows a positive correlation with the concentration of the target analyte, lead ions (Pb<sup>2+</sup>). The limit of detection (LOD) for Pb<sup>2+</sup> was determined to be 106.4 μg/mL, which is lower than the other metal ions. It is worth noting that preliminary experimental results demonstrate that other surfactants (such as sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, AOS) and organic phase (such as vegetable oil) also could be employed to fabricate the droplets and show different response to metal ions, which show high flexibility of the as-proposed detection method.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100962"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145972823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100957
Alexandra Virginia Bounegru , Cătălina Iticescu , Simona Butan , Alina Ceoromila , Aurel Tăbăcaru
This work reports, for the first time, the application of a copper(I) complex, namely [Cu(SCN)(PPh₃)(dpa)] (SCN = thiocyanate, PPh3 = triphenylphosphine, dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine), in the construction of a modified electrochemical screen printed carbon electrode.This sensor represents the first electrochemical device utilizing this copper(I) complex for the simultaneous detection of hydroquinone (HQ) and resorcinol (RS) in natural water. The influence of the solvent used to disperse the Cu(I) complex was investigated, and the results showed that the use of acetonitrile (MeCN) favored the development of a more efficient sensor with a larger active surface area (0.120 cm2), compared to the case when dimethylformamide (DMF) was employed, as was also confirmed by the different coverages of the sensors surface through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The newly developed modified sensor demonstrated significant electrocatalytic activity, thus confirming its usefulness for the detection of phenolic compounds. Selectivity studies performed in the presence of structurally related phenolic interferents revealed only minor effects on the electrochemical response, confirming the robustness of the sensor. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the [Cu(SCN)(PPh3)(dpa)]/MeCN/C-SPE sensor exhibited excellent performance over a linear range of 0 μM to 0.045 μM, with limits of detection (LOD) of 16.81 nM for HQ and 2.01 nM for RS, and limits of quantification (LOQ) of 56.04 nM and 4.03 nM, respectively. The sensor also showed high reproducibility and accuracy in real water samples, with recoveries ranging from 88.45% to 114.12%, validating its potential for practical applications in environmental monitoring.
{"title":"A novel electrochemical sensor modified with the [Cu(SCN)(PPh₃)(dpa)] complex for the simultaneous detection of resorcinol and hydroquinone","authors":"Alexandra Virginia Bounegru , Cătălina Iticescu , Simona Butan , Alina Ceoromila , Aurel Tăbăcaru","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100957","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100957","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work reports, for the first time, the application of a copper(I) complex, namely [Cu(SCN)(PPh₃)(dpa)] (SCN = thiocyanate, PPh<sub>3</sub> = triphenylphosphine, dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine), in the construction of a modified electrochemical screen printed carbon electrode.This sensor represents the first electrochemical device utilizing this copper(I) complex for the simultaneous detection of hydroquinone (HQ) and resorcinol (RS) in natural water. The influence of the solvent used to disperse the Cu(I) complex was investigated, and the results showed that the use of acetonitrile (MeCN) favored the development of a more efficient sensor with a larger active surface area (0.120 cm<sup>2</sup>), compared to the case when dimethylformamide (DMF) was employed, as was also confirmed by the different coverages of the sensors surface through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The newly developed modified sensor demonstrated significant electrocatalytic activity, thus confirming its usefulness for the detection of phenolic compounds. Selectivity studies performed in the presence of structurally related phenolic interferents revealed only minor effects on the electrochemical response, confirming the robustness of the sensor. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the [Cu(SCN)(PPh<sub>3</sub>)(dpa)]/MeCN/C-SPE sensor exhibited excellent performance over a linear range of 0 μM to 0.045 μM, with limits of detection (LOD) of 16.81 nM for HQ and 2.01 nM for RS, and limits of quantification (LOQ) of 56.04 nM and 4.03 nM, respectively. The sensor also showed high reproducibility and accuracy in real water samples, with recoveries ranging from 88.45% to 114.12%, validating its potential for practical applications in environmental monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100957"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145972894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100952
Livia Didonè , Ueslen Rocha , Liyan Ming , Marta Román-Carmena , Riccardo Marin , Erving Ximendes , Daniel Jaque , Miriam Granado , Álvaro Artiga
Early diagnosis of inflammation, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis, remains challenging due to the limited sensitivity of conventional methods. Here, we introduce a novel diagnosis approach using Ag₂S nanoparticles for transient thermometry to detect early-stage inflammation. Ag₂S nanoparticles exhibit temperature-dependent near-infrared (NIR) luminescence, which enables measurement of the dynamics of joint temperature. Our results demonstrate that both acute and chronic inflammation can be detected by monitoring the shortening in the thermal relaxation time of inflamed joints. This method offers a sensitive, minimally invasive, and cost-effective tool for early inflammation diagnosis, potentially improving patient outcomes by enabling timely intervention. Importantly, it discriminates subtle inflammatory processes from non-inflammatory conditions even at very early stages.
{"title":"Ag2S nanoparticles enable early detection of inflammation by transient thermometry","authors":"Livia Didonè , Ueslen Rocha , Liyan Ming , Marta Román-Carmena , Riccardo Marin , Erving Ximendes , Daniel Jaque , Miriam Granado , Álvaro Artiga","doi":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100952","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100952","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early diagnosis of inflammation, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis, remains challenging due to the limited sensitivity of conventional methods. Here, we introduce a novel diagnosis approach using Ag₂S nanoparticles for transient thermometry to detect early-stage inflammation. Ag₂S nanoparticles exhibit temperature-dependent near-infrared (NIR) luminescence, which enables measurement of the dynamics of joint temperature. Our results demonstrate that both acute and chronic inflammation can be detected by monitoring the shortening in the thermal relaxation time of inflamed joints. This method offers a sensitive, minimally invasive, and cost-effective tool for early inflammation diagnosis, potentially improving patient outcomes by enabling timely intervention. Importantly, it discriminates subtle inflammatory processes from non-inflammatory conditions even at very early stages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":424,"journal":{"name":"Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100952"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145972893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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