A high-performance 2H-phase MoTe₂ photodetector with an ultra-broadband spectral response spanning from ultraviolet (375 nm) to short-wavelength infrared (1550 nm) is reported, enabled by layer-dependent bandgap modulation. The device exhibits exceptional optoelectronic metrics, including a fast response time (80 μs), high responsivity (5.04 A/W), and specific detectivity (>3.0 × 10⁹ Jones). First-principles calculations reveal the critical role of reduced bandgap in multilayer MoTe₂ (down to 0.74 eV for bilayer structures) in facilitating efficient SWIR detection. Experimental validation through dual-band (375 nm/1550 nm) imaging of the “HIT” pattern confirms its spatial resolution and multispectral compatibility, highlighting its potential in next-generation optoelectronic systems for optical communication, environmental sensing, and integrated photonic circuits.
{"title":"Mechanically exfoliated MoTe2 thin film Photodetector with an ultra-broadband spectral response from ultraviolet to short-wavelength infrared","authors":"Feng Zhou , Siyuan Yu , Xuanqi Zhong , Haiting Zhang , Xiaoxian Song","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100372","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100372","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A high-performance 2H-phase MoTe₂ photodetector with an ultra-broadband spectral response spanning from ultraviolet (375 nm) to short-wavelength infrared (1550 nm) is reported, enabled by layer-dependent bandgap modulation. The device exhibits exceptional optoelectronic metrics, including a fast response time (80 μs), high responsivity (5.04 A/W), and specific detectivity (>3.0 × 10⁹ Jones). First-principles calculations reveal the critical role of reduced bandgap in multilayer MoTe₂ (down to 0.74 eV for bilayer structures) in facilitating efficient SWIR detection. Experimental validation through dual-band (375 nm/1550 nm) imaging of the “HIT” pattern confirms its spatial resolution and multispectral compatibility, highlighting its potential in next-generation optoelectronic systems for optical communication, environmental sensing, and integrated photonic circuits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100372"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852840","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 : 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100371
Zhongchang Wang , Chenzheng Guan , Wenxu Lu , Liangchao Yuan , Man Chao , Hai-Liang Zhu , Tingwu Liu
Hypochlorous acid (HClO) plays an essential role in physiological and pathological processes, Dysregulated HClO production has been implicated in various disease states. Consequently, in vivo HClO monitoring is crucial for elucidating disease pathogenesis. Among various detection strategies, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes offer unparalleled advantages for bio-imaging. The design of NIR-HClO fluorescent probes has garnered increasing research focus. This review provides a critical evaluation of the latest advances (2021–2025) in the design and construction of organic NIR fluorescent probes for selectively monitoring HClO. We systematically emphasize four major recognition strategies based on the oxidation of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds, chalcogenides, nitrogen-containing groups, and phenol analogues. Furthermore, we offer a comprehensive discussion on the overarching challenges in the field, including the delicate interplay between fluorophore stability and recognition moiety reactivity, the trend towards multifunctional and theranostic probes, and the formidable quest for activatable probes in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. Finally, we outline future prospects, aiming to inspire innovative designs that will overcome current bottlenecks and propel the field towards clinical translation. We believe that the continued development of advanced NIR fluorescent probes remains a prominent and vital trend for future research in chemical biology and diagnostics.
{"title":"Recent process in organic near-infrared fluorescent probes for detecting hypochlorous acid/hypochlorite","authors":"Zhongchang Wang , Chenzheng Guan , Wenxu Lu , Liangchao Yuan , Man Chao , Hai-Liang Zhu , Tingwu Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100371","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100371","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hypochlorous acid (HClO) plays an essential role in physiological and pathological processes, Dysregulated HClO production has been implicated in various disease states. Consequently, <em>in vivo</em> HClO monitoring is crucial for elucidating disease pathogenesis. Among various detection strategies, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes offer unparalleled advantages for bio-imaging. The design of NIR-HClO fluorescent probes has garnered increasing research focus. This review provides a critical evaluation of the latest advances (2021–2025) in the design and construction of organic NIR fluorescent probes for selectively monitoring HClO. We systematically emphasize four major recognition strategies based on the oxidation of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds, chalcogenides, nitrogen-containing groups, and phenol analogues. Furthermore, we offer a comprehensive discussion on the overarching challenges in the field, including the delicate interplay between fluorophore stability and recognition moiety reactivity, the trend towards multifunctional and theranostic probes, and the formidable quest for activatable probes in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. Finally, we outline future prospects, aiming to inspire innovative designs that will overcome current bottlenecks and propel the field towards clinical translation. We believe that the continued development of advanced NIR fluorescent probes remains a prominent and vital trend for future research in chemical biology and diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100371"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772998","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 : 2025-07-30DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100368
Raphael D. Ayivi , Bukola O. Adesanmi , Maria J. Torres , Sherine O. Obare , Carmen L. Gomes , Eric S. McLamore
Polymer brushes are tethered nanomaterial surface coatings that have important applications in smart release systems, pollutant degradation technologies, and sensors. Most applications of brushes have been in the medical domain, but there is an exciting opportunity to develop responsive interfaces for sensor applications in food systems. In this review article, we summarize common synthesis approaches as well as general mechanisms for stimulus-response behavior. We discuss emerging opportunities and challenges for polymer brush sensors in detection of six key targets in the food system: VOCs, nutraceuticals and bio-active compounds, pesticides, inorganic phosphates and other food additives, proteins such as allergens, and pathogens. Specific to food systems, major challenges include sample (matrix) complexity, material sustainability for sensor development, scalability of polymer brush synthesis, regulatory approval, and trust/transparency in new automated decision support approaches. Here, we also highlight general opportunities and challenges in polymer brush sensing related to advancing cyber-physical systems via decision support systems based on AI. Rapid sensing is crucial for monitoring systems in the farm-to-fork continuum. Polymer brushes are poised to play a key role in development of advanced interfacial control systems in smart sensor systems, opening new doors toward real time monitoring.
{"title":"Polymer brushes for sensing in food systems: Opportunities and challenges span from organophosphorus pesticide to pathogen detection","authors":"Raphael D. Ayivi , Bukola O. Adesanmi , Maria J. Torres , Sherine O. Obare , Carmen L. Gomes , Eric S. McLamore","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100368","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100368","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymer brushes are tethered nanomaterial surface coatings that have important applications in smart release systems, pollutant degradation technologies, and sensors. Most applications of brushes have been in the medical domain, but there is an exciting opportunity to develop responsive interfaces for sensor applications in food systems. In this review article, we summarize common synthesis approaches as well as general mechanisms for stimulus-response behavior. We discuss emerging opportunities and challenges for polymer brush sensors in detection of six key targets in the food system: VOCs, nutraceuticals and bio-active compounds, pesticides, inorganic phosphates and other food additives, proteins such as allergens, and pathogens. Specific to food systems, major challenges include sample (matrix) complexity, material sustainability for sensor development, scalability of polymer brush synthesis, regulatory approval, and trust/transparency in new automated decision support approaches. Here, we also highlight general opportunities and challenges in polymer brush sensing related to advancing cyber-physical systems via decision support systems based on AI. Rapid sensing is crucial for monitoring systems in the farm-to-fork continuum. Polymer brushes are poised to play a key role in development of advanced interfacial control systems in smart sensor systems, opening new doors toward real time monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100368"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145010205","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 : 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100369
Alessandro Esposito , Sara Martino , Deniz Yilmaz , Maria Mangini , Luca De Stefano , Annunziata Corteggio , Paola Italiani , lIaria Rea , Anna Chiara De Luca
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for rapid, sensitive, and accessible molecular diagnostics. In this study, we present a label-free Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) biosensor for the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in biological fluids. The proposed sensor is based on a thiolated Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probe immobilized on colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited on functionalized glass substrates. A stable and selective hybridization with target sequences is provided by the intrinsic characteristics of PNA molecules, such as neutral backbone, high sequence affinity and enzymatic resistance. Whereas AuNPs enables strong signal enhancement and excellent reproducibility, without requiring complex nanofabrication techniques. Overall, the biosensor fabrication relies entirely on standard laboratory procedures and commercially available reagents, making it cost-effective and easily scalable. The detection of the target RNA occurs through label-free SERS, responsible for amplifying the vibrational fingerprint of nucleobases. Multivariate analysis through principal component analysis (PCA) and regression (PCR) further enhances spectral discrimination and detection sensitivity. The sensor exhibits a limit of detection of 110 pM, falling within the clinically relevant range of salivary SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations. Detection performance was assessed in both buffer and artificial saliva, demonstrating the potential of the platform for use with real biological samples. Moreover, the device demonstrates high selectivity, effectively distinguishing between fully matched, mismatched, and random sequences.
This work highlights the potential of PNA-SERS biosensors for rapid, amplification-free viral RNA detection and offers a promising approach for point-of-care diagnostics in infectious diseases.
{"title":"PNA-SERS biosensor for label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences in saliva","authors":"Alessandro Esposito , Sara Martino , Deniz Yilmaz , Maria Mangini , Luca De Stefano , Annunziata Corteggio , Paola Italiani , lIaria Rea , Anna Chiara De Luca","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100369","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100369","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for rapid, sensitive, and accessible molecular diagnostics. In this study, we present a label-free Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) biosensor for the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in biological fluids. The proposed sensor is based on a thiolated Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probe immobilized on colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited on functionalized glass substrates. A stable and selective hybridization with target sequences is provided by the intrinsic characteristics of PNA molecules, such as neutral backbone, high sequence affinity and enzymatic resistance. Whereas AuNPs enables strong signal enhancement and excellent reproducibility, without requiring complex nanofabrication techniques. Overall, the biosensor fabrication relies entirely on standard laboratory procedures and commercially available reagents, making it cost-effective and easily scalable. The detection of the target RNA occurs through label-free SERS, responsible for amplifying the vibrational fingerprint of nucleobases. Multivariate analysis through principal component analysis (PCA) and regression (PCR) further enhances spectral discrimination and detection sensitivity. The sensor exhibits a limit of detection of 110 pM, falling within the clinically relevant range of salivary SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations. Detection performance was assessed in both buffer and artificial saliva, demonstrating the potential of the platform for use with real biological samples. Moreover, the device demonstrates high selectivity, effectively distinguishing between fully matched, mismatched, and random sequences.</div><div>This work highlights the potential of PNA-SERS biosensors for rapid, amplification-free viral RNA detection and offers a promising approach for point-of-care diagnostics in infectious diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100369"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144739514","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 : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100367
Pavel Sengupta, Chloe Ramsperger, Dipankar Koley
The reusable solid-state calibration-free screen-printed ion-selective electrodes (SP-ISEs) have been developed with a carbon paste and PEDOT: PEDOT-S (S=sulfonated) back contact. The calibration-free Na+ and Ca2+ SP-ISEs showed a near Nernstian response of 52.1 ± 2.0 mV/log [aNa+] and 27.3 ± 0.8 mV/log [aCa2+] respectively while holding a stable intercept for multiple calibrations across batches for 12 h and over 7 days. The unique carbon paste and PEDOT: PEDOT-S copolymer combined back contact on carbon substrate allowed us to fix the intercept with a constant low current treatment across different ionophores for both monovalent Na+ and divalent Ca2+ cations. This treatment imparts exceptional potential stability, leading to highly overlapping calibration curves for individual ISEs across multiple measurement cycles, demonstrating their reusability in a calibration-free mode. These SP-ISEs maintained their respective selectivity against major interfering ions and were able to operate reproducibly despite prolonged dry storage without any curing solution, as tested for a total of 28 days. The practical utility of these sensors was validated by analyzing environmental samples, determining Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations in tap water (934 ± 37 μM and 194 ± 11 μM respectively) and hydroponics solutions (757 ± 43 μM and 7047 ± 565 μM respectively). This integration of high-performance characteristics on an economical carbon-based substrate creates sensors that are simultaneously affordable enough to be disposable yet stable enough to be reusable, effectively bridging the critical gap between sophisticated laboratory systems and scalable, field-deployable solid ISEs for environmental monitoring applications.
{"title":"Development of reusable screen-printed ion-selective electrodes with calibration-free operation","authors":"Pavel Sengupta, Chloe Ramsperger, Dipankar Koley","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100367","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The reusable solid-state calibration-free screen-printed ion-selective electrodes (SP-ISEs) have been developed with a carbon paste and PEDOT: PEDOT-S (<em>S</em>=sulfonated) back contact. The calibration-free Na<sup>+</sup> and Ca<sup>2+</sup> SP-ISEs showed a near Nernstian response of 52.1 ± 2.0 mV/log [a<sub>Na+</sub>] and 27.3 ± 0.8 mV/log [a<sub>Ca2+</sub>] respectively while holding a stable intercept for multiple calibrations across batches for 12 h and over 7 days. The unique carbon paste and PEDOT: PEDOT-S copolymer combined back contact on carbon substrate allowed us to fix the intercept with a constant low current treatment across different ionophores for both monovalent Na<sup>+</sup> and divalent Ca<sup>2+</sup> cations. This treatment imparts exceptional potential stability, leading to highly overlapping calibration curves for individual ISEs across multiple measurement cycles, demonstrating their reusability in a calibration-free mode. These SP-ISEs maintained their respective selectivity against major interfering ions and were able to operate reproducibly despite prolonged dry storage without any curing solution, as tested for a total of 28 days. The practical utility of these sensors was validated by analyzing environmental samples, determining Na<sup>+</sup> and Ca<sup>2+</sup> concentrations in tap water (934 ± 37 μM and 194 ± 11 μM respectively) and hydroponics solutions (757 ± 43 μM and 7047 ± 565 μM respectively). This integration of high-performance characteristics on an economical carbon-based substrate creates sensors that are simultaneously affordable enough to be disposable yet stable enough to be reusable, effectively bridging the critical gap between sophisticated laboratory systems and scalable, field-deployable solid ISEs for environmental monitoring applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100367"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780383","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 : 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100365
Maargavi Singh , Sreelakshmi C․S․ , Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay , Sajan D. George , Pooja Nag , Kapil Sadani
The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), manifesting as multidrug-resistant, extremely drug-resistant, and pandrug-resistant pathogens, is causing morbidities which are alarmingly translating to mortalities. The issue is pertinent to low and middle-income countries, which rely heavily on their primary and secondary healthcare setups with severely constrained infrastructure and diagnostics. Traditional and molecular diagnostic methods are effective, but have long turnaround times, are expensive, and require specialized facilities. Due to these constraints, these facilities are usually not present at the primary healthcare centers. This review explores the urgent need for alternative diagnostic strategies beyond conventional pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, emphasizing the detection of bacterial metabolites and virulence factors as innovative biomarkers for AMR. This article provides critical insight into tailoring optical biosensor technologies as alternate diagnostics for ESKAPE pathogens in resource-limited settings. It highlights the integration of these biosensing platforms with emerging metabolomics and biomarker profiling technologies, offering a promising route toward point-of-care diagnostics. In addition, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms in signal processing and feature extraction enhances biosensor performance and accelerates diagnostic accuracy. The review critiques the current state of the art in AMR diagnostics and provides strategic inroads for developing robust and deployable diagnostics to help better bacterial infection control.
{"title":"Advances in optical biosensors as alternative diagnostics for clinical determination of ESKAPE bacteria","authors":"Maargavi Singh , Sreelakshmi C․S․ , Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay , Sajan D. George , Pooja Nag , Kapil Sadani","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100365","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), manifesting as multidrug-resistant, extremely drug-resistant, and pandrug-resistant pathogens, is causing morbidities which are alarmingly translating to mortalities. The issue is pertinent to low and middle-income countries, which rely heavily on their primary and secondary healthcare setups with severely constrained infrastructure and diagnostics. Traditional and molecular diagnostic methods are effective, but have long turnaround times, are expensive, and require specialized facilities. Due to these constraints, these facilities are usually not present at the primary healthcare centers. This review explores the urgent need for alternative diagnostic strategies beyond conventional pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, emphasizing the detection of bacterial metabolites and virulence factors as innovative biomarkers for AMR. This article provides critical insight into tailoring optical biosensor technologies as alternate diagnostics for ESKAPE pathogens in resource-limited settings. It highlights the integration of these biosensing platforms with emerging metabolomics and biomarker profiling technologies, offering a promising route toward point-of-care diagnostics. In addition, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms in signal processing and feature extraction enhances biosensor performance and accelerates diagnostic accuracy. The review critiques the current state of the art in AMR diagnostics and provides strategic inroads for developing robust and deployable diagnostics to help better bacterial infection control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100365"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144739515","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 : 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100363
Xiaopeng Chen , Wentao Wang , Pin Zhang , Qionglin Wang , Kangbo Liu , Fengfang Ding , Xianwei Zhang , Ligong Hou , Yingyu Zhang , Wancun Zhang
Simple, cost-effective, sensitive, and specific approaches that are capable of enabling point-of-care testing (POCT) are crucial for clinical diagnosis, especially in settings with extremely limited resources. Therefore, a universal, simple, low cost, sensitive, and specific POCT approach called RCA-F-LFS was developed by combining molecular beacon (MB)-assisted rolling circle amplification (RCA) for target amplification with fluorescent lateral flow strips (F-LFS) to enable highly sensitive and visual detection of RCA products. Using Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the detection target, RCA-F-LFS demonstrated high sensitivity (0.1 pM) and specificity, accurately distinguishing it from other pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, RCA-F-LFS enables visual detection of both Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA and RNA. The detection results of clinical throat swab samples showed that RCA-F-LFS could accurately detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae, with 100 % agreement with current clinical approaches. As a proof of concept, RCA-F-LFS can detect other nucleic acid targets by simply changing the target sequence, offering a robust and versatile strategy for the development of novel clinical POCT detection methods.
{"title":"A universal fluorescent lateral flow strip approach based on molecular beacon-assisted rolling circle amplification for point-of-care nucleic acid detection","authors":"Xiaopeng Chen , Wentao Wang , Pin Zhang , Qionglin Wang , Kangbo Liu , Fengfang Ding , Xianwei Zhang , Ligong Hou , Yingyu Zhang , Wancun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100363","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100363","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Simple, cost-effective, sensitive, and specific approaches that are capable of enabling point-of-care testing (POCT) are crucial for clinical diagnosis, especially in settings with extremely limited resources. Therefore, a universal, simple, low cost, sensitive, and specific POCT approach called RCA-F-LFS was developed by combining molecular beacon (MB)-assisted rolling circle amplification (RCA) for target amplification with fluorescent lateral flow strips (F-LFS) to enable highly sensitive and visual detection of RCA products. Using <em>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</em> as the detection target, RCA-F-LFS demonstrated high sensitivity (0.1 pM) and specificity, accurately distinguishing it from other pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, RCA-F-LFS enables visual detection of both <em>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</em> DNA and RNA. The detection results of clinical throat swab samples showed that RCA-F-LFS could accurately detect <em>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</em>, with 100 % agreement with current clinical approaches. As a proof of concept, RCA-F-LFS can detect other nucleic acid targets by simply changing the target sequence, offering a robust and versatile strategy for the development of novel clinical POCT detection methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100363"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144702951","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 : 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100366
Wenji Bao , Gerile Aodeng , Lu Ga , Jun Ai
Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors synergistically integrate the high molecular recognition specificity of nucleic acid aptamers with the rapid and sensitive signal transduction capabilities of electrochemical interfaces, thereby offering a highly promising platform for advanced bioanalytical applications. Recent advances in nanomaterials, micro/nanofabrication technologies, and signal amplification strategies have markedly improved the analytical performance of these biosensors, enabling ultra-sensitive and highly selective detection of a diverse array of analytes, including disease biomarkers, viral particles, and bacterial pathogens. These biosensors are characterized by low cost, facile miniaturization, and compatibility with point-of-care and on-site diagnostic formats, rendering them attractive for real-world applications. Nevertheless, several critical challenges persist, including maintaining sensor stability under complex biological or environmental sample conditions, achieving reliable multiplexed detection, and establishing standardized fabrication protocols for clinical and environmental deployment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in electrochemical transduction mechanisms and their applications, as depicted in Figure 1, and highlights state-of-the-art innovations at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, emerging directions—such as artificial intelligence-assisted data interpretation, wearable biosensing systems, and Internet of Things (IoT)-integrated platforms—are discussed to outline future perspectives toward next-generation intelligent and adaptive biosensing technologies.
{"title":"Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors: Signal transduction mechanisms, application progress, and future trends","authors":"Wenji Bao , Gerile Aodeng , Lu Ga , Jun Ai","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100366","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100366","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors synergistically integrate the high molecular recognition specificity of nucleic acid aptamers with the rapid and sensitive signal transduction capabilities of electrochemical interfaces, thereby offering a highly promising platform for advanced bioanalytical applications. Recent advances in nanomaterials, micro/nanofabrication technologies, and signal amplification strategies have markedly improved the analytical performance of these biosensors, enabling ultra-sensitive and highly selective detection of a diverse array of analytes, including disease biomarkers, viral particles, and bacterial pathogens. These biosensors are characterized by low cost, facile miniaturization, and compatibility with point-of-care and on-site diagnostic formats, rendering them attractive for real-world applications. Nevertheless, several critical challenges persist, including maintaining sensor stability under complex biological or environmental sample conditions, achieving reliable multiplexed detection, and establishing standardized fabrication protocols for clinical and environmental deployment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in electrochemical transduction mechanisms and their applications, as depicted in Figure 1, and highlights state-of-the-art innovations at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, emerging directions—such as artificial intelligence-assisted data interpretation, wearable biosensing systems, and Internet of Things (IoT)-integrated platforms—are discussed to outline future perspectives toward next-generation intelligent and adaptive biosensing technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100366"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912747","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 : 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100364
Lei Zhang , Zhenkai Fan , Haiwei Sang , Chengling Zhao , Bing Xia , Zhao Jina , Haining Hong , Qiao Ge , Yifan Yang , Liwei Chen , Ansheng Wang
The development of ultrasensitive biosensing platforms for detecting exosomal MicroRNA-21 (miR-21), a critical biomarker for lung cancer, remains a significant challenge in point-of-care diagnostics. Here, we present a two-dimensional metal carbide (MXene)-based field-effect transistor biosensor (Pt-MX-iFETs), engineered with platinum nanowires (PtNWs) to achieve exceptional electrical conductivity and transconductance. This novel metal carbide architecture enables ultralow-concentration miR-21 detection at 0.84 fM, representing one of the most sensitive biosensing platforms reported to date. The superior performance of PtNWs@MXene stems from its unique morphology and enhanced charge transfer properties, facilitating high-affinity miRNA capture and signal amplification. In clinical validation, Pt-MX-iFETs demonstrated favorable correlation with quantitative PCR (R²=0.8529) and successfully discriminated lung cancer patients from healthy controls (p = 0.000139). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further confirmed diagnostic efficacy, yielding an AUC of 0.904, with 81.8 % specificity and 81.9 % sensitivity. Our findings highlight the unprecedented sensitivity of metal carbide-based biosensing, enabling reliable exosomal miRNA detection in complex biofluids. With further clinical validation, Pt-MX-iFETs hold transformative potential for early lung cancer screening, real-time disease monitoring, and precision therapy guidance, establishing a new paradigm for ultrasensitive, portable diagnostic systems.
{"title":"Ultrasensitive engineered two-dimensional metal carbide-based transistor biosensor for point-of-care lung cancer diagnosis via exosomal miRNA profiling","authors":"Lei Zhang , Zhenkai Fan , Haiwei Sang , Chengling Zhao , Bing Xia , Zhao Jina , Haining Hong , Qiao Ge , Yifan Yang , Liwei Chen , Ansheng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100364","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100364","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of ultrasensitive biosensing platforms for detecting exosomal MicroRNA-21 (miR-21), a critical biomarker for lung cancer, remains a significant challenge in point-of-care diagnostics. Here, we present a two-dimensional metal carbide (MXene)-based field-effect transistor biosensor (Pt-MX-iFETs), engineered with platinum nanowires (PtNWs) to achieve exceptional electrical conductivity and transconductance. This novel metal carbide architecture enables ultralow-concentration miR-21 detection at 0.84 fM, representing one of the most sensitive biosensing platforms reported to date. The superior performance of PtNWs@MXene stems from its unique morphology and enhanced charge transfer properties, facilitating high-affinity miRNA capture and signal amplification. In clinical validation, Pt-MX-iFETs demonstrated favorable correlation with quantitative PCR (R²=0.8529) and successfully discriminated lung cancer patients from healthy controls (<em>p</em> = 0.000139). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further confirmed diagnostic efficacy, yielding an AUC of 0.904, with 81.8 % specificity and 81.9 % sensitivity. Our findings highlight the unprecedented sensitivity of metal carbide-based biosensing, enabling reliable exosomal miRNA detection in complex biofluids. With further clinical validation, Pt-MX-iFETs hold transformative potential for early lung cancer screening, real-time disease monitoring, and precision therapy guidance, establishing a new paradigm for ultrasensitive, portable diagnostic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100364"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145094744","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 : 2025-07-22DOI: 10.1016/j.snr.2025.100362
Aliakbar Ghaderiaram, Erik Schlangen, Mohammad Fotouhi
The buckling mode in piezoelectric materials offers advantages such as an increased measurable strain range, ease of installation, and extended service life. This paper investigates the potential of piezoelectric sensors operating in buckling mode for structural strain measurement by evaluating key factors including boundary conditions, sensor response linearity under dynamic loading, and impedance engineering to optimize the voltage–strain relationship. A structural extension was developed to facilitate sensor integration and to enable the application of different buckling boundary conditions. Results show that the clamped–clamped configuration generated at least 1.65 times higher output voltage, and three times greater peak strain compared to other boundary conditions. An experimentally validated analytical model was employed to assess and improve the performance of buckled piezoelectric sensors in dynamic environments. The findings highlight that introducing initial buckling reduces signal perturbations, enhances voltage linearity across loading frequencies, and extends the effective strain measurement range. Furthermore, impedance engineering was used to successfully mitigate the nonlinear effects of transient response, thereby improving signal stability and accuracy in dynamic strain monitoring applications.
{"title":"Piezoelectric sensor characterization in buckling mode for structural dynamic strain measurements","authors":"Aliakbar Ghaderiaram, Erik Schlangen, Mohammad Fotouhi","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100362","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100362","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The buckling mode in piezoelectric materials offers advantages such as an increased measurable strain range, ease of installation, and extended service life. This paper investigates the potential of piezoelectric sensors operating in buckling mode for structural strain measurement by evaluating key factors including boundary conditions, sensor response linearity under dynamic loading, and impedance engineering to optimize the voltage–strain relationship. A structural extension was developed to facilitate sensor integration and to enable the application of different buckling boundary conditions. Results show that the clamped–clamped configuration generated at least 1.65 times higher output voltage, and three times greater peak strain compared to other boundary conditions. An experimentally validated analytical model was employed to assess and improve the performance of buckled piezoelectric sensors in dynamic environments. The findings highlight that introducing initial buckling reduces signal perturbations, enhances voltage linearity across loading frequencies, and extends the effective strain measurement range. Furthermore, impedance engineering was used to successfully mitigate the nonlinear effects of transient response, thereby improving signal stability and accuracy in dynamic strain monitoring applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100362"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144702950","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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