scholarly journals Advanced Solid State Nano-electrochemical Sensors and System for Agri 4.0 Applications

Author(s):  
Ian Seymour ◽  
Tarun Narayan ◽  
Niamh Creedon ◽  
Kathleen Kennedy ◽  
Aidan Murphy ◽  
...  

Global food production needs to increase in order to meet the demands of an ever growing population. As resources are finite, the most feasible way to meet this demand is to minimize losses and improving efficiency. Regular monitoring of factors like animal health, soil and water quality for example, can ensure that the resources are being used to their maximum efficiency. Existing monitoring techniques however have limitations, such as portability, turnaround time and requirement for additional reagents. In this work, we explore the use of micro and nano scale electrode devices, for the development of electrochemical sensing platform to digitalize a wide range of applications within the Agri-food sector. With this platform, we demonstrate the direct electrochemical detection of pesticides, specifically clothianidin and imidacloprid with detection limits of 0.22 ng/mL and 2.14 ng/mL respectively, and nitrates with a detection limit of 0.2 µM. In addition, interdigitated electrode structures also enable an in-situ pH control technique to mitigate pH as an interference and modify analyte response. This technique is applied to the analysis of monochloramine, a common water disinfectant. Concerning biosensing, the sensors are modified with biomolecular probes for the detection of both bovine viral diarrhea virus particles and antibodies, over a range of 1 ng/mL to 10 µg/mL. Finally, a portable analogue front end electronic reader is developed to allow portable sensing, with control and readout undertaken using a smart phone application. Finally, the sensor chip platform is integrated with these electronics to provide a fully functional end-to-end smart sensor system compatible with emerging AgriFood digital decision support tools.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Seymour ◽  
Tarun Narayan ◽  
Niamh Creedon ◽  
Kathleen Kennedy ◽  
Aidan Murphy ◽  
...  

Global food production needs to increase in order to meet the demands of an ever growing population. As resources are finite, the most feasible way to meet this demand is to minimize losses and improving efficiency. Regular monitoring of factors like animal health, soil and water quality for example, can ensure that the resources are being used to their maximum efficiency. Existing monitoring techniques however have limitations, such as portability, turnaround time and requirement for additional reagents. In this work, we explore the use of micro and nano scale electrode devices, for the development of electrochemical sensing platform to digitalize a wide range of applications within the Agri-food sector. With this platform, we demonstrate the direct electrochemical detection of pesticides, specifically clothianidin and imidacloprid with detection limits of 0.22 ng/mL and 2.14 ng/mL respectively, and nitrates with a detection limit of 0.2 µM. In addition, interdigitated electrode structures also enable an in-situ pH control technique to mitigate pH as an interference and modify analyte response. This technique is applied to the analysis of monochloramine, a common water disinfectant. Concerning biosensing, the sensors are modified with biomolecular probes for the detection of both bovine viral diarrhea virus particles and antibodies, over a range of 1 ng/mL to 10 µg/mL. Finally, a portable analogue front end electronic reader is developed to allow portable sensing, with control and readout undertaken using a smart phone application. Finally, the sensor chip platform is integrated with these electronics to provide a fully functional end-to-end smart sensor system compatible with emerging AgriFood digital decision support tools.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3149
Author(s):  
Ian Seymour ◽  
Tarun Narayan ◽  
Niamh Creedon ◽  
Kathleen Kennedy ◽  
Aidan Murphy ◽  
...  

Global food production needs to increase in order to meet the demands of an ever growing global population. As resources are finite, the most feasible way to meet this demand is to minimize losses and improve efficiency. Regular monitoring of factors like animal health, soil and water quality for example, can ensure that the resources are being used to their maximum efficiency. Existing monitoring techniques however have limitations, such as portability, turnaround time and requirement for additional reagents. In this work, we explore the use of micro- and nano-scale electrode devices, for the development of an electrochemical sensing platform to digitalize a wide range of applications within the agri-food sector. With this platform, we demonstrate the direct electrochemical detection of pesticides, specifically clothianidin and imidacloprid, with detection limits of 0.22 ng/mL and 2.14 ng/mL respectively, and nitrates with a detection limit of 0.2 µM. In addition, interdigitated electrode structures also enable an in-situ pH control technique to mitigate pH as an interference and modify analyte response. This technique is applied to the analysis of monochloramine, a common water disinfectant. Concerning biosensing, the sensors are modified with bio-molecular probes for the detection of both bovine viral diarrhea virus species and antibodies, over a range of 1 ng/mL to 10 µg/mL. Finally, a portable analogue front end electronic reader is developed to allow portable sensing, with control and readout undertaken using a smart phone application. Finally, the sensor chip platform is integrated with these electronics to provide a fully functional end-to-end smart sensor system compatible with emerging Agri-Food digital decision support tools.


Author(s):  
Totka Dodevska ◽  
Dobrin Hadzhiev ◽  
Ivan Shterev ◽  
Yanna Lazarova

Recently, the development of eco-friendly, cost-effective and reliable methods for synthesis of metal nanoparticles has drawn a considerable attention. The so-called green synthesis, using mild reaction conditions and natural resources as plant extracts and microorganisms, has established as a convenient, sustainable, cheap and environmentally safe approach for synthesis of a wide range of nanomaterials. Over the past decade, biosynthesis is regarded as an important tool for reducing the harmful effects of traditional nanoparticle synthesis methods commonly used in laboratories and industry. This review emphasizes the significance of biosynthesized metal nanoparticles in the field of electrochemical sensing. There is increasing evidence that green synthesis of nanoparticles provides a new direction in designing of cost-effective, highly sensitive and selective electrode-catalysts applicable in food, clinical and environmental analysis. The article is based on 157 references and provided a detailed overview on the main approaches for green synthesis of metal nanoparticles and their applications in designing of electrochemical sensor devices. Important operational characteristics including sensitivity, dynamic range, limit of detection, as well as data on stability and reproducibility of sensors have also been covered. Keywords: biosynthesis; green synthesis; nanomaterials; nanotechnology; modified electrodes


This work figures the conceptual background of impedimetric measurements. Impedance measurement is a convenient approach for exploring the change in electrical behavior of diverse materials. An overview of in practice impedance analysis on CHI660D electrochemical work station is presented. Detection of microorganism causing foodborne diseases using IDE and other methods, toxic metal ion quantification, environment pollutant monitoring are described applications in this work. This work also reviewed the noticeable development in impedance measurement devices based on AD5933 such as bio-impedance measurement and explosive material detection. Biological signals are detected by transducing them into electrical analogy, detection of which is not a big issue. The main challenges are to convert biological signal into electrical information. Electrochemical sensors present captivating techniques to determine the content of sample under test. Electrochemical sensing platforms come up with an appealing methodology to interpret the concentration of biological sample as these sensors directly translate biological information to an electronic one. Huge amount of sensing platforms and corresponding devices has been developed. EIS is a rapid and easily computerized technique used to characterize biomolecules, inorganic materials, having a wide range of applications. The measured impedance spectra are generally fitted to an analogous electrical circuit model which constitutes an electrical documentation of the SUT by disclosing its behavior and properties. Quick, highly selective/specific and sensitive techniques to quantify biological and biochemical molecules and other target species are of great importance in biomedical and biotechnological application. Recent developments trends for handy, portable, fast and precise impedance analyzer is discussed. AD5933 evolution kit is reviewed.


Author(s):  
A. M. Oleynikov ◽  
L. N. Kanov

The paper gives the description of the original wind electrical installation with mechanical reduction in which the output of vertical axis wind turbine with rather low rotation speed over multiplicator is distributed to a certain number of generators. The number of acting generators is determined by the output of actual operating wind stream at each moment. According to this constructive scheme, it is possible to provide effective and with maximum efficiency installation work in a wide range of wind speeds and under any schedule issued to the consumer of electricity. As there are no any experience in using such complexes, mathematical description of its main elements is given, namely windwheels, generators with electromagnetic excitation of magnetic electrical type, then their interaction with windwheel, and also the results of mathematical modeling of work system regimes under using the offered system of equations. The basis for the mathematical description of the main elements of the installation – synchronous generators – are the system of equations of electrical and mechanical equilibrium in relative units in rotating coordinates without considering saturation of the magnetic circuit. The equation of mechanical equilibrium systems includes torque and brake windwheel electromagnetic moments of generators with taking into account the reduction coefficients and friction. In addition, we specify the alternator rotor dynamics resulting from continuous torque of windwheel fluctuations under the influence of unsteady wind flow and wind speed serving as the original variable is modeled by a set of sinusoids. Model simplification is achieved by equivalization of similar generators and by disregarding these transitions with a small time constant. Calculation the installation with synchronous generators of two types of small and medium capacity taking into account the operational factors allowed us to demonstrate the logic of interactions in the main elements of the reported complex in the process of converting wind flow into the generated active and reactive power. We have shown the possibility of stable system work under changeable wind stream condition by regulating of the plant blade angle and with simultaneous varying of generator number of different types. All these are in great interest for project organizations and power producers.


Applied Nano ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-161
Author(s):  
Katerina Govatsi ◽  
Aspasia Antonelou ◽  
Labrini Sygellou ◽  
Stylianos G. Neophytides ◽  
Spyros N. Yannopoulos

The rational synthesis of semiconducting materials with enhanced photoelectrocatalytic efficiency under visible light illumination is a long-standing issue. ZnO has been systematically explored in this field, as it offers the feasibility to grow a wide range of nanocrystal morphology; however, its wide band gap precludes visible light absorption. We report on a novel method for the controlled growth of semiconductor heterostructures and, in particular, core/sheath ZnO/MoS2 nanowire arrays and the evaluation of their photoelectrochemical efficiency in oxygen evolution reaction. ZnO nanowire arrays, with a narrow distribution of nanowire diameters, were grown on FTO substrates by chemical bath deposition. Layers of Mo metal at various thicknesses were sputtered on the nanowire surface, and the Mo layers were sulfurized at low temperature, providing in a controlled way few layers of MoS2, in the range from one to three monolayers. The heterostructures were characterized by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and spectroscopy (XPS, Raman, PL). The photoelectrochemical properties of the heterostructures were found to depend on the thickness of the pre-deposited Mo film, exhibiting maximum efficiency for moderate values of Mo film thickness. Long-term stability, in relation to similar heterostructures in the literature, has been observed.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 793
Author(s):  
Uroš Zupančič ◽  
Joshua Rainbow ◽  
Pedro Estrela ◽  
Despina Moschou

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) offer a promising platform for the development of electronics-assisted biomedical diagnostic sensors and microsystems. The long-standing industrial basis offers distinctive advantages for cost-effective, reproducible, and easily integrated sample-in-answer-out diagnostic microsystems. Nonetheless, the commercial techniques used in the fabrication of PCBs produce various contaminants potentially degrading severely their stability and repeatability in electrochemical sensing applications. Herein, we analyse for the first time such critical technological considerations, allowing the exploitation of commercial PCB platforms as reliable electrochemical sensing platforms. The presented electrochemical and physical characterisation data reveal clear evidence of both organic and inorganic sensing electrode surface contaminants, which can be removed using various pre-cleaning techniques. We demonstrate that, following such pre-treatment rules, PCB-based electrodes can be reliably fabricated for sensitive electrochemical biosensors. Herein, we demonstrate the applicability of the methodology both for labelled protein (procalcitonin) and label-free nucleic acid (E. coli-specific DNA) biomarker quantification, with observed limits of detection (LoD) of 2 pM and 110 pM, respectively. The proposed optimisation of surface pre-treatment is critical in the development of robust and sensitive PCB-based electrochemical sensors for both clinical and environmental diagnostics and monitoring applications.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4607
Author(s):  
Dounia Elfadil ◽  
Abderrahman Lamaoui ◽  
Flavio Della Pelle ◽  
Aziz Amine ◽  
Dario Compagnone

Detection of relevant contaminants using screening approaches is a key issue to ensure food safety and respect for the regulatory limits established. Electrochemical sensors present several advantages such as rapidity; ease of use; possibility of on-site analysis and low cost. The lack of selectivity for electrochemical sensors working in complex samples as food may be overcome by coupling them with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). MIPs are synthetic materials that mimic biological receptors and are produced by the polymerization of functional monomers in presence of a target analyte. This paper critically reviews and discusses the recent progress in MIP-based electrochemical sensors for food safety. A brief introduction on MIPs and electrochemical sensors is given; followed by a discussion of the recent achievements for various MIPs-based electrochemical sensors for food contaminants analysis. Both electropolymerization and chemical synthesis of MIP-based electrochemical sensing are discussed as well as the relevant applications of MIPs used in sample preparation and then coupled to electrochemical analysis. Future perspectives and challenges have been eventually given.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwunonso Onyilagha ◽  
Henna Mistry ◽  
Peter Marszal ◽  
Mathieu Pinette ◽  
Darwyn Kobasa ◽  
...  

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), calls for prompt and accurate diagnosis and rapid turnaround time for test results to limit transmission. Here, we evaluated two independent molecular assays, the Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 test, and the Precision Biomonitoring TripleLock SARS-CoV-2 test on a field-deployable point-of-care real-time PCR instrument, Franklin three9, in combination with Biomeme M1 Sample Prep Cartridge Kit for RNA 2.0 (M1) manual extraction system for rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of SARS-COV-2 in cell culture, human, and animal clinical samples. The Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 assay, which simultaneously detects two viral targets, the orf1ab and S genes, and the Precision Biomonitoring TripleLock SARS-CoV-2 assay that targets the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) and the envelope (E) gene of SARS-CoV-2 were highly sensitive and detected as low as 15 SARS-CoV-2 genome copies per reaction. In addition, the two assays were specific and showed no cross-reactivity with Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, and other common human respiratory viruses and bacterial pathogens. Also, both assays were highly reproducible across different operators and instruments. When used to test animal samples, both assays equally detected SARS-CoV-2 genetic materials in the swabs from SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters. The M1 lysis buffer completely inactivated SARS-CoV-2 within 10 min at room temperature enabling safe handling of clinical samples. Collectively, these results show that the Biomeme and Precision Biomonitoring TripleLock SARS-CoV-2 mobile testing platforms could reliably and promptly detect SARS-CoV-2 in both human and animal clinical samples in approximately an hour and can be used in remote areas or health care settings not traditionally serviced by a microbiology laboratory.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Juan-Guillermo Muñoz ◽  
Fabiola Angulo ◽  
David Angulo-Garcia

The boost-flyback converter is a DC-DC step-up power converter with a wide range of technological applications. In this paper, we analyze the boost-flyback dynamics when controlled via a modified Zero-Average-Dynamics control technique, hereby named Zero-Average-Surface (ZAS). While using the ZAS strategy, it is possible to calculate the duty cycle at each PWM cycle that guarantees a desired stable period-1 solution, by forcing the system to evolve in such way that a function that is constructed with strategical combination of the states over the PWM period has a zero average. We show, by means of bifurcation diagrams, that the period-1 orbit coexists with a stable period-2 orbit with a saturated duty cycle. While using linear stability analysis, we demonstrate that the period-1 orbit is stable over a wide range of parameters and it loses stability at high gains and low loads via a period doubling bifurcation. Finally, we show that, under the right choice of parameters, the period-1 orbit controller with ZAS strategy satisfactorily rejects a wide range of disturbances.


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