scholarly journals An Ultrahigh Sensitive Microwave Microfluidic System for Fast and Continuous Measurements of Liquid Solution Concentrations

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 5816
Author(s):  
Piotr Słobodzian ◽  
Krzysztof Szostak ◽  
Katarzyna Skowronek ◽  
Laura Jasińska ◽  
Karol Malecha
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Calibration Procedure ◽  
Liquid Solution ◽  
Microfluidic System ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Small Solution ◽  
Lab On Chip ◽  
Ultrahigh Sensitivity ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
Solution Intake

In this paper, we describe a low-cost microwave microfluidic system of ultrahigh sensitivity for detecting small changes in the concentration of polar solutions (liquid dielectrics) in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Its principle of operation is based on microwave interferometry, which is implemented using planar microstrip lines and integrated microwave components. The key features of this system include small solution intake (<200 µL per measurement), short time of measurement (ca. 20 ms), ultrahigh sensitivity of concentration changes (up to 55 dB/%), and low error of measurement (below 0.1%). The ultrahigh sensitivity was proven experimentally by measurements of the fat content of milk. In addition, it is a user-friendly system due to an effortless and fast calibration procedure. Moreover, it can be made relatively compact (<20 cm2) and features low power consumption (200 mW). Thus, the proposed system is perfect for industrial applications, especially for highly integrated lab-on-chip devices.

scholarly journals Rapid Microfluidic Mixer Based on Ferrofluid and Integrated Microscale NdFeB-PDMS Magnet

Micromachines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Ran Zhou ◽  
Athira N. Surendran ◽  
Marcel Mejulu ◽  
Yang Lin
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Biochemical Engineering ◽  
Lab On Chip ◽  
Microfluidic Mixer ◽  
Mixing Performance ◽  
On Chip ◽  
Flow Experiments

Ferrofluid-based micromixers have been widely used for a myriad of microfluidic industrial applications in biochemical engineering, food processing, and detection/analytical processes. However, complete mixing in micromixers is extremely time-consuming and requires very long microchannels due to laminar flow. In this paper, we developed an effective and low-cost microfluidic device integrated with microscale magnets manufactured with neodymium (NdFeB) powders and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to achieve rapid micromixing between ferrofluid and buffer flow. Experiments were conducted systematically to investigate the effect of flow rate, concentration of the ferrofluid, and micromagnet NdFeB:PDMS mass ratio on the mixing performance. It was found that mixing is more efficient with lower total flow rates and higher ferrofluid concentration, which generate greater magnetic forces acting on both streamwise and lateral directions to increase the intermixing of the fluids within a longer residence time. Numerical models were also developed to simulate the mixing process in the microchannel under the same conditions and the simulation results indicated excellent agreements with the experimental data on mixing performance. Combining experimental measurements and numerical simulations, this study demonstrates a simple yet effective method to realize rapid mixing for lab-on-chip systems.

scholarly journals Design and Manufacturing of a Disposable, Cyclo-Olefin Copolymer, Microfluidic Device for a Biosensor †

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Prada ◽  
Christina Cordes ◽  
Carsten Harms ◽  
Walter Lang
Keyword(s):  
Microfluidic Device ◽  
Heating Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Reaction Chamber ◽  
Microfluidic System ◽  
Heating Process ◽  
Design And Manufacturing ◽  
On Chip ◽  
Working Parameters ◽  
Auto Fluorescence

This contribution outlines the design and manufacturing of a microfluidic device implemented as a biosensor for retrieval and detection of bacteria RNA. The device is fully made of Cyclo-Olefin Copolymer (COC), which features low auto-fluorescence, biocompatibility and manufacturability by hot-embossing. The RNA retrieval was carried on after bacteria heat-lysis by an on-chip micro-heater, whose function was characterized at different working parameters. Carbon resistive temperature sensors were tested, characterized and printed on the biochip sealing film to monitor the heating process. Off-chip and on-chip processed RNA were hybridized with capture probes on the reaction chamber surface and identification was achieved by detection of fluorescence tags. The application of the mentioned techniques and materials proved to allow the development of low-cost, disposable albeit multi-functional microfluidic system, performing heating, temperature sensing and chemical reaction processes in the same device. By proving its effectiveness, this device contributes a reference to show the integration potential of fully thermoplastic devices in biosensor systems.

scholarly journals Remote Reflectivity Sensor for Industrial Applications

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1301
Author(s):  
Federico Cavedo ◽  
Parisa Esmaili ◽  
Michele Norgia
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Interference Immunity ◽  
Surface Reflection ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Digital Detector ◽  
Reflected Light ◽  
Surface Optical ◽  
Diffused Light

A low-cost optical reflectivity sensor is proposed in this paper, able to detect the presence of objects or surface optical properties variations, at a distance of up to 20 m. A collimated laser beam is pulsed at 10 kHz, and a synchronous digital detector coherently measures the back-diffused light collected through a 1-inch biconvex lens. The sensor is a cost-effective solution for punctual measurement of the surface reflection at different distances. To enhance the interference immunity, an algorithm based on a double-side digital baseline restorer is proposed and implemented to accurately detect the amplitude of the reflected light. As results show, the sensor is robust against ambient light and shows a strong sensitivity on a wide reflection range. The capability of the proposed sensor was evaluated experimentally for object detection and recognition, in addition to dedicated measurement systems, like remote encoders or keyphasors, realized far from the object to be measured.

scholarly journals Deconstruction of Lignin: From Enzymes to Microorganisms

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2299
Author(s):  
Jéssica P. Silva ◽  
Alonso R. P. Ticona ◽  
Pedro R. V. Hamann ◽  
Betania F. Quirino ◽  
Eliane F. Noronha
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Lignocellulosic Residues ◽  
Complementary Techniques ◽  
Plant Polymer ◽  
Powerful Strategy

Lignocellulosic residues are low-cost abundant feedstocks that can be used for industrial applications. However, their recalcitrance currently makes lignocellulose use limited. In natural environments, microbial communities can completely deconstruct lignocellulose by synergistic action of a set of enzymes and proteins. Microbial degradation of lignin by fungi, important lignin degraders in nature, has been intensively studied. More recently, bacteria have also been described as able to break down lignin, and to have a central role in recycling this plant polymer. Nevertheless, bacterial deconstruction of lignin has not been fully elucidated yet. Direct analysis of environmental samples using metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics approaches is a powerful strategy to describe/discover enzymes, metabolic pathways, and microorganisms involved in lignin breakdown. Indeed, the use of these complementary techniques leads to a better understanding of the composition, function, and dynamics of microbial communities involved in lignin deconstruction. We focus on omics approaches and their contribution to the discovery of new enzymes and reactions that impact the development of lignin-based bioprocesses.

scholarly journals Enhanced catalytic ozonation of ibuprofen using a 3D structured catalyst with MnO2 nanosheets on carbon microfibers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guhankumar Ponnusamy ◽  
Hajar Farzaneh ◽  
Yongfeng Tong ◽  
Jenny Lawler ◽  
Zhaoyang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Catalytic Ozonation ◽  
Heterogeneous Catalytic ◽  
Structured Catalyst ◽  
Dimensional Network ◽  
Carbon Microfibers

AbstractHeterogeneous catalytic ozonation is an effective approach to degrade refractory organic pollutants in water. However, ozonation catalysts with combined merits of high activity, good reusability and low cost for practical industrial applications are still rare. This study aims to develop an efficient, stable and economic ozonation catalyst for the degradation of Ibuprofen, a pharmaceutical compound frequently detected as a refractory pollutant in treated wastewaters. The novel three-dimensional network-structured catalyst, comprising of δ-MnO2 nanosheets grown on woven carbon microfibers (MnO2 nanosheets/carbon microfiber), was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal approach. Catalytic ozonation performance of Ibuprofen removal in water using the new catalyst proves a significant enhancement, where Ibuprofen removal efficiency of close to 90% was achieved with a catalyst loading of 1% (w/v). In contrast, conventional ozonation was only able to achieve 65% removal efficiency under the same operating condition. The enhanced performance with the new catalyst could be attributed to its significantly increased available surface active sites and improved mass transfer of reaction media, as a result of the special surface and structure properties of this new three-dimensional network-structured catalyst. Moreover, the new catalyst displays excellent stability and reusability for ibuprofen degradation over successive reaction cycles. The facile synthesis method and low-cost materials render the new catalyst high potential for industrial scaling up. With the combined advantages of high efficiency, high stability, and low cost, this study sheds new light for industrial applications of ozonation catalysts.

scholarly journals Redox initiation in semicontinuous polymerization to search for specific mechanical properties of copolymers

e-Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 613-623
Author(s):  
José Manuel Sandoval-Díaz ◽  
Francisco Javier Rivera-Gálvez ◽  
Marta Fernández-García ◽  
Carlos Federico Jasso-Gastinel
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Polymerization Reaction ◽  
Redox Initiation ◽  
Initiation System ◽  
Feeding Profile ◽  
Chain Composition

AbstractIn this work, for a semicontinuous emulsion polymerization reaction, it is shown that using a redox initiation system at 40°C, substantial modifications in copolymer chain composition with conversion can be easily obtained. To test controllable trajectories for comonomer feeding, linear and parabolic profiles were chosen to get different types of chain composition variations for the 50/50 w/w styrene/n-butyl acrylate system. For the “forced composition copolymers,” the molecular weight averages and distribution were obtained by size exclusion chromatography. The composition along conversion was followed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the weight composition distribution (WCD) of the copolymer chains. Mechanodynamic (dynamic-mechanical analysis), tensile, and hardness tests exhibited consistent results depending on the WCD that outcomes from the respective feeding profile. The results confirm that this methodology is of great potential for industrial applications when looking for synergy in copolymer properties, and low-cost processes.

scholarly journals Silicon-Quartz Microcapillary Opto-Fluidic Platform Obtained by CMOS-Compatible Die to Wafer 200 mm Dual Bonding Process

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (13) ◽  
pp. 1018
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Fiorentino ◽  
Ben Jones ◽  
Sophie Roth ◽  
Edith Grac ◽  
Murali Jayapala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adhesive Bonding ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Quartz Substrate ◽  
Microfluidic System ◽  
Bonding Process ◽  
Microfluidic Channels ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Lab On Chip ◽  
Human Blood Cells ◽  
On Chip

A composite, capillary-driven microfluidic system suitable for transmitted light microscopy of cells (e.g., red and white human blood cells) is fabricated and demonstrated. The microfluidic system consists of a microchannels network fabricated in a photo-patternable adhesive polymer on a quartz substrate, which, by means of adhesive bonding, is then connected to a silicon microfluidic die (for processing of the biological sample) and quartz die (to form the imaging chamber). The entire bonding process makes use of a very low temperature budget (200 °C). In this demonstrator, the silicon die consists of microfluidic channels with transition structures to allow conveyance of fluid utilizing capillary forces from the polymer channels to the silicon channels and back to the polymer channels. Compared to existing devices, this fully integrated platform combines on the same substrate silicon microfluidic capabilities with optical system analysis, representing a portable and versatile lab-on-chip device.

A Mechatronic Approach to Compact Fluid Disc Valve Design

1995 ◽  
Vol 209 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125
Author(s):  
G A Parker ◽  
Y B Sun
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Operating Mode ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Valve Design ◽  
Electromagnetic Characteristics ◽  
High Control ◽  
Fail Safe ◽  
Pilot Valve

The work presented in this paper deals mainly with a mechatronic approach to compact disc valve design and concentrates on improvements to the disc valve electromagnetic characteristics, the diaphragm design and the dynamic performance. A novel diaphragm-disc force motor has been successfully developed incorporating a pair of permanent ring magnets. It has the advantages of low electric power consumption at the null position, dual-lane electrical structure for fail-safe operation, high control accuracy and should be competitive with existing torque motors due to its low cost and simple construction. The research involved designing and testing a prototype disc pilot valve with a dual-lane operating mode. The test results showed that the valve has satisfactory static and dynamic characteristics for industrial applications.

Synthesis, Characterization, Applications, and Toxicity of Green Synthesized Nanoparticles

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Marcos Pereira Galúcio ◽  
Sorrel Godinho Barbosa de Souza ◽  
Arthur Abinader Vasconcelos ◽  
Alan Kelbis Oliveira Lima ◽  
Kauê Santana da Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Synthesis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Methods Of Synthesis ◽  
Food Applications ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Harmful Effects

: Nanotechnology is a cutting-edge area with numerous industrial applications. Nanoparticles are structures that have dimensions ranging from 1–100 nm which exhibit significantly different mechanical, optical, electrical, and chemical properties when compared with their larger counterparts. Synthetic routes that use natural sources, such as plant extracts, honey, and microorganisms are environmentally friendly and low-cost methods that can be used to obtain nanoparticles. These methods of synthesis generate products that are more stable and less toxic than those obtained using conventional methods. Nanoparticles formed by titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silver, gold, and copper, as well as cellulose nanocrystals are among the nanostructures obtained by green synthesis that have shown interesting applications in several technological industries. Several analytical techniques have also been used to analyze the size, morphology, hydrodynamics, diameter, and chemical functional groups involved in the stabilization of the nanoparticles as well as to quantify and evaluate their formation. Despite their pharmaceutical, biotechnological, cosmetic, and food applications, studies have detected their harmful effects on human health and the environment; and thus, caution must be taken in uses involving living organisms. The present review aims to present an overview of the applications, the structural properties, and the green synthesis methods that are used to obtain nanoparticles, and special attention is given to those obtained from metal ions. The review also presents the analytical methods used to analyze, quantify, and characterize these nanostructures.

Measuring Optical Properties of Advanced Nano/Micro-Periodic Structures Fabricated by Multi-Exposure Interference Lithography

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuzo Masui ◽  
Masaki Michihata ◽  
Kiyoshi Takamasu ◽  
Satoru Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Periodic Structures ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Interference Lithography ◽  
High Dispersion ◽  
Optical Elements ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Periodic Grating ◽  
Interference Fringes ◽  
Multiple Interference

Abstract Functional optical elements based on nano/micro-periodic structures have attracted much attention. Since the fabrication of these dual-periodic structures requires precise control of periodicity, the semiconductor process such as an electron beam lithography has been mainly employed. However, these techniques have problems with expensive and low throughput for industrial applications. Therefore, there remains a need for low cost and high throughput fabrication methods of dual-periodic structures. Then we developed a multi-exposure interference lithography (MEIL) system using rotational Lloyd’s mirror interferometer to overcome these problems. The advantages of interference lithography are a large processing area and low cost. Our developed rotational Lloyd’s mirror setup enables us to a highly precise superposition of multiple interference fringes by multi-exposure. Furthermore, we developed a measurement setup for reflective diffractive elements using a two axial rotating stage and measured the diffraction properties of the fabricated dual-periodic diffraction gratings. In this paper, as a demonstration, we succeeded in the fabrication of high-dispersion diffraction grating with an enhanced diffraction efficiency of the −3rd order light. The fabricated shapes have a periodicity of 1997 nm and 665 nm. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the intensity of the −3rd order light was enhanced by about 10 times compared to the single periodic grating.

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