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1 – 10 of 99Olivia M. Flaherty, Xiaoyun Cui, Divya Rajamohan, David Hutt, Chris Denning, Paul P. Conway and Andrew A. West
The purpose of this paper is to highlight a novel manufacturing process for a biochip with a multi‐electrode array (MEA) that is specifically designed for use in characterising…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight a novel manufacturing process for a biochip with a multi‐electrode array (MEA) that is specifically designed for use in characterising cardio‐active substances and to demonstrate a novel proposed solution prototype that has been constructed to meet the needs of end‐users.
Design/methodology/approach
Practical problems encountered with conventional MEA biochips are described and a novel biochip design to tackle these problems is presented. The manufacturing approach used to produce the prototypes of that design is described and depicted.
Findings
The novel prototype MEA biochips were successfully manufactured using conventional electronics manufacturing approaches. Prototypes demonstrated limited successes in the early stages of testing. Further revisions of the feature geometry are required to implement an alternative MEA biochip that is suitably reliable.
Research limitations/implications
Basic photolithography techniques have been used to construct a base substrate for proof‐of‐principle studies. Increased sophistication in manufacturing stages is required in future iterations of the proposed concept.
Originality/value
This paper introduces a problem encountered by MEA system adopters that requires a suitable solution. The scale up of an electronics manufacturing process‐based solution to the problems described holds much promise for the screening of new chemical entities.
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Majid Monajjemi and Fatemeh Mollaamin
Recently, powerful instruments for biomedical engineering research studies, including disease modeling, drug designing and nano-drug delivering, have been extremely investigated…
Abstract
Purpose
Recently, powerful instruments for biomedical engineering research studies, including disease modeling, drug designing and nano-drug delivering, have been extremely investigated by researchers. Particularly, investigation in various microfluidics techniques and novel biomedical approaches for microfluidic-based substrate have progressed in recent years, and therefore, various cell culture platforms have been manufactured for these types of approaches. These microinstruments, known as tissue chip platforms, mimic in vivo living tissue and exhibit more physiologically similar vitro models of human tissues. Using lab-on-a-chip technologies in vitro cell culturing quickly caused in optimized systems of tissues compared to static culture. These chipsets prepare cell culture media to mimic physiological reactions and behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used the application of lab chip instruments as a versatile tool for point of health-care (PHC) applications, and the authors applied a current progress in various platforms toward biochip DNA sensors as an alternative to the general bio electrochemical sensors. Basically, optical sensing is related to the intercalation between glass surfaces containing biomolecules with fluorescence and, subsequently, its reflected light that arises from the characteristics of the chemical agents. Recently, various techniques using optical fiber have progressed significantly, and researchers apply highlighted remarks and future perspectives of these kinds of platforms for PHC applications.
Findings
The authors assembled several microfluidic chips through cell culture and immune-fluorescent, as well as using microscopy measurement and image analysis for RNA sequencing. By this work, several chip assemblies were fabricated, and the application of the fluidic routing mechanism enables us to provide chip-to-chip communication with a variety of tissue-on-a-chip. By lab-on-a-chip techniques, the authors exhibited that coating the cell membrane via poly-dopamine and collagen was the best cell membrane coating due to the monolayer growth and differentiation of the cell types during the differentiation period. The authors found the artificial membrane, through coating with Collagen-A, has improved the growth of mouse podocytes cells-5 compared with the fibronectin-coated membrane.
Originality/value
The authors could distinguish the differences across the patient cohort when they used a collagen-coated microfluidic chip. For instance, von Willebrand factor, a blood glycoprotein that promotes hemostasis, can be identified and measured through these type-coated microfluidic chips.
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Personal computers were predicted by workers in the field of Cybernetics many decades ago. The technology may not have arrived at that time but scientists, particularly those…
Abstract
Personal computers were predicted by workers in the field of Cybernetics many decades ago. The technology may not have arrived at that time but scientists, particularly those concerned with education, saw the personal computer as part of a new educational system.
Weiwei Yue, Yuwei Cao, Shuqi Xie, Kang Ning Cheng, Yue Ding, Cong Liu, Yan Jing Ding, Xiaofeng Zhu, Huanqing Liu and Muhammad Shafi
This study aims to improve detection efficiency of fluorescence biosensor or a graphene field-effect transistor biosensor. Graphene field-effect transistor biosensing and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to improve detection efficiency of fluorescence biosensor or a graphene field-effect transistor biosensor. Graphene field-effect transistor biosensing and fluorescent biosensing were integrated and combined with magnetic nanoparticles to construct a multi-sensor integrated microfluidic biochip for detecting single-stranded DNA. Multi-sensor integrated biochip demonstrated higher detection reliability for a single target and could simultaneously detect different targets.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors integrated graphene field-effect transistor biosensing and fluorescent biosensing, combined with magnetic nanoparticles, to fabricate a multi-sensor integrated microfluidic biochip for the detection of single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Graphene films synthesized through chemical vapor deposition were transferred onto a glass substrate featuring two indium tin oxide electrodes, thus establishing conductive channels for the graphene field-effect transistor. Using π-π stacking, 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester was immobilized onto the graphene film to serve as a medium for anchoring the probe aptamer. The fluorophore-labeled target DNA subsequently underwent hybridization with the probe aptamer, thereby forming a fluorescence detection channel.
Findings
This paper presents a novel approach using three channels of light, electricity and magnetism for the detection of single-stranded DNA, accompanied by the design of a microfluidic detection platform integrating biosensor chips. Remarkably, the detection limit achieved is 10 pm, with an impressively low relative standard deviation of 1.007%.
Originality/value
By detecting target DNA, the photo-electro-magnetic multi-sensor graphene field-effect transistor biosensor not only enhances the reliability and efficiency of detection but also exhibits additional advantages such as compact size, affordability, portability and straightforward automation. Real-time display of detection outcomes on the host facilitates a deeper comprehension of biochemical reaction dynamics. Moreover, besides detecting the same target, the sensor can also identify diverse targets, primarily leveraging the penetrative and noninvasive nature of light.
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Qazi Humayun, Muhammad Kashif and Uda Hashim
– The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of a single-bridge ZnO nanorod as a photodetector.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of a single-bridge ZnO nanorod as a photodetector.
Design/methodology/approach
The fabrication of the design sensor with ∼6-μm gap Schottky contacts and bridging of the ZnO nanorod were based on conventional photolithography and wet-etching technique. Prior to bridging, the ZnO nanorods were grown by the hydrothermal process. The 0.35 M seed solution was prepared by dissolving zinc acetate dihydrate in 2-methoxyethanol, and monoethanolamine, which acts as a stabilizer, was added drop-wise. Before starting the solution deposition, and oxide, titanium (Ti) and gold (Au) layer deposition, p-type (100) silicon substrate was cleaned with Radio Corporation of America (RCA1) and RCA2, followed by dipping in diluted hydrofluoric acid. The aged solution was dropped onto the surface of the Au microgap structure, using a spin coater at a spinning speed of 3,000 rpm for 45 seconds, and then dried at 300°C for 15 minutes, followed by annealing at 400°C for 1 hour. The hydrothermal growth was carried out in an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (0.025 M) and hexamethyltetramine (0.025 M).
Findings
In this study, ZnO nanorods were grown on a SiO2 substrate by the hydrothermal method. Microgap electrodes with ∼6-μm spacing were achieved by using the wet-etching process. After the growth process, an area-selective mask was utilized to reduce the number of rods between the nearby gap areas. The obtained single ZnO nanorod was tested for the UV-sensing application. The single ZnO nanorod photodetector exhibited a UV photoresponse, thereby indicating potential as a cost-effective UV detector. The response and recovery times of the fabricated device were 65 and 95 seconds, respectively. Structural analysis was captured using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), whereas surface morphology was determined using scanning electron microscopy.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates the effect of UV photon on a single-bridge ZnO nanorod between microgap electrodes.
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Despite the desperate general state of the UK’s engineering and manufacturing industry, great engineering innovation is still happening. This has again been highlighted by the…
Abstract
Despite the desperate general state of the UK’s engineering and manufacturing industry, great engineering innovation is still happening. This has again been highlighted by the diverse nature of the innovations from the four finalists for the 2003 MacRobert Award. Initiated in 1969, The Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award is the UK’s most prestigious annual prize for engineering innovation.
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Muhammad Kashif and Uda Hashim
The purpose of the current research is to use impedance spectroscopy to study the AC parameters that varied with frequency such as impedance, dielectric constant and conductivity…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the current research is to use impedance spectroscopy to study the AC parameters that varied with frequency such as impedance, dielectric constant and conductivity of ZnO nanorods MSM structure in the range of 1 Hz to 10 MHz under atmospheric conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
ZnO nanorods were grown on glass substrate using low cost sol‐gel method. 0.35 M seed solution was prepared by dissolving zinc acetate dihydrate in 2‐methoxyethanol and monoethanolamine which acts as a stabilizer was added drop‐wise. Prior to the deposition, glass slide was cut into pieces of 1.5 cm×2 cm. Ultra‐sonication process is used to clean the glass substrate using acetone, ethanol, and de‐ionized (DI) water for 5 min. The prepared seed solution was coated on glass substrate using spin coater at spinning speed of 3000 rpm for 30 s and then dried at 250°C for 10 min followed by annealing at 550°C for 2 h. The hydrothermal growth was carried out in aqueous solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (25 mM), hexamethyltetramine (25 mM).
Findings
ZnO nanorods were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and impedance spectroscopy. The real part of impedance (Z′) showed two semicircles that correspond to the distribution of the grain boundaries and electrode process. SEM image showed the densely packed ZnO nanorods on the surface of glass substrate, whereas XRD revealed the grown nanorods have c‐axis orientation. The results show that the impedance dielectric increases as the frequency decreases while the conductivity showed the opposite behavior.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates the electron transport mechanism of ZnO nanorods at room temperature to understand the frequency dependent parameters.
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Abstract
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Abstract
This paper explains the concept of cultural synergy and provides a contrast of societies that could be characterized as having high or low synergy, as well as organizational…
Abstract
This paper explains the concept of cultural synergy and provides a contrast of societies that could be characterized as having high or low synergy, as well as organizational culture that reflects high and low synergy. Within organizations, the research insights reported here center on behaviors and practices that contribute to synergy and success among teams, particularly in terms of international projects. The concluding section describes people who are truly “professionals” in their attitude toward their career and work, and how they can mutually benefit from the practice of synergy. Real European leaders actively create a better future through synergistic efforts with fellow professionals. The knowledge work culture favors cooperation, alliances, and partnership, not excessive individualist actions and competition. This trend is evident, as well as necessary, in corporations and industries, in government and academic institutions, in non‐profit agencies and unions, in trade and professional associations of all types. In an information or knowledge society, collaboration in sharing ideas and insights is the key to survival, problem solving, and growth. But high synergy behavior must be cultivated in personnel, so we need to use research findings, such as those outlined in this paper, to facilitate teamwork and ensure professional synergy. In addition to fostering such learning in our formal education and training systems, we also should take advantage of the increasing capabilities offered to us for both personal and electronic networking. Contemporary global leaders, then, seek to be effective bridge builders between the cultural realities or worlds of both past and future. Cultivating a synergistic mind‐set accelerates this process.
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