Authors: Ilya Reviakine
Journal: Biointephases (2024)
Abstract
Applications of quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation to studying soft and biological interfaces are reviewed. The focus is primarily on data analysis through viscoelastic modeling and a model-free approach focusing on the acoustic ratio. Current challenges and future research and development directions are discussed.
You may read the full paper here.
AWsensors Technology Note, video, and executable QCMD Data Analysis with PyQTM.
Advanced Wave Sensors S.L. (AWSensors), en el marco del programa “Proyectos de Consolidación de la Cadena de Valor Empresarial” (Convocatoria 2023), ha contado con el apoyo de la Agència Valenciana de la Innovació y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER para el desarrollo de un proyecto de investigación industrial en el campo de los biosensores. El proyecto dió comienzo en octubre de 2023 y tiene prevista una duración de 27 meses, hasta su finalización en diciembre de 2025. El proyecto cuenta con una subvención de 178.219,62 €.
El objetivo principal de este proyecto es la investigación de procesos industriales necesarios para el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas de bio-funcionalización superficial que permita la inmovilización de sondas de biorreconocimiento, tales como aptámeros, anticuerpos o secuencias de ADN, en la superficie de microrresonadores acústicos de una manera precisa, controlada, rápida, repetitiva, y a un coste reducido.
La técnica BioprintedQCM se aplicará en el desarrollo de nuevos biosensores basados en dispositivos HFF-QCM ARRAY, propiedad de AWSensors.
«Actuación susceptible de ser cofinanciada por la Unión Europea»
Advanced Wave Sensors S.L. (AWSensors) ha obtenido una operación de préstamo cofinanciada por la Unión Europea a través del Programa Operativo del Fondo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) de la Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020, todo ello de conformidad con lo previsto en el anexo XII del Reglamento (UE) 1303/2013 del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo de 17 de diciembre de 2013. La financiación ha sido gestionada a través del Institut Valencià de Finances en el ámbito del instrumento financiero «Préstamos bonificados IVF PYME REACT-EU FEDER» del Programa operativo FEDER de la Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020.
«Una manera de hacer Europa»
C60-based Multivalent Glycoporphyrins Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Specific Interaction with the DC-SIGN Transmembrane Receptor
Authors: Jennifer Patino-Alonso, Justo Cabrera-González, Javier Merino, Gema Nieto-Ortiz, Fátima Lasala, Jouma Katati, Carlos H. Bezerra da Cruz, Ajay K. Monnappa, Pablo Mateos-Gil, Ángeles Canales, Iván López-Montero, Beatriz M. Illescas, Rafael Delgado, and Nazario Martín
Journal: Small (2023)
Abstract
Since WHO has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, nearly seven million deaths have been reported. This efficient spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is facilitated by the ability of the spike glycoprotein to bind multiple cell membrane receptors. Although ACE2 is identified as the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2, other receptors could play a role in viral entry. Among others, C-type lectins such as DC-SIGN are identified as efficient trans-receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, so the use of glycomimetics to inhibit the infection through the DC-SIGN blockade is an encouraging approach. In this regard, multivalent nanostructures based on glycosylated [60]fullerenes linked to a central porphyrin scaffold have been designed and tested against DC-SIGN-mediated SARS-CoV-2 infection. First results show an outstanding inhibition of the trans-infection up to 90%. In addition, a deeper understanding of nanostructure-receptor binding is achieved through microscopy techniques, high-resolution NMR experiments, Quartz Crystal Microbalance experiments, and molecular dynamic simulations.
You may read the full paper here.
C60-based Multivalent Glycoporphyrins Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Specific Interaction with the DC-SIGN Transmembrane Receptor
Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Drying Oils during Polymerization
Author: Gwen dePolo
PhD Thesis: Northwestern University (September 2023)
Abstract
Drying oils have been used as a binding medium for oil paints since the 15th century. These oil paints transition from a liquid-like paste to a solid-like film as a result of crosslinks forming between the oil molecules. These reactions have been extensively studied chemically, but other material properties are not as well characterized for drying oils. Oil paints are typically used in complex composite structures where the mechanical properties matter just as much as the chemical properties. This thesis focuses on understanding the evolution of mechanical properties during drying oil polymerization.
You may read the full text here.
Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Drying Oils during Polymerization
Surface Acoustic Wave Immunosensor for Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin
Authors: Michał Grabka, Krzysztof Jasek and Zygfryd Witkiewicz
Journal: Sensors (2023)
Abstract
A Love-type acoustic wave sensor (AT-cut quartz substrate, SiO2 guiding layer) with a center frequency of approximately 120 MHz was used to detect a simulant of pathogenic botulinum neurotoxin type A—recombinant of BoNT-A light chain—in liquid samples. The sensor was prepared by immobilizing monoclonal antibodies specific for botulinum neurotoxin via a thiol monolayer deposited on a gold substrate. Studies have shown that the sensor enables selective analyte detection within a few minutes. In addition, the sensor can be used several times (regeneration of the sensor is possible using a low pH buffer). Nevertheless, the detectability of the analyte is relatively low compared to other analytical techniques that can be used for rapid detection of botulinum neurotoxin. The obtained results confirm the operation of the proposed sensor and give hope for further development of this label-free technique for detecting botulinum neurotoxin.
You may read the full paper here.
Surface Acoustic Wave Immunosensor for Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin
Methods for Calibrating the Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance: Frequency to Mass and Compensation for Viscous Load
Authors: Claes-Olof A. Olsson, Anna Neus Igual-Muñoz and Stefano Mischler
Journal: Chemosensors (2023)
Abstract
The main output from an Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance is a frequency shift. This note describes how to separate the mass- and viscous load contributions to this shift by a calibration procedure. The mass calibration is made by electroplating from a copper sulfate solution in ethanol/water with 100% current efficiency. An estimate of viscous load is obtained by measuring the energy dissipation and is related to frequency change using the Kanazawa–Gordon equation. Two approaches are discussed: either by performing calibration experiments in a series of water–glycerol mixtures or by following oscillations in frequency and dissipation by collecting data during the stabilization phase of the experiment.
You may read the full paper here.
Methods for Calibrating the Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance: Frequency to Mass and Compensation for Viscous Load
Highly Ordered Graphene Polydopamine Composite Allowing Fast Motion of Cations: Toward a High-Performance Microsupercapacitor
Authors: Adnane Bouzina, René Meng, Cyrille Bazin, Hubert Perrot, Ozlem Sel, Catherine Debiemme-Chouvy
Journal: Adv. Mater. Interfaces (2023)
Abstract
The simple and eco-friendly preparation of microsupercapacitor remains a great challenge. Here are presented the preparation and the characterizations of an all-solid symmetric micro-supercapacitor based on a new composite formed of highly ordered graphene sheets due to the presence of polydopamine between the layers, which present a d-spacing of 0.356 nm. This graphene-polydopamine composite is prepared by electroreduction of graphene oxide (GO) followed by the electrooxidation of dopamine added into the initial solution, i.e., after GO reduction. In Na2SO4 solution, this composite material shows excellent capacitance and stability even at a high scan rate (2 V s−1) and a very low relaxation time (τ0) of 62 ms. This value is in very good agreement with the high transfer kinetic and low transfer resistance values of the ions implied in the charge storage process (Na+·2H2O and Na+) determined by ac-electrogravimetry. Finally, it is shown that the all-solid micro-supercapacitor (interdigitated electrodes obtained using a CO2 laser and Na2SO4/PVA hydrogel) prepared with this new composite delivers a remarkable energy density of 6.36 mWh cm−3 for a power density of 0.22 W cm−3 and exhibits excellent cycling stability (98% of retention after 10 000 cycles at 2 V s−1).
You may read the full paper here.
Highly Ordered Graphene Polydopamine Composite Allowing Fast Motion of Cations: Toward a High-Performance Microsupercapacitor
Comparison of Thin-Film Capacitor Geometries for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Using a ZIF-8 Affinity Layer
Authors: Aleksander Matavž, Margot F. K. Verstreken, Jorid Smets, Max L. Tietze, and Rob Ameloot
Journal: ACS Sensors (2023)
Abstract
Their chemical diversity, uniform pore sizes, and large internal surface areas make metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) highly suitable for volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption. This work compares two geometries of capacitive VOC sensors that use the MOF material ZIF-8 as an affinity layer. When using a permeable top electrode (thickness < 25 nm), the metal–insulator–metal (MIM) sandwich configuration exhibits superior sensitivity, an improved detection limit, and a smaller footprint than the conventional interdigitated electrode layout. Moreover, the transduction of VOC adsorption in ZIF-8 via MIM capacitors is more sensitive to polar VOCs and provides better selectivity at high loadings than gravimetric and optical transductions.
You may read the full paper here.
Comparison of Thin-Film Capacitor Geometries for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Using a ZIF-8 Affinity Layer
