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Showing papers in "Micromachines in 2021"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a numerical examination of the Darcy-Forchheimer relation in convective magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid flow bounded by non-linear stretching sheet is performed.
Abstract: The aim of this research is mainly concerned with the numerical examination of Darcy-Forchheimer relation in convective magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid flow bounded by non-linear stretching sheet A visco-elastic and strictly incompressible liquid saturates the designated porous medium under the direct influence of the Darcy-Forchheimer model and convective boundary The magnetic effect is taken uniformly normal to the flow direction However, the model is bounded to a tiny magnetic Reynolds number for practical applications Boundary layer formulations are taken into consideration The so-formulated leading problems are converted into highly nonlinear ordinary problems using effectively modified transformations The numerical scheme is applied to solve the governing problems The outcomes stipulate that thermal layer receives significant modification in the incremental direction for augmented values of thermal radiation parameter Rd Elevation in thermal Biot number γ1 apparently results a significant rise in thermal layer and associated boundary layer thickness The solute Biot number is found to be an enhancing factor the concentration profile Besides the three main profiles, the contour and density graphs are sketched for both the linear and non-linear cases Furthermore, skin friction jumps for larger porosity and larger Forchheimer number Both the heat and mass flux numbers receive a reduction for augmented values of the Forchheimer number Heat flux enhances, while mass flux reduces, the strong effect of thermal Biot number The considered problem could be helpful in any several industrial and engineering procedures, such as rolling, polymeric extrusion, continuously stretching done in plastic thin films, crystal growth, fiber production, and metallic extrusion, etc

61 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The use of microneedles to deliver particle-based vaccines is gaining importance because of the combined advantages of particulate vaccine and pain-free immunization as mentioned in this paper, however, addressing some limitations such as dosing inadequacy, stability and sterility will lead to successful use of micro-drone-based vaccination.
Abstract: Transdermal vaccination route using biodegradable microneedles is a rapidly progressing field of research and applications. The fear of painful needles is one of the primary reasons most people avoid getting vaccinated. Therefore, developing an alternative pain-free method of vaccination using microneedles has been a significant research area. Microneedles comprise arrays of micron-sized needles that offer a pain-free method of delivering actives across the skin. Apart from being pain-free, microneedles provide various advantages over conventional vaccination routes such as intramuscular and subcutaneous. Microneedle vaccines induce a robust immune response as the needles ranging from 50 to 900 μm in length can efficiently deliver the vaccine to the epidermis and the dermis region, which contains many Langerhans and dendritic cells. The microneedle array looks like band-aid patches and offers the advantages of avoiding cold-chain storage and self-administration flexibility. The slow release of vaccine antigens is an important advantage of using microneedles. The vaccine antigens in the microneedles can be in solution or suspension form, encapsulated in nano or microparticles, and nucleic acid-based. The use of microneedles to deliver particle-based vaccines is gaining importance because of the combined advantages of particulate vaccine and pain-free immunization. The future of microneedle-based vaccines looks promising however, addressing some limitations such as dosing inadequacy, stability and sterility will lead to successful use of microneedles for vaccine delivery. This review illustrates the recent research in the field of microneedle-based vaccination.

50 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a highly sensitive electrochemical electrode for EPR detection based on nickel ferrite decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au@NiFe2O4) on the screen-printed electrode (SPE) was developed.
Abstract: The accurate and precise monitoring of epirubicin (EPR), one of the most widely used anticancer drugs, is significant for human and environmental health. In this context, we developed a highly sensitive electrochemical electrode for EPR detection based on nickel ferrite decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au@NiFe2O4) on the screen-printed electrode (SPE). Various spectral characteristic methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to investigate the surface morphology and structure of the synthesized Au@NiFe2O4 nanocomposite. The novel decorated electrode exhibited a high electrocatalytic activity toward the electrooxidation of EPR, and a nanomolar limit of detection (5.3 nM) was estimated using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with linear concentration ranges from 0.01 to 0.7 and 0.7 to 3.6 µM. The stability, selectivity, repeatability reproducibility and reusability, with a very low electrode response detection limit, make it very appropriate for determining trace amounts of EPR in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.

50 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the structure, life cycle and immune host response to SARS-CoV-2, and some deeper details of analytical signal detection principles, along with the specification of biosensors, also provide a brief overview of generally used testing techniques.
Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was proclaimed a global pandemic in March 2020. Reducing the dissemination rate, in particular by tracking the infected people and their contacts, is the main instrument against infection spreading. Therefore, the creation and implementation of fast, reliable and responsive methods suitable for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are required. These needs can be fulfilled using affinity sensors, which differ in applied detection methods and markers that are generating analytical signals. Recently, nucleic acid hybridization, antigen-antibody interaction, and change of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level are mostly used for the generation of analytical signals, which can be accurately measured by electrochemical, optical, surface plasmon resonance, field-effect transistors, and some other methods and transducers. Electrochemical biosensors are the most consistent with the general trend towards, acceleration, and simplification of the bioanalytical process. These biosensors mostly are based on the determination of antigen-antibody interaction and are robust, sensitive, accurate, and sometimes enable label-free detection of an analyte. Along with the specification of biosensors, we also provide a brief overview of generally used testing techniques, and the description of the structure, life cycle and immune host response to SARS-CoV-2, and some deeper details of analytical signal detection principles.

46 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the signal amplification strategies employed in miRNA electrochemical biosensors and the feasibility of different strategies is presented, where the recent advances in nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of miRNA were also discussed and summarized based on different types of miRNAs, and the challenges and future prospects are discussed.
Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important non-coding, single-stranded RNAs possessing crucial regulating roles in human body. Therefore, miRNAs have received extensive attention from various disciplines as the aberrant expression of miRNAs are tightly related to different types of diseases. Furthermore, the exceptional stability of miRNAs has presented them as biomarker with high specificity and sensitivity. However, small size, high sequence similarity, low abundance of miRNAs impose difficulty in their detection. Hence, it is of utmost importance to develop accurate and sensitive method for miRNA biosensing. Electrochemical biosensors have been demonstrated as promising solution for miRNA detection as they are highly sensitive, facile, and low-cost with ease of miniaturization. The incorporation of nanomaterials to electrochemical biosensor offers excellent prospects for converting biological recognition events to electronic signal for the development of biosensing platform with desired sensing properties due to their unique properties. This review introduces the signal amplification strategies employed in miRNA electrochemical biosensor and presents the feasibility of different strategies. The recent advances in nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensor for the detection of miRNA were also discussed and summarized based on different types of miRNAs, opening new approaches in biological analysis and early disease diagnosis. Lastly, the challenges and future prospects are discussed.

46 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The most widely known of these technologies is called the inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and this has become a mainstay for development and production of silicon-based micro-and nano-machined devices as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: This paper reviews the recent advances in reaction-ion etching (RIE) for application in high-aspect-ratio microfabrication. High-aspect-ratio etching of materials used in micro- and nanofabrication has become a very important enabling technology particularly for bulk micromachining applications, but increasingly also for mainstream integrated circuit technology such as three-dimensional multi-functional systems integration. The characteristics of traditional RIE allow for high levels of anisotropy compared to competing technologies, which is important in microsystems device fabrication for a number of reasons, primarily because it allows the resultant device dimensions to be more accurately and precisely controlled. This directly leads to a reduction in development costs as well as improved production yields. Nevertheless, traditional RIE was limited to moderate etch depths (e.g., a few microns). More recent developments in newer RIE methods and equipment have enabled considerably deeper etches and higher aspect ratios compared to traditional RIE methods and have revolutionized bulk micromachining technologies. The most widely known of these technologies is called the inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and this has become a mainstay for development and production of silicon-based micro- and nano-machined devices. This paper will review deep high-aspect-ratio reactive ion etching technologies for silicon, fused silica (quartz), glass, silicon carbide, compound semiconductors and piezoelectric materials.

43 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a full ground ultra wideband (UWB) antenna is proposed and utilized to attain a broad bandwidth while keeping specific absorption rate (SAR) in the acceptable range based on both 1 g and 10 g standards.
Abstract: Wireless body area network (WBAN) applications have broad utility in monitoring patient health and transmitting the data wirelessly. WBAN can greatly benefit from wearable antennas. Wearable antennas provide comfort and continuity of the monitoring of the patient. Therefore, they must be comfortable, flexible, and operate without excessive degradation near the body. Most wearable antennas use a truncated ground, which increases specific absorption rate (SAR) undesirably. A full ground ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna is proposed and utilized here to attain a broad bandwidth while keeping SAR in the acceptable range based on both 1 g and 10 g standards. It is designed on a denim substrate with a dielectric constant of 1.4 and thickness of 0.7 mm alongside the ShieldIt conductive textile. The antenna is fed using a ground coplanar waveguide (GCPW) through a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) transition. This transition creates a perfect match while reducing SAR. In addition, the proposed antenna has a bandwidth (BW) of 7-28 GHz, maximum directive gain of 10.5 dBi and maximum radiation efficiency of 96%, with small dimensions of 60 × 50 × 0.7 mm3. The good antenna's performance while it is placed on the breast shows that it is a good candidate for both breast cancer imaging and WBAN.

41 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the possible limitations of microneedle patch applications and highlight the areas where a great deal of improvements are required to overcome them. But, they do not discuss the potential of the patch application in terms of medical applications.
Abstract: In recent years, an innovative transdermal delivery technology has attracted great interest for its ability to distribute therapeutics and cosmeceuticals for several applications, including vaccines, drugs, and biomolecules for skin-related problems. The advantages of microneedle patch technology have been extensively evaluated in the latest literature; hence, the academic publications in this area are rising exponentially. Like all new technologies, the microneedle patch application has great potential but is not without limitations. In this review, we will discuss the possible limitations by highlighting the areas where a great deal of improvements are required. Emphasising these concerns early on should help scientists and technologists to address the matters in a timely fashion and to use their resources wisely.

40 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of nonlinear thermal radiation on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Darcy-Forchheimer Casson-Water/Glycerine nanofluid flow due to a rotating disk was analyzed by invoking the numerical Runge Kutta 45 (RK45) method based on the shooting technique.
Abstract: This numerical study aims to interpret the impact of non-linear thermal radiation on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Darcy-Forchheimer Casson-Water/Glycerine nanofluid flow due to a rotating disk. Both the single walled, as well as multi walled, Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are invoked. The nanomaterial, thus formulated, is assumed to be more conductive as compared to the simple fluid. The properties of effective carbon nanotubes are specified to tackle the onward governing equations. The boundary layer formulations are considered. The base fluid is assumed to be non-Newtonian. The numerical analysis is carried out by invoking the numerical Runge Kutta 45 (RK45) method based on the shooting technique. The outcomes have been plotted graphically for the three major profiles, namely, the radial velocity profile, the tangential velocity profile, and temperature profile. For skin friction and Nusselt number, the numerical data are plotted graphically. Major outcomes indicate that the enhanced Forchheimer number results in a decline in radial velocity. Higher the porosity parameter, the stronger the resistance offered by the medium to the fluid flow and consequent result is seen as a decline in velocity. The Forchheimer number, permeability parameter, and porosity parameter decrease the tangential velocity field. The convective boundary results in enhancement of temperature facing the disk surface as compared to the ambient part. Skin-friction for larger values of Forchheimer number is found to be increasing. Sufficient literature is provided in the introduction part of the manuscript to justify the novelty of the present work. The research greatly impacts in industrial applications of the nanofluids, especially in geophysical and geothermal systems, storage devices, aerospace engineering, and many others.

39 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review summarizes the designs and features of electrochemical biosensors developed for some past and current pandemic or epidemic viruses, including influenza, HIV, Ebola, and Zika.
Abstract: The last few decades have been plagued by viral outbreaks that present some of the biggest challenges to public safety. The current coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic has exponentiated these concerns. Increased research on diagnostic tools is currently being implemented in order to assist with rapid identification of the virus, as mass diagnosis and containment is the best way to prevent the outbreak of the virus. Accordingly, there is a growing urgency to establish a point-of-care device for the rapid detection of coronavirus to prevent subsequent spread. This device needs to be sensitive, selective, and exhibit rapid diagnostic capabilities. Electrochemical biosensors have demonstrated these traits and, hence, serve as promising candidates for the detection of viruses. This review summarizes the designs and features of electrochemical biosensors developed for some past and current pandemic or epidemic viruses, including influenza, HIV, Ebola, and Zika. Alongside the design, this review also discusses the detection principles, fabrication techniques, and applications of the biosensors. Finally, research and perspective of biosensors as potential detection tools for the rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 is discussed.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an extended analysis of ammonia gas sensors based on carbon nanomaterials is presented, which provides a detailed comparison of various types of active materials used for the detection of ammonia, e.g., carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene, graphene oxide and related materials.
Abstract: This review paper is devoted to an extended analysis of ammonia gas sensors based on carbon nanomaterials. It provides a detailed comparison of various types of active materials used for the detection of ammonia, e.g., carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene, graphene oxide, and related materials. Different parameters that can affect the performance of chemiresistive gas sensors are discussed. The paper also gives a comparison of the sensing characteristics (response, response time, recovery time, operating temperature) of gas sensors based on carbon nanomaterials. The results of our tests on ammonia gas sensors using various techniques are analyzed. The problems related to the recovery of sensors using various approaches are also considered. Finally, the impact of relative humidity on the sensing behavior of carbon nanomaterials of various different natures was estimated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the development of wearable pH and temperature sensors and systems based on different sensing mechanisms for wound status monitoring and treatment are comprehensively summarized, and challenges in the areas of sensing performance, infection identification threshold, large-area 3-dimensional detection, and long-term reliable monitoring in current wearable sensors/systems and emerging solutions are emphasized.
Abstract: Wound healing is a complex tissue regeneration process involving many changes in multiple physiological parameters. The pH and temperature of a wound site have long been recognized as important biomarkers for assessing wound healing status. For effective wound management, wound dressings integrated with wearable sensors and systems used for continuous monitoring of pH and temperature have received much attention in recent years. Herein, recent advances in the development of wearable pH and temperature sensors and systems based on different sensing mechanisms for wound status monitoring and treatment are comprehensively summarized. Challenges in the areas of sensing performance, infection identification threshold, large-area 3-dimensional detection, and long-term reliable monitoring in current wearable sensors/systems and emerging solutions are emphasized, providing critical insights into the development of wearable sensors and systems for wound healing monitoring and management.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of different papers, reports, and other documents using ANN for MPPT control is presented in this paper, where the algorithms are based on ANN or in a hybrid combination with FL or a metaheuristic algorithm.
Abstract: The use of photovoltaic systems for clean electrical energy has increased. However, due to their low efficiency, researchers have looked for ways to increase their effectiveness and improve their efficiency. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) inverters allow us to maximize the extraction of as much energy as possible from PV panels, and they require algorithms to extract the Maximum Power Point (MPP). Several intelligent algorithms show acceptable performance; however, few consider using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). These have the advantage of giving a fast and accurate tracking of the MPP. The controller effectiveness depends on the algorithm used in the hidden layer and how well the neural network has been trained. Articles over the last six years were studied. A review of different papers, reports, and other documents using ANN for MPPT control is presented. The algorithms are based on ANN or in a hybrid combination with FL or a metaheuristic algorithm. ANN MPPT algorithms deliver an average performance of 98% in uniform conditions, exhibit a faster convergence speed, and have fewer oscillations around the MPP, according to this research.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the traditional swirling flow of Von Karman is optimized for Maxwell fluid over a porous spinning disc with a consistent suction/injection effect, which is numerically computed with the bvp4c method and for validity purposes, the results are compared with the RK4 technique.
Abstract: The fluid flow over a rotating disk is critically important due to its application in a broad spectrum of industries and engineering and scientific fields. In this article, the traditional swirling flow of Von Karman is optimized for Maxwell fluid over a porous spinning disc with a consistent suction/injection effect. Buongiorno’s model, which incorporates the effect of both thermophoresis and Brownian motion, describes the Maxwell nanofluid nature. The dimensionless system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) has been diminished from the system of modeled equations through a proper transformation framework. Which is numerically computed with the bvp4c method and for validity purposes, the results are compared with the RK4 technique. The effect of mathematical abstractions on velocity, energy, concentration, and magnetic power is sketched and debated. It is perceived that the mass transmission significantly rises with the thermophoresis parameter, while the velocities in angular and radial directions are reducing with enlarging of the viscosity parameter. Further, the influences of thermal radiation Rd and Brownian motion parameters are particularly more valuable to enhance fluid temperature. The fluid velocity is reduced by the action of suction effects. The suction effect grips the fluid particles towards the pores of the disk, which causes the momentum boundary layer reduction.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The proposed self-powered and highly accurate vibration sensor based on bouncing-ball triboelectric nanogenerator (BB-TENG) has a high signal-to-noise ratio and can power 30 LEDs and a temperature sensor by converting vibration energy into electricity.
Abstract: With the development of intelligent ship, types of advanced sensors are in great demand for monitoring the work conditions of ship machinery. In the present work, a self-powered and highly accurate vibration sensor based on bouncing-ball triboelectric nanogenerator (BB-TENG) is proposed and investigated. The BB-TENG sensor consists of two copper electrode layers and one 3D-printed frame filled with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) balls. When the sensor is installed on a vibration exciter, the PTFE balls will continuously bounce between the two electrodes, generating a periodically fluctuating electrical signals whose frequency can be easily measured through fast Fourier transform. Experiments have demonstrated that the BB-TENG sensor has a high signal-to-noise ratio of 34.5 dB with mean error less than 0.05% at the vibration frequency of 10 Hz to 50 Hz which covers the most vibration range of the machinery on ship. In addition, the BB-TENG can power 30 LEDs and a temperature sensor by converting vibration energy into electricity. Therefore, the BB-TENG sensor can be utilized as a self-powered and highly accurate vibration sensor for condition monitoring of intelligent ship machinery.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe setups, electrodes, and instruments to measure electrical resistance across brain microvessels and culture models of the BBB, as well as critically assess the influence of often neglected physical and technical parameters such as temperature, viscosity, current density generated by different electrode types, surface size, circumference, and porosity of the culture insert membrane.
Abstract: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents the tightest endothelial barrier within the cardiovascular system characterized by very low ionic permeability. Our aim was to describe the setups, electrodes, and instruments to measure electrical resistance across brain microvessels and culture models of the BBB, as well as critically assess the influence of often neglected physical and technical parameters such as temperature, viscosity, current density generated by different electrode types, surface size, circumference, and porosity of the culture insert membrane. We demonstrate that these physical and technical parameters greatly influence the measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance/resistivity (TEER) across BBB culture models resulting in severalfold differences in TEER values of the same biological model, especially in the low-TEER range. We show that elevated culture medium viscosity significantly increases, while higher membrane porosity decreases TEER values. TEER data measured by chopstick electrodes can be threefold higher than values measured by chamber electrodes due to different electrode size and geometry, resulting in current distribution inhomogeneity. An additional shunt resistance at the circumference of culture inserts results in lower TEER values. A detailed description of setups and technical parameters is crucial for the correct interpretation and comparison of TEER values of BBB models.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Wafer bonding technology is one of the most effective methods for high-quality thin-film transfer onto different substrates combined with ion implantation processes, laser irradiation, and the removal of the sacrificial layers.
Abstract: Wafer bonding technology is one of the most effective methods for high-quality thin-film transfer onto different substrates combined with ion implantation processes, laser irradiation, and the removal of the sacrificial layers. In this review, we systematically summarize and introduce applications of the thin films obtained by wafer bonding technology in the fields of electronics, optical devices, on-chip integrated mid-infrared sensors, and wearable sensors. The fabrication of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers based on the Smart CutTM process, heterogeneous integrations of wide-bandgap semiconductors, infrared materials, and electro-optical crystals via wafer bonding technology for thin-film transfer are orderly presented. Furthermore, device design and fabrication progress based on the platforms mentioned above is highlighted in this work. They demonstrate that the transferred films can satisfy high-performance power electronics, molecular sensors, and high-speed modulators for the next generation applications beyond 5G. Moreover, flexible composite structures prepared by the wafer bonding and de-bonding methods towards wearable electronics are reported. Finally, the outlooks and conclusions about the further development of heterogeneous structures that need to be achieved by the wafer bonding technology are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of flexible skin-like sensors and their primary demands is presented, which comprehensively outlines the two categories of design strategies for flexible sensors and summarizes the recent development of flexible pressure sensors based on perceptual mechanism, the sensing component, elastic substrate, sensitivity and detection range.
Abstract: Recently, owing to their excellent flexibility and adaptability, skin-like pressure and strain sensors integrated with the human body have the potential for great prospects in healthcare. This review mainly focuses on the representative advances of the flexible pressure and strain sensors for health monitoring in recent years. The review consists of five sections. Firstly, we give a brief introduction of flexible skin-like sensors and their primary demands, and we comprehensively outline the two categories of design strategies for flexible sensors. Secondly, combining the typical sensor structures and their applications in human body monitoring, we summarize the recent development of flexible pressure sensors based on perceptual mechanism, the sensing component, elastic substrate, sensitivity and detection range. Thirdly, the main structure principles and performance characteristic parameters of noteworthy flexible strain sensors are summed up, namely the sensing mechanism, sensitive element, substrate, gauge factor, stretchability, and representative applications for human monitoring. Furthermore, the representations of flexible sensors with the favorable biocompatibility and self-driven properties are introduced. Finally, in conclusion, besides continuously researching how to enhance the flexibility and sensitivity of flexible sensors, their biocompatibility, versatility and durability should also be given sufficient attention, especially for implantable bioelectronics. In addition, the discussion emphasizes the challenges and opportunities of the above highlighted characteristics of novel flexible skin-like sensors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the latest developments in the identification of antibiotics by nanomaterial-constructed biosensors and summarize an in-depth assessment of the nanostructured electrochemical sensing method for residues of antibiotics in different systems.
Abstract: Antibiotics can accumulate through food metabolism in the human body which may have a significant effect on human safety and health. It is therefore highly beneficial to establish easy and sensitive approaches for rapid assessment of antibiotic amounts. In the development of next-generation biosensors, nanomaterials (NMs) with outstanding thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical properties have been identified as one of the most hopeful materials for opening new gates. This study discusses the latest developments in the identification of antibiotics by nanomaterial-constructed biosensors. The construction of biosensors for electrochemical signal-transducing mechanisms has been utilized in various types of nanomaterials, including quantum dots (QDs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), metal nanomaterials, and carbon nanomaterials. To provide an outline for future study directions, the existing problems and future opportunities in this area are also included. The current review, therefore, summarizes an in-depth assessment of the nanostructured electrochemical sensing method for residues of antibiotics in different systems.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was demonstrated that the MN geometry affected piercing behaviour, fracture, and coating morphology, and the delivery of insulin in porcine skin by inkjet-coated MNs was shown to be influenced by MN design.
Abstract: 3D printing has emerged as a powerful manufacturing technology and has attracted significant attention for the fabrication of microneedle (MN)-mediated transdermal systems. In this work, we describe an optimisation strategy for 3D-printed MNs, ranging from the design to the drug delivery stage. The key relationships between design and manufacturing parameters and quality and performance are systematically explored. The printing and post-printing set parameters were found to influence quality and material mechanical properties, respectively. It was demonstrated that the MN geometry affected piercing behaviour, fracture, and coating morphology. The delivery of insulin in porcine skin by inkjet-coated MNs was shown to be influenced by MN design.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a mini review of photocatalytic photodegradation of polymers is presented, with an emphasis on titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is the most frequently used photocatalyst.
Abstract: Plastic waste becomes an immediate threat to our society with ever-increasing negative impacts on our environment and health by entering our food chain. Sunlight is known to be the natural energy source that degrades plastic waste at a very slow rate. Mimicking the role of sunlight, the photocatalytic degradation process could significantly accelerate the degradation rate thanks to the photocatalyst that drastically facilitates the photochemical reactions involved in the degradation process. This mini review begins with an introduction to the chemical compositions of the common plastic waste. The mechanisms of photodegradation of polymers in general were then revisited. Afterwards, a few photocatalysts were introduced with an emphasis on titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is the most frequently used photocatalyst. The roles of TiO2 photocatalyst in the photodegradation process were then elaborated, followed by the recent advances of photocatalytic degradation of various plastic waste. Lastly, our perspectives on the future research directions of photocatalytic plastic degradation are present. Herein, the importance of catalytic photodegradation is emphasized to inspire research on developing new photocatalysts and new processes for decomposition of plastic waste, and then to increase its recycling rate particularly in the current pandemic with the ever-increasing generation of plastic waste.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the major advances made on carbon dots focusing mainly on its smart material attributes and linked applications is presented, and the challenges of using CDs and the scope for their further improvement as an optical signal transducer to expand their application horizon for developing analytical platforms have been discussed.
Abstract: Carbon dots (CDs) are optically active carbon-based nanomaterials. These nanomaterials can change their light emission properties in response to various external stimuli such as pH, temperature, pressure, and light. The CD's remarkable stimuli-responsive smart material properties have recently stimulated massive research interest for their exploitation to develop various sensor platforms. Herein, an effort has been made to review the major advances made on CDs, focusing mainly on its smart material attributes and linked applications. Since the CD's material properties are largely linked to their synthesis approaches, various synthesis methods, including surface passivation and functionalization of CDs and the mechanisms reported so far in their photophysical properties, are also delineated in this review. Finally, the challenges of using CDs and the scope for their further improvement as an optical signal transducer to expand their application horizon for developing analytical platforms have been discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an incompressible, laminar three-dimensional flow of a Casson nanoliquid in the occurrence of thermophoretic particle deposition over a non-linearly extending sheet is examined.
Abstract: The wide range of industrial applications of flow across moving or static solid surfaces has aroused the curiosity of researchers. In order to generate a more exact estimate of flow and heat transfer properties, three-dimensional modelling must be addressed. This plays a vital role in metalworking operations, producing plastic and rubber films, and the continuous cooling of fibre. In view of the above scope, an incompressible, laminar three-dimensional flow of a Casson nanoliquid in the occurrence of thermophoretic particle deposition over a non-linearly extending sheet is examined. To convert the collection of partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations, the governing equations are framed with sufficient assumptions, and appropriate similarity transformations are employed. The reduced equations are solved by implementing Runge Kutta Fehlberg 4th 5th order technique with the aid of a shooting scheme. The numerical results are obtained for linear and non-linear cases, and graphs are drawn for various dimensionless constraints. The present study shows that improvement in the Casson parameter values will diminish the axial velocities, but improvement is seen in thermal distribution. The escalation in the thermophoretic parameter will decline the concentration profiles. The rate of mass transfer, surface drag force will reduce with the improved values of the power law index. The non-linear stretching case shows greater impact in all of the profiles compared to the linear stretching case.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the current approaches to the preparation of biogenic silver nanoparticles, using plant extracts and filtrates of fungi and microorganisms, is presented.
Abstract: The importance and need for eco-oriented technologies has increased worldwide, which leads to an enhanced development of methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles using biological agents. This review de-scribes the current approaches to the preparation of biogenic silver nanoparticles, using plant extracts and filtrates of fungi and microorganisms. The peculiarities of the synthesis of particles depending on the source of biocomponents are considered as well as physico-morphological, antibacterial and antifungal properties of the resulting nanoparticles which are compared with such properties of silver nanoparticles obtained by chemical synthesis. Special attention is paid to the process of self-assembly of biogenic silver nanoparticles.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the latest progress of 2D MoS2 in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) that has not received much attention and discuss the challenges and opportunities faced.
Abstract: Compared with three-dimensional (3D) and other materials, two-dimensional (2D) materials with unique properties such as high specific surface area, structurally adjustable band structure, and electromagnetic properties have attracted wide attention. In recent years, great progress has been made for 2D MoS2 in the field of electrocatalysis, and its exposed unsaturated edges are considered to be active sites of electrocatalytic reactions. In this review, we focus on the latest progress of 2D MoS2 in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) that has not received much attention. First, the basic properties of 2D MoS2 and its advantages in the ORR are introduced. Then, the synthesis methods of 2D MoS2 are summarized, and specific strategies for optimizing the performance of 2D MoS2 in ORRs, and the challenges and opportunities faced are discussed. Finally, the future of the 2D MoS2-based ORR catalysts is explored.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors summarize the recent advances and progress of plasmonic biosensors based on patterned PLASmonic nanostructure arrays that are integrated with microfluidic chips for various biomedical detection applications.
Abstract: This review aims to summarize the recent advances and progress of plasmonic biosensors based on patterned plasmonic nanostructure arrays that are integrated with microfluidic chips for various biomedical detection applications. The plasmonic biosensors have made rapid progress in miniaturization sensors with greatly enhanced performance through the continuous advances in plasmon resonance techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized SPR (LSPR)-based refractive index sensing, SPR imaging (SPRi), and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Meanwhile, microfluidic integration promotes multiplexing opportunities for the plasmonic biosensors in the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes. Particularly, different types of microfluidic-integrated plasmonic biosensor systems based on versatile patterned plasmonic nanostructured arrays were reviewed comprehensively, including their methods and relevant typical works. The microfluidics-based plasmonic biosensors provide a high-throughput platform for the biochemical molecular analysis with the advantages such as ultra-high sensitivity, label-free, and real time performance; thus, they continue to benefit the existing and emerging applications of biomedical studies, chemical analyses, and point-of-care diagnostics.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of recent fundamental advances in the field with a focus on biomedical applications is presented, including microfluidic-based methods in synthesizing magnetic nanoparticles as well as microparticles encapsulating them.
Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles have attracted significant attention in various disciplines, including engineering and medicine. Microfluidic chips and lab-on-a-chip devices, with precise control over small volumes of fluids and tiny particles, are appropriate tools for the synthesis, manipulation, and evaluation of nanoparticles. Moreover, the controllability and automation offered by the microfluidic chips in combination with the unique capabilities of the magnetic nanoparticles and their ability to be remotely controlled and detected, have recently provided tremendous advances in biotechnology. In particular, microfluidic chips with magnetic nanoparticles serve as sensitive, high throughput, and portable devices for contactless detecting and manipulating DNAs, RNAs, living cells, and viruses. In this work, we review recent fundamental advances in the field with a focus on biomedical applications. First, we study novel microfluidic-based methods in synthesizing magnetic nanoparticles as well as microparticles encapsulating them. We review both continues-flow and droplet-based microreactors, including the ones based on the cross-flow, co-flow, and flow-focusing methods. Then, we investigate the microfluidic-based methods for manipulating tiny magnetic particles. These manipulation techniques include the ones based on external magnets, embedded micro-coils, and magnetic thin films. Finally, we review techniques invented for the detection and magnetic measurement of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetically labeled bioparticles. We include the advances in anisotropic magnetoresistive, giant magnetoresistive, tunneling magnetoresistive, and magnetorelaxometry sensors. Overall, this review covers a wide range of the field uniquely and provides essential information for designing "lab-on-a-chip" systems for synthesizing magnetic nanoparticles, labeling bioparticles with them, and sorting and detecting them on a single chip.

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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a brief overview of the trends of the last three decades in the physical flexibility of various semiconducting technologies, including amorphous-silicon, polycrystalline silicon, oxides, carbon nanotubes, and organics.
Abstract: Flexible electronics enable various technologies to be integrated into daily life and fuel the quests to develop revolutionary applications, such as artificial skins, intelligent textiles, e-skin patches, and on-skin displays. Mechanical characteristics, including the total thickness and the bending radius, are of paramount importance for physically flexible electronics. However, the limitation regarding semiconductor fabrication challenges the mechanical flexibility of thin-film electronics. Thin-Film Transistors (TFTs) are a key component in thin-film electronics that restrict the flexibility of thin-film systems. Here, we provide a brief overview of the trends of the last three decades in the physical flexibility of various semiconducting technologies, including amorphous-silicon, polycrystalline silicon, oxides, carbon nanotubes, and organics. The study demonstrates the trends of the mechanical properties, including the total thickness and the bending radius, and provides a vision for the future of flexible TFTs.

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TL;DR: In this article, the authors designed an optimal bridge-type compliant mechanism flexure hinge with a high magnification ratio, low stress by using a flexure joint, and especially no friction and no bending.
Abstract: Compliant mechanisms' design aims to create a larger workspace and simple structural shapes because these mechanical systems usually have small dimensions, reduced friction, and less bending. From that request, we designed optimal bridge-type compliant mechanism flexure hinges with a high magnification ratio, low stress by using a flexure joint, and especially no friction and no bending. This joint was designed with optimal dimensions for the studied mechanism by using the method of grey relational analysis (GRA), which is based on the Taguchi method (TM), and finite element analysis (FEA). Grey relational grade (GRG) has been estimated by an artificial neural network (ANN). The optimal values were in good agreement with the predicted value of the Taguchi method and regression analysis. The finite element analysis, signal-to-noise analysis, surface plot, and analysis of variance demonstrated that the design dimensions significantly affected the equivalent stress and displacement. The optimal values of displacement were also verified by the experiment. The outcomes were in good agreement with a deviation lower than 6%. Specifically, the displacement amplification ratio was obtained as 65.36 times compared with initial design.

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TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the main piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting technologies with magnetic coupling, and determine the potential benefits of magnetic force on energy-harvesting techniques is presented.
Abstract: Piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting technologies have attracted a lot of attention in recent decades, and the harvesters have been applied successfully in various fields, such as buildings, biomechanical and human motions. One important challenge is that the narrow frequency bandwidth of linear energy harvesting is inadequate to adapt the ambient vibrations, which are often random and broadband. Therefore, researchers have concentrated on developing efficient energy harvesters to realize broadband energy harvesting and improve energy-harvesting efficiency. Particularly, among these approaches, different types of energy harvesters adopting magnetic force have been designed with nonlinear characteristics for effective energy harvesting. This paper aims to review the main piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting technologies with magnetic coupling, and determine the potential benefits of magnetic force on energy-harvesting techniques. They are classified into five categories according to their different structural characteristics: monostable, bistable, multistable, magnetic plucking, and hybrid piezoelectric–electromagnetic energy harvesters. The operating principles and representative designs of each type are provided. Finally, a summary of practical applications is also shown. This review contributes to the widespread understanding of the role of magnetic force on piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting. It also provides a meaningful perspective on designing piezoelectric harvesters for improving energy-harvesting efficiency.