scholarly journals Low-Cost Microfabrication Tool Box

Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charmet ◽  
Rodrigues ◽  
Yildirim ◽  
Challa ◽  
Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Production ◽  
Screen Printing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
In Vitro Diagnostic ◽  
Key Enabling Technologies

Microsystems are key enabling technologies, with applications found in almost every industrial field, including in vitro diagnostic, energy harvesting, automotive, telecommunication, drug screening, etc. Microsystems, such as microsensors and actuators, are typically made up of components below 1000 microns in size that can be manufactured at low unit cost through mass-production. Yet, their development for commercial or educational purposes has typically been limited to specialized laboratories in upper-income countries due to the initial investment costs associated with the microfabrication equipment and processes. However, recent technological advances have enabled the development of low-cost microfabrication tools. In this paper, we describe a range of low-cost approaches and equipment (below £1000), developed or adapted and implemented in our laboratories. We describe processes including photolithography, micromilling, 3D printing, xurography and screen-printing used for the microfabrication of structural and functional materials. The processes that can be used to shape a range of materials with sub-millimetre feature sizes are demonstrated here in the context of lab-on-chips, but they can be adapted for other applications. We anticipate that this paper, which will enable researchers to build a low-cost microfabrication toolbox in a wide range of settings, will spark a new interest in microsystems.

scholarly journals Advanced Functional Materials Based on Nanocellulose for Pharmaceutical/Medical Applications

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1125
Author(s):  
Raluca Nicu ◽  
Florin Ciolacu ◽  
Diana E. Ciolacu
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibrils ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Medical Applications ◽  
Bacterial Nanocellulose ◽  
Green Materials ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
In Vivo Cytotoxicity

Nanocelluloses (NCs), with their remarkable characteristics, have proven to be one of the most promising “green” materials of our times and have received special attention from researchers in nanomaterials. A diversity of new functional materials with a wide range of biomedical applications has been designed based on the most desirable properties of NCs, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and their special physicochemical properties. In this context and under the pressure of rapid development of this field, it is imperative to synthesize the successes and the new requirements in a comprehensive review. The first part of this work provides a brief review of the characteristics of the NCs (cellulose nanocrystals—CNC, cellulose nanofibrils—CNF, and bacterial nanocellulose—BNC), as well as of the main functional materials based on NCs (hydrogels, nanogels, and nanocomposites). The second part presents an extensive review of research over the past five years on promising pharmaceutical and medical applications of nanocellulose-based materials, which have been discussed in three important areas: drug-delivery systems, materials for wound-healing applications, as well as tissue engineering. Finally, an in-depth assessment of the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity of NCs-based materials, as well as the challenges related to their biodegradability, is performed.

scholarly journals Fabrication of Functional Materials for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarawut Tontapha ◽  
Pikaned Uppachai ◽  
Vittaya Amornkitbamrung
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Light Condition ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been developed as a promising photovoltaic cell type in recent decades because of their low cost, environmental friendliness, ease of fabrication, and suitability for a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications, especially under diverse shaded and low-light condition. They are typically composed of three main components: a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrate-based working electrode with wide-bandgap semiconductors and dye sensitizer molecules, an electrolytic mediator based on redox couple species, and a TCO-based counter electrode consisting of catalyst materials. The development of intrinsic and functional organic, inorganic, metal oxide, composite, and carbon-based materials has been intensively studied to enhance the efficiency of DSSCs. A simple and low-cost fabrication process that uses natural products is also considered essential for further large-scale production. In this article, we review the fabrication of various functional materials and their effects on DSSC performance.

scholarly journals Anti-glycation activity of curcumin

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 182-188
Author(s):  
Sabina Galiniak ◽  
Marek Biesiadecki ◽  
Bożena Czubat ◽  
Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher
Keyword(s):  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Aldehyde Group ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Active Inhibitor ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Wide Range

Curcumin, a compound belonging to the group of polyphenols with a characteristic yellow-orange color, is the most active ingredient of the long-leaved Curcuma longa L. and the ingredient of seasoning mixes, including curry spices. Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, it has a wide range of therapeutic effects and has been studied for many years. Curcumin has enormous potential in preventing many diseases due to the widely described benefits of its use, it is non-toxic and additionally. Therapy with curcumin is low cost. Currently, many studies focus on the anti-glycation activity of curcumin, which could be used as an active inhibitor of glycation, i.e. a non-enzymatic process of combining a keto or aldehyde group of sugar with a free amino group of a protein. Finally, heterogeneous end products of advanced glycation are formed in the multistage and complicated glycation reaction. Formation of glycation products is intensified with age, as well as in various disease states, including diabetes or neurodegenerative diseases. Many literature data describe the role of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. It is known that polyphenol has beneficial effects on hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and regeneration of secretory cells of pancreatic islets. It seems that addition of curcumin, the main ingredient of curry spice, to food could help people prevent the development of lifestyle diseases, including diabetes and its complications. The article presents the current state of knowledge on the curcumin anti-glycation properties in vitro as well as in vivo.

scholarly journals The Emerging Role of Decellularized Plant-Based Scaffolds as a New Biomaterial

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12347
Author(s):  
Ashlee F. Harris ◽  
Jerome Lacombe ◽  
Frederic Zenhausern
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Cellular Models ◽  
Current State ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Future Challenges

The decellularization of plant-based biomaterials to generate tissue-engineered substitutes or in vitro cellular models has significantly increased in recent years. These vegetal tissues can be sourced from plant leaves and stems or fruits and vegetables, making them a low-cost, accessible, and sustainable resource from which to generate three-dimensional scaffolds. Each construct is distinct, representing a wide range of architectural and mechanical properties as well as innate vasculature networks. Based on the rapid rise in interest, this review aims to detail the current state of the art and presents the future challenges and perspectives of these unique biomaterials. First, we consider the different existing decellularization techniques, including chemical, detergent-free, enzymatic, and supercritical fluid approaches that are used to generate such scaffolds and examine how these protocols can be selected based on plant cellularity. We next examine strategies for cell seeding onto the plant-derived constructs and the importance of the different functionalization methods used to assist in cell adhesion and promote cell viability. Finally, we discuss how their structural features, such as inherent vasculature, porosity, morphology, and mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness, elasticity, etc.) position plant-based scaffolds as a unique biomaterial and drive their use for specific downstream applications. The main challenges in the field are presented throughout the discussion, and future directions are proposed to help improve the development and use of vegetal constructs in biomedical research.

scholarly journals The significance of non-controlled natural light, temperature and humidity in the commercial micropropagation of Solanum tuberosum L. Cultivar Diamant

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
FJ Zapata Arias ◽  
Shahana Akter ◽  
SM Asadul Haque ◽  
Shilpi Akther ◽  
Firoza Khatun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solanum Tuberosum ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Solanum Tuberosum L ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Natural Light ◽  
In Vitro Plants ◽  
Temperature And Humidity

The aim of our study was to reduce the unit cost of in vitro micropropagation of the Solanum tuberosum cultivar Diamant widely cultivated in Bangladesh with the guarantee that the quality and quantity of the in vitro plants produced was not jeopardized. This was done by entirely replacing the conventional micropropagation conditions of maintaining the in vitro plants in a controlled room whose temperature varies between 25 and 30°C, its humidity between 60 to 70% and its light intensity of 20,238 to 20,409 for 19 hours; with a room whose roof was made of corrugated plastic sheets that allow a partial passage of natural light. Under this conditions the amount of light, temperature and humidity were not controlled. During the time work the temperatures in this non-conventional room fluctuate between 14 and 40°C, the light intensities were between 20,017 to 20,687 Lux and the humidity between 40 to 90%. Experiments were initiated in May, 2009 through March, 2014 covering summer, rainy and winter seasons. After two years of laboratory research and two years of field studies, we have not found differences between yield production of the micropropagated plants grown under control and non-controlled conditions, very often the latter plants were robust and adapted faster when transfer to field conditions. All plants used in the field experiments were no more than seven in vitro passages. A RBCD yield trail of the plants was done during two seasons and it was no found any difference in yield between them. Moreover, a yield trail of the minitubers to produce breeder seed (second generation) was done during the season 2013-2014 and no differences were found between the controls and the tubers derived from the low cost. Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 24(2): 131-139, 2014 (December)

scholarly journals Magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical NMR-based diagnostics

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huilin Shao ◽  
Tae-Jong Yoon ◽  
Monty Liong ◽  
Ralph Weissleder ◽  
Hakho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Nanoparticles ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Biological Samples ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Protein Biomarkers ◽  
Resonance Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Detection Of Biomolecules

Rapid and accurate measurements of protein biomarkers, pathogens and cells in biological samples could provide useful information for early disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and design of personalized medicine. In general, biological samples have only negligible magnetic susceptibility. Thus, using magnetic nanoparticles for biosensing not only enhances sensitivity but also effectively reduces sample preparation needs. This review focuses on the use of magnetic nanoparticles for in vitro detection of biomolecules and cells based on magnetic resonance effects. This detection platform, termed diagnostic magnetic resonance (DMR), exploits magnetic nanoparticles as proximity sensors, which modulate the spin–spin relaxation time of water molecules surrounding molecularly-targeted nanoparticles. By developing more effective magnetic nanoparticle biosensors, DMR detection limits for various target moieties have been considerably improved over the last few years. Already, a library of magnetic nanoparticles has been developed, in which a wide range of targets, including DNA/mRNA, proteins, small molecules/drugs, bacteria, and tumor cells, have been quantified. More recently, the capabilities of DMR technology have been further advanced with new developments such as miniaturized nuclear magnetic resonance detectors, better magnetic nanoparticles and novel conjugational methods. These developments have enabled parallel and sensitive measurements to be made from small volume samples. Thus, the DMR technology is a highly attractive platform for portable, low-cost, and efficient biomolecular detection within a biomedical setting.

scholarly journals Advanced Manufacture by Screen Printing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sarah-Jane Potts
Keyword(s):  
Screen Printing ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Printed Electronics ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Solid Loading ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Parametric Studies ◽  
Ink Transfer ◽  
First Time ◽  
Carbon Inks

Screen-printing is the most widely used process in printed electronics, due to its ability to transfer materials with a wide range of functional properties at high thickness and solid loading. However, the science of screen printing is still rooted in the graphics era, with limited understanding of the fundamental science behind the ink transfer process. A multifaceted approach encompassing all aspects of the production of printed electronics from ink formulation, through screen-printing and post processing was therefore undertaken. With a focus on carbon inks due to their electrical conductivity, low cost, inertness and ability to be modified or functionalised. Parametric studies found that with blade squeegees, lower angles and softer blades led to increases in ink deposition, irrespective of ink rheology. However, the effects of print speed and snap distance were related to the rheology of the inks. Existing computational models were inaccurate and based on two contrasting theories. Extensional CaBER testing provided qualitative indications of the effect of separation speed and distance on deposition. However, this could only assess the effect of vertical, 2-dimensional forces and could not evaluate the influence of shear forces due to separation angle or the effects of the screen mesh. For this purpose, a screen-printing visualisation rig was specifically constructed, allowing the ink transfer mechanism to be captured for the first time. This identified similarities with one of the two theories, although existing models had oversimplified the process and did not account for variations in lengths of the separation regions or the contact angle between the mesh and substrate. It was also found that changes in the ink rheology and parameter settings changes the lengths of these regions, as well as the shape and presence of filaments formed during separation. The parameters of print speed, snap distance, solid loading and ink rheology were assessed and found to affect the mesh/substrate contact time and filamentation behaviour. This had a quantifiable effect on ink deposition, in terms of the amount of ink transfer, roughness and therefore conductivity. Finally, photonic annealing and subsequent compression rolling were found to enhance the conductivity of carbon inks by removing binder between particles and consolidating the ink film, leading to 8 times reduction in resistivity for a graphite-based ink and halving in resistivity for an ink containing a combination of carbon black and graphite, where there was less potential for improvement due to the conductive bridges between the graphite flakes.

scholarly journals In Vitro Diagnostic Assays for COVID-19: Recent Advances and Emerging Trends

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Kumar Vashist
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Molecular Tests ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
United States Food ◽  
In Vitro Diagnostic

There have been tremendous advances in in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The main IVD assays used for COVID-19 employ real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that takes a few hours. But the assay duration has been shortened to 45 min by Cepheid. Of interest is the point-of-care (POC) molecular assay by Abbott that decreased the assay duration to just 5 min. Most molecular tests have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under emergency use authorization (EUA) and are Conformité Européenne (CE) marked. A wide range of serology immunoassays (IAs) have also been developed that complement the molecular assays for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The most prominent IAs are automated chemiluminescent IA (CLIA), manual ELISA, and rapid lateral flow IA (LFIA), which detect the immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) produced in persons in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The ongoing research efforts and advances in complementary technologies will pave the way to new POC IVD assays in the coming months. However, the performance of IVD assays needs to be critically evaluated before they are employed for the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document