Development of DNA-Based Lateral Flow Assay for Detection of LDLR Gene Mutation for Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Background: The techniques for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) require lengthy and complex experimental procedures and expensive instruments that may only be available in some laboratories. Thus, a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based lateral flow assay (LFA) was developed as a point-of-care test (POCT) diagnostic tool for genotyping. In this study, single nucleotide variation (E101K) in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene leading to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was chosen as a model.

Synthesis and Characterization of SiO-Based Graphene Nanoballs Using Copper-Vapor-Assisted APCVD for Thermoelectric Application.

This study describes a method by which to synthesize SiO-based graphene nanoballs (SGB) using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) with copper vapor assistance. This method should solve the contamination, damage, and high costs associated with silica-based indirect graphene synthesis. The SGB was synthesized using APCVD, which was optimized using the Taguchi method.

Geometrical Characterisation of TiO-rGO Field-Effect Transistor as a Platform for Biosensing Applications.

The performance of the graphene-based field-effect transistor (FET) as a biosensor is based on the output drain current (I). In this work, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was investigated to obtain a high-performance device that produces a higher I value. Using the finite element method, a novel top-gate FET was developed in a three-dimensional (3D) simulation model with the titanium dioxide-reduced graphene oxide (TiO-rGO) nanocomposite as the transducer material, which acts as a platform for biosensing application.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Environment: Current Surveillance and Effective Data Management of COVID-19.

Since diagnostic laboratories handle large COVID-19 samples, researchers have established laboratory-based assays and developed biosensor prototypes. Both share the same purpose; to ascertain the occurrence of air and surface contaminations by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the biosensors further utilize internet-of-things (IoT) technology to monitor COVID-19 virus contamination, specifically in the diagnostic laboratory setting.

Air-Processable Perovskite Solar Cells by Hexamine Molecule Phase Stabilization.

Perovskite solar cells have emerged as a potential energy alternative due to their low cost of fabrication and high power conversion efficiency. Unfortunately, their poor ambient stability has critically limited their industrialization and application in real environmental conditions. Here, we show that by introducing hexamine molecules into the perovskite lattice, we can enhance the photoactive phase stability, enabling high-performance and air-processable perovskite solar cells.

Transdermal Maltose-Based Microneedle Patch as Adjunct to Enhance Topical Anesthetic before Intravenous Cannulation of Pediatric Thalassemic Patients Receiving Blood Transfusion: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Intravenous cannulation is experientially traumatic to children. To minimize this, EMLA is applied on the would-be-cannulated area before IV cannula insertion. However, the time to achieve its maximum efficacy may be affected due to incomplete cutaneous absorption and the duration of application.

Formation of Ultimate Thin 2D Crystal of Pt in the Presence of Hexamethylenetetramine.

Platinum naturally crystalizes into a three-dimensional crystal due to its highly symmetrical fcc lattice, with a metallic bond which is non-directional and highly isotropic. This inherently means ultimately that 2D crystals of a few atoms thick growth are hardly available in this material. Here, we discovered that a combinative effect of formic acid reductant and hexamethylenetetramine surfactant during the reduction of their metal ions precursor can realize an ultimate thin 2D crystal growth in platinum.

Protein Albumin Manipulation and Electrical Quantification of Molecular Dielectrophoresis Responses for Biomedical Applications.

Research relating to dielectrophoresis (DEP) has been progressing rapidly through time as it is a strong and controllable technique for manipulation, separation, preconcentration, and partitioning of protein. Extensive studies have been carried out on protein DEP, especially on Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). However, these studies involve the usage of dye and fluorescent probes to observe DEP responses as the physical properties of protein albumin molecular structure are translucent.

Lifting the Veil: Characteristics, Clinical Significance, and Application of β-2-Microglobulin as Biomarkers and Its Detection with Biosensors.

Because β-2-microglobulin (βM) is a surface protein that is present on most nucleated cells, it plays a key role in the human immune system and the kidney glomeruli to regulate homeostasis. The primary clinical significance of βM is in dialysis-related amyloidosis, a complication of end-stage renal disease caused by a gradual accumulation of βM in the blood. Therefore, the function of βM in kidney-related diseases has been extensively studied to evaluate its glomerular and tubular functions.

The Fabrication and Indentation of Cubic Silicon Carbide Diaphragm for Acoustic Sensing.

In this study, 550 nm thick cubic silicon carbide square diaphragms were back etched from Si substrate. Then, indentation was carried out to samples with varying dimensions, indentation locations, and loads. The influence of three parameters is documented by analyzing load-displacement curves.

Low-Temperature Nitrogen Doping of Nanocrystalline Graphene Films with Tunable Pyridinic-N and Pyrrolic-N by Cold-Wall Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition.

We report a viable method to produce nanocrystalline graphene films on polycrystalline nickel (Ni) with enhanced N doping at low temperatures by a cold-wall plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The growth of nanocrystalline graphene films was carried out in a benzene/ammonia/argon (CH/NH/Ar) system, in which the temperature of the substrate heated by Joule heating can be further lowered to 100 °C to achieve a low sheet resistance of 3.3 kΩ sq at a high optical transmittance of 97.

Integration of a Dielectrophoretic Tapered Aluminum Microelectrode Array with a Flow Focusing Technique.

We present the integration of a flow focusing microfluidic device in a dielectrophoretic application that based on a tapered aluminum microelectrode array (TAMA). The characterization and optimization method of microfluidic geometry performs the hydrodynamic flow focusing on the channel. The sample fluids are hydrodynamically focused into the region of interest (ROI) where the dielectrophoresis force (F) is dominant.

Mechanical Energy Sensing and Harvesting in Micromachined Polymer-Based Piezoelectric Transducers for Fully Implanted Hearing Systems: A Review.

The paper presents a comprehensive review of mechanical energy harvesters and microphone sensors for totally implanted hearing systems. The studies on hearing mechanisms, hearing losses and hearing solutions are first introduced to bring to light the necessity of creating and integrating the in vivo energy harvester and implantable microphone into a single chip. The in vivo energy harvester can continuously harness energy from the biomechanical motion of the internal organs.

Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials.

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are a form of energy harvester and eco-friendly power generation system that directly transform thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric (TE) method of energy harvesting takes advantage of the Seebeck effect, which offers a simple solution for fulfilling the power-supply demand in almost every electronics system. A high-temperature condition is commonly essential in the working mechanism of the TE device, which unfortunately limits the potential implementation of the device.

Infection-Mediated Clinical Biomarkers for a COVID-19 Electrical Biosensing Platform.

The race towards the development of user-friendly, portable, fast-detection, and low-cost devices for healthcare systems has become the focus of effective screening efforts since the pandemic attack in December 2019, which is known as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently existing techniques such as RT-PCR, antigen-antibody-based detection, and CT scans are prompt solutions for diagnosing infected patients. However, the limitations of currently available indicators have enticed researchers to search for adjunct or additional solutions for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Potentials of MicroRNA in Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer by Analytical Electrical Biosensors.

The importance of nanotechnology in medical applications especially with biomedical sensing devices is undoubted. Several medical diagnostics have been developed by taking the advantage of nanomaterials, especially with electrical biosensors. Biosensors have been predominantly used for the quantification of different clinical biomarkers toward detection, screening, and follow-up the treatment.

Practical Route for the Low-Temperature Growth of Large-Area Bilayer Graphene on Polycrystalline Nickel by Cold-Wall Chemical Vapor Deposition.

We report a practical chemical vapor deposition (CVD) route to produce bilayer graphene on a polycrystalline Ni film from liquid benzene (CH) source at a temperature as low as 400 °C in a vertical cold-wall reaction chamber. The low activation energy of CH and the low solubility of carbon in Ni at such a low temperature play a key role in enabling the growth of large-area bilayer graphene in a controlled manner by a Ni surface-mediated reaction. All experiments performed using this method are reproducible with growth capabilities up to an 8 in.

Synthesis of metallic mixed 3R and 2H NbS nanoflakes by chemical vapor deposition.

In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of mixed phase NbS nanoflakes prepared by chemical vapor deposition. The as-grown samples show a high density of flakes (thickness ∼50 nm) that form a continuous film. Raman and X-ray diffraction data show that the samples consist of both 2H and 3R phases, with the 2H phase containing a high concentration of Nb interstitials.

State-of-the-Art on Functional Titanium Dioxide-Integrated Nano-Hybrids in Electrical Biosensors.

Biosensors operating based on electrical methods are being accelerated toward rapid and efficient detection that improve the performance of the device. Continuous study in nano- and material-sciences has led to the inflection with properties of nanomaterials that fit the trend parallel to the biosensor evolution. Advancements in technology that focuses on nano-hybrid are being used to develop biosensors with better detection strategies.

Polymer-Based MEMS Electromagnetic Actuator for Biomedical Application: A Review.

In this study, we present a comprehensive review of polymer-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) electromagnetic (EM) actuators and their implementation in the biomedical engineering field. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary on the latest development of electromagnetically driven microactuators for biomedical application that is focused on the movable structure development made of polymers. The discussion does not only focus on the polymeric material part itself, but also covers the basic mechanism of the mechanical actuation, the state of the art of the membrane development and its application.

A Review of MEMS Capacitive Microphones.

This review collates around 100 papers that developed micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) capacitive microphones. As far as we know, this is the first comprehensive archive from academia on this versatile device from 1989 to 2019. These works are tabulated in term of intended application, fabrication method, material, dimension, and performances.

Ultrasensitive and Highly Selective Graphene-Based Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor for Anti-Diuretic Hormone Detection.

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), which can be congenital or acquired, results from the failure of the kidney to respond to the anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). This will lead to excessive water loss from the body in the form of urine. The kidney, therefore, has a crucial role in maintaining water balance and it is vital to restore this function in an artificial kidney.

Stress and Deformation of Optimally Shaped Silicon Microneedles for Transdermal Drug Delivery.

In this study, we demonstrated the fabrication of the concave conic shape microneedle with the aid of COMSOL Multiphysics simulation. The stress and buckling of the microneedle structure were simulated by applying various loads ranging from 50 to 800 g perpendiculars to the tip in order to predict the occurrence of microneedles structure deformation. The simulation study indicated that the surface buckling deformation does not occur to the microneedle structure with the increment of the load.

Dielectrophoresis Manipulation: Versatile Lateral and Vertical Mechanisms.

Discussing the topic of the capability of dielectrophoresis (DEP) devices in terms of the selective detection and rapid manipulation of particles based on the DEP force (F) via contactless methods is challenging in medical research, drug discovery and delivery. Nonetheless, the process of the selective detection and rapid manipulation of particles via contactless DEP based on dielectric particles and the surrounding medium can reduce the effects of major issues, including physical contact with the particles and medium contamination to overcome operational difficulties. In this review, DEP microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microelectrodes with a tapered profile for the selective detection and rapid manipulation of particles were studied and compared with those of conventional designs with a straight-cut profile.