A Three-Step Resolution-Reconfigurable Hazardous Multi-Gas Sensor Interface for Wireless Air-Quality Monitoring Applications.

This paper presents a resolution-reconfigurable wide-range resistive sensor readout interface for wireless multi-gas monitoring applications that displays results on a smartphone. Three types of sensing resolutions were selected to minimize processing power consumption, and a dual-mode front-end structure was proposed to support the detection of a variety of hazardous gases with wide range of characteristic resistance. The readout integrated circuit (ROIC) was fabricated in a 0.18 µm CMOS process to provide three reconfigurable data conversions that correspond to a low-power resistance-to-digital converter (RDC), a 12-bit successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a 16-bit delta-sigma modulator. For functional feasibility, a wireless sensor system prototype that included in-house microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensing devices and commercial device products was manufactured and experimentally verified to detect a variety of hazardous gases.

Mixed-scale channel networks including Kingfisher-beak-shaped 3D microfunnels for efficient single particle entrapment.

Reproducible research results for nanofluidics and their applications require viable fabrication technologies to produce nanochannels integrated with microchannels that can guide fluid flow and analytes into/out of the nanochannels. We present the simple fabrication of mixed-scale polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channel networks consisting of nanochannels and microchannels via a single molding process using a monolithic mixed-scale carbon mold. The monolithic carbon mold is fabricated by pyrolyzing a polymer mold patterned by photolithography. During pyrolysis, the polymer mold shrinks by ∼90%, which enables nanosized carbon molds to be produced without a complex nanofabrication process. Because of the good adhesion between the polymer mold and the Si substrate, non-uniform volume reduction occurs during pyrolysis resulting in the formation of curved carbon mold side walls. These curved side walls and the relatively low surface energy of the mold provide efficient demolding of the PDMS channel networks. In addition, the trigonal prismatic shape of the polymer is converted into to a Kingfisher-beak-shaped carbon structure due to the non-uniform volume reduction. The transformation of this mold architecture produces a PDMS Kingfisher-beak-shaped 3D microfunnel that connects the microchannel and the nanochannel smoothly. The smooth reduction in the cross-sectional area of the 3D microfunnels enables efficient single microparticle trapping at the nanochannel entrance; this is beneficial for studies of cell transfection.

Glucose sensor based on redox-cycling between selectively modified and unmodified combs of carbon interdigitated array nanoelectrodes.

We present a novel electrochemical glucose sensor employing an interdigitated array (IDA) of 1:1 aspect ratio carbon nanoelectrodes for the electrochemical-enzymatic redox cycling of redox species (ferricyanide/ferrocyanide) between glucose oxidase (GOx) and the two comb-shaped nanoelectrodes of the IDA. The carbon nanoelectrodes were fabricated using a simple, cost-effective, reproducible microfabrication technology known as the carbon-microelectromechanical-systems (C-MEMS) process. One comb (comb 1) of the IDA was selectively modified with GOx via the electrochemical reduction of an aryl diazonium salt, while the other comb (comb 2) remained unmodified; this facilitates electrochemically more active surface of comb 2, resulting in sensitive glucose detection. Ferricyanide is reduced to ferrocyanide by the GOx in the presence of glucose, and ferrocyanide diffuses to both combs of the IDA where it is oxidized. The limited electrochemical current collection at the surface-modified comb 1 is counterbalanced by the efficient redox cycling between the enzyme sites at comb 1 and the bare carbon surface of comb 2. Reducing the electrode-to-electrode gap between the two combs (gap = 1.9 µm) increases the diffusion flux of redox species at comb 2 hence, enhanced the sensitivity and limit of detection of the glucose sensor by ∼2.3 and ∼295 times, respectively at comb 2 compared to comb 1. The developed IDA-based glucose sensor demonstrated good amperometric response to glucose, affording two linear ranges from 0.001 to 1 mM and from 1 to 10 mM, with limits of detection of 0.4 and 61 µM and sensitivities of 823.2 and 70.0 µA mM(-1) cm(-2), respectively.

Monolithic carbon structures including suspended single nanowires and nanomeshes as a sensor platform.

With the development of nanomaterial-based nanodevices, it became inevitable to develop cost-effective and simple nanofabrication technologies enabling the formation of nanomaterial assembly in a controllable manner. Herein, we present suspended monolithic carbon single nanowires and nanomeshes bridging two bulk carbon posts, fabricated in a designed manner using two successive UV exposure steps and a single pyrolysis step. The pyrolysis step is accompanied with a significant volume reduction, resulting in the shrinkage of micro-sized photoresist structures into nanoscale carbon structures. Even with the significant elongation of the suspended carbon nanowire induced by the volume reduction of the bulk carbon posts, the resultant tensional stress along the nanowire is not significant but grows along the wire thickness; this tensional stress gradient and the bent supports of the bridge-like carbon nanowire enhance structural robustness and alleviate the stiction problem that suspended nanostructures frequently experience. The feasibility of the suspended carbon nanostructures as a sensor platform was demonstrated by testing its electrochemical behavior, conductivity-temperature relationship, and hydrogen gas sensing capability.

The effect of channel height and electrode aspect ratio on redox cycling at carbon interdigitated array nanoelectrodes confined in a microchannel.

Redox cycling is a commonly used electrochemical sensing scheme for enhancing faradaic current signals. This effect can be improved by either optimizing electrode geometries or restricting electrochemical reactions within a limited volume. Here, we demonstrate a simple batch fabrication of 1 : 1 aspect ratio carbon interdigitated array nanoelectrodes integrated in a polydimethylsiloxane microchannel that enables current amplification by up to 1116 times. We also examine the factors that influence the effect of redox cycling, including the electrode aspect ratio and channel height, by using experiments and simulations.

Effects of the electrical conductivity and orientation of silicon substrate on the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by thermal chemical vapor deposition.

We studied the effects of the electrical conductivity and orientation of silicon substrate on both catalytic Fe thin film and the structure and morphology of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) grown by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition. Both p-type Si(100) and Si(111) substrates with three different doping concentrations (high, low, undoped) were used to evaluate the formation of catalytic nanoparticles and the growth of MWNTs. The morphology of catalytic nanoparticles such as size and density was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Cs-corrected energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Structural characteristics of MWNTs grown on different combinations of silicon substrate orientation and electrical conductivities (σ) were also systematically analyzed. Based on the experimental results, growth modes of MWNTs could be controlled by choosing an appropriate combination of σ and orientation of Si substrates.

Serial measurement of surface expressions of CD63, P-selectin and CD40 ligand on platelets in atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. A possible role of CD40 ligand on platelets in atherosclerotic ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Platelet activation is a key step in the progression of atherosclerosis. The CD40 ligand (CD40L) on platelets may be a critical factor to develop the acute vascular events from atheroma. METHODS: To determine the role of CD40L on platelets in atherosclerotic ischemic stroke, we serially measured the expressions of CD63, P-selectin and CD40L on platelets in patients with atherosclerotic ischemic stroke (n = 25) and compared them with those in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (n = 20) and in normal subjects (n = 24). RESULTS: The expressions of CD63 and P-selectin on platelets were significantly higher in patients with atherosclerotic ischemic stroke (n = 25) than in normal subjects (n = 24). The extents of surface expressions of CD63 and P-selectin on platelets showed no significant differences between atherosclerotic ischemic stroke and asymptomatic carotid stenosis. However, the CD40L expression on platelets was significantly higher in atherosclerotic ischemic stroke when compared to that in asymptomatic carotid stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: In our data, among the population with large artery atherosclerosis, the patients with symptomatic ischemic events showed a significantly elevated expression of CD40L on platelets compared to those without ischemic events. Therefore, the upregulation of CD40L on platelets may be a specific marker of platelet activation to provoke ischemic stroke from large artery atherosclerosis.

Surface expression of P-selectin on platelets is related with clinical worsening in acute ischemic stroke.

Platelet activation has a critical role in arterial disorders. In this study, we showed that the upregulation of P-selectin expression on platelets was related with clinical worsening in acute ischemic stroke. We serially (within 24 hr, at 72 hr, and 7 days) measured the expression of P-selectin on platelets in patients with acute ischemic stroke (n=45) and investigated the correlation between their extents and clinical severity of ischemic stroke. A significant relationship between the P-selectin expressions and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was observed at 72 hr and 7 days after ischemic stroke onset. Patients with clinical deterioration showed significantly increased expression of P-selectin on platelets as compared to those without deterioration. These results suggest that the P-selectin expression on platelets may contribute to the aggravation of clinical course in acute ischemic stroke. Thus, adequate manipulation of activated platelets is an important therapeutic strategy in acute ischemic stroke.

Changes in platelet P-selectin and in plasma C-reactive protein in acute atherosclerotic ischemic stroke treated with a loading dose of clopidogrel.

BACKGROUND: The surface expression of P-selectin on platelets contributes to the progression of inflammatory processes and thrombosis in atherothrombosis. In this study, we showed that the combination regimen of clopidogrel with aspirin could downregulate the P-selectin expression on platelets and the plasma concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute stage of atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. METHODS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (<24 hours) were randomized for 7 days to combined regimen of clopidogrel and aspirin (n = 24) or intravenous heparin with aspirin (n = 28). We measured the changes of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, CRP concentration, and surface expressions of P-selectin on platelets during 7 days. RESULTS: The combined regimen of clopidogrel and aspirin significantly reduced platelet P-selectin expression (93.6 +/- 16.6, p < 0.01) and plasma concentration of CRP (1.2 +/- 1.5 mg/dl, p < 0.01) after 7 days of stroke onset compared with the values (P-selectin; 115.5 +/- 20.7, CRP; 2.5 +/- 2.8 mg/dl) of initial 24 hr. Also, the clinical improvement, as measured by NIHSS score, was significant in the clopidogrel loading group at 7 days (6.2 +/- 5.5, p < 0.05) compared to the initial 24 hrs (10.1 +/- 7.6). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the combined regimen of clopidogrel and aspirin has beneficial effects on regulating platelet activation and inflammatory processes in acute atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. Thus, this combination regimen deserves further evaluation in clinical trial for the treatment of acute atherosclerotic ischemic stroke.