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Nanomaterials-Based Sensors for Biomedical Monitoring

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A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2024 | Viewed by 3535

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Dr. Claudia Lopes

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Guest Editor

Centro de Física das Universidades do Minho e Porto, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: nanomaterials; biomedical sensing; nanotecnology; flexible dry-electrodes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of new optimized sensing devices is crucial for modern preventive medicine, being primarily responsible for high-resolution monitoring of human biochemical and bioelectrical activity. New approaches based on flexible devices easily integrated into wearable technologies with improved biomedical sensing performance are key to diversifying and expanding the application of non-invasive physiological monitoring in new opportunities.

For the medical device industry, it is very important to obtain the right type of sensor, which lasts for a long time and assists in recording high-quality signals. The design of the base unit is one of the most critical aspects of biomedical sensor reliability. The sensor comprises the first stage of the signal chain and, therefore, plays a key role in the overall noise and performance of the acquisition system. It is very difficult (almost impossible) to improve the fidelity and signal-to-noise ratio of the signal beyond this point.

The ability to produce new materials sculpted at the nanoscale offers the possibility to target very specific functions with biocompatibility, lightness, comfort, and integrated usability. Based on the success of nanotechnology applied to biomedical sensors, this specific topic of the Special Issue aims to bring an improved and significant contribution to the field of sensing, including, but not limited to, the following topics:

Nanomaterials-based sensors for bioelectrical detection;
Nanomaterials-based sensors for biochemical detection;
New technologies applied to the development of nanomaterials-based sensors;
New designs for biomedical health monitoring systems.

Dr. Claudia Lopes
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nanomaterials synthesis
thin films
biomedical sensing
chemical, biological and physical sensors
physiological monitoring
wearable devices
preventive medicine and diagnosis
rehabilitation

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design of Bio-Optical Transceiver for In Vivo Biomedical Sensor Applications

by Dimitrios Makrakis, Oussama Abderrahmane Dambri and Abdelhakim Senhaji Hafid

Sensors 2024, 24(8), 2584; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24082584 - 18 Apr 2024

Viewed by 349

Abstract

This paper presents an enhanced version of our previously developed bio-optical transceiver, presenting a significant advancement in nanosensor technology. Using self-assembled polymers, this nanodevice is capable of electron detection while maintaining biocompatibility, an essential feature for in vivo medical biosensors. This enhancement finds significance in the field of infectious disease control, particularly in the early detection of respiratory viruses, including high-threat pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. The proposed system harnesses bioluminescence by converting electric signaling to visible blue light, effectively opening the path of linking nano-sized mechanisms to larger-scale systems, thereby pushing the boundaries of in vivo biomedical sensing. The performance evaluation of our technology is analytical and is based on the use of Markov chains, through which we assess the bit error probability. The calculated improvements indicate that this technology qualifies as a forerunner in terms of supporting the communication needs of smaller, safer, and more efficient manufactured sensor technologies for in vivo medical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based Sensors for Biomedical Monitoring)

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14 pages, 1396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dopamine Measurement Using Engineered CNT–CQD–Polymer Coatings on Pt Microelectrodes

by Mahdieh Darroudi, Kevin A. White, Matthew A. Crocker and Brian N. Kim

Sensors 2024, 24(6), 1893; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24061893 - 15 Mar 2024

Viewed by 665

Abstract

This study aims to develop a microelectrode array-based neural probe that can record dopamine activity with high stability and sensitivity. To mimic the high stability of the gold standard method (carbon fiber electrodes), the microfabricated platinum microelectrode is coated with carbon-based nanomaterials. Carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were selected for this purpose, while a conductive polymer like poly (3-4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) or polypyrrole (PPy) serves as a stable interface between the platinum of the electrode and the carbon-based nanomaterials through a co-electrodeposition process. Based on our comparison between different conducting polymers and the addition of CQD, the CNT–CQD–PPy modified microelectrode outperforms its counterparts: CNT–CQD–PEDOT, CNT–PPy, CNT–PEDOT, and bare Pt microelectrode. The CNT–CQD–PPy modified microelectrode has a higher conductivity, stability, and sensitivity while achieving a remarkable limit of detection (LOD) of 35.20 ± 0.77 nM. Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), these modified electrodes successfully measured dopamine’s redox peaks while exhibiting consistent and reliable responses over extensive use. This electrode modification not only paves the way for real-time, precise dopamine sensing using microfabricated electrodes but also offers a novel electrochemical sensor for in vivo studies of neural network dynamics and neurological disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based Sensors for Biomedical Monitoring)

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12 pages, 3917 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simultaneous Dry and Gel-Based High-Density Electroencephalography Recordings

by Patrique Fiedler, Uwe Graichen, Ellen Zimmer and Jens Haueisen

Sensors 2023, 23(24), 9745; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23249745 - 11 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1079

Abstract

Evaluations of new dry, high-density EEG caps have only been performed so far with serial measurements and not with simultaneous (parallel) measurements. For a first comparison of gel-based and dry electrode performance in simultaneous high-density EEG measurements, we developed a new EEG cap comprising 64 gel-based and 64 dry electrodes and performed simultaneous measurements on ten volunteers. We analyzed electrode–skin impedances, resting state EEG, triggered eye blinks, and visual evoked potentials (VEPs). To overcome the issue of different electrode positions in the comparison of simultaneous measurements, we performed spatial frequency analysis of the simultaneously measured EEGs using spatial harmonic analysis (SPHARA). The impedances were 516 ± 429 kOhm (mean ± std) for the dry electrodes and 14 ± 8 kOhm for the gel-based electrodes. For the dry EEG electrodes, we obtained a channel reliability of 77%. We observed no differences between dry and gel-based recordings for the alpha peak frequency and the alpha power amplitude, as well as for the VEP peak amplitudes and latencies. For the VEP, the RMSD and the correlation coefficient between the gel-based and dry recordings were 1.7 ± 0.7 μV and 0.97 ± 0.03, respectively. We observed no differences in the cumulative power distributions of the spatial frequency components for the N75 and P100 VEP peaks. The differences for the N145 VEP peak were attributed to the different noise characteristics of gel-based and dry recordings. In conclusion, we provide evidence for the equivalence of simultaneous dry and gel-based high-density EEG measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based Sensors for Biomedical Monitoring)

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16 pages, 4485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing the Longevity and Functionality of Ti-Ag Dry Electrodes for Remote Biomedical Applications: A Comprehensive Study

by Daniel Carvalho, Sandra Marques, Giorgia Siqueira, Armando Ferreira, João Santos, Dulce Geraldo, Cidália R. Castro, Ana V. Machado, Filipe Vaz and Cláudia Lopes

Sensors 2023, 23(19), 8321; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23198321 - 08 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1042

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the lifespan of Ti-Ag dry electrodes prepared using flexible polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrates. Following previous studies, the electrodes were designed to be integrated into wearables for remote electromyography (EMG) monitoring and electrical stimulation (FES) therapy. Four types of Ti-Ag electrodes were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering, using a pure-Ti target doped with a growing number of Ag pellets. After extensive characterization of their chemical composition and (micro)structural evolution, the Ti-Ag electrodes were immersed in an artificial sweat solution (standard ISO-3160-2) at 37 °C with constant stirring. Results revealed that all the Ti-Ag electrodes maintained their integrity and functionality for 24 h. Although there was a notable increase in electrical resistivity beyond this timeframe, the acquisition and transmission of (bio)signals remained viable for electrodes with Ag/Ti ratios below 0.23. However, electrodes with higher Ag content (Ag/Ti = 0.31) became insulators after 7 days of immersion due to excessive Ag release into the sweat solution. This study concludes that higher Ag/Ti atomic ratios result in heightened corrosion processes on the electrode’s surface, consequently diminishing their lifespan despite the advantages of incorporating Ag into their composition. This research highlights the critical importance of evaluating electrode longevity, especially in remote biomedical applications like smart wearables, where electrode performance over time is crucial for reliable and sustained monitoring and stimulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based Sensors for Biomedical Monitoring)

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