MEMS Technology for Biomedical Imaging Applications

Biomedical imaging is the key technique and process to create informative images of the human body or other organic structures for clinical purposes or medical science. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology has demonstrated enormous potential in biomedical imaging applications due to its outstanding advantages of, for instance, miniaturization, high speed, higher resolution, and convenience of batch fabrication. There are many advancements and breakthroughs developing in the academic community, and there are a few challenges raised accordingly upon the designs, structures, fabrication, integration, and applications of MEMS for all kinds of biomedical imaging. This Special Issue aims to collate and showcase research papers, short commutations, perspectives, and insightful review articles from esteemed colleagues that demonstrate: (1) original works on the topic of MEMS components or devices based on various kinds of mechanisms for biomedical imaging; and (2) new developments and potentials of applying MEMS technology of any kind in biomedical imaging. The objective of this special session is to provide insightful information regarding the technological advancements for the researchers in the community

Advances in Fiber-Optic Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometric Physical and Mechanical Sensors: A Review

Fabry-Perot Interferometers Have Found a Multitude of Scientific and Industrial Applications Ranging from Gravitational Wave Detection, High-Resolution Spectroscopy, and Optical Filters to Quantum Optomechanics. Integrated with Optical Fiber Waveguide Technology, the Fiber-Optic Fabry-Perot Interferometers Have Emerged as a Unique Candidate for High-Sensitivity Sensing and Have Undergone Tremendous Growth and Advancement in the Past Two Decades with their Successful Applications in an Expansive Range of Fields. the Extrinsic Cavity-Based Devices, I.e., the Fiber-Optic Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometers (EFPIs), Enable Great Flexibility in the Design of the Sensitive Fabry-Perot Cavity Combined with State-Of-The-Art Micromachining and Conventional Mechanical Fabrication, Leading to the Development of a Diverse Array of EFPI Sensors Targeting at Different Physical Quantities. Here, We Summarize the Recent Progress of Fiber-Optic EFPI Sensors, Providing an overview of Different Physical and Mechanical Sensors based on the Fabry-Perot Interferometer Principle, with a Special Focus on Displacement-Related Quantities, Such as Strain, Force, Tilt, Vibration and Acceleration, Pressure, and Acoustic. the Working Principle and Signal Demodulation Methods Are Shown in Brief. Perspectives on Further Advancement of EFPI Sensing Technologies Are Also Discussed

Advancements in microfabricated gas sensors and microanalytical tools for the sensitive and selective detection of odors

In recent years, advancements in micromachining techniques and nanomaterials have enabled the fabrication of highly sensitive devices for the detection of odorous species. Recent efforts done in the miniaturization of gas sensors have contributed to obtain increasingly compact and portable devices. Besides, the implementation of new nanomaterials in the active layer of these devices is helping to optimize their performance and increase their sensitivity close to humans’ olfactory system. Nonetheless, a common concern of general-purpose gas sensors is their lack of selectivity towards multiple analytes. In recent years, advancements in microfabrication techniques and microfluidics have contributed to create new microanalytical tools, which represent a very good alternative to conventional analytical devices and sensor-array systems for the selective detection of odors. Hence, this paper presents a general overview of the recent advancements in microfabricated gas sensors and microanalytical devices for the sensitive and selective detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The working principle of these devices, design requirements, implementation techniques, and the key parameters to optimize their performance are evaluated in this paper. The authors of this work intend to show the potential of combining both solutions in the creation of highly compact, low-cost, and easy-to-deploy platforms for odor monitoringPostprint (published version

Nanostructured Gas Sensors for Health Care: An Overview

Nanostructured platforms have been utilized for fabrication of small, sensitive and reliable gas sensing devices owing to high functionality, enhanced charge transport and electro-catalytic property. As a result of globalization, rapid, sensitive and selective detection of gases in environment is essential for health care and security. Nonmaterial such as metal, metal oxides, organic polymers, and organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites exhibit interesting optical, electrical, magnetic and molecular properties, and hence are found potential gas sensing materials. Morphological, electrical, and optical properties of such nanostructures can be tailored via controlling the precursor concentration and synthesis conditions resulting to achieve desired sensing. This review presents applications of nano-enabling gas sensors to detect gases for environment monitoring. The recent update, challenges, and future vision for commercial applications of such sensor are also described here

Biosensing and Bioimaging

Biosensing and bioimaging techniques largely promote the accurate diagnosis of intractable diseases, such as cancers, on the basis of specific molecular targets, or as-called biomarkers. To realize the assays with ultrahigh sensitivity and selectivity, the wide application of molecular biology and nanotechnology are of great necessity. Both directions may offer effective signal amplification strategies, as well as inhibition of cross-reaction interference. Therefore, this Special Issue, “Biosensing and Bioimaging: Trends and Perspective”, highlights the recent developments in intelligent biomolecule/nanostructure-based probes for bioimaging and biosensing applications. It consists of five peer-reviewed papers that cover current hot topics, such as biodegradable materials, DNA assembly, shRNA delivery and chimeric proteins, which will provide a unique perspective of advanced biosensing and bioimaging techniques