Octane Number Determination of Gasoline with a Phononic Crystal Sensor

The wide range of fuels supplied nowadays has different composition. In order to optimize the combustion process, engine performance and meeting the EPA emissions standards, information about the properties of gasoline should be gained in real time. This study presents a new sensor platform based on a phononic crystal (PnC) sensor and its application as a measuring system for real time gasoline octane number determination. The method is based on the analysis of the transmission spectrum of a phononic crystal sensor filled with the liquid gasoline blend. We could reveal a strong correlation between octane number of the gasoline and the frequency of maximum transmission. Obtained experimental results show that the phononic crystal sensors can be considered as a prospective, competitive and inexpensive device for octane number determination

MULTIPLEXED BIOSENSOR USING QUARTZ-ON-SILICON MICRO-ACOUSTIC (QSIM) TECHNOLOGY FOR IN-VITRO LABEL-FREE INVESTIGATION OF HEMOSTASIS

International audienceResonant acoustic sensing using quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) is a recognized technology for biological interaction analysis (ligand-protein or protein-protein). We report on the development of a new type of micro-acoustic biosensor that merges compactness and ease of use of microsystems and performance of monocrystalline quartz biosensors for diagnosis. We then used the biosensor for the assessment of primary hemostasis, performing real-time analysis of platelets aggregate formation kinetics using whole blood

SAW-Based Phononic Crystal Microfluidic Sensor—Microscale Realization of Velocimetry Approaches for Integrated Analytical Platform Applications

The current work demonstrates a novel surface acoustic wave (SAW) based phononic crystal sensor approach that allows the integration of a velocimetry-based sensor concept into single chip integrated solutions, such as Lab-on-a-Chip devices. The introduced sensor platform merges advantages of ultrasonic velocimetry analytic systems and a microacoustic sensor approach. It is based on the analysis of structural resonances in a periodic composite arrangement of microfluidic channels confined within a liquid analyte. Completed theoretical and experimental investigations show the ability to utilize periodic structure localized modes for the detection of volumetric properties of liquids and prove the efficacy of the proposed sensor concept

Microfluidics for High Pressure: Integration on GaAs Acoustic Biosensors with a Leakage-Free PDMS Based on Bonding Technology

Microfluidics integration of acoustic biosensors is an actively developing field. Despite significant progress in “passive” microfluidic technology, integration with microacoustic devices is still in its research state. The major challenge is bonding polymers with monocrystalline piezoelectrics to seal microfluidic biosensors. In this contribution, we specifically address the challenge of microfluidics integration on gallium arsenide (GaAs) acoustic biosensors. We have developed a robust plasma-assisted bonding technology, allowing strong connections between PDMS microfluidic chip and GaAs/SiO2 at low temperatures (70 °C). Mechanical and fluidic performances of fabricated device were studied. The bonding surfaces were characterized by water contact angle measurement and ATR-FTIR, AFM, and SEM analysis. The bonding strength was characterized using a tensile machine and pressure/leakage tests. The study showed that the sealed chips were able to achieve a limit of high bonding strength of 2.01 MPa. The adhesion of PDMS to GaAs was significantly improved by use of SiO2 intermediate layer, permitting the bonded chip to withstand at least 8.5 bar of burst pressure. The developed bonding approach can be a valuable solution for microfluidics integration in several types of MEMS devices

Narrow Band Solid-Liquid Composite Arrangements: Alternative Solutions for Phononic Crystal-Based Liquid Sensors

International audiencePeriodic elastic composite structures attract great attention. They offer the ability to design artificial properties to advance the control over the propagation of elastic/acoustic waves. In previous work, we drew attention to composite periodic structures comprising liquids. It was shown that the transmission spectrum of the structure, specifically a well-isolated peak, follows the material properties of liquid constituent in a distinct manner. This idea was realized in several liquid sensor concepts that launched the field of phononic crystal liquid sensors. In this work we introduce a novel concept—narrow band solid-liquid composite arrangements. We demonstrate two different concepts to design narrow band structures, and show the results of theoretical studies and results of experimental investigations that confirm the theoretical predictions. This work extends prior studies in the field of phononic crystal liquid sensors with novel concepts and results that have a high potential in a field of volumetric liquid properties evaluation

2D phononic crystal sensor with normal incidence of sound

The contribution presents the sensor application of a resonance-induced extraordinary transmission through a regular phononic crystal consisting of a metal plate with a periodic arrangement of holes in a square lattice at normal incidence of sound. The characteristic transmission peak has been found to strongly depend on sound velocity of the liquid the plate is immersed in. The respective peak maximum frequency can serve as measure for the concentration of a component in the liquid mixture, if a beneficial relation to the speed of sound of the liquid exists. Experimental verification has been performed with mixtures of water and propanol as model system. Here we especially pay attention to numerical calculations based on EFIT and COMSOL which reveal more insides to the wave propagation characteristics. Experimental investigations with Schlieren method and laser interferometry support the theoretical findings

Label-Free Protein Detection by Micro-Acoustic Biosensor Coupled with Electrical Field Sorting. Theoretical Study in Urine Models

International audienceDiagnostic devices for point-of-care (POC) urine analysis (urinalysis) based on microfluidic technology have been actively developing for several decades as an alternative to laboratory based biochemical assays. Urine proteins (albumin, immunoglobulins, uromodulin, haemoglobin etc.) are important biomarkers of various pathological conditions and should be selectively detected by urinalysis sensors. The challenge is a determination of different oligomeric forms of the same protein, e.g., uromodulin, which have similar bio-chemical affinity but different physical properties. For the selective detection of different types of proteins, we propose to use a shear bulk acoustic resonator sensor with an additional electrode on the upper part of the bioliquid-filled channel for protein electric field manipulation. It causes modulation of the protein concentration over time in the near-surface region of the acoustic sensor, that allows to distinguish proteins based on their differences in diffusion coefficients (or sizes) and zeta-potentials. Moreover, in order to improve the sensitivity to density, we propose to use structured sensor interface. A numerical study of this approach for the detection of proteins was carried out using the example of albumin, immunoglobulin, and oligomeric forms of uromodulin in model urine solutions. In this contribution we prove the proposed concept with numerical studies for the detection of albumin, immunoglobulin, and oligomeric forms of uromodulin in urine models

Heat-Resistant Ferroelectric-Polymer Nanocomposite with High Dielectric Constant

The high dielectric constant ferroelectric-polymer nanocomposite was developed for producing the heat-resistant and chemical stable planar layers. According to the composite coatings formation conditions, the following value ranges of dielectric constant and loss factor were received: 30–400 for dielectric constant and 0.04–0.1 for loss tangent, accordingly. Unlike of composite components, the obtained composite material is characterized by thermo-stability of electrical parameters up to 250 °C. The dielectric frequency spectra of the composite exhibit two clearly visible peaks in contrast to the spectra of the polymer and ferroelectric ceramics. The developed composite material can be used as a built-in film capacitors material in microelectronic devices