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Zhang J, Jing Q, Wade T, Xu Z, Ives L, Zhang D, Baumberg JJ, Kar-Narayan S. Controllable Multimodal Actuation in Fully Printed Ultrathin Micro-Patterned Electrochemical Actuators. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:6485-6494. [PMID: 38266382 PMCID: PMC10859886 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c19006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Submillimeter or micrometer scale electrically controlled soft actuators have immense potential in microrobotics, haptics, and biomedical applications. However, the fabrication of miniaturized and micropatterned open-air soft actuators has remained challenging. In this study, we demonstrate the microfabrication of trilayer electrochemical actuators (ECAs) through aerosol jet printing (AJP), a rapid prototyping method with a 10 μm lateral resolution. We make fully printed 1000 × 5000 × 12 μm3 ultrathin ECAs, each of which comprises a Nafion electrolyte layer sandwiched between two poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrode layers. The ECAs actuate due to the electric-field-driven migration of hydrated protons. Due to the thinness that gives rise to a low proton transport length and a low flexural rigidity, the printed ECAs can operate under low voltages (∼0.5 V) and have a relatively fast response (∼seconds). We print all the components of an actuator that consists of two individually controlled submillimeter segments and demonstrate its multimodal actuation. The convenience, versatility, rapidity, and low cost of our microfabrication strategy promise future developments in integrating arrays of intricately patterned individually controlled soft microactuators on compact stretchable electronic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Zhang
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University
of Cambridge, JJ Thomson
Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Qingshen Jing
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
- James
Watt School of Engineering, University of
Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8LT, U.K.
| | - Tom Wade
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Zhencheng Xu
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Liam Ives
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Diandian Zhang
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Jeremy J. Baumberg
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University
of Cambridge, JJ Thomson
Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
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Yadav A, Patil R, Dutta S. Advanced Self-Powered Biofuel Cells with Capacitor and Nanogenerator for Biomarker Sensing. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:4060-4080. [PMID: 37787456 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Self-powered biofuel cells (BFCs) have evolved for highly sensitive detection of biomarkers such as noncodon micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in the presence of interfering substrates. Self-charging supercapacitive BFCs for in vivo and in vitro cellular microenvironments represent the most prevalent sensing mechanism for diagnosis. Therefore, self-powered biosensing (SPB) with a capacitor and contact separation with a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) offers electrochemical and colorimetric dual-mode detection via improved electrical signal intensity. In this review, we discuss three major components: stretchable self-powered BFC design, miRNA sensing, and impedance spectroscopy. A specific focus is given to 1) assembling of sensors for biomarkers, 2) electrical output signal intensification, and 3) role of supercapacitors and nanogenerators in SPBs. We outline the key features of stretchable SPBs and the sequence of miRNA sensing by SPBs. We have emphasized the need of a supercapacitor and nanogenerator for SPBs in the context of advanced assembly of the sensing unit. Finally, we outline the role of impedance spectroscopy in the detection and estimation of biomarkers. We highlight key challenges in SPBs for biomarker sensing, which needs improved sensing accuracy, integration strategies of electrochemical biosensing for in vitro and in vivo microenvironments, and the impact of miRNA sensing on cancer diagnostics. This article attempts a specific focus on the accuracy and limitations of sensing unit for miRNA biomarkers and associated tool for boosting electrical signal intensity for a potential big step further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubha Yadav
- Electrochemical Energy & Sensor Research Laboratory Amity Institute of Click Chemistry Research & Studies, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rahul Patil
- Electrochemical Energy & Sensor Research Laboratory Amity Institute of Click Chemistry Research & Studies, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Saikat Dutta
- Electrochemical Energy & Sensor Research Laboratory Amity Institute of Click Chemistry Research & Studies, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Navalesi P, Oddo CM, Chisci G, Frosolini A, Gennaro P, Abbate V, Prattichizzo D, Gabriele G. The Use of Tactile Sensors in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Overview. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:765. [PMID: 37508792 PMCID: PMC10376110 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This overview aimed to characterize the type, development, and use of haptic technologies for maxillofacial surgical purposes. The work aim is to summarize and evaluate current advantages, drawbacks, and design choices of presented technologies for each field of application in order to address and promote future research as well as to provide a global view of the issue. METHODS Relevant manuscripts were searched electronically through Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases until 1 November 2022. RESULTS After analyzing the available literature, 31 articles regarding tactile sensors and interfaces, sensorized tools, haptic technologies, and integrated platforms in oral and maxillofacial surgery have been included. Moreover, a quality rating is provided for each article following appropriate evaluation metrics. DISCUSSION Many efforts have been made to overcome the technological limits of computed assistant diagnosis, surgery, and teaching. Nonetheless, a research gap is evident between dental/maxillofacial surgery and other specialties such as endovascular, laparoscopic, and microsurgery; especially for what concerns electrical and optical-based sensors for instrumented tools and sensorized tools for contact forces detection. The application of existing technologies is mainly focused on digital simulation purposes, and the integration into Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) is far from being widely actuated. Virtual reality, increasingly adopted in various fields of surgery (e.g., sino-nasal, traumatology, implantology) showed interesting results and has the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning. A major concern regarding the actual state of the art is the absence of randomized control trials and the prevalence of case reports, retrospective cohorts, and experimental studies. Nonetheless, as the research is fast growing, we can expect to see many developments be incorporated into maxillofacial surgery practice, after adequate evaluation by the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Navalesi
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, Università di Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Calogero Maria Oddo
- Department of Information Engineering, Università di Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence in Robotics & A.I., Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Center Health Science, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Glauco Chisci
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, School of Oral Surgery, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Frosolini
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Gennaro
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Head and Neck Section, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, Federico II University of Naples, 80013 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Prattichizzo
- Department of Information Engineering and Mathematics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Guido Gabriele
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Qin Y, Fan LL, Zhao L. Efficient Focusing of Aerosol Particles in the Microchannel under Reverse External Force: A Numerical Simulation Study. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:554. [PMID: 36984961 PMCID: PMC10059213 DOI: 10.3390/mi14030554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Focusing aerosol particles efficiently is of great significance for high-precision aerosol jet printing and detection of the airborne target. A new method was proposed herein to achieve the efficient focusing of aerosol particles in the microchannel by using a reverse external force. Considering the slip at the interface between the gas and the aerosol particle, a numerical model of the particle movement in the microchannel was established and simulations were conducted on the gas-particle two-phase flow in the microchannel under the effect of the reverse external force. The results showed that a suitable reverse external force in a similar order of magnitude to the Stokes force can dramatically increase the velocity difference between the particle and the gas, which significantly enhances the Saffman lift force exerted on the aerosol particle. Eventually, the aerosol particle can be efficiently focused at the center of the microchannel in a short channel length. In addition, the influence of the channel geometry, the magnitude, and the direction of the external force on the particle focusing was also studied. This work is of great significance for the precise detection of aerosol particles and the design of nozzles for aerosol jet printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Qin
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Liang-Liang Fan
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
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Smocot S, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Guo S, Cao C. Printed flexible mechanical sensors. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:17134-17156. [PMID: 36385388 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr04015h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Flexible mechanical sensors (e.g., strain, pressure, and force) fabricated primarily by printing technologies have emerged and evolved promptly in the past several years. 2D and 3D printing approaches enabled rapid prototyping of various flexible mechanical sensors that have demonstrated their unique applications in fields including robotics, human-machine interfaces, and biomedicine. Research efforts have primarily been focused on experimenting with different materials, device configurations, and sensing mechanisms to achieve better sensing performance. While great progress has been made, this field is still in its infancy where most research is exploratory; and even the performance standards and long-term objective/vision of these sensors are not clear. In this review, the state-of-the-art of three types of printed flexible mechanical sensors will be discussed and analyzed in terms of their fabrication methods, types of sensing materials and mechanisms, and challenges for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Smocot
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Zixin Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Lingzhi Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Shu Guo
- School of Vehicle and Energy, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, China.
| | - Changhong Cao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Aerosol Jet Printing of 3D Pillar Arrays from Photopolymer Ink. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14163411. [PMID: 36015668 PMCID: PMC9412835 DOI: 10.3390/polym14163411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An aerosol jet printing (AJP) printing head built on top of precise motion systems can provide positioning deviation down to 3 μm, printing areas as large as 20 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm, and five-axis freedom of movement. Typical uses of AJP are 2D printing on complex or flexible substrates, primarily for applications in printed electronics. Nearly all commercially available AJP inks for 2D printing are designed and optimized to reach desired electronic properties. In this work, we explore AJP for the 3D printing of free-standing pillar arrays. We utilize aryl epoxy photopolymer as ink coupled with a cross-linking “on the fly” technique. Pillar structures 550 μm in height and with a diameter of 50 μm were 3D printed. Pillar structures were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, where the morphology, number of printed layers and side effects of the AJP technique were investigated. Satellite droplets and over-spray seem to be unavoidable for structures smaller than 70 μm. Nevertheless, reactive ion etching (RIE) as a post-processing step can mitigate AJP side effects. AJP-RIE together with photopolymer-based ink can be promising for the 3D printing of microstructures, offering fast and maskless manufacturing without wet chemistry development and heat treatment post-processing.
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