Mass Load Distribution Dependence of Mass Sensitivity of Magnetoelastic Sensors under Different Resonance Modes

Magnetoelastic Resonance Sensors: Principles, Applications, and Perspectives

Magnetoelastic resonators are gaining attention as an incredibly versatile and sensitive transduction platform for the detection of varied physical, chemical, and biological parameters. These sensors, based on the coupling effect between mechanical and magnetic properties of ME platforms, stand out in comparison to alternative technologies due to their low cost and wireless detection capability. Several parameters have been optimized over the years to improve their performance, such as their composition, surface functionalization, or shape geometry. In this review, the working principles, recent advances, and future perspectives of magnetoelastic resonance transducers are introduced, highlighting their potentials as a versatile platform for sensing applications. First, the fundamental principles governing the magnetoelastic resonators performance are introduced as well as the most common magnetoelastic materials and their main fabrication methods are described. Second, the versatility and technical feasibility of magnetoelastic resonators for biological, chemical, and physical sensing are highlighted and the most recent results and functionalization processes are summarized. Finally, the forefront advances to further improve the performance of magnetoelastic resonators for sensing applications have been identified.

Magnetoelastic Humidity Sensors with TiO2 Nanotube Sensing Layers

In this study, TiO₂ nanotubes (TiO₂-NTs) are coated with a drop-casting method on Fe₄₀Ni₃₈Mo₄B₁₈ amorphous ferromagnetic ribbons and the humidity response of the prepared magnetoelastic sensors (MES) is investigated. The synthesis of TiO₂-NTs is performed using a hydrothermal process. Sample characterization is carried out using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the sensors can measure moisture values in the range of 5% to 95% with very high precision and very low hysteresis. The humidity variation between 5% and 95% shows a change in the sensor resonance frequency of ~3180 Hz, which is a significant change compared to many magnetoelastic humidity sensors developed so far.

An Hourglass-Shaped Wireless and Passive Magnetoelastic Sensor with an Improved Frequency Sensitivity for Remote Strain Measurements

The conventional magnetoelastic resonant sensor suffers from a low detecting sensitivity problem. In this study, an hourglass-shaped magnetoelastic resonant sensor was proposed, analyzed, fabricated, and tested. The hourglass-shaped magnetoelastic resonant sensor was composed of an hourglass and a narrow ribbon in the middle. The hourglass and the narrow ribbon increased the detection sensitivity by reducing the connecting stress. The resonant frequency of the sensor was investigated by the finite element method. The proposed sensor was fabricated and experiments were carried out. The tested resonance frequency agreed well with the simulated one. The maximum trust sensitivity of the proposed sensor was 37,100 Hz/strain. The power supply and signal transmission of the proposed sensor were fulfilled via magnetic field in a wireless and passive way due to the magnetostrictive effect. Parametric studies were carried out to investigate the influence of the hourglass shape on the resonant frequency and the output voltage. The hourglass-shaped magnetoelastic resonant sensor shows advantages of high sensitivity, a simple structure, easy fabrication, passiveness, remoteness, and low cost.

Damping Force and Loading Position Dependence of Mass Sensitivity of Magnetoelastic Biosensors in Viscous Liquid

We established the vibration governing equation for a magnetoelastic (ME) biosensor with target loading in liquid. Based on the equation, a numerical simulation approach was used to determine the effect of the target loading position and viscous damping coefficient on the node ("blind points") and mass sensitivity (S_m) of an ME biosensor under different order resonances. The results indicate that viscous damping force causes the specific nodes shift but does not affect the overall variation trend of S_m as the change of target loading position and the effect on Sm gradually reduces when the target approaches to the node. In addition, S_m decreases with the increase of viscous damping coefficient but the tendency becomes weak at high-order resonance. Moreover, the effect of target loading position on S_m decreases with the increase of viscous damping coefficient. Finally, the results provide certain guidance on improving the mass sensitivity of an ME biosensor in liquid by controlling the target loading position.

Hemin-Modified SnO2/Metglas Electrodes for the Simultaneous Electrochemical and Magnetoelastic Sensing of H2O2

In this work, we present a simple and efficient method for the preparation of hemin-modified SnO2 films on Metglas ribbon substrates for the development of a sensitive magneto-electrochemical sensor for the determination of H2O2. The SnO2 films were prepared at low temperatures, using a simple hydrothermal method, compatible with the Metglas surface. The SnO2 film layer was fully characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The properties of the films enable a high hemin loading to be achieved in a stable and functional way. The Hemin/SnO2-Metglas system was simultaneously used as a working electrode (WE) for cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements and as a magnetoelastic sensor excited by external coils, which drive it to resonance and interrogate it. The CV scans reveal direct reduction and oxidation of the immobilized hemin, as well as good electrocatalytic response for the reduction of H2O2. In addition, the magnetoelastic resonance (MR) technique allows the detection of any mass change during the electroreduction of H2O2 by the immobilized hemin on the Metglas surface. The experimental results revealed a mass increase on the sensor during the redox reaction, which was calculated to be 767 ng/μM. This behavior was not detected during the control experiment, where only the NaH2PO4 solution was present. The following results also showed a sensitive electrochemical sensor response linearly proportional to the concentration of H2O2 in the range 1 × 10−6–72 × 10−6 M, with a correlation coefficient of 0.987 and detection limit of 1.6 × 10−7 M. Moreover, the Hemin/SnO2-Metglas displayed a rapid response (30 s) to H2O2 and exhibits good stability, reproducibility and selectivity.

Effect of Distributed Mass on the Node, Frequency, and Sensitivity of Resonant-Mode Based Cantilevers

We derived an analytical expression for a resonant-mode based bi-layered cantilever with distributed mass load. The behavior of mode of vibration, nodal position, frequency shift, as well as sensitivity under different mass load distributions was theoretically studied. The theoretical results suggested that asymmetric mass load distribution leads to the shift of nodes as well as the sensitive regions of a resonant-mode based cantilever. n - 1 local maximal sensitivities and n - 1 local minimal sensitivities are observed when the cantilever vibrates in the nth-order resonance. The maximal sensitivity is found at the first local maximal sensitivity and the behavior of mass load length as a function of the maximal sensitivity follows the rule of an exponent decaying function. The sensitivity increases as the load mass increases for the same mass load distribution, but the corresponding slopes are different.

Streptavidin Modified ZnO Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator for Detection of Tumor Marker Mucin 1

A ZnO-based film bulk acoustic resonator has been fabricated using a magnetron sputtering technology, which was employed as a biosensor for detection of mucin 1. The resonant frequency of the thin-film bulk acoustic resonator was located near at 1503.3 MHz. The average electromechanical coupling factor [Formula: see text] and quality factor Q were 2.39 % and 224, respectively. Using the specific binding system of avidin-biotin, the streptavidin was self-assembled on the top gold electrode as the sensitive layer to indirectly test the MUC1 molecules. The resonant frequency of the biosensor decreases in response to the mass loading in range of 20-500 nM. The sensor modified with the streptavidin exhibits a high sensitivity of 4642.6 Hz/nM and a good selectivity.

AlN-based film buck acoustic resonator operated in shear mode for detection of carcinoembryonic antigens

A film buck acoustic resonator (FBAR) operated in shear mode was fabricated and integrated with a microchannel for detection of the carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA).