Simple-Z v2.0: development of a very low-cost impedance analyzer

• Grant number: 22/06888-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation
• Principal Investigator: Lorenzo Antonio Buscaglia
• Grantee: Lorenzo Antonio Buscaglia
• Company: Blatron Tecnologia Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de aparelhos e equipamentos de medida, teste e controle ; Instalação de equipamentos não especificados anteriormente ; Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• City: São Carlos
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/08722-7 - Technical support on the development of external software of Simple-Z v2.0, BP.TT; 23/03993-2 - Simple-Z v2.0: Development of a Very Low-Cost Impedance Analyzer, BP.TT; 23/04070-5 - Technical support on the hardware and internal software development of Simple-Z v2.0: Semester 1 - Scholar A, BP.TT; 23/01647-0 - Simple-Z v2.0: development of a very low-cost impedance analyzer, BP.PIPE

Abstract

This project refers to the product development stage of Simple-Z v2.0, a portable impedance spectrometer built from off-the-shelf integrated circuits. Coupled with a processing unit with Simple-Z v2.0's proprietary software, it allows accurate measurements of electrical impedance over wide ranges of frequency, signal amplitude, and impedance magnitudes. Very current applications, such as biosensing, rapid disease testing, food quality control, and characterization of new semiconductors, among others, allow us to see a favorable market for Simple-Z v2.0. There are no similar products in Brazil, and those offered by foreign companies cost more than 5 thousand Reais (excluding import taxes). The interesting thing about the proposed design is that the manufacturing cost is only 1 thousand Reais. The value gap is significant enough to motivate the development of Simple-Z v2.0 into a marketable product. We started from a prototype (Simple-Z v1.0) already in operation and extensively tested by the Bernhard Gross Polymers Group (FCM-IFSC-USP), where the Responsible Investigator did his Master's. The modifications necessary to reach the production and commercialization stage are summarized in: Finalization and packaging of the software with advanced data processing, Implementation of new electrical impedance analysis, and Communication and command via smartphone. The planned commercialization strategy begins with a view to laboratories working with biosensors and electrochemistry in Brazil (in the academic field alone, there are more than 300 research groups registered with CNPq on these topics). We estimate sales potential of more than 2 thousand units in this initial market sector. The future of Simple-Z v2.0, after this initial commercialization, will enter a new phase, being able to expand internationally, nationally in the educational niche, and/or be customized for specific applications of easy insertion in the market. Our vision is that, after the third year of commercialization, the company will develop new products based on Simple-Z v2.0. In particular, we are interested in individual point-of-care monitoring of bio-health indicators. (AU)