Expanding access to quality of life parameters in the 21st century: new analytical sensors

• Grant number: 23/15001-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Arnaldo Alves Cardoso
• Grantee: Arnaldo Alves Cardoso
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Ivo Milton Raimundo Junior
• Associated researchers: Adelino Vieira de Godoy Netto ; Ivana Cesarino ; João Flávio da Silveira Petruci ; Renan Lira de Farias ; Ricardo Queiroz Aucelio ; William Reis de Araujo

Abstract

The quantification of biological markers related to health, monitoring environmental pollutants, and detecting chemical contaminants in foods and industrialized products are fundamental issues for modern society. These issues are part of a broader concept of "quality of life." The detection and quantification of chemical substances associated with degradation, decay, contamination, and pollution processes are fundamental for decisions made by the competent public authority to control and even avoid more significant consequences for people and the environment.Usually, obtaining valid results for critical decisions requires technical training and high spending on infrastructure to create and maintain reference laboratories. The analytical techniques available in such laboratories (reference in terms of quality control) are broad and usually depend on different types of chromatography (HPLC, GC, IC) and their various detectors (FID, MS, etc.) in such a way that obtain selectivity and unambiguous chemical information. These factors make it unfeasible to expand a reference laboratory to meet analysis demands, especially in less socio-economically favored areas or regions with a high population and great economic activity. This scarcity and lack of general analytical data can affect the concept of quality of life in its most comprehensive aspect. The alternative already accepted by analytical chemistry is the development of low-cost and robust dedicated sensors for operation, directed and adjusted for detecting sample analytes, maintaining reliable analytical results. Such an approach improves accessibility to analytical tests and provides a quick response for decision-making that can affect the population's lives. This analysis concept with dedicated sensors must be used before more complex assessments requiring reference laboratories. This proposal aims to strengthen and expand alternatives in sensors, where Brazil already has a strong presence in research. The focus on environmental samples, such as gases, vapors, and natural waters, sets this proposal apart, using new organic molecules and rare earth compound complexes, nanomaterials, and new materials. We intend to revisit techniques, which at some point were widely used, such as spot test and ring-oven, thin-layer chromatography, and combine them with electronic devices and 2D and 3D printers to finally develop high-performance analytical platforms built with devices electrochemical/optical (bio)sensors. (AU)