Free-standing ceramic nanofibers as sensitive layer in integrated sensor systems for gas detection

• Grant number: 19/04154-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: March 18, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Souza Corrêa
• Grantee: Rafaela da Silveira Andre
• Supervisor: Timothy Manning Swager
• Host Institution: Embrapa Instrumentação Agropecuária. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Brasil). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/23793-4 - Development of nanostructured sensor aiming the detection of volatile compounds for food quality indicators, BP.PD

Abstract

The integration and remote control of devices capable to monitor in real-time hazardous and toxic analytes are highly required nowadays in the most diverse areas. In this context, wireless sensors controlled via smartphones have become a fascinating alternative especially due to its broad possibilities of applications in areas ranging from medicine to environment. The present project aims at developing wireless and portable sensors based on colorimetric and radio frequency measurements for detection of volatiles of agricultural and environmental interest, including biogenic amines, sulfurous compounds and ammonia. Such analytes of interest will be further related to food quality and spoilage. The design of portable device with wireless communication development includes: the combination of free-standing ceramic nanofibers with several different organic dyes and the optimization of them according with the sensibility to the specific analytes; the modification of commercially available near-field communication tags with the free-stand ceramic nanofibers with and without dyes; the physico-chemical and sensor characterization by optical and radio frequency measurements. Electrical measurements such as electrical impedance will be performed in order to characterize the device electrical behavior. Moreover, a mobile app for remote operation will be pursuit to recognize and warn users about food quality and spoilage. The internship will allow the candidate to learn new techniques and methodologies for designing portable and wireless devices, which will be highly useful for real sensing applications.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FONG, DARRYL; LUO, SHAO-XIONG; ANDRE, RAFAELA S.; SWAGER, TIMOTHY M.. Trace Ethylene Sensing via Wacker Oxidation. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE, v. 6, n. 4, p. 507-512, APR 22 2020. (19/04154-9)

ANDRE, RAFAELA S.; NGO, QUYNH P.; FUGIKAWA-SANTOS, LUCAS; CORREA, DANIEL S.; SWAGER, TIMOTHY M.. Wireless Tags with Hybrid Nanomaterials for Volatile Amine Detection. ACS SENSORS, v. 6, n. 6, p. 2457-2464, JUN 25 2021. (16/23793-4, 18/22214-6, 19/04154-9)