Additive-manufactured (3D printed) electrochemical devices for the diagnosis of viral diseases

• Grant number: 21/07989-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Alves Bonacin
• Grantee: Cristiane Kalinke
• Supervisor: Craig E. Banks
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), England
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/00473-2 - Development of 3-dimensional (3D) printed electrochemical biosensors with PLA polymer and graphene for the determination of biomolecules and diagnosis of diseases, BP.PD

Abstract

The use of additive manufacturing or 3D printing allows the development of simple and low-cost lab-made electrochemical devices, with the possibility of modulation in different shapes and miniaturization, leading to the construction of versatile and portable devices. In this sense, the use of conductive filaments has become extremely advantageous for the obtaining of electrochemical sensors. However, the sensor characteristics can be improved by making filaments in the laboratory, which allows its modification with a greater amount of conductive material. This leads to the development of new materials with high electron transfer and conductivity, lower resistivity, and the ability to interact and/or immobilize other species. This project aims to obtain new conductive materials, such as polymeric filaments or resins, for the development of 3D printed electrochemical sensors. Parallel to this, a complete and fully 3D printed electrochemical cell will be developed exploring different printing materials and techniques. The immobilization of biological materials on the electrode surface will allow the development of a biosensor, which will be applied for the detection and diagnosis of emerging viral diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue, and COVID-19, in biological samples. Therefore, it is expected to obtain lab-made, portable, and patentable electrochemical devices for the early diagnosis of viral diseases. (AU)