RESUMO
A series of SnO2-ZnO composite nanostructured (thin) films with different amounts of SnO2 (from 0 to 50 wt %) was prepared and deposited on a miniaturized porous alumina transducer using the sol-gel and dip coating method. The transducer, developed by our research group, contains Au interdigital electrodes on one side and a Pt heater on the other side. The sensing films were characterized using SEM and AFM techniques. Highly toxic and flammable gases (CO, CO2, CH4, and C3H8) were tested under lab conditions (carrier gas was dry air) using a special gas sensing cell developed by our research group. The gas concentrations varied between 5 and 2000 ppm and the optimum working temperatures were in the range of 210-300 °C. It was found that the sensing performance was influenced by the amount of oxide components present in the composite material. Improved sensing performance was achieved for the ZnO (98 wt %)-SnO2 (2 wt %) composite as compared to the sensors containing only the pristine oxides. The sensor response, cross-response and recovery characteristics of the analyzed materials are reported. The high sensitivity (RS = 1.21) to low amounts of CO (5 ppm) was reported for the sensor containing a composite sensitive film with ZnO (98 wt %)-SnO2 (2 wt %). This sensor response to CO was five times higher as compared to its response to CO2, CH4, and C3H8, thus the sensor is considered to be selective for CO under these test conditions.
RESUMO
The following paper describes the design and functions of a miniaturized integrated platform for optical and electrical monitoring of cell cultures and the necessary steps in the fabrication and testing of a silicon microchip Micro ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS)-based technology for cell data recording, monitoring and stimulation. The silicon microchip consists of a MEMS machined device containing a shank of 240 µm width, 3 mm long and 50 µm thick and an enlarged area of 5 mm × 5 mm hosting the pads for electrical connections. Ten platinum electrodes and five sensors are placed on the shank and are connected with the external electronics through the pads. The sensors aim to monitor the pH, the temperature and the impedance of the cell culture. The electrodes are bidirectional and can be used both for electrical potential recording and stimulation of cells. The fabrication steps are presented, along with the electrical and optical characterization of the system. The target of the research is to develop a new and reconfigurable platform according to the particular applications needs, as a tool for the biologist, chemists and medical doctors working is the field of cell culture monitoring in terms of growth, maintenance conditions, reaction to electrical or chemical stimulation (drugs, toxicants, etc.). HaCaT (Immortalised Human Keratinocyte) cell culture has been used for demonstration purposes in order to provide information on the platform electrical and optical functions.