Table of Contents

Abstract: ZnGa₂O₄ nano crystals were prepared by an improved coprecipitation method, which we call ‘spray coprecipitation’. XRD results shows the resulting crystal size using the new method is under 10nm, whereas the powder prepared by ordinary coprecipitation is about 30nm. XRD results also shows ZnO peaks exists in ZnGa₂O₄ powder prepared by traditional coprecipitation, but disappears in ZnGa₂O₄ nano crystal prepared by spraying coprecipitation. SEM and TEM were used to analysis the structural characteristics of ZnGa₂O₄ nano crystals. The gas sensitive characteristics of ZnGa₂O₄ nano crystals are reported.

Abstract: Mass transfer in nanocomposite hydrogel thin films consisting of alternating layers of an organometallic redox polymer (RP) and oxidoreductase enzymes was investigated. Multilayer nanostructures were fabricated on gold surfaces by the deposition of an anionic self-assembled monolayer of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, followed by the electrostatic binding of a cationic redox polymer, poly[vinylpyridine Os(bis-bipyridine)2Clco-allylamine], and an anionic oxidoreductase. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared external reflection spectroscopy (FTIR-ERS), ellipsometry and electrochemistry were employed to characterize the assembly of these nanocomposite films. Simultaneous SPR/electrochemistry enabled real time observation of the assembly of sensing components, changes in film structure with electrode potential, and the immediate, in situ electrochemical verification of substrate-dependent current upon the addition of enzyme to the multilayer structure. SPR and FTIR-ERS studies also showed no desorption of polymer or enzyme from the nanocomposite structure when stored in aqueous environment occurred over the period of three weeks, suggesting that decreasing in substrate sensitivity were due to loss of enzymatic activity rather than loss of film compounds from the nanostructure.

Abstract: The effect of pore size and uniformity on the response of nanoporous alumina, formed on aluminum thick films through an anodization process, to ammonia and humidity at room temperature is reported. Pore sizes examined range from 13 nm to 48 nm, with pore size standard deviations ranging from 2.6 nm to 7.8 nm. The response of the material to ammonia and humidity is a strong function of pore size and operating frequency. At 5 kHz an alumina sensor with an average pore size of 13.6 nm, standard deviation 2.6 nm, exhibits a factor of two change in impedance magnitude as it is cycled between an ammonia and argon environment. At 5 kHz the same sensor exhibits a well-behaved change in impedance magnitude of 10³ over 20% to 90% relative humidity. Cole-Cole plots of the 5 Hz to 13 MHz measured impedance spectra, modeled using equivalent circuits, are used to resolve the effects of adsorption and ion migration.

Abstract: In recent years, rapid advancements have been made in the biomedical applications of micro and nanotechnology. While the focus of such technology has primarily been on in vitro analytical and diagnostic tools, more recently, in vivo therapeutic and sensing applications have gained attention. This paper describes the creation of monodisperse nanoporous, biocompatible, silicon membranes as a platform for the delivery of cells. Studies described herein focus on the interaction of silicon based substrates with cells of interest in terms of viability, proliferation, and functionality. Such microfabricated nanoporous membranes can be used both in vitro for cell-based assays and in vivo for immunoisolation and drug delivery applications.

Abstract: We investigated the possibility of using several sensing parameters from porous silicon in order to improve gas selectivity. By fabricating porous silicon optical microcavities, three independent quantities can be measured, i.e. the electrical conductance, the photoluminescence intensity, and the wavelength of the optical resonance. We monitored the change of these three parameters as a function of NO₂ (0.5-5 ppm), ethanol (300-15000 ppm) and relative humidity (0-100%). Preliminary results confirm that the examined species affect the parameters in a different way, both as a relative change and as dynamic.