Stochastic detection of nanoparticle impacts using printed electrochemical sensor arrays

纳米颗粒越来越多地用于消费品和工业产品。因此，不同尺寸、形状和材料的颗粒被大量释放到环境中。特别地，银纳米颗粒由于其抗微生物特性而大量用于各种产品中。为了评估可能的副作用，这需要有效的方法来检测和定量纳米颗粒。在这里，我们建议调查一个新兴的电化学技术的随机检测粒子的影响和发展战略的快速量化和大小的银纳米粒子在盐水和甜水系统。理解纳米粒子撞击产生的电化学信号对基础科学和应用都是一个迷人的挑战。我们的目标是阐明支持电解质对纳米粒子撞击过程中信号产生的影响，这对于在任意水性环境中进行可靠的定量是重要的。此外，我们将解决目前的纳米颗粒传感器系统的限制所造成的吸附使用表面改性和微流体集成。对环境中纳米颗粒的命运和分布的系统研究需要多功能的传感平台。我们将研究能够检测和区分不同纳米颗粒的一次性印刷传感器系统的制造策略。我们相信，这将使未来的发展，快速和大规模监测纳米粒子污染的偏远环境。

Nanoparticles are increasingly used in consumer and industrial products. As a consequence, particles of different sizes, shapes, and materials are released in large quantities into the environment. In particular, silver nanoparticles are abundantly used in diverse products due to their antimicrobial properties. To assess possible side effects, this calls for efficient methods for the detection and quantification of nanoparticles. Here, we propose to investigate an emerging electrochemical technique for the stochastic detection of particle impacts and develop strategies for the rapid quantification and sizing of silver nanoparticles in salt- and sweet water systems. Understanding electrochemical signals originating from nanoparticle impacts is a fascinating challenge for both, fundamental science and application. Our goal is to elucidate the effects of supporting electrolytes on signal generation during nanoparticle impacts, which is important for reliable quantification in arbitrary aqueous environments. Furthermore, we will address current limitations of nanoparticle sensor systems caused by adsorption using surface modification and microfluidic integration. Systemic studies of the fate and distribution of nanoparticles in the environment require versatile sensing platforms. We will investigate fabrication strategies for disposable printed sensor systems capable of detecting and discriminating different nanoparticles. We believe this will enable future developments for rapid and large-scale monitoring of nanoparticle contamination in remote environments.