Experimental and Numerical Studies of Cantilever Sensors

悬臂传感器的实验和数值研究

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-04702
• 负责人: Beaulieu, Luc
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=709431
• 关键词: Experimental; Numerical; Studies; Cantilever; Sensors

Existing methods for detecting heavy metals in fresh water require samples be collected and sent to specialized laboratories to be analyzed. Such a procedure is time consuming and expensive. Portable devices containing arrays of microcantilever sensors capable of detecting several analytes at one time could, one day, be used for performing a complete heavy metal analysis of water onsite, quickly, cost effectively, and with minimal user training. Microcantilever sensors are small cantilevers approximately 400 microns long, 50 microns wide, and 1 micron thick functionalized to be receptive to specific target analyte. Because of their small size, hundreds of cantilevers can be incorporated in an area the size of a dime. Although cantilever sensors offer all the necessary criteria for satisfying the above goal, their reproducibility has prevented them from being implemented into commercial devices. The principle objective of this application is to investigate, using an innovative combination of experimental observations and numerical modeling and simulations, the factors that affect the reproducibility of cantilever sensors by: exploring the materials science issues such as the morphology of the thin Au film used to anchor the sensing layer; understanding how analyte flows within the sensor cell using fluid dynamics simulations; and studying the host/guest reactions of new calixarene sensing layers designed to detect specific heavy metals. The results of the proposed work will quicken the application of cantilever sensors into commercial devices for a variety of applications from detecting viruses to trace gases from explosive devices. Understanding the materials science issues will benefit a variety of sensor technologies that translate a chemical or biological stimulus into a mechanical response. The long term objective of developing portable devices for measuring heavy metal levels in fresh water will not only benefit Canada but also governments and environmental protection agencies worldwide as the contamination of our freshwater sources continues to grow. As a second objective, which will rely on my expertise in scanning probe microscopy, we will endeavour to be the first to investigate the validity of new theories of friction and frictional aging. Friction and frictional aging are fundamental properties of materials with far reaching implications from machine wear to the motion of tectonic plates. Understanding these fundamental concepts ultimately leads to the ability to control them which could have significant implications in many technological applications from developing more efficient engines to more wear resistant tools. We will also attempt to develop a new theory to better interpret dynamic force spectroscopy measurements. If successful the results of this work will allow the strength of molecular and biological bonds to be measured with unprecedented accuracy.

检测淡水中重金属的现有方法需要收集样品并将其送往专门实验室进行分析。 这样的过程既耗时又昂贵。 包含能够一次检测多种分析物的微悬臂梁传感器阵列的便携式设备有一天可以用于现场进行完整的水重金属分析，快速、经济高效，并且只需最少的用户培训。 微悬臂梁传感器是长约 400 微米、宽 50 微米、厚 1 微米的小悬臂，可接收特定目标分析物。 由于其尺寸较小，数百个悬臂可以集成在一毛钱大小的区域中。 尽管悬臂传感器提供了满足上述目标的所有必要标准，但它们的可重复性阻碍了它们被应用到商业设备中。该应用的主要目标是通过实验观察与数值建模和模拟的创新组合来研究影响悬臂传感器再现性的因素：探索材料科学问题，例如用于锚定传感层的金薄膜的形态；使用流体动力学模拟了解分析物如何在传感器单元内流动；并研究旨在检测特定重金属的新型杯芳烃传感层的主/客体反应。 拟议工作的结果将加速悬臂传感器在商业设备中的应用，适用于从检测病毒到痕量爆炸装置气体的各种应用。 了解材料科学问题将有益于将化学或生物刺激转化为机械响应的各种传感器技术。 随着淡水源污染的不断加剧，开发用于测量淡水中重金属含量的便携式设备的长期目标不仅将使加拿大受益，而且还将惠及世界各地的政府和环境保护机构。 第二个目标将依靠我在扫描探针显微镜方面的专业知识，我们将努力成为第一个研究摩擦和摩擦老化新理论有效性的人。 摩擦和摩擦老化是材料的基本特性，对机器磨损和板块运动等具有深远影响。 了解这些基本概念最终会导致控制它们的能力，这可能对许多技术应用产生重大影响，从开发更高效的发动机到更耐磨的工具。 我们还将尝试开发一种新理论来更好地解释动态力谱测量。 如果成功，这项工作的结果将能够以前所未有的精度测量分子和生物键的强度。