Projects / Programmes
High performance nanostructured acrylamide sensors
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.09.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electronic components and technologies |
Materials for electronic components |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T150 |
Technological sciences |
Material technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
electrochemical sensors, resistive sensors, acrylamide, nanostrudtured materials, polyaniline, molecularly imprinted polymer, electronic components
Researchers (9)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
08919 |
PhD Drago Dolinar |
Electric devices |
Retired researcher |
2019 - 2023 |
0 |
| 2. |
06016 |
PhD Beno Klopčič |
Electric devices |
Researcher |
2019 |
0 |
| 3. |
50496 |
PhD Anja Korent |
Materials science and technology |
Junior researcher |
2019 - 2022 |
0 |
| 4. |
33248 |
PhD Martin Petrun |
Electric devices |
Researcher |
2019 - 2023 |
0 |
| 5. |
15597 |
PhD Zoran Samardžija |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2021 - 2023 |
0 |
| 6. |
19030 |
PhD Sašo Šturm |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2019 - 2023 |
0 |
| 7. |
38204 |
PhD Špela Trafela |
Materials science and technology |
Junior researcher |
2019 - 2020 |
0 |
| 8. |
28491 |
PhD Kristina Žagar Soderžnik |
Materials science and technology |
Head |
2019 - 2023 |
0 |
| 9. |
18824 |
PhD Kristina Žužek |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2019 - 2023 |
0 |
Organisations (2)
Abstract
We propose the development of reliable, highly-sensitive, selective and portable sensor for the real time detection of toxic organic compounds (TOC), such as acrylamide during and after food processing.
Acrylamide (AA), C3H5NO, is worldwide used in the synthesis of polymers and gels for wastewater treatments and in the paper industry. Naturally it is formed in heat-treated food {Friedman, 2003 #52}mostly during frying and baking of potatoes, cereals, and coffee beans. Its presence in food is a dangerously neurotoxic and genotoxic compound. Triggered by new EU regulations, there will be a high demand for reliable and cost-effective sensors in food and home appliances. Up to date analytical methods for detecting the AA rely on expensive laboratory “ex‐situ” instrumental chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, where the time from acquisition and sample analysis result is measured in hours.
The proposed sensors¢ receptor element is based on two principles: the electrochemical and the resistivity, where in both cases the detection is based on a novel redesign on commercial screen printed electrodes (SPE) that offer on site and cost efficient sensing. The usage of novel conductive entities i.e. conductive polyaniline (PANI) which is molecular imprinted (MIP) for acrylamide ensures the selectivity. Furthermore, the incorporated nanostructures (Au and/or TiO2) promotes higher conductivity, faster mass transfer of ions and better accessibility of the analyte which enables high sensitivity and limit of detection below 10-6 M range. Such receptor elements are incorporated onto a single board computer (SBC) based platform that facilitates reading, processing and transmitting data with the state-of-the-art electronics for performing electrochemical and resistivity measuring techniques. The sensor device demonstrator for AA in water solution and water vapour, will be tested for performance in laboratory scale and in real environments (TRL 4-5). The proposed sensors find a direct application in designated food industries, and cover a niche which was not yet explored.
Two research organizations (Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), and University of Maribor/Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science/Laboratory for electrical machines (UM FERI)) contribute to the overall project exploiting their individual expertise both in excellence and in exploitation to reach the targeted TRL of 4‐5. The synthesis and modification of nanostructured MIP PANI receptor element is produced by JSI. The electrochemical detection of AA in water solution is performed by JSI and followed by UM FERI who will design measuring transducer for electrochemical sensor device. The resistive detection of AA in water vapour will be performed in measuring chamber (UM FERI) and the measuring transducer for resistive sensor device will be designed.
Proposed high level of interdisciplinary scientific and technical expertise of the project team offers unique opportunities to develop a full corpus of knowledge regarding opportunities both in scientific excellence and exploitation, including the adequate, proposed advanced nanotechnologies that are key to solve the burning analytical issues. With this the project is in line with Slovenian Smart Specialization Strategy (S4) in materials as end products, smart cities and communities, factories of the future as will provide the matrix for new excellence science impacting environmental and public health survey and protection. It impacts the Slovenian economy directly by birding the TRL levels proposing to cover the missing the intermediate TRL levels (4‐5) via developing advanced products and do business on the European market and wider.
Significance for science
Our ambition is to push the limits of knowledge in nanostructured molecularly imprinted polymer materials for sensing applications taking the advantages of their nanoscale induced physical and chemical properties. Based on new innovative structures a new niche field in nanotechnology will appear and as such simulate cutting edge research. This will attract more and more scientists especially from the emerging generations to enter this breakthrough field, which will give the Slovenian science an advantageous position. We aim to bring the research excellence in fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, material and computer sciences implemented for novel sensing technologies in Slovenia to a higher level as Slovenia is currently ranked 17 among the EU countries. Project aims to promote the collaboration between physics, chemistry and electrical engineering by creating interdisciplinary collaborations where scientist from the above fields will work together under the umbrella of sensors for applications in industry, environment and health. The project aims to increase the number of future ERC grants, starting with the selecting the most creative PhD students giving them extra guidance and support from experienced top class senior researchers in the proposed science fields with an entrepreneur twist. The benefits are mutual as the success of the future ERC awardees will reflect on the senior researchers ranking them higher on the excellence scale opening opportunities future EU funding schemes.
The science and technology mastered within this project will be actively disseminated and licensed to relevant key players in the nanotechnology field, dealing with high-added value nanomaterials for sensing, further increasing the Slovenian position through the adaptation of new concepts and processes. Members of the project consortium will benefit from the opportunity of participating in an interdisciplinary project focused on materials meeting the sensors field, with tremendous impact that will be publishable in highest ranking journals from the field of materials and their applications in sensing devices (Nature materials, Advanced materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Nanotoday…) The results achieved during the project will improve the scientific excellence of the groups and their visibility at the European and worldwide levels, supporting the presentation of the results in all project related fields through participation in advanced research workshops, conferences and exhibitions. While the proposed project is primarily oriented towards the areas related to the specific analytical chemistry sensing devices, the included research subjects will bring new knowledge to the field of materials chemistry and to novel advances in the field of chemical and biochemical sensing.
Significance for the country
Our ambition is to push the limits of knowledge in nanostructured molecularly imprinted polymer materials for sensing applications taking the advantages of their nanoscale induced physical and chemical properties. Based on new innovative structures a new niche field in nanotechnology will appear and as such simulate cutting edge research. This will attract more and more scientists especially from the emerging generations to enter this breakthrough field, which will give the Slovenian science an advantageous position. We aim to bring the research excellence in fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, material and computer sciences implemented for novel sensing technologies in Slovenia to a higher level as Slovenia is currently ranked 17 among the EU countries. Project aims to promote the collaboration between physics, chemistry and electrical engineering by creating interdisciplinary collaborations where scientist from the above fields will work together under the umbrella of sensors for applications in industry, environment and health. The project aims to increase the number of future ERC grants, starting with the selecting the most creative PhD students giving them extra guidance and support from experienced top class senior researchers in the proposed science fields with an entrepreneur twist. The benefits are mutual as the success of the future ERC awardees will reflect on the senior researchers ranking them higher on the excellence scale opening opportunities future EU funding schemes.
The science and technology mastered within this project will be actively disseminated and licensed to relevant key players in the nanotechnology field, dealing with high-added value nanomaterials for sensing, further increasing the Slovenian position through the adaptation of new concepts and processes. Members of the project consortium will benefit from the opportunity of participating in an interdisciplinary project focused on materials meeting the sensors field, with tremendous impact that will be publishable in highest ranking journals from the field of materials and their applications in sensing devices (Nature materials, Advanced materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Nanotoday…) The results achieved during the project will improve the scientific excellence of the groups and their visibility at the European and worldwide levels, supporting the presentation of the results in all project related fields through participation in advanced research workshops, conferences and exhibitions. While the proposed project is primarily oriented towards the areas related to the specific analytical chemistry sensing devices, the included research subjects will bring new knowledge to the field of materials chemistry and to novel advances in the field of chemical and biochemical sensing.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
