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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Preparation of Silicon Nanowire Field-effect Transistor for Chemical and Biosensing Applications
Published on: April 21, 2016
Two-Dimensional Antifouling Fluidic Channels on Nanopapers for Biosensing
Katariina Solin1, Hannes Orelma2, Maryam Borghei1
1Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering , Aalto University , Vuorimiehentie 1 , FI-00076 , Espoo , Finland.
Researchers developed inexpensive, disposable microfluidic biosensor channels using cellulose nanofibrils. Inkjet printing created channels with excellent feature fidelity and antifouling properties, reducing protein adsorption by 95% for enhanced biosensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) offer unique properties for advanced material development.
- Microfluidic devices are crucial for sensitive and efficient biosensing.
- Surface modification is key to preventing non-specific binding in biosensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize 2D hydrophilic microfluidic channels on CNF films.
- To evaluate inkjet printing and photolithography methods for channel fabrication.
- To assess the antifouling properties of modified CNF surfaces for biosensing.
Main Methods:
- Patterning of CNF films using photolithography (thiol-yne click coupling) and inkjet printing (polystyrene).
- Characterization via SEM, wetting, and fluid flow analysis.
- Surface modification with BSA, fibrinogen, or PDMAEMA-block-POEGMA copolymers.
- Antifouling assessment using SPR and AFM; adsorption studies via confocal microscopy.
Main Results:
- Inkjet-printed channels exhibited superior feature fidelity and flow properties compared to click-coupled channels.
- Surface modification effectively passivated the microfluidic channels, reducing non-specific human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) adsorption by 95%.
- Confocal microscopy visualized diffusion and adsorption, confirming effective surface blocking.
Conclusions:
- Inkjet printing provides an efficient and cost-effective method for fabricating high-performance CNF-based microfluidic channels.
- The developed antifouling strategies ensure high specificity for biosensing applications.
- These inexpensive, disposable systems hold significant potential for space-resolved biosensing.
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