Projects / Programmes
MIcrofluidic Sensor System for PESticides detection (MISS PES)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.09.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electronic components and technologies |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
neonicotinoides, electrochemical sensors, thick films, nanostructures, graphene, LTCC, microfluidics
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 23, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
Data for ARIS tenders (
04.04.2019 – Programme tender,
archive
)
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
530 |
12,138 |
10,558 |
19.92 |
| Scopus |
564 |
13,365 |
11,600 |
20.57 |
Researchers (16)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Neonicotinoid pesticides (NNIs) are a group of comparatively new, broad-spectrum insecticides that affect the central nervous system of insects, leading to eventual paralysis and death. NNIs are one of the most used pesticides worldwide, due to their effectiveness and relatively low toxicity towards non-target species. But some recent research shows that NNIs could affect the mammalian nervous system, and could cause colony collapse in honeybees. All NNIs are toxic to honeybees, with oral LD50 values below 5 ng per honeybee. To protect honeybees and thus to preserve biodiversity in the environment, the European Commission imposed a ban on the use of the three most toxic NNIs in 2018. Due to the environment and food-safety issue, the monitoring of NNIs in real samples has become increasingly important. The chromatography/mass-spectrometry techniques are well established and reliable, but they are performed in laboratories, are time-consuming, demand the use of expensive equipment and require highly trained staff. There is urgent need to provide accurate, selective and sensitive determinations of NNIs on-site in real samples. In the project we propose to design and develop a microfluidic electrochemical sensor (MES) system that will enable the simultaneous detection and quantification of five relevant NNIs with a ng/g limit of detection without the use of expensive equipment and lengthy procedures. The objectives of the project are: 1) Preparation of a graphene-based/metal or metal-oxide nanoparticle composite working electrodes for detecting NNIs and evaluation of the selectivity and sensitivity of the electrode in a three-electrode system; 2) Fabrication of a microfluidic electrochemical sensor system for the detection of multiple NNIs and determination of the measuring conditions for the sensing five different NNIs, each separately, in a model fluid; 3) Determination of five NNIs using a microfluidic electrochemical sensor (MES) system in a relevant environment (surface water and honey) with a detection limit below 1 ng/g. To achieve these objectives, we will design the microfluidic electrochemical sensor system from low-temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) or polymer with an array of individual three-electrode system (TES) sensors. The sensing principle is based on voltammetry. All the electrodes and interconnections for TES will be processed on alumina or low-temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) using screen-printing technology. The working electrode made from Au or carbon will be modified by graphene-based nanostructured materials, gold and Co- or Bi-oxides nanoparticles to fine-tune its electrochemical response. The printing technology (inkjet-, screen-) following by drying/heating will be utilised for the WE’s modification to obtain a thickness-uniform, homogeneous layer that will improve the process reproducibility and measurement repeatability. Each sensor will be calibrated for a different NNI. The performance of the device will be validated with respect to its analytical parameters. Furthermore, it will be tested on surface water and honey, and the results will be compared to the results of the established solid-phase extraction/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric method.
