Industrial Chemistry

GABRIELE FAVERO

Recognize the different components of a sensor

Understanding the origin of the selectivity of sensors and biosensors

Define the various transduction systems

Know the characteristics of the different biological components of biosensors

Demonstrate the characteristics of sensor manufacturing systems

Interpret the role played by nanomaterials in the functioning of sensors

Distinguish the performances and applications of the various types of transducer

Evaluate the possibilities of coupling sensitive element / transducer

Design the construction of a sensor or biosensor for a specific analytical application

A - Knowledge and understanding
Understanding the difference between the different transduction systems
Know the various materials used in transduction systems
Know the different biocomponents used in the recognition phase

B - Application skills
Being able to illustrate the operating principles of the various types of sensors and biosensors
Being able to motivate the use of the various transduction systems

C - Autonomy of judgment
Being able to argue the possible fields of application of different sensors and biosensors
Having the ability to justify the choice of a particular transduction system for a particular recognition event

D - Communication skills
Knowing how to communicate the possible applications of different sensors and biosensors in an appropriate manner to the interlocutor, both specialist and non-specialist

E - Ability to learn
Know how to draw on various bibliographic sources and information prospects in order to continuously update technological developments in the specific sector of sensors

a) Basic concepts related to a General and Inorganic Chemistry course at university level
b) Basic principles of Biochemistry (proteins, enzymes, functions and characteristics) and Instrumental Analysis (instrumental methods, accuracy, precision, repeatability, sampling)

General aspects of the sensors. Recognition methods (enzymes, nucleic acids, affinity), Transduction methods (thermometric, mechanical, electrochemical, optical), Calibration and applications of sensors and biosensors
Proteins and Enzymes. Structure and conformation, recognition processes, oxidase, dehydrogenase, hydrolase, lyase, multienzymatic systems, kinetics of Michaelis-Menten, enzymatic inhibition
Realization of the sensors. Immobilization methods, Crosslinking, Carbon and Polymer materials, Self assembly, Hydrogel, Conductive polymers, Encapsulation
Affinity biosensors. Antigens and antibodies, label and label-free transduction methods, biological and artificial receptors, host-guest systems, molecularly imprinted polymers
DNA biosensors. DNA structure and hybridization, Aptamers, Label and label-free transduction methods, Amplification
Applications of nanomaterials. Metallic nanomaterials, carbonanotubes and carbonanofibers, magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots, dendrimers
Thermal transduction. Thermistors and thermopiles, multi-enzymatic sensors
Potentiometric transduction. Galvanic cells, Potentiometric sensors, Ion-selective electrodes based on glass, crystal, ion exchanger and ionophore, MIPs, solid-state sensors
Transduction based on semiconductors. Field effect devices, pH-ISFET sensors, enzymatic FETs, gas sensors
Electrochemical transduction. Electrochemical cells, Current-potential curves, Faradic and non-Faradic processes, Amperometric and voltammetric methods, Traditional and nanostructured electrode materials, Redox catalysis, Amperometric sensors, First, second and third generation amperometric biosensors, Amperometric affinity sensors, Impedance sensors and biosensors
Optical transduction. Electromagnetic radiation and waveguides, Spectrophotometric transduction methods, Absorption, Reflectance, Luminescence, Surface plasmon resonance, pH and oxygen sensors, Optical-enzymatic sensors, Optical affinity sensors and DNA, Nanomaterials and optical transduction
Gravimetric transduction. Piezoelectric effect, Quartz crystal microbalance, Gas and vapor sensors, QCM affinity sensors, SAW sensors, microcantilever sensors and biosensors
Sensors based on microorganisms. Biocatalytic sensors, inhibition biosensors, optical sensors with whole cells

Florinel-Gabriel Banica: “Chemical Sensors and Biosensors - Fundamentals and Applications” – Wiley 2012
René Lalauze: “Chemical Sensors and Biosensors” – Wiley 2012

The student is asked to present a short written text concerning a research project for the development of a sensor or a biosensor and to argue it in the oral exam.

To pass the exam the student must obtain a grade of not less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired sufficient knowledge of the differences between the transduction systems and the methods of generating the signal from the interaction between analyte and recognition element, a basic knowledge of the application possibilities of sensors and biosensors.
To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must instead demonstrate that he/she has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and coherent way.