Application Areas Research Articles

Recent Advances in Plant-Based Edible Emulsion Gels for 3D-Printed Foods.

3D printing has emerged as a suitable technology for creating foodstuff with functional, sensorial, and nutritional attributes. There is growing interest in creating plant-based foods as alternatives to address current demands, especially to tailor consumer preferences. Consequently, plant-derived edible inks for additive manufacturing have emerged as suitable options, including emulsion gels (or emulgels). These gels can be formulated entirely from plant-derived lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, and/or other ingredients to form complex fluids that belong to the category of soft matter. This review summarizes the most recent advances in the areas of formation, structuring, properties, and applications of plant-based emulsion gels for 3D-printed food. These semisolid materials can be extruded to the set or solidified into structures with predesigned shapes, fidelity, and sensory attributes across the senses (taste, smell, sight, and touch) along with nutrition values. Emulsion gels can be formed by either solely gelling the continuous phase or combining this process with the formation of a particle network through aggregation and close packing. The current challenges facing the development of edible inks using plant-based materials are critically discussed to stimulate further advances in the rapidly growing field of personalized 3D-printed foods.

Recent Advances in Achieving High Energy/Power Density of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries for Current and Near‐Future Applications

ABSTRACTAlthough lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are promising next‐generation secondary batteries, their mass commercialization has not yet been achieved primarily owing to critical issues such as the “shuttle effect” of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and uncontrollable Li dendrite growth. Thus, most reviews on LSBs are focused on strategies for inhibiting shuttle behavior and achieving dendrite‐free LSBs to improve the cycle life and Coulombic efficiency of LSBs. However, LSBs have various promising advantages, including an ultrahigh energy density (2600 Wh kg−1), cost‐effectiveness, environmental friendliness, low weight, and flexible attributes, which suggest the feasibility of their current and near‐future practical applications in fields that require these characteristics, irrespective of their moderate lifespan. Here, for the first time, challenges impeding the current and near‐future applications of LSBs are comprehensively addressed. In particular, the latest progress and novel materials based on their electrochemical characteristics are summarized, with a focus on the gravimetric/volumetric energy density (capacity), loading mass and sulfur content in cathodes, electrolyte‐to‐sulfur ratios, rate capability, and maximization of these advantageous characteristics for applications in specific areas. Additionally, potential areas for practical applications of LSBs are suggested, with insights for improving LSB performances from a different standpoint and facilitating their integration into various application domains.

Empowering water utilities: crafting an end-user-friendly reliability ranking for evaluating satellite remote sensing advances through literature insights

ABSTRACT Satellite remote sensing provides extensive data for water management, enabling the measurement of hydro-meteorological and environmental variables. It aids in assessing trends, and hydrological conditions and guiding appropriate management actions. Satellite remote sensing serves as a cost-effective supplement to ground-based monitoring infrastructure. Over the past decade, satellite Earth observation technologies have advanced significantly, offering new opportunities for water utilities and agencies. These developments include improved satellite capabilities, enhanced data access, private sector involvement, and advancements in data processing and analytics. However, an end-user-friendly reliability ranking tool for evaluating numerous satellite remote sensing options is needed for operational decision-making purposes. Here, we summarise recent trends and the literature on satellite remote sensing for water management, evaluating its capabilities and available tools, focusing on the routine but essential operation of utilities. A novel assessment of satellite potential implementation to water-related applications using an end-user-friendly reliability ranking process is presented. The study focuses on selected application areas, including catchment monitoring, water demand estimation, flood monitoring, water quality monitoring, farm dam monitoring, urbanization trends, drought forecasting, fire spotting, and post-fire water quality impacts. This paper outlines the operational advantages/limitations of satellite remote sensing and provides recommendations for its adoption.

Comparative analysis of LC-HRMS profiling, ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-tyrosinase activities of extracts from Cotoneaster frigidus Wall. Ex Lindl. "Cornubia" fruit.

The antioxidant, total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanidin properties of extracts prepared from Cotoneaster frigidus Wall. ex Lindl. "Cornubia" fruit were examined. In addition, the phenolic profile was analyzed using LC-HRMS, and the surface morphological features were studied using ATR FT-IR. Additionally, the inhibitory potential of the extracts on tyrosinase and α-glucosidase/α-amylase was tested. The highest antioxidant activity values were found in ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. The methanol extract was found to be rich in TFC, TPC and TPA. In the research conducted to designate the phenolic profile, it was found that the extracts contained high levels of fumaric acid and chlorogenic acid. In studies conducted for enzyme inhibition, it was observed that methanol extract gave better results than the standard inhibitor used in studies conducted for tyrosinase. For α-glucosidase/α-amylase, it was determined that ethyl acetate extract gave results close to standard inhibitors. Considering the information obtained, it has been evaluated that the fruits of this plant, which are mostly grown for ornamental purposes plants, may have different application areas.

Sustainable Bioplastics Production From Fish Waste: Their Extraction and Applications

ABSTRACTFish waste is becoming increasingly popular as an alternate origin of raw materials used for the production of sustainable bioplastics, with major economic and environmental benefits in various application areas, including food packaging and medicine. The problems with fish waste and the possibility of recycling these by‐products utilizing a circular economy approach have been fully explained. The latest innovations in the production of bioplastics from fish waste are discussed in this comprehensive review. The bioplastic industry encourages eco‐friendly ways to reduce pollution, plastic waste, and the use of fossil fuels. This review article summarizes that waste recycling has led to the evaluation of innovative products by chemical or biological techniques rather than releasing these waste products into the environment. As a result, recycling waste makes it more cost‐effective, environmentally beneficial, and healthful. Also, it uses bioplastics rather than plastic, lowering the use of petroleum‐derived products.

Computer vision algorithms in healthcare: Recent advancements and future challenges.

Computer vision has emerged as a promising technology with numerous applications in healthcare. This systematic review provides an overview of advancements and challenges associated with computer vision in healthcare. The review highlights the application areas where computer vision has made significant strides, including medical imaging, surgical assistance, remote patient monitoring, and telehealth. Additionally, it addresses the challenges related to data quality, privacy, model interpretability, and integration with existing healthcare systems. Ethical and legal considerations, such as patient consent and algorithmic bias, are also discussed. The review concludes by identifying future directions and opportunities for research, emphasizing the potential impact of computer vision on healthcare delivery and outcomes. Overall, this systematic review underscores the importance of understanding both the advancements and challenges in computer vision to facilitate its responsible implementation in healthcare.

Effectiveness of first-pass pulmonary vein isolation with index-guided ablation compared to very-high-power, short-duration ablation: A retrospective single-center study.

Pulmonary vein isolation is the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation treatment. First-pass pulmonary vein isolation is defined as isolation achieved with only a single lesion in every part of the isolation lines. The primary aim was to assess the frequency of first-pass pulmonary vein isolation after ablation index-guided (AI) and very-high-power, short-duration (vHPSD) ablation. The secondary goals were to detect areas of additional lesions and the correlation between them and used methods and to access efficiency of the procedure. In this retrospective, single-center study, we included 105 consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. Based on the operators' decisions, 51 patients underwent AI-guided, and 54 patients underwent vHPSD ablation. The ipsilateral pulmonary veins were divided into four areas, and the anatomical region and several additional applications were evaluated. Bilateral first-pass pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in 34.3% of patients, with no significant difference between AI-guided and vHPSD ablation (37.0% vs. 31.4%; P = 0.68). In both groups, the most common region of additional applications was the posterior part of the right-sided carina (AI: 25.5% [13/51] vs. vHPSD: 25.9% [14/54]; P = 0.89). There was a significant difference (P = 0.049) between techniques in the highest frequency of additional applications in the left-sided pulmonary veins: in the anterior part of the carina (AI: 15.7% vs. vHPSD: 7.4%) and the posterior part of the carina (AI: 5.9% vs. vHSPD: 22.2%). Lesions made with AI-guided and vHPSD protocols differed in areas of additional applications, which was most significant in the left-sided pulmonary veins.

Sensor-based technologies for motion analysis in sports injuries: a scoping review

BackgroundInsightful motion analysis provides valuable information for athlete health, a crucial aspect of sports medicine. This systematic review presents an analytical overview of the use of various sensors in motion analysis for sports injury assessment.MethodsA comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted in February 2024 using search terms related to “sport”, “athlete”, “sensor-based technology”, “motion analysis”, and “injury.” Studies were included based on PCC (Participants, Concept, Context) criteria. Key data, including sensor types, motion data processing methods, injury and sport types, and application areas, were extracted and analyzed.ResultsForty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors were the most commonly used for motion data collection. Sensor fusion techniques have gained traction, particularly for rehabilitation assessment. Knee injuries and joint sprains were the most frequently studied injuries, with statistical methods being the predominant approach to data analysis.ConclusionsThis review comprehensively explains sensor-based techniques in sports injury motion analysis. Significant research gaps, including the integration of advanced processing techniques, real-world applicability, and the inclusion of underrepresented domains such as adaptive sports, highlight opportunities for innovation. Bridging these gaps can drive the development of more effective, accessible, and personalized solutions in sports health.

Neuralink's Brain-Machine Interfaces: A New Frontier in Healthcare Transformation

Neuralink is one of the premier companies in America that specializes in the BMI technology the firm is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. This journal analyzes whether BMIs developed by Neuralink have benefits in the medical industry and can enhance it for the needs of patients. It starts with the history of BMI technology development and the role Neuralink Corporation has played in the process. Discussed are the uses of BMIs in healthcare, with major areas of application being the treatment of neurological disorders, prosthetic control, and the use in mental health treatment. Some of the most important ethical concerns, like data privacy and the moralities of neural enhancement, are discussed alongside the most vital technical concerns, like scalability and precision. Comparison with other BMI technologies highlights the advantages of Neuralink. In addition, the potential regulatory and policy considerations for the application of the innovation are discussed. Using the premises of the Neuralink investigations, this study envisions the company’s future achievements in healthcare that can complement identified unexplored needs and reassess the concept of human-technology interaction. The journal’s goal shall be to help the reader apprehend how Neuralink may assist in the advancement of medicine and what moral and technical questions foster its creation.

Green synthesis of Ag/V2O5 and Ag/V2O5-curdlan nanocomposites from Sargassum latifolium extract for enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

The emergence of clinic-isolated bacteria and their ability to develop resistance mechanisms against conventional antimicrobials highlights the urgent need for novel, sustainable antimicrobial agents. This study explores the synthesis of Ag/V2O5 nanocomposites (NCs) using Sargassum latifolium extract, which is incorporated into a curdlan biocompatible matrix. The developed nanocomposites are evaluated for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, with a particular focus on their effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria. The applied method in this work combines green synthesis with the process of uniform distribution of nanoparticles to a biocompatible polymer, which is a way forward towards the design of efficient biocompatible antimicrobial systems. The Ag/V2O5 nanoparticles prepared with green synthesis were characterized by UV-Vis absorption, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, zeta potential, DLS, and TEM. It has also been established that the antimicrobial property of the curdlan matrix has been enhanced with the addition of Ag/V2O5 nanoparticles in the incorporated curdlan composites. Ag/V2O5-curdlan also showed significantly enhanced antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria thus implying enhanced antimicrobial action of the prepared nanocomposite by increasing the size of the bacterial zone of inhibition from 14.0 to 18.0 mm. Besides, the curdlan NC in the presence of Ag/V2O5 demonstrated an even lower value of MIC against Rhizoctonia solani (140.156 μg/mL) in comparison with Ag/V2O5 NC (226.413 μg/mL) thus predicting Augmented antifungal activity. Through performing TEM analysis, we have observed significant morphological changes in R. solani strain when the Ag/V2O5-curdlan NC was used. However, the Ag/V2O5-curdlan NC had a notably high antioxidant activity with IC50 of 0.302 mg/mL to DPPH radical scavenging assay. These results reaffirm the enhancement in antimicrobial properties when Ag/V2O5 and curdlan work together and agree with the objective of this work to propose novel and worthwhile nanomaterials for potentially applicable areas like food packaging or agriculture with insignificant harm to the environment.

Coumarins: Chemical Synthesis, Properties and Applications

Coumarins are compounds characterized by a benzopyrone structure resulting from the condensation of pyrone and a benzene ring. They are commonly found as secondary metabolites in various plants, microorganisms, and sponges. These metabolites play a crucial role in defence mechanisms, and extensive research has revealed numerous biological activities associated with these compounds. Coumarin and its derivatives show significant potential as candidates for new drugs due to their exceptional biocompatibility and a wide range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, anticancer, antimitotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant properties. Beyond medicinal applications, the simple and versatile scaffold structures of coumarins have found use in fields such as food production, agriculture, cosmetics, and textiles. This review covers the classification of coumarin and its derivatives, as well as various chemical synthesis methods. Furthermore, it delves into the properties, biological activities, and diverse application areas of coumarins.

Unlocking the Potential of Ti3C2Tx MXene: Present Trends and Future Developments of Gas Sensing

In recent years, the need for future developments in sensor technology has arisen out of the changing landscape, such as pollution monitoring, industrial safety, and healthcare. MXenes, a 2D class of transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have emerged as a particularly promising group in part due to their exceptionally high conductivity, large area, and tunable surface chemistry. Proposed future research directions, including material modification and novel sensor designs, are presented to maximize Ti3C2Tx MXene-based sensors for various gas sensing applications. While recent progress in Ti3C2Tx MXene-based gas sensors is reviewed, we consolidate their material properties, fabrication strategy, and sensing mechanisms. Further, the significant progress on the synthesis and applications of Ti3C2Tx MXene-based gas sensors, as well as the innovative technologies developed, will be discussed in detail. Interestingly, the high sensitivity, selectivity, and quick response times identified in recent studies are discussed, with specificity and composite formation highlighted to have a significant influence on sensor performance. In addition, this review highlights the limitations witnessed in real-life implementability, including stability, the possibility of achieving reproducible results, and interaction with currently available technologies. Prospects for further work are considered, emphasizing increased production scale, new techniques for synthesis, and new application areas for Ti3C2Tx MXenes, including electronic nose and environmental sensing. Contemplating the existing works, further directions and the development framework for Ti3C2Tx MXene-based gas sensors are discussed.

Molecular dynamics simulations of functionalized hBN nanopores in water: Ab initio force field and implications for water desalination.

Heteropolar two-dimensional materials, including hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), are promising candidates for seawater desalination and osmotic power harvesting, but previous simulation studies have considered bare, unterminated nanopores in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. There is presently a lack of force fields to describe functionalized nanoporous hBN in aqueous media. To address this gap, we conduct density functional theory (DFT)-based abinitio MD simulations of hBN nanopores surrounded by water molecules. The results reveal a high propensity for hydrogen (H) and hydroxyl (OH) functionalization at boron edges, while nitrogen edges are functionalized with H and occasionally with oxygen (O), highlighting a route to tune membranes. We demonstrate the role of the Grotthuss mechanism during the functionalization of hBN edges in water. We develop high-fidelity force fields for H- and OH-functionalized hBN nanopores using potential energy surface fitting based on DFT calculations. The nonbonded parameters for H functionalization are obtained by training a force field for borazine (B3N3H6). We find that the proposed force field enables stable MD simulations of water/ion transport through B- and N-terminated hBN nanopores. Our results also indicate that previous studies that considered bare nanopores without functional groups overestimated the water flux and underestimated the ionic rejection of nanoporous hBN. Overall, our work is expected to enable the realistic modeling of edge-functionalized hBN in aqueous media for various application areas.

Integrating the Patient Perspective into Healthcare and Real-World Evidence: The Multi-site, Cross-Disease, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Project in the Medical Informatics Initiative (PCOR-MII)

Abstract This paper presents the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research within the Medical Informatics Initiative (PCOR-MII) project, focusing on the integration of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into a large-scale national data sharing infrastructure, established in Germany by the Medical Informatics Initiative (MII). PCOR-MII aims to systematically address the interests of various stakeholders in patient-reported health data and three dimensions of clinical utility: (1) prediction, (2) monitoring, and (3) outcome assessment. The project builds upon harmonized technical, data, and compliance environments established at the participating institutions as part of the MII to deploy and roll out software solutions for capturing PROs and making them accessible within local electronic health record (EHR) systems. To overcome interoperability challenges, PCOR-MII is developing a construct-oriented PROM module for the Health Level 7 (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)–based German National Core Dataset. The project applies its approach to three patient populations with distinct characteristics: anorexia nervosa targeting risk prediction (dimension 1), kidney transplantation prioritizing health status and adherence monitoring (dimension 2), and persistent somatic symptoms primarily aimed at assessing and understanding outcomes (dimension 3). With their emphasis on different aspects of PROs, those application areas can serve as blueprints for a broader roll-out. PCOR-MII represents a structured and comprehensive effort to incorporate PROs into a national data infrastructure, promising more precise diagnostics, improved treatment decisions, and the generation of new biomedical insights. We believe that our structured approach may serve as a guiding framework for others aiming to implement PROs in diverse healthcare settings.

Smartphone GIS: exploring technological competency in active learning across geography

ABSTRACT Smartphones are increasingly becoming embedded in geography curriculums, meaning research is needed to gather insights from the student perspective to guide best practice for optimised implementation across diverse cohorts. This is particularly important in the context of ensuring that UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) is met. In this article, we report on the role that student competency in technology (i.e. everyday user versus occasional user) and sub-discipline (i.e. human geography versus physical geography) plays in student engagement with smartphone technology to support active learning. Exercises were developed in Survey123, Field Maps, and QField for QGIS across undergraduate and postgraduate geography programmes. Focus groups identified three common themes among students in response to the use of this mobile technology in geographic research. Firstly, our research highlights the need to consider technology learning as a dynamic entity, perhaps even a continuum, with students identifying negative opinions of their technology skillsets, even when their baseline was quite advanced. Secondly, such activities should not necessarily be uniform across cohorts of students, with our results identifying substantially different responses across undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts. Finally, we highlight the need to think critically about whether such smartphone applications are necessary for all data collection tasks across different application areas, with a preference for human geography exercises identified by students.

Photoresponse Design in Metal Oxide Semiconductor TFTs toward Diverse Applications: Display Drivers, Photodetectors, and Optoelectronic Synapses.

Different application domains impose diverse and often conflicting requirements on the optoelectronic performance of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) thin-film transistors (TFTs). These varying demands present substantial challenges in the selection of TFT materials and the optimization of device performance. This study begins by examining three primary application areas for TFTs: display drivers, photodetectors, and optoelectronic synapses. A comparative analysis of the optoelectronic properties is conducted among various MOS TFTs fabricated by magnetron sputtering, including indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO, In/Ga/Zn = 1:2:1), indium-gallium-oxide (IGO, In/Ga = 1:1), indium-zinc-oxide (IZO, In/Zn = 1:1), indium oxide (In2O3), and zinc oxide (ZnO). The investigation reveals the significant impact of material selection on key performance metrics essential for these applications, such as photoresponse, the decay rate of photocurrent (Iph), and negative bias illumination stress (NBIS). Additionally, a comprehensive summary of the applicable domains for each type of TFT is provided. The study also explores the correlation between activation energy (Ea) and TFT performance, indicating that higher Ea is associated with a stronger persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect but poorer stability. Furthermore, the content of oxygen vacancy (VO) shows a positive correlation with the decay rate of Iph. Lastly, the photogenerated carrier lifetime (τ) is derived and compared among the five MOS materials, revealing the potential applications and performance characteristics of each in optoelectronic devices. The findings offer a nuanced understanding of the intrinsic relationships between material properties, defect states, and photoelectric performance, thereby guiding the selection and optimization of channel layer materials for specific application requirements.

Quality of Experience-Oriented Cloud-Edge Dynamic Adaptive Streaming: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

The widespread adoption of dynamic adaptive streaming (DAS) has revolutionized the delivery of high-quality internet multimedia content by enabling dynamic streaming quality adjustments based on network conditions and playback capabilities. While numerous reviews have explored DAS technologies, this study differentiates itself by focusing on Quality of Experience (QoE)-oriented optimization in cloud-edge collaborative environments. Traditional DAS optimization often overlooks the asymmetry between cloud and edge nodes, where edge resources are typically constrained. This review emphasizes the importance of dynamic task and traffic allocation between cloud and edge nodes to optimize resource utilization and maintain system efficiency, ultimately improving QoE for end users. This comprehensive analysis explores recent advances in QoE-driven DAS optimization strategies, including streaming models, implementation mechanisms, and the integration of machine learning (ML) techniques. By contrasting ML-based DAS approaches with traditional methods, this study highlights the added value of intelligent algorithms in addressing modern streaming challenges. Furthermore, the review identifies emerging research directions, such as adaptive resource allocation and hybrid cloud-edge solutions, and underscores potential application areas for DAS in evolving multimedia systems. With the aim of serving as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers in addressing the challenges of resource-constrained edge environments and the need for QoE-centric solutions, this comprehensive analysis endeavors to promote the development, implementation, and application of DAS optimization. Acknowledging the crucial role of DAS optimization in improving the overall QoE for the end users, we hope to facilitate the continued advancement of video streaming experiences in the cloud-edge collaborated environment.

Generative Artificial Intelligence and Usage in Academia

Artificial intelligence is not a new concept. However, it has reached an important point with technological development. Today, there are many software developed using artificial intelligence and various application areas where they are used. Generative artificial intelligence, one of these areas, is a technology in machine learning of artificial intelligence, aiming to generate new content by training on large data sets. Generative artificial intelligence is used in fields such as health, business, finance, e-commerce, academic studies, and R&D. This study evaluates the use of generative artificial intelligence applications in the academic field. In this context, the differences and similarities between texts generated by ChatGPT, Claude Sonet, and Google Gemini generative artificial intelligence applications and texts prepared by human intelligence were analyzed regarding subject integrity, language, ethics, and plagiarism rate. Descriptive content analysis, one of the qualitative methods, was used in the study. As a result, it was concluded that texts generated by generative artificial intelligence applications and texts prepared by human intelligence are similar in subject integrity and content, and plagiarism rates of texts generated by generative artificial intelligence vary according to language.

Potential Applications of Rare Earth Metal Nanoparticles in Biomedicine

In recent years, the world scientific community has shown increasing interest in rare earth metals in general and their nanoparticles in particular. Medicine and pharmaceuticals are no exception in this matter. In this review, we have considered the main opportunities and potential applications of rare earth metal (gadolinium, europium, ytterbium, holmium, lutetium, dysprosium, erbium, terbium, thulium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, europium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, praseodymium, cerium) nanoparticles in biomedicine, with data ranging from single reports of effects found in vitro to numerous independent in vivo studies, as well as a number of challenges to their potential for wider application. The main areas of application of rare earth metals, including in the future, are diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasms, therapy of infections, as well as the use of antioxidant and regenerative properties of a number of nanoparticles. These applications are determined both by the properties of rare earth metal nanoparticles themselves and the need to search for new approaches to solve a number of urgent biomedical and public health problems. Oxide forms of lanthanides are most often used in biomedicine due to their greatest biocompatibility and nanoscale size, providing penetration through biological membranes. However, the existing contradictory or insufficient data on acute and chronic toxicity of lanthanides still make their widespread use difficult. There are various modification methods (addition of excipients, creation of nanocomposites, and changing the morphology of particles) that can reduce these effects. At the same time, despite the use of some representatives of lanthanides in clinical practice, further studies to establish the full range of pharmacological and toxic effects, as well as the search for approaches to modify nanoparticles remain relevant.

Visible-Light Photo-Iniferter Polymerization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Direct Integration with Nanotransducers.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) have gained prominence as synthetic receptors, combining simplicity of synthesis with robust molecular recognition akin to antibodies and enzymes. One of their main application areas is chemical sensing. However, direct integration of MIPs with nanostructured transducers, crucial for enhancing sensing capabilities and broadening MIPs sensing applications, remains limited. This limitation mainly arises from the need for precise control over the MIP features (such as thickness) during deposition on nanostructured transducers. This work explores the potential of depositing MIPs directly onto nanostructured transducers via controlled radical photopolymerization, focusing on nanoporous silica (PSiO2) with pore sizes of 40nm and aspect ratio exceeding 100 as an interferometric optical nanotransducer. Leveraging the covalent attachment of a photo-iniferter agent onto the PSiO2 surface, we achieved effective control over the polymerization process, resulting in the deposition of thin and uniform MIP layers on PSiO2. As a case study, we developed an MIP-based PSiO2 optical sensor for propranolol, used as the template molecule, showcasing excellent linearity, a low detection limit, and efficacy in real matrices such as tap water. The results further demonstrate the sensor selectivity for the target molecule, along with its reusability and stability for at least 60 days.