Plastic Chip Research Articles

Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction on Catalyst‐Free Acid‐Functionalized Plastic Chip Electrodes

Innovative electrode design is critical for improving the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and meeting rising global energy demands. Despite the development of numerous carbon materials for water splitting, their potential is hampered by sluggish kinetics, primarily due to high activation energy compounded by various smaller factors, including additives or binders used in electrode modification. To address these limitations, a catalyst‐free plastic chip electrode (PCE) for OER is developed. PCE is functionalized by oxidizing it in acidic media at 1.8 V versus Ag/AgCl and eliminates the need for additives, offering a more accurate industrial representation. The oxidation process enhances the electrode's surface area and introduces electrochemically active oxygen‐containing functional groups. Characterization of the modified PCE is conducted using scanning electron microscope, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman, and thermogravimetric analysis, while electrolyte analysis utilizes UV–vis spectroscopy and NMR. The PCE oxidized for 6 h (PCE@6) demonstrates improved OER performance, with an onset overpotential of 260 mV, an overpotential of 1.06 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode at 10 mA cm−2, and a Tafel slope of 494 mV decade−1. The modified PCE reduces overpotential and minimizes bubble formation, enhancing efficiency and showcasing its potential as a cost‐effective solution for alkaline water electrolysis systems.

Waste to Energy; Conversion of Plastic Waste into Liquid Fuel Equivalent to Diesel and Gasoline Using the Pyrolysis Method

Abstract The aim of this research is to produce oil equivalent to diesel and gasoline from plastic waste using the pyrolysis method, examining its physico-chemical properties and comparing it with conventional diesel and gasoline. The production of diesel oil and gasoline from plastic waste is a topic that has received increasing attention in recent years, due to increasing awareness of the environmental problems caused by plastic waste and the need for alternative energy sources. Methods for converting plastic waste into liquid fuel, separating diesel and gasoline equivalents and examining their physico-chemical properties are the main focus of this research. Pyrolysis is the process chosen because the technology is simpler than other methods, such as gasification for example. A total of 6000 grams of plastic chips were pyrolyzed in an LPG-fueled reactor. Pyrolysis was carried out at temperatures of 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 °C, then the yield of oil produced at each temperature was weighed. It was found that the optimum temperature for pyrolysis was 300 because the increase in yield afterwards was very small. Next, 2000 grams of pyrolysis oil was distilled by gradually increasing the temperature from 100 to 300. The resulting 1520 grams or 79.17% gasoline equivalent fraction, 320 grams or 16.67% diesel fraction, the remaining 80 grams or 4.17% residual oil. The results of the physico-chemical properties examination showed that the diesel and gasoline fractions were similar to conventional diesel and gasoline.

In Situ Colorimetric LAMP Based on One-Step Modified Filter Paper to Screen Human Papillomavirus (HPV)16/18 from Clinical Samples.

Cervical cancer is among the most common malignant tumors in women. The development of rapid screening techniques plays an important role in early screening for cancer treatment. We have developed an HPV screening method, which effectively combines the high-efficiency nucleic acid enrichment of chitosan-modified filter paper and the rapid visual detectability of colorimetric LAMP, along with the enhancement of the tolerance ability of the pH-sensitive LAMP reagent to acidic original samples, making the detection of HPV 16/18 easy to carry out and reliable, which is helpful for the epidemiological prevention and control strategies of HPV-induced cancer. This technique can simultaneously exhibit the "in situ amplification" capability of chitosan-modified filter paper and the nontemperature cycle dependence of visual LAMP detection. Therefore, DNA extraction and amplification can be performed efficiently and quickly within a single reaction where all DNA is concentrated in the QF paper disc. By embedding amino-modified filter paper into the plastic chip, a simple and reliable disposable chip was prepared for rapid HPV16 and HPV18 detection from clinical endometrial samples, and the results were 100% consistent with clinical diagnosis. More importantly, even after the sample was diluted 100-fold, HPV16/18-infected cells could be accurately identified, showing the advantages of the system in early cancer screening. Moreover, for endometrial samples containing plenty of cells, the filter paper could be used to enrich cells by filtration, preventing the acidic fluid from impacting pH-induced colorimetric LAMP detection and realizing direct amplification for HPV identification without nucleic acid extraction. This easy-to-operate system that can analyze a wide range of samples will be suitable for routine on-site HPV screening, dramatically extending the applications and utility for rapid, near-patient nucleic acid testing.

Compartmentalized Primary Murine Neuron Culture Using Plastic Microfluidic Chips

Compartmentalized Primary Murine Neuron Culture Using Plastic Microfluidic Chips

A Study on Geosynthetic reinforcement of soil using Plastic Chips and Bottom Ash

A Study on Geosynthetic reinforcement of soil using Plastic Chips and Bottom Ash

A REVIEW ON Geosynthetic reinforcement of soil using Plastic Chips and Bottom Ash

A REVIEW ON Geosynthetic reinforcement of soil using Plastic Chips and Bottom Ash

Overturning Children's Misconceptions about Ruler Measurement: The Power of Disconfirming Evidence.

Children have persistent difficulty with foundational measurement concepts, which may be linked to the instruction they receive. Here, we focus on testing various ways to support their understanding that rulers comprise spatial interval units. We examined whether evidence-based learning tools-disconfirming evidence and/or structural alignment-enhance their understanding of ruler units. Disconfirming evidence, in this context, involves having children count the spatial interval units under an object that is not aligned with the origin of a ruler. Structural alignment, in this context, involves highlighting what a ruler unit is by overlaying plastic unit chips on top of ruler units when an object is aligned with the origin of a ruler. In three experiments employing a pre-test/training/post-test design, a total of 120 second graders were randomly assigned to one of six training conditions (two training conditions per experiment). The training conditions included different evidence-based learning principles or "business-as-usual" instruction (control), with equal allocation to each (N = 20 for each condition). In each experiment, children who did not perform above chance level on the pre-test were selected to continue with training, which resulted in a total of 88 students for the analysis of improvement. The children showed significant improvement in training conditions that included disconfirming evidence, but not in the structural alignment or control conditions. However, an exploratory analysis suggests that improvement occurred more rapidly and was retained better when structural alignment was combined with disconfirming evidence compared to disconfirming evidence alone.

Early diagnosis of autoimmune diseases through electrochemical biosensing using a modified plastic chip electrode.

Detecting chronic autoimmune disorders (ADs) early reduces the risk of morbidity, disability, and mortality and offers the possibility of significant therapeutic action in a timely manner. Developing low-cost, reliable, and sensitive sensors for ADs can ensure the efficient utilization of healthcare resources at earlier stages. Here, we report on the development of an electrochemical biosensor for sensing CXCL10, a chemokine protein that serves as a biomarker for autoimmune diseases. A self-assembly strategy is used for the immobilization of biorecognition elements on a plastic chip electrode (PCE). A homemade PCE offers a versatile and cost-effective scaffold for sensing applications. Gold nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited on the electrode via the reduction of gold ions on the PCE galvanostatically. The CXCL10 antibody and recognition elements were immobilized on the gold-deposited PCE. The attachment of recognition molecules was confirmed by energy-dispersive scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used for the detection of CXCL10 within a concentration range spanning from pico- to micro-molar levels. The sensor exhibited remarkable linearity in both buffer and plasma solutions, with a limit of detection (LOD) of up to 0.72 pg mL-1.

Use of Waste Tire Chips and PET Plastic Flakes in Backfill Behind Retaining Walls

Abstract The use of waste in the field of civil engineering is one of the solutions to reduce the harmful impact of waste on the environment on the one hand and preserve natural resources on the other. This study aims to investigate the effect of using waste materials such as plastic and tire chips that can be used as backfill in retaining walls. A numerical study has been carried out by using PLAXIS 2D software version 8.6 to model three types of rigid retaining walls, namely: scale wall test, cantilever wall, and gravity wall. In addition, the backfills of those retaining walls are composed of two mixtures. The first is a mixture of sand and tire chips (TC) with different percentages (10%, 30%, 50%, and 70%). The second is a mixture of sand and PET plastic flakes at different percentages (12.5%, 22.5%, and 32.5%). The results obtained from this study confirmed that the use of PET plastic waste and tire chips waste mixed with sand in the backfills of rigid retaining walls contributes effectively to the reduction of horizontal and vertical displacements as well as the earth pressures behind the retaining walls, therefore improving the stability of the retaining walls.

Electrochemical and Colorimetric Nanosensors for Detection of Heavy Metal Ions: A Review.

Human exposure to acute and chronic levels of heavy metal ions are linked with various health issues, including reduced children's intelligence quotients, developmental challenges, cancers, hypertension, immune system compromises, cytotoxicity, oxidative cellular damage, and neurological disorders, among other health challenges. The potential environmental HMI contaminations, the biomagnification of heavy metal ions along food chains, and the associated risk factors of heavy metal ions on public health safety are a global concern of top priority. Hence, developing low-cost analytical protocols capable of rapid, selective, sensitive, and accurate detection of heavy metal ions in environmental samples and consumable products is of global public health interest. Conventional flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, atomic emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and X-ray fluorescence have been well-developed for HMIs and trace element analysis with excellent but varying degrees of sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy. In addition to high instrumental running and maintenance costs and specialized personnel training, these instruments are not portable, limiting their practicality for on-demand, in situ, field study, or point-of-need HMI detection. Increases in the use of electrochemical and colorimetric techniques for heavy metal ion detections arise because of portable instrumentation, high sensitivity and selectivity, cost-effectiveness, small size requirements, rapidity, and visual detection of colorimetric nanosensors that facilitate on-demand, in situ, and field heavy metal ion detections. This review highlights the new approach to low-cost, rapid, selective, sensitive, and accurate detection of heavy metal ions in ecosystems (soil, water, air) and consumable products. Specifically, the review highlights low-cost, portable, and recent advances in smartphone-operated screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), plastic chip SPES, and carbon fiber paper-based nanosensors for environmental heavy metal ion detection. In addition, the review highlights recent advances in colorimetric nanosensors for heavy metal ion detection requirements. The review provides the advantages of electrochemical and optical nanosensors over the conventional methods of HMI analyses. The review further provides in-depth coverage of the detection of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) ions in the ecosystem, with emphasis on environmental and biological samples. In addition, the review discusses the advantages and challenges of the current electrochemical and colorimetric nanosensors protocol for heavy metal ion detection. It provides insight into the future directions in the use of the electrochemical and colorimetric nanosensors protocol for heavy metal ion detection.

Front Cover: Plastic Chip Electrode: An Emerging Multipurpose Electrode Platform (Chem. Asian J. 22/2023)

Front Cover: Plastic Chip Electrode: An Emerging Multipurpose Electrode Platform (Chem. Asian J. 22/2023)

Unlocking the Power of Gesture: Using Movement-Based Instruction to Improve First Grade Children's Spatial Unit Misconceptions.

Gestures are hand movements that are produced simultaneously with spoken language and can supplement it by representing semantic information, emphasizing important points, or showing spatial locations and relations. Gestures' specific features make them a promising tool to improve spatial thinking. Yet, there is recent work showing that not all learners benefit equally from gesture instruction and that this may be driven, in part, by children's difficulty understanding what an instructor's gesture is intended to represent. The current study directly compares instruction with gestures to instruction with plastic unit chips (Action) in a linear measurement learning paradigm aimed at teaching children the concept of spatial units. Some children performed only one type of movement, and some children performed both: Action-then-Gesture [AG] or Gesture-then-Action [GA]. Children learned most from the Gesture-then-Action [GA] and Action only [A] training conditions. After controlling for initial differences in learning, the gesture-then-action condition outperformed all three other training conditions on a transfer task. While gesture is cognitively challenging for some learners, that challenge may be desirable-immediately following gesture with a concrete representation to clarify that gesture's meaning is an especially effective way to unlock the power of this spatial tool and lead to deep, generalizable learning.

Interference-free multimodal biosensing of adrenaline over other neurotransmitters: Role of 2-iminomethylenephenylboronic acid as the signal transduction unit of fluorescence and impedance

Aberrant levels of the neurotransmitters adrenaline (AD), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DA) are linked to various diseases. Therefore, interference-free biosensing of neurotransmitters has become an important area of research. However, structural similarity (presence of diol/amine functionalities), small size, and neutral charge of the catecholamines add complexity to designing recognition systems and make the detection non-specific. Herein, we report a recognition unit 2-iminomethylenephenylboronic acid (2-IMPBA), which appears to be a remarkable transduction unit for the tailor-made development of biosensors for interference-free detection of the neurotransmitter AD via multiple techniques. Integrating a signaling unit 4-methylbenzothiazole-2-amine to 2- formylphenylboronic acid (2-FPBA), yielded a novel fluorosensor, which showed 38- fold fluorescence enhancement selectively with AD without any competition from other bioanalytes, including NA and DA. The attachment of 2-FPBA on the homemade plastic chip electrode surface afforded an impedimetric sensor that detects AD in the picomolar range without any challenge from its competitors. Both optical and electrochemical sensors have been tested for AD measurement in human plasma samples. We are not aware of any report describing the selective discrimination of AD from NA or other biomolecules commonly found in humanbiofluids.

A novel microfluidics PMMA/paper hybrid bioimmunosensor for laser-induced fluorescence detection in the determination of alpha-fetoprotein from serum

Low loss and high capture efficiency of target samples are prerequisites for sensitive detection by fluorescence immunosensors. For quantitative and ultrasensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), we designed a novel microfluidics pump-free PMMA/paper hybrid immunosensor. Here, the 2D planar structure of the detection area of the plastic microfluidic chip is improved to a 3D spatial structure, which increases the number of capture antibodies immobilized and the cross-section area of the “intercept” target protein. PMMA channels efficiently transport target proteins. The paper-based, three-dimensional detection area not only increases the amount of immobilization of the captured antibody but also improves the contact probability between the captured antibody and the target protein. This greatly improves the efficiency of immune binding. A laser-induced fluorescence detector is applied to detect the target protein on the paper-based detecting unit. Under optimal conditions, the immunosensor ensures that the reaction time is 12 min and the residual liquid is only 6.1% of the original volume, achieving ultra-sensitive detection of AFP in the range of 0.01 ng/mL to 100 ng/mL with a limit of quantitation (LOQ) as low as 4.5 pg/mL. The recoveries for AFP ranged from 96.6% to 101.5%, which means the hybrid microfluidics chip is reliable and has great potential for early screening.

Plastic Chip Electrode: An Emerging Multipurpose Electrode Platform.

The properties of electrodes play a crucial role in the processes occurring on them. Therefore, a variety of materials have been tried as electrodes. Carbon composite materials are among the most admired ones. Use of composites as electrode material dates back to the mid of the last century when polymer-carbon composites were tried as general-purpose electrode platforms and epoxy impregnated graphite paste/ solid electrodes were tried in polarography. Later the composite electrodes have seen several phases of development. Plastic Chip Electrode (PCE) is a class of polymer composite electrode developed by our group. This monographic review gives a bird's eye account of polymer composite electrodes and appurtenant work, followed by elaborating on various aspects and state-of-the-art plastic chip electrodes.

Integrated Plastic Microfluidic Device for Heavy Metal Ion Detection.

The presence of heavy metal ions in soil, air and water constitutes an important global environmental threat, as these ions accumulate throughout the food chain, contributing to the rise of chronic diseases, including, amongst others, cancer and kidney failure. To date, many efforts have been made for their detection, but there is still a need for the development of sensitive, low-cost, and portable devices able to conduct on-site detection of heavy metal ions. In this work, we combine microfluidic technology and electrochemical sensing in a plastic chip for the selective detection of heavy metal ions utilizing DNAzymes immobilized in between platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), demonstrating a reliable portable solution for water pollution monitoring. For the realization of the microfluidic-based heavy metal ion detection device, a fast and easy-to-implement fabrication method based on the photolithography of dry photosensitive layers is proposed. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the detection of Pb2+ ions using the prototype microfluidic device.

Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of CuxNi1-xS Nanoflakes for overall water splitting

For long-term energy storage and conversion, the design of commercial and high-performance catalysts for bifunctional electrocatalytic water splitting is critical. We report the efficient method to prepare CuxNi1-xS Nanoflakes (NFs) on binder-free and large area plastic chip electrodes. CuxNi1-xS NSs show superior overall water splitting with optimized Cu-amount. The synthesized catalysts perform well in 1.0 M KOH alkaline media for simultaneous hydrogen and oxygen evolution, with relatively low overpotential, efficient kinetics, and sustained electrolysis durability. Impressively, it is found that Cu-doping enhances the chemical and environmental stability, beneficial for the practical application. By modifying the electronic structure, Cu-atom doping promotes the easy flow of electrons, which leads to incredible rise in the electrocatalytic activity with over potential of 152 mV for HER and 189 mV for OER on CuxNi1-xS. Bi-functional water splitting cell generates 10 mA/cm2 current density at cell voltage of 1.74 V. Encouragingly, current density of 80 mA/cm2 can be generated at potential of 2.61 V with optimized chemical composition of CuxNi1-xS based electrodes. CuxNi1-xS demonstrates excellent stability for bi-functional water electrolysis at 20 mA/cm2 for more than 18 h. This research lays forth a viable technique for developing enhanced bi-functional electrocatalysts that can be used to substitute noble metals in a range of renewable energy applications.

Strength Improvement of Black Cotton Soil Using Plastic Bottles and Crushed Glass Wastes

The aim of this study was to improve the strength of black cotton soil for its suitability for road subgrade construction using wastes from plastic bottles and glass waste powders. Currently, nondecomposable wastes from plastic and glasses have become threats to the human health and the environment. This study used the wastes to replace cement, since the cost of cement raised due to energy and raw material to use as stabilizer in weak soil. The glass powder (WGP) and the plastic chips were mixed with the soil sample with a percentage by dry weight of 6%, 12%, 18%, and 24% of WGP and 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of plastic chips, respectively. The glass waste can be prepared similar to the soil as the requirement of test standards and plastic wastes was used as reinforcement for the soil-glass-mix; hence, its purpose was geomechanical. Laboratory tests for soil-mix physical properties and strength parameters were conducted. Soil laboratory test results proved that the natural soils were classified to A-7-5 as per the AASHTO Soil Classification System and CH as per the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) improved from 91.92 kPa to 688.83 kPa, and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) improved from 2.64 to 17.5. The improvement of subgrade soil properties was increased with increased ratios of powder glass and plastic strips. The result indicated that the two stabilizers were very effective in improving strength parameters and index parameters.

Aryl-diazonium salts offer a rapid and cost-efficient method to functionalize plastic microfluidic devices for increased immunoaffinity capture.

Microfluidic devices have been used for decades to isolate cells, viruses, and proteins using on-chip immunoaffinity capture using biotinylated antibodies, proteins, or aptamers. To accomplish this, the inner surface is modified to present binding moieties for the desired analyte. While this approach has been successful in research settings, it is challenging to scale many surface modification strategies. Traditional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) devices can be effectively functionalized using silane-based methods; however, it requires high labor hours, cleanroom equipment, and hazardous chemicals. Manufacture of microfluidic devices using plastics, including cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), allows chips to be mass produced, but most functionalization methods used with PDMS are not compatible with plastic. Here we demonstrate how to deposit biotin onto the surface of a plastic microfluidic chips using aryl-diazonium. This method chemically bonds biotin to the surface, allowing for the addition of streptavidin nanoparticles to the surface. Nanoparticles increase the surface area of the chip and allow for proper capture moiety orientation. Our process is faster, can be performed outside of a fume hood, is very cost-effective using readily available laboratory equipment, and demonstrates higher rates of capture. Additionally, our method allows for more rapid and scalable production of devices, including for diagnostic testing.

Formation mechanism of DKDP surface in single point diamond fly-cutting process and the resulting degradation of laser-induced damage performance.

Laser damage performance of DKDP (KD2xH2(1-x)PO4) crystal is largely determined by the surface microstructures generated in the manufacturing process, more specifically, single point diamond fly-cutting process. However, because of the lack of knowledge about the formation mechanism and damage performance of the microstructures, laser induced damage of DKDP crystal remains a key issue limiting the output energy of the high power laser systems. In this paper, the influence of fly-cutting parameters on the generation of DKDP surface and the underlying material deformation mechanism have been investigated. Except for cracks, two kinds of new microstructures, namely micro grains and ripples, have been found on the processed DKDP surfaces. GIXRD, nano-indentation and nano-scratch test results prove that the micro grains are generated by the slip motion of the crystal, while the simulation results show that the cracks are induced by the tensile stress formed behind the cutting edge. Moreover, the formation of micro grains can facilitate the plastic chip flow through the mechanism of grain boundary sliding, which will further lead to a periodic fluctuation of the chip separation point and the formation of micro ripples. Finally, laser damage test results demonstrate that cracks will degrade the damage performance of DKDP surface significantly, while the formation of micro grains and micro ripples has little impact. The results of this study can deepen the understanding of the formation mechanism of the DKDP surface during the cutting process and provide guidance to improve the laser-induced damage performance of the crystal.