Editor, Author at Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering

Substrate-gate coupling in ZnO-FET biosensor for cardiac troponin I detection

March 17, 2017 By Editor

Abstract – Currently, field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensors have been implemented in several portable sensors with the ultimate application in point-of-care testing (POCT). In this paper, we have designed substrate-gate coupling in FET-based biosensor for the detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) biomarker. In the device structure, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) thin film were deposited through sol-gel and spin coating techniques on the channel. The p-type silicon was used as a substrate, while ZnO is an n-type nanomaterial, thus creates p-n-p junction between source, channel, and drain. The deposited thin films exhibited hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO, suitable for biomolecular interaction as revealed in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The surface of the thin film was then functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), followed by glutaraldehyde (GA) as a bi-functional linker to immobilize the cTnI monoclonal antibody (MAb-cTnI) as bio-receptor for capturing cTnI biomarker and proven by the Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectra. Lastly, we demonstrated a new strategy, the integration of FET-based biosensors with substrate-gate showed differences between before (immobilization) and after cTnI target biomarker interaction by significant changes in drain current (ID) and change of threshold voltage (VT), which improved the sensitive detection, with the limit of detection down to 3.24 pg/ml.

Keywords – Biosensor, Cardiac troponin I, Electrical-based, Field-effect transistor, Substrate-gate coupling, Zinc oxide nanoparticles

Corresponding Author: Uda Hashim
Corresponding Author’s Email: uda@unimap.edu.my

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A direct detection of human papillomavirus 16 genomic DNA using gold nanoprobes

December 8, 2016 By Editor

Abstract – Nanoparticles have been investigated as flagging tests for the sensitive DNA recognition that can be utilized as a part of field applications to defeat restrictions. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely utilized due to its optical property and capacity to get functionalized with a mixed bag of biomolecules. This study exhibits the utilization of AuNPs functionalized with single-stranded oligonucleotide (AuNP-oligo test) for fast the identification of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This test is displayed on interdigitated electrode sensor and supported by colorimetric assay. DNA conjugated AuNP has optical property that can be controlled for the applications in diagnostics. With its identification abilities, this methodology incorporates minimal effort, strong reagents and basic identification of HPV.

Keywords – Colorimetric detection, DNA detection, Gold nanoparticles, Human Papillomavirus, Interdigitated electrode sensor

Corresponding Author: Uda Hashim
Corresponding Author’s Email: uda@unimap.edu.my

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INEE Wins Nanotechnology Innovation Research (PIN) Project Contest

October 26, 2016 By Editor

Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering (INEE) was recently crowned the winner of the National Nanotechnology Innovation Research (PIN) Project Contest 2016 at the Technology Park Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

National Nanotechnology Innovation Research (PIN) Project Contest 2016

The thesis entitled Electrical Detection of Dengue Virus (DENV) DNA Oligomer Using Silicon Nanowire Biosensor with Novel Molecular Gate Control penned by Dr. Mohammad Nuzaihan Md Nor from the Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering (INEE) caught the attention of the jury and won a cash prize of RM1,500, a trophy and a certificate.

The award ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Daturk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.

PIN was organised in conjunction with the National Nano Programme 2016 (NanoKEB 2016) which took place on 10 October 2016 to provide the opportunity for Master’s Degree and Doctorate Students with creative and innovative ideas to produce solution to problems such as energy and environment, healthcare and medicine, food and agriculture, and electronics and systems.

The contest was opened to Master’s Degree and Doctorate students registered with Malaysian public and private institutions of higher learning.

16 participants in the Doctorate category and 12 in the Master’s Degree category were assessed and selected to participate in the contest.

Formation of nanocrystalline GeSn thin film on Si substrate by sputtering and rapid thermal annealing

September 25, 2016 By Editor

Abstract – Nanocrystalline Ge1-xSnx thin films have been formed after rapid thermal annealing of sputtered GeSn layers. The alloy films were deposited onto the Silicon (100) substrate via low cost radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Then, the films were annealed by rapid thermal annealing at 350 °C, 400 °C, and 450 °C for 10 s. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of the layers were investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD). The Raman analysis showed that the only observed phonon mode is attributed to Ge-Ge vibrations. Raman phonon intensities of GeSn thin films were enhanced with increasing the annealing temperature. The results clearly revealed that by increasing the annealing temperature the crystalline quality of the films were improved. The XRD measurements revealed the nanocrystalline phase formation in the annealed films with (111) preferred orientation. The results showed the potentiality of using the sputtering technique and rapid thermal anneal to produce crystalline GeSn layer.

Keywords – Germanium-tin, HR-XRD, Nanocrystalline materials, Raman spectroscopy, Sputtering, Thin films

Corresponding Author: Uda Hashim
Corresponding Author’s Email: uda@unimap.edu.my

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