Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GREENSENSE (Sustainable, Wireless, Autonomous Nanocellulose-based Quantitative DoA Biosensing Platform)

Teaser

\"Printed Electronics is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world. It is of vital interest to industries as diverse as consumer goods, healthcare, aerospace, electronics, media and transport. Paper and plastic are two types of flexible materials that constitute key...

Summary

\"Printed Electronics is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world. It is of vital interest to industries as diverse as consumer goods, healthcare, aerospace, electronics, media and transport. Paper and plastic are two types of flexible materials that constitute key substrates in the development of future flexible electronic devices. Contrary to those based on more conventional plastic substrates, paper-based electronics, made from cellulose, have the advantages of low cost, recyclability and can be expected to have a significant impact to the environment by reducing \"\"electronic trash\"\" and in providing new opportunities to the pulp/paper manufacturing industry. Unfortunately, the surface properties of conventional paper (porosity and surface roughness) are not suitable for printed electronics and, typically plastic coatings based on fossil-oil polymers (polyethylene, waxes, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride) are applied. Nevertheless, this approach is disfavoured by limitations in fossil-oil reserves, poor recyclability of coated papers, and lack of biodegradation, which create environmental and economic concerns. From a sustainable point of view, this has augmented the interest in alternative renewable biopolymer films and coatings with similar properties. Among the different alternatives, nanocellulose NC-based films with qualities such as strength, high aspect ratio, transparency and low porosity and smooth surface roughness are a promising potential alternative.
On the other hand, the need of on-site quantitative tests is driving the growth of the market of the point of care (PoC) testing of drugs of abuse, estimated at a CAGR of 5.3% during 2015 to 2020 to reach $3.895 million.
In GREENSENSE, we merge healthcare diagnostics and printed electronics in the form of a fully-integrated biosensing platform using nanocellulose (NC). The biosensing platform with the newly developed printed DoA biosensors will integrate different NC-based printed electronic components and a single microchip offering energy autonomy, wireless communication and user-friendly interface. Moreover, these new DoA tests are expected to have an important impact on the society by better controlling the use of drugs and, therefore, reducing the associated criminal behaviour. Furthermore, the proposed biosensing platform is expected to open new routes for the development of other diagnostic applications based on inexpensive and sustainable materials.
The project envisages the following specific objectives:
•Cost-efficient production at pilot scale of nanocellulose
•Pilot scale fabrication of NC-based films (free-standing and NC-coated paper)
•Formulation and development at pilot scale of different NC-based functional inks: conductive nanoinks, electrochemical inks, electrolytes and dielectric inks.
•Production of all the printed electronic components that will compose the final biosensing platform: biosensors for up to 5 drugs analysis (THC, morphine, cocaine, amphetamine and secobarbital), a display system, a miniaturized printed Energy storage component and a NFC RF component.
•Fabrication of a monolithically integrated microchip with all required electronic functions.
•Validation of the fabrication by using existing high speed S2S manufacturing processes.
•Integration of all components on a single NC-based substrate to produce the final biosensing platform.
•Performance assessment
•Sustainability assessment
•Cost-benefit analysis\"

Work performed

First activities of GREENSENSE focused on the definition by almost all partners of the requirements of all materials, components, processes and final device for the correct progress of the project. Then, the different materials have been produced:
-CNF (cellulose nanofibers) and CNC (cellulose nanocrystals) have been fabricated, functionalized and characterized, first at lab scale, and, finally, at pilot. The produced NC types were: carboxymethylated CNF, cationized CNF, aminosilylated CNF and CNC, sulfonated CNC and acetylated CNC.
-Two types of NC-based films: free-standing and NC-coated paper in DIN A4 size. The different properties of the final films have been measured (physical, optical, thermal, mechanical, etc.).
-Different types of NC-based inks: conductive (with sheet resistance down to 17 mΩ/sq), electrochemical (with capacity up to 68 F/g), electrolytes and dielectric. They are being characterized according to international standards for printed electronics (IEC 62899-202- Printed electronics - Part 202: Materials - Conductive ink).
First tests on printability and curing of these new inks onto the NC-based films have been performed and results are promising. Printing resolutions down to 100 µm have been achieved and substrate stability show very low shrinkage after thermal treatment.
The different NC-based printed electronic components are under development (NFC antenna, energy storage, display) and, for the moment, promising results were obtained with the NC-based supercap and the NC-based display.
First studies on the development of the electrochemical sensors and inkjet printable redox active nanoinks for the DoA biosensors have been performed with promising results (peak currents of ~2.5-3.5 µA/mm2).
Microchip design, including interfaces, pins and size has started.
An environmental risk assessment has been performed and LCA has been started by the collection of information from several partners. Research on recyclability and eco-design aspects have been performed and also the evaluation of new applications.
A technology watch has been performed with an extensive search on related patents, publications, projects and trending topics. Value chains have been identified and business plans activities provided a model and canvas draft. An initial competition analysis has been conducted.

Final results

Main results achieved beyond the state of the art and expected ones are:
Production of different types of nanocellulose (with carboxy, amino, sulfonic, acetyl, negative or positive groups) and, at pilot scale (>2Kg/day).
Production of different types of NC-free standing films and NC-coated papers in DINA4. Next studies will be focused on their up-scaling production.
Fabrication of NC-based inks at lab scale: conductive (with outstanding resistivity), electrochemical, electrolyte and dielectric. Future studies will be based on their optimization and up-scaling production.
Screen-printing of the conductive inks onto NC-based films show a good printability (resolution down to 100 µm) and a stability dependent on the NC type (in some cases shrinkage was null) for the development of the NFC antenna. Next studies will be focused on the optimization of all the NC-based printed electronic components and their S2S printing.
The developed inkjet printable redox active bioinks for biosensors development show peak currents of ~2.5-3.5 µA/mm2. Next work will be focused on the optimization of these inks and their integration in the development and testing of the biosensors.
The first generation of biosensing platform will be fabricated using a board with a precursor chip to test the integration of the different components. Microchip development for 2nd and 3rd generations is in progress.
GREENSENSE DoA device could help control illicit drugs use resulting in saving lives, reduced infections, reduced crime, better public security, safer schools & work environment, increased business productivity and reduced family abuse & domestic violence.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.greensense-project.eu.