Chemical permeation testing of protective fabrics with methyl salicylate (MeS) has traditionally been carried out using swatch samples. Advanced techniques employ human manekins wearing complete ensembles, but permeate detection systems remain limited to off-line data analysis. A miniaturised manekin sensor network capable of following permeation of MeS in real-time has been implemented.
Acoustic sensor technologies have a long and prestigious history. However, liquid phase applications based upon thickness shear mode transducers are a relatively recent addition but are nonetheless being rapidly accepted as a broad usage analytical platform upon which to carry out label-free, real-time chemical, biological and pharmaceutical assays. This article discusses the development of thickness shear mode devices, current technologies, with a focus on the breadth of application and the future potential of the technique within the pharmaceutical and biochemical industries.
The ability to remotely detect and map chemical vapour clouds in open air environments is a topic of significant interest to both defence and civilian communities. In this study, we integrate a prototype miniature colorimetric chemical sensor developed for methyl salicylate (MeS), as a model chemical vapour, into a micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and perform flights through a raised MeS vapour cloud. Our results show that that the system is capable of detecting MeS vapours at low ppm concentration in real-time flight and rapidly sending this information to users by on-board telemetry. Further, the results also indicate that the sensor is capable of distinguishing “clean” air from “dirty”, multiple times per flight, allowing us to look towards autonomous cloud mapping and source localization applications. Further development will focus on a broader range of integrated sensors, increased autonomy of detection and improved engineering of the system.
A non-invasive, real-time acoustic method for the monitoring of cellular integration within commercial collagen-based dermal replacement scaffolds is reported for the first time. An unexpectedly high degree of acoustic energy transfer through heavily hydrated thick film (up to 0.5 mm) sections of collagen/glycosaminoglycan scaffold material intimately associated with a quartz crystal sensor allowed quantitative resonant frequency measurements upon application of fibroblast cell suspensions to the material. Changes in resonant frequency and energy dissipation were commensurate with cellular interaction with the gel.
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