ElsevierMarch Iborra, MDC.; García Narbón, JV.; Sánchez, Á.; Arnau Vives, A.; Jiménez Jiménez, Y.; García, P.; Manclus Ciscar, JJ.... (2015). High-frequency phase shift measurement greatly enhances the sensitivity of QCM immunosensors. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. (65)

Acoustic wave resonators have become suitable devices for a broad range of sensing applications due to their sensitivity, low cost, and integration capability, which are all factors that meet the requirements for the resonators to be used as sensing elements for portable point of care (PoC) platforms. In this work, the design, characterization, and validation of a 150 MHz high fundamental frequency quartz crystal microbalance (HFF-QCM) sensor for bio-sensing applications are introduced. Finite element method (FEM) simulations of the proposed design are in good agreement with the electrical characterization of the manufactured resonators. The sensor is also validated for bio-sensing applications. For this purpose, a specific sensor cell was designed and manufactured that addresses the critical requirements associated with this type of sensor and application. Due to the small sensing area and the sensor’s fragility, these requirements include a low-volume flow chamber in the nanoliter range, and a system approach that provides the appropriate pressure control for assuring liquid confinement while maintaining the integrity of the sensor with a good base line stability and easy sensor replacement. The sensor characteristics make it suitable for consideration as the elemental part of a sensor matrix in a multichannel platform for point of care applications.

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Microcapsules can be added to fabric in industrial processes however, they have not been widely spread among industrial companies. In this study we suggest the possibility of reloading microcapsules onto a fabric while cloths are washed. The effectiveness of different resins when microcapsules are applied in washing machine during domestic laundry process has been studied.Microcapsules containing lavender fragrance and melamine formaldehyde shell where adhered to the fabric by means of one acrylic acid as a resin, or some crosslinking agents such as butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) or succinic acid (SUC). In order to evaluate their behaviour some laundering or ironing tests were conducted according to international standards (ISO). Every sample from the laboratory was studied with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and with a particle size counter. As a result we could observe which was the most suitable auxiliary used to bond microcapsules to fabric, and conclude about the conditions (temperature, concentration, etc.) in which we obtained the optimal results. It was demonstrated that domestic laundry is a suitable process to incorporate microcapsules to garments.

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