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Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensor Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 June 2020) | Viewed by 40653

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Departamento de Electricidad y Electrónica, Campus Bizkaia, Universidad del Pais Vasco - Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
Interests: magnetism; magnetic materials; magnetic sensors; magnetic biosensors; magnetoresistance; magnetoimpedance; magnetic nanoparticles; magnetic multilayers; ferrofluids; ferrogels; microwave absorption
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The selective and quantitative detection of biocomponents is greatly requested in biomedical applications and clinical diagnostics. Many traditional magnetic materials are not suitable for the ever-increasing demands of these processes. The push for a new generation of micro-scale sensors for bioapplications continues to challenge the materials science community to develop novel nanostructures that are suitable for such purposes. The principal requirements of a new generation of nanomaterials for sensor applications are based on well-known demands: high sensitivity, small size, low power consumption, stability, quick response, resistance to aggressive media, low price, and operation by non-skilled personnel. There are different types of magnetic effects capable of creating sensors for biology, medicine and drug delivery: magnetoresistance, spin-valves, Hall and inductive effects, and giant magnetoimpedance. The present goal is to design nanomaterials both for magnetic markers and sensitive elements as synergetic pairs working in one device with adjusted characteristics of both materials. Synthetic approaches using the advantages of simulation methods and synthetic materials mimicking natural tissue properties can be useful, as well as the further development of modeling strategies for magnetic nanostructures. Short communications, research papers and review articles are welcome. We would appreciate very much receiving the tentative title of your contribution if you are interested in submission.

Prof. Galina V. Kurlyandskaya
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Magnetic multilayers
  • Magnetic wires and nanowires
  • Nanostructured magnetic materials
  • Nanostructured composites
  • Complex structures with magnetic nanocomponents
  • Magnetic biosensors
  • Magnetic nanoparticles
  • Ferrofluids
  • Ferrogels
  • Modeling for magnetic nanostructures

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 2153 KiB  
Article
Real Time Monitoring of Calcium Oxalate Precipitation Reaction by Using Corrosion Resistant Magnetoelastic Resonance Sensors
by Beatriz Sisniega, Ariane Sagasti Sedano, Jon Gutiérrez and Alfredo García-Arribas
Sensors 2020, 20(10), 2802; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20102802 - 14 May 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3242
Abstract
The magnetoelastic resonance is used to monitor the precipitation reaction of calcium oxalate ( C a C 2 O 4 ) crystals in real-time, by measuring the shift of the resonance frequency caused by the mass increase on the resonator. With respect to [...] Read more.
The magnetoelastic resonance is used to monitor the precipitation reaction of calcium oxalate ( C a C 2 O 4 ) crystals in real-time, by measuring the shift of the resonance frequency caused by the mass increase on the resonator. With respect to previous work on the same matter, the novelty lies in the adoption of an amorphous ferromagnetic alloy, of composition F e 73 C r 5 S i 10 B 12 , as resonator, that replaces the commercial Metglas® 2826 alloy (composition F e 40 N i 38 M o 4 B 18 ). The enhanced corrosion resistance of this material allows it to be used in biological environments without any pre-treatment of its surface. Additionally, the measurement method, which has been specifically adapted to this application, allows quick registration of the whole resonance curve as a function of the excitation frequency, and thus enhances the resolution and decreases the detection noise. The frequency shift is calibrated by the static deposition of well-known masses of C a C 2 O 4 . The resonator dimensions have been selected to improve sensitivity. A 20 mm long, 2 mm wide and 25 μ m thick magnetoelastic resonator has been used to monitor the precipitation reaction of calcium oxalate in a 500 s time interval. The results of the detected precipitated mass when oxalic acid and calcium chloride are mixed in different concentrations (30 mM, 50 mM and 100 mM) are presented as a function of time. The results show that the sensor is capable of monitoring the precipitation reaction. The mass sensitivity obtained, and the corrosion resistance of the material, suggest that this material can perform excellently in monitoring this type of reaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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16 pages, 1700 KiB  
Article
Specific Loss Power of Co/Li/Zn-Mixed Ferrite Powders for Magnetic Hyperthermia
by Gabriele Barrera, Marco Coisson, Federica Celegato, Luca Martino, Priyanka Tiwari, Roshni Verma, Shashank N. Kane, Frédéric Mazaleyrat and Paola Tiberto
Sensors 2020, 20(7), 2151; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20072151 - 10 Apr 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3700
Abstract
An important research effort on the design of the magnetic particles is increasingly required to optimize the heat generation in biomedical applications, such as magnetic hyperthermia and heat-assisted drug release, considering the severe restrictions for the human body’s exposure to an alternating magnetic [...] Read more.
An important research effort on the design of the magnetic particles is increasingly required to optimize the heat generation in biomedical applications, such as magnetic hyperthermia and heat-assisted drug release, considering the severe restrictions for the human body’s exposure to an alternating magnetic field. Magnetic nanoparticles, considered in a broad sense as passive sensors, show the ability to detect an alternating magnetic field and to transduce it into a localized increase of temperature. In this context, the high biocompatibility, easy synthesis procedure and easily tunable magnetic properties of ferrite powders make them ideal candidates. In particular, the tailoring of their chemical composition and cation distribution allows the control of their magnetic properties, tuning them towards the strict demands of these heat-assisted biomedical applications. In this work, Co0.76Zn0.24Fe2O4, Li0.375Zn0.25Fe2.375O4 and ZnFe2O4 mixed-structure ferrite powders were synthesized in a ‘dry gel’ form by a sol-gel auto-combustion method. Their microstructural properties and cation distribution were obtained by X-ray diffraction characterization. Static and dynamic magnetic measurements were performed revealing the connection between the cation distribution and magnetic behavior. Particular attention was focused on the effect of Co2+ and Li+ ions on the magnetic properties at a magnetic field amplitude and the frequency values according to the practical demands of heat-assisted biomedical applications. In this context, the specific loss power (SLP) values were evaluated by ac-hysteresis losses and thermometric measurements at selected values of the dynamic magnetic fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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10 pages, 2047 KiB  
Article
The Performance of the Magneto-Impedance Effect for the Detection of Superparamagnetic Particles
by Alfredo García-Arribas
Sensors 2020, 20(7), 1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20071961 - 31 Mar 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3685
Abstract
The performance of magneto-impedance sensors to detect the presence and concentration of magnetic nanoparticles is investigated, using finite element calculations to directly solve Maxwell’s equations. In the case of superparamagnetic particles that are not sufficiently magnetized by an external field, it is assumed [...] Read more.
The performance of magneto-impedance sensors to detect the presence and concentration of magnetic nanoparticles is investigated, using finite element calculations to directly solve Maxwell’s equations. In the case of superparamagnetic particles that are not sufficiently magnetized by an external field, it is assumed that the sensitivity of the magneto-impedance sensor to the presence of magnetic nanoparticles comes from the influence of their magnetic permeability on the sensor impedance, and not from the stray magnetic field that the particles produce. The results obtained not only justify this hypothesis, but also provide an explanation for the discrepancies found in the literature about the response of magneto-impedance sensors to the presence of magnetic nanoparticles, where some authors report an increasing magneto-impedance signal when the concentration of magnetic nanoparticles is increased, while others report a decreasing tendency. Additionally, it is demonstrated that sensors with lower magneto-impedance response display larger sensitivities to the presence of magnetic nanoparticles, indicating that the use of plain, nonmagnetic conductors as sensing materials can be beneficial, at least in the case of superparamagnetic particles insufficiently magnetized in an external magnetic field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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14 pages, 7561 KiB  
Article
Modulating the Spin Seebeck Effect in Co2FeAl Heusler Alloy for Sensor Applications
by Marcus Vinicius Lopes, Edycleyson Carlos de Souza, João Gustavo Santos, João Medeiros de Araujo, Lessandro Lima, Alexandre Barbosa de Oliveira, Felipe Bohn and Marcio Assolin Correa
Sensors 2020, 20(5), 1387; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20051387 - 3 Mar 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4203
Abstract
The thermoelectric conversion technique has been explored in a broad range of heat-flow sensors. In this context, the Spin Seebeck Effect emerges as an attractive candidate for biosensor applications, not only for the sensibility improvement but also for the power-saving electronic devices development. [...] Read more.
The thermoelectric conversion technique has been explored in a broad range of heat-flow sensors. In this context, the Spin Seebeck Effect emerges as an attractive candidate for biosensor applications, not only for the sensibility improvement but also for the power-saving electronic devices development. Here, we investigate the Longitudinal Spin Seebeck Effect in films with a Co 2 FeAl/W bilayer structure grown onto GaAs (100) substrate, systems having induced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy combined with cubic magnetic anisotropy. From numerical calculations, we address the magnetic behavior and thermoelectric response of the films. By comparing experiment and theory, we explore the possibility of modulating a thermoelectric effect by magnetic anisotropy. We show that the thermoelectric voltage curves may be modulated by the association of magnetic anisotropy induction and experimental parameters employed in the LSSE experiment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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11 pages, 4196 KiB  
Article
Size-Dependent Properties of Magnetosensitive Polymersomes: Computer Modelling
by Aleksandr Ryzhkov and Yuriy Raikher
Sensors 2019, 19(23), 5266; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19235266 - 29 Nov 2019
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2458
Abstract
Magnetosensitive polymersomes, which are amphiphilic polymer capsules whose membranes are filled with magnetic nanoparticles, are prospective objects for drug delivery and manipulations with single cells. A molecular dynamics simulation model that is able to render a detailed account on the structure and shape [...] Read more.
Magnetosensitive polymersomes, which are amphiphilic polymer capsules whose membranes are filled with magnetic nanoparticles, are prospective objects for drug delivery and manipulations with single cells. A molecular dynamics simulation model that is able to render a detailed account on the structure and shape response of a polymersome to an external magnetic field is used to study a dimensional effect: the dependence of the field-induced deformation on the size of this nanoscale object. It is shown that in the material parameter range that resembles realistic conditions, the strain response of smaller polymersomes, against a priori expectations, exceeds that of larger ones. A qualitative explanation for this behavior is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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13 pages, 2200 KiB  
Article
Ferrogels Ultrasonography for Biomedical Applications
by Felix A. Blyakhman, Sergey Yu Sokolov, Alexander P. Safronov, Olga A. Dinislamova, Tatyana F. Shklyar, Andrey Yu Zubarev and Galina V. Kurlyandskaya
Sensors 2019, 19(18), 3959; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19183959 - 13 Sep 2019
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4316
Abstract
Ferrogels (FG) are magnetic composites that are widely used in the area of biomedical engineering and biosensing. In this work, ferrogels with different concentrations of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by the radical polymerization of acrylamide in stabilized aqueous ferrofluid. FG samples were [...] Read more.
Ferrogels (FG) are magnetic composites that are widely used in the area of biomedical engineering and biosensing. In this work, ferrogels with different concentrations of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by the radical polymerization of acrylamide in stabilized aqueous ferrofluid. FG samples were prepared in various shapes that are suitable for different characterization techniques. Thin cylindrical samples were used to simulate the case of targeted drug delivery test through blood vessels. Samples of larger size that were in the shape of cylindrical plates were used for the evaluation of the FG applicability as substitutes for damaged structures, such as bone or cartilage tissues. Regardless of the shape of the samples and the conditions of their location, the boundaries of FG were confidently visualized over the entire range of concentrations of MNPs while using medical ultrasound. The amplitude of the reflected echo signal was higher for the higher concentration of MNPs in the gel. This result was not related to the influence of the MNPs on the intensity of the reflected echo signal directly, since the wavelength of the ultrasonic effect used is much larger than the particle size. Qualitative theoretical model for the understanding of the experimental results was proposed while taking into account the concept that at the acoustic oscillations of the hydrogel, the macromolecular net, and water in the gel porous structure experience the viscous Stocks-like interaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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16 pages, 4835 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Relaxation Properties of a Series of Monodispersed Magnetic Nanoparticles
by Yapeng Zhang, Jingjing Cheng and Wenzhong Liu
Sensors 2019, 19(15), 3396; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19153396 - 2 Aug 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3678
Abstract
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are relatively advanced nanomaterials, and are widely used in biology, physics and medicine, especially as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Characterization of the properties of magnetic nanoparticles plays an important role in the application of magnetic particles. As [...] Read more.
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are relatively advanced nanomaterials, and are widely used in biology, physics and medicine, especially as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Characterization of the properties of magnetic nanoparticles plays an important role in the application of magnetic particles. As a contrast agent, the relaxation rate directly affects image enhancement. We characterized a series of monodispersed magnetic nanoparticles using different methods and measured their relaxation rates using a 0.47 T low-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance instrument. Generally speaking, the properties of magnetic nanoparticles are closely related to their particle sizes; however, neither longitudinal relaxation rate r 1 nor transverse relaxation rate r 2 changes monotonously with the particle size d . Therefore, size can affect the magnetism of magnetic nanoparticles, but it is not the only factor. Then, we defined the relaxation rates r i (i = 1 or 2) using the induced magnetization of magnetic nanoparticles, and found that the correlation relationship between r 1 relaxation rate and r 1 relaxation rate is slightly worse, with a correlation coefficient of R 2 = 0.8939, while the correlation relationship between r 2 relaxation rate and r 2 relaxation rate is very obvious, with a correlation coefficient of R 2 = 0.9983. The main reason is that r 2 relaxation rate is related to the magnetic field inhomogeneity, produced by magnetic nanoparticles; however r 1 relaxation rate is mainly a result of the direct interaction of hydrogen nucleus in water molecules and the metal ions in magnetic nanoparticles to shorten the T 1 relaxation time, so it is not directly related to magnetic field inhomogeneity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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12 pages, 3368 KiB  
Article
Magnetoimpedance Effect in the Ribbon-Based Patterned Soft Ferromagnetic Meander-Shaped Elements for Sensor Application
by Zhen Yang, Anna A. Chlenova, Elizaveta V. Golubeva, Stanislav O. Volchkov, Pengfei Guo, Sergei V. Shcherbinin and Galina V. Kurlyandskaya
Sensors 2019, 19(11), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19112468 - 29 May 2019
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4222
Abstract
Amorphous and nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials have attracted much attention in the area of sensor applications. In this work, the magnetoimpedance (MI) effect of patterned soft ferromagnetic meander-shaped sensor elements has been investigated. They were fabricated starting from the cobalt-based amorphous ribbon using [...] Read more.
Amorphous and nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials have attracted much attention in the area of sensor applications. In this work, the magnetoimpedance (MI) effect of patterned soft ferromagnetic meander-shaped sensor elements has been investigated. They were fabricated starting from the cobalt-based amorphous ribbon using the lithography technique and chemical etching. Three-turn (S1: spacing s = 50 μm, width w = 300 μm, length l = 5 mm; S2: spacing s = 50 μm, width w = 400 μm, length l = 5 mm) and six-turn (S3: s = 40 μm, w = 250 μm, length l = 5 mm; S4: s = 40 μm, w = 250 μm and l = 8 mm) meanders were designed. The ‘n’ shaped meander part was denominated as “one turn”. The S4 meander possesses a maximum MI ratio calculated for the total impedance ΔZ/Z ≈ 250% with a sensitivity of about 36%/Oe (for the frequency of about 45 MHz), and an MI ratio calculated for the real part of the total impedance ΔR/R ≈ 250% with the sensitivity of about 32%/Oe (for the frequency of 50 MHz). Chemical etching and the length of the samples had a strong impact on the surface magnetic properties and the magnetoimpedance. A comparative analysis of the surface magnetic properties obtained by the magneto-optical Kerr technique and MI data shows that the designed ferromagnetic meander-shaped sensor elements can be recommended for high frequency sensor applications focused on the large drop analysis. Here we understand a single large drop as the water-based sample to analyze, placed onto the surface of the MI sensor element either by microsyringe (volue range 0.5–500 μL) or automatic dispenser (volume range 0.1–50 mL). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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14 pages, 3146 KiB  
Article
Magnetoimpedance in Symmetric and Non-Symmetric Nanostructured Multilayers: A Theoretical Study
by Nikita A. Buznikov and Galina V. Kurlyandskaya
Sensors 2019, 19(8), 1761; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19081761 - 12 Apr 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3754
Abstract
Intensive studies of the magnetoimpedance (MI) effect in nanostructured multilayers provide a good phenomenological basis and theoretical description for the symmetric case when top and bottom layers of ferromagnet/conductor/ferromagnet structure have the same thickness and consist of one magnetic layer each. At the [...] Read more.
Intensive studies of the magnetoimpedance (MI) effect in nanostructured multilayers provide a good phenomenological basis and theoretical description for the symmetric case when top and bottom layers of ferromagnet/conductor/ferromagnet structure have the same thickness and consist of one magnetic layer each. At the same time, there is no model to describe the MI response in multilayered films. Here, we propose the corresponding model and analyze the influence of the multilayer parameters on the field and frequency dependences of the MI. The approach is based on the calculation of the field distribution within the multilayer by means of a solution of lineralizied Maxwell equations together with the Landau–Lifshitz equation for the magnetization motion. The theoretical model developed allows one to explain qualitatively the main features of the MI effect in multilayers and could be useful for optimization of the film parameters. It might also be useful as a model case for the development of MI magnetic biosensors for magnetic biomarker detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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Review

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37 pages, 7884 KiB  
Review
A Guideline for Effectively Synthesizing and Characterizing Magnetic Nanoparticles for Advancing Nanobiotechnology: A Review
by Mohammad Reza Zamani Kouhpanji and Bethanie J. H. Stadler
Sensors 2020, 20(9), 2554; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20092554 - 30 Apr 2020
Cited by 77 | Viewed by 6546
Abstract
The remarkable multimodal functionalities of magnetic nanoparticles, conferred by their size and morphology, are very important in resolving challenges slowing the progression of nanobiotechnology. The rapid and revolutionary expansion of magnetic nanoparticles in nanobiotechnology, especially in nanomedicine and therapeutics, demands an overview of [...] Read more.
The remarkable multimodal functionalities of magnetic nanoparticles, conferred by their size and morphology, are very important in resolving challenges slowing the progression of nanobiotechnology. The rapid and revolutionary expansion of magnetic nanoparticles in nanobiotechnology, especially in nanomedicine and therapeutics, demands an overview of the current state of the art for synthesizing and characterizing magnetic nanoparticles. In this review, we explain the synthesis routes for tailoring the size, morphology, composition, and magnetic properties of the magnetic nanoparticles. The pros and cons of the most popularly used characterization techniques for determining the aforementioned parameters, with particular focus on nanomedicine and biosensing applications, are discussed. Moreover, we provide numerous biomedical applications and highlight their challenges and requirements that must be met using the magnetic nanoparticles to achieve the most effective outcomes. Finally, we conclude this review by providing an insight towards resolving the persisting challenges and the future directions. This review should be an excellent source of information for beginners in this field who are looking for a groundbreaking start but they have been overwhelmed by the volume of literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors with Magnetic Nanocomponents)
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