The National Centre of Science announced the results of MAESTRO and SONATA BIS competitions. Among 40 projects, which will receive funding within SONATA BIS - ST panel, there is a project entitled 'Technology of additive manufacturing of spatial structures of polylactide composites reinforced with diamond,' realised in partnership between the University of Gdańsk and the Gdańsk University of Technology. The total amount of funding is PLN 1 982 560, of which PLN 572 800 will go to scientists from the UG.
The project manager is dr hab. inż. Jacek Ryl from the Gdańsk University of Technology (university, which is the project leader), while the project manager on the side of UG is dr Paweł Niedziałkowski from the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Gdańsk.
As the researchers noted, recent years have seen an increase in the popularity of 3D printing technology, including everyday life. The area of new applications for various types of microsensors, based on electrochemical phenomena, is also developing very quickly. Some of the solutions have a chance to change the face of our civilisation, allowing, for example, ultra-precise molecular recognition in chemistry, medicine or biology.
- 'One of the main objectives of the project is to create a new composite material, which will be dedicated to the construction of electrochemical sensors and transmitters based on 3D printing in FDM technology. Our proposed combination of biodegradable polymer - poly-lactic acid (PLA) with nanoparticles of a conductive diamond will allow for obtaining many positive features, high electroactivity, material strength and shape stability. The 3D printing technology will make it possible for any owner of such a printer to freely produce electrodes at a relatively low cost. The electrodes could be used in medical diagnostics,' - says dr Paweł Niedziałkowski from the Department of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk.
The project will investigate the coupling of conductive materials to insulators, their electrochemical properties and the degree of modification in the junction area. This information is very necessary to be able to design systems with more complex geometries, which will allow the construction of systems for the determination of multiple chemicals simultaneously.
- 'This knowledge will serve us in the creation of electrode arrays and flow cells, enabling the analysis of substances in a continuous mode, mainly detection of anti-inflammatory drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen), neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) and antibiotics. The use of biodegradable materials will enable the development of environmentally friendly diagnostic procedures,' adds dr P. Niedziałkowski.
- 'The long-term ambition of our research is to propose the possibility of free printing of cheap and widely available sensors for medical diagnostics, by medical personnel or patients themselves, and interpretation of the performed electrochemical analyses based on mobile tools. This requires, first of all, the creation of a composite material dedicated to this type of research and technology of creating multi-component measuring systems,' emphasises dr hab. Jacek Ryl, prof. PG, head of the SONATA BIS Project.
Furthermore, the composite materials developed in the project will be characterised by the ability to modify their properties or shape by a specific change in environmental conditions. Such materials are referred to as intelligent 4D materials. The project will verify the possibility of their use e.g. controlled release of drugs.
Dr hab. inż. Jacek Ryl and dr Paweł Niedziałkowski jointly emphasise that this is the second project devoted to this research topic that has recently obtained funding and will be developed by scientists from a consortium of universities belonging to the Daniel Fahrenheit Association of Universities in Gdańsk. Earlier, in the project OPUS 19 of the National Science Centre, funding for the amount of nearly PLN 1.3 million was granted to the project entitled 'Electrochemical Au-Minecraft: a new approach to building impedance biosensor systems.'
The SONATA BIS competition aims to support research projects aimed at establishing a new scientific team, carried out by persons holding a scientific degree or a scientific title, who obtained their doctoral degree within 5 to 12 years prior to the year of application.
List of all winners and more information: NCN