On Going Projects
Study of the mechanism of transducer action in polyaniline, DST, 2001-2004
Conducting polymers like polyaniline are finding application in development of sensors and actuators in chemical and biochemical systems. However, the mechanism of transduction is not well understood. It is believed that sensor action resulting in change in conductance of the polymer or actuation resulting from change in volume are ultimately arising from or associated with a change in conformation. The objective of this project is to get a deeper insight into this process and if possible obtain direct evidence of conformation changes. A combination of electrochemical, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques is being used towards this end.
Development of Polysensors-based system for water quality monitoring, MICT, 2002-2008
We have shown proof-of-concept for a number of sensors and biosensors based on polyaniline over the past decade. Among the sensors that have been demonstrated are sensors for glucose, urea, triglycerides, hemoglobin, immunogens, DNA as well as metal ions like potassium. Thus polyaniline offers a versatile platform for developing inexpensive and miniature sensors that can be assembled into arrays for applications that call for routine, rapid and low-cost analysis of a large number of samples. The quality of water we drink is largely responsible for the poor health of our people. In this project we aim to develop a system based on polymeric sensors and measurement electronics. It is a collaborative effort involving chemists and electronic engineers. The first generation system is ready and is being tested with samples collected from the neighbourhood.
BioMEMS for Cardiac Markers,
This is a multidisciplinary project involving faculty members from Bioschool, EE, MEMS, Mech and Chemistry. The objective is to develop MicroElectroMechanical Systems for monitoring cardiac condition. One of the aspects where we are involved relates to sensors for CKMb (creatinine kinase myoglobin). The level of enzyme in the blood is an indicator of ischemia. This is a situation where one is required to estimate the enzyme rather than the substrate as we have done till now. But we believe a variation of the same strategy should succeed. We are also examining the possibility of using conducting polymers as active materials to control micro cantilevers on an electronic subsystem. An approach that is also being investigated in parallel is to use silicon isfets in the pH sensing mode to assay CKMB.
This Page was last edited- 03/03/2005 05:52:02 PM