Simulation and fabrication of in vitro microfluidic microelectrode array chip for patterned culture and electrophysiological detection of neurons

To enable the detection and modulation of modularized neural networks in vitro,this study proposes a microfluidic microelectrode array chip for the cultivation,compartmentalization,and control of neural cells.The chip was designed based on the specific structure of neurons and the requirements for detection and modulation.Finite-element analysis of the chip’s flow field was conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics software,and the simulation results show that the liquid within the chip can flow smoothly,ensuring stable flow fields that facilitate the uniform growth of neurons within the microfluidic channels.By employing MEMS technology in combination with nanomaterial modification techniques,the microfluidic microelectrode array chip was fabricated successfully.Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured on the chip,forming a well-defined neural network.Spontaneous electrical activity of the detected neurons was recorded,exhibiting a 23.7%increase in amplitude compared to neuronal discharges detected on an open-field microelectrode array.This study provides a platform for the precise detection and modulation of patterned neuronal growth in vitro,potentially serving as a novel tool in neuroscience research.

Indirect Electroanalysis of 3-Methyl-4-Nitrophenol in Water Using Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Modified with Nickel Tetrasulfonated Phthalocyanine Complex

Electrochemical detection of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (MNP) in direct phenol oxidation occurs at high potentials and generally leads to progressive passivation of the electrochemical sensor. This study describes the use of a carbon fiber microelectrode modified with a tetrasulfonated nickel phthalocyanine complex for the detection of MNP at a lower potential than that of direct phenol oxidation. The MNP voltammogram showed the presence of an anodic peak at -0.11 V vs SCE, corresponding to the oxidation of the hydroxylamine group generated after the reduction of the nitro group. The effect of buffer pH on the peak current and SWV parameters such as frequency, scan increment, and pulse amplitude were studied and optimized to have better electrochemical response of the proposed sensor. With these optimal parameters, the calibration curve shows that the peak current varied linearly as a function of MNP concentration, leading to a limit of detection (LoD) of 1.1 μg/L. These results show an appreciable sensitivity of the sensor for detecting the MNP at relatively low potentials, making it possible to avoid passivation phenomena.

The Measurement of Membrane Potential and NO3 Activity in Root Cells Using Ion-Selective Microelectrodes

Remobilisation of nitrate in plants, especially in vacuole of plant, is mostly related to the qua- lity of agricultural products and the high nitrogen use efficiency in plants. Ion-selective microelectrodes offer a non-destructive and non-interruptive method to measure NO 3 gradients and electric potential differences across both the plasma membrane and tonoplast. Thus, a double-barrelled microelectrode backfilled with a membrane sensor for NO 3 embedded in poly vinyl chloride (PVC) can record the NO 3 activity in cytoplasm and vacuole of a cell. This paper presented how to make this kind of microelectrode and how to do the intracellular measurements on intact plants. Our result showed that nitrate activity was about 2.7 mmol L 1 in cytoplasm while 70 mmol L 1 in vacuole, which implicated that vacuole was a pool of nitrate in plants.

Powder Microelectrodes Applied to NO2- Detection

The reduction of nitrite at Au or carbon electrode in-H_2SO_4 was found to follow achemical-electrochemical (CE) mechanism with a very thin (4×10(-8)cm) preceding reaction zone.It was proposed and experimentally verified that for such kind of electrode processes the totalreaction the could be effectively enhanced by using electrodes with increased true surface area.such as porous electrodes. As a combination of porous electrode and microelectrode, the powdermicroclectrode shows excellent performance for nitrite detection.

Research on Electric Impedance Spectroscopy of Living Cell Suspensions by a Chip with Microelectrodes

A microfabricated electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) chip with microelectrodes was developed.The substrate and the electrodes of the chip were made of glass and gold,respectively.The experimental results demonstrated that the EIS-chip could distinguish different solutions (physiological saline,culture medium,living cell suspension etc.) by scanning from 10Hz to 45kHz.A 6-element circuit model was used for fitting the real part and the imaginary part admittance curves of the living cell suspension.An actual circuit was also built and tested to verify the 6-element circuit model proposed.The micro-EIS chip has several advantages including the use of small sample volumes,high resolution and ease of operation.It shows good application prospects in the areas of cellular electrophysioiogy,drug screening and bio-sensors etc.

A NEW APPROACH TO THE EQUATIONS FOR THE STEADY STATE CURRENTS AT MICROELECTRODES:EC'PROCESSES(SECOND ORDER REACTION)

With a new approach,the general current expressions of two typical second order catalytic reactions at microelectrodes are obtained.This allows the study of fast chemical reactions and systems where the reactants are present in similar concentrations.

NUCLEATION BEHAVIOURS OF SILVER ON GLASSY CARBON MICROELECTRODES

The initial stage of silver deposition has been investigated using the microelectrode technique A disc shaped nucleus can be obtained on glassy carbon microelectrodes and the instanta. neous nucleation model applies for the process

Construction of DNA-based logic gates on nanostructured microelectrodes

Electrochemical logical operations utilizing biological molecules(protein or DNA), which can be used in disease diagnostics and bio-computing, have attracted great research interest. However, the existing logic operations, being realized on macroscopic electrode, are not suitable for implantable logic devices. Here, we demonstrate DNA-based logic gates with electrochemical signal as output combined with gold flower microelectrodes. The designed logic gates are of fast response, enzyme-free, and micrometer scale. They perform well in either pure solution or complex matrices, such as fetal bovine serum,suggesting great potential for in vivo applications.

Electrochemical Fabrication and Electrocatalytic Properties of Nanostructured Mesoporous Platinum Microelectrodes

Electrodeposition from a lyotropic liquid crystal template medium was used to produce nanostructured platinum microelectrodes with high specific surface area and high mass transport efficiency. Compared to polished and conventional platinized microelectrodes, well-ordered nanostructured platinum microelectrodes exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic properties for oxygen and ascorbic acid, whilst well-ordered nanostructured platinum microelectrodes offered improved electrocatalytic properties for oxygen reduction compared to disordered nanostructured platinum microelectrodes.

Amperometric Detection of Histamine and Amino Acid Neurotransmitters in Capillary Electrophoresis with Copper Microelectrodes

Copper microelectrodes were used in microvoltammetry to detect histamine and several amino acid neurotransmitters. High sensitivity was obtained through the use of copper microelectrodes, and detection limits of 50 nmol/L and 90 nmol/L were obtained for histamine and histidine, respectively. Furthermore, histamine and several amino acids neurotransmitters were firstly separated and detected by capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection on copper microelectrodes. Mass limits of 490 amol and 440 amol were achieved for histamine and histidine, respectively, by using this mothod.

Determination of Epinephrine Using Poly(Neutral Red)Modified Carbon Fibre Microelectrodes by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Poly(neutral red) film modified carbon fibre microelectrodes offer substantial improvement in voltammetric sensitivity and selectivity towards epinephrine (EP). The poly(neutral red) film was electropolymerized by cycling the potential between -0.8 V and +0.8 V. The anodic stripping voltammetric response for EP was found to be dependent on accumulation time and potential. By using a poly(neutral red) film modified carbon fibre microelectrode with a 1 min preconcentration at -1.2 V in biological phosphate buffer solution (pH=7.4), a good linear relationship between the anodic stripping peak currents and EP concentrations was obtained in the range of 2.0×10 -7 ￣ 2.0×10 -5 mol/L. The detection limit was up to 9.0 ×10 -8 mol/L. Moreover, 400 times higher concentrations of vitamin C did not interfere with the measurement of EP. This method was used for determining EP concentrations in epinephrine hydrochloride injection solution with satisfactory results.

INVESTIGATION ON MICROELECTRODES Ⅻ THE DETERMINATION OF THE INVERSE CURRENT IN THE PROCESSES OF STEADY-STATE OR QUASI-STEADY-STATE

A simple method for determining the inverse current of cyclic voltammetry in the processes of steady-state or quasi-steady-state was presented. The experimental result verified the theoretical relation or inverse and forward current at microelectrode. Their ratio is proportional to the square root of scan rate.

Flexible Polyimide Microelectrodes Array for Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation

The relationship between the parameters of Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation (TES) and its neuro-protective effect of TES on axotomised Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) is still unclear. This work discusses the design strategy of a new non conventional TES stimulator, the micro fabrication processes and characterization of an array of MEMS microelectrodes over a flexible polymer layer substrate to stimulate the human cornea. The micro-array of electrodes, over a flexible smooth biocompatible polyimide substrate, fine tunes the curvature of the cornea. This tool can help researchers to define the optimal electric stimulation parameters required in TES.

Use of microelectrodes for electrochemical measurement of nitric oxide in natural seawater

In this paper, the application of a homemade Nafion and Co(Salen) modified platinum microelec-trode and an ISO-NOPMC microsensor (World Precision Instruments, USA ) to measure nitric oxide in natural seawater is reported. These two microelectrodes are suitable for the measurement. In natural seawater, the sensitivity and stability of the ISO-NOPMC microsensor are higher than that of the homemade Nafion and Co(Salen) modified platinum microelectrode.

基于纳米金修饰碳纤维微电极的电化学法测定黄芩素

利用柠檬酸三钠还原氯金酸的方法制得小粒径的纳米金颗粒(AuNPs),采用电化学沉积法将其修饰在碳纤维电极(CFME)表面,基于电化学法构建了一种灵敏度高、抗干扰性良好的测定黄芩素的微型电化学传感器.采用透射电镜、紫外分光光度法、扫描电镜等对电极及修饰材料进行表征,运用差分脉冲法、循环伏安法、电化学阻抗谱法考查了黄芩素在电极修饰前后的电化学性质,并优化了扫速、缓冲液pH、电沉积时间等实验条件.实验结果表明,AuNPs对黄芩素具有显著的电催化性能,AuNPs/CFME对黄芩素表现出良好的电化学响应,最佳修饰时间为10 min.黄芩素浓度在0.05~10μmol/L时,其氧化峰电流与浓度呈良好的线性关系,线性方程为I_(p)(nA)=0.4409C(μmol/L)+0.7066,R^(2)=0.998.该方法响应速度快、稳定性较好,可用于黄芩素的定量检测.

电极/碱性聚电解质界面的微分电容曲线和零电荷电位测定

碱性聚合物电解质作为现代碱性氢氧燃料电池的核心组成部分,其单离子导体的特性使得“电极/碱性聚电解质”界面的性质与“电极/溶液”界面有所不同。本文使用微电极,运用循环伏安、电化学交流阻抗以及浸入法等方法,测定了电极/碱性聚电解质界面的微分电容曲线和零电荷电位。该界面的微分电容曲线呈“U”状,且存在局域极小值,该极小值所对应的电位与浸入法测得的零电荷电位数值一致。单离子导体的特性使得“电极/碱性聚电解质”界面在零电荷电位两侧表现出不同的电化学极化行为。

电解水过程中微电极制备研究进展

电解水过程中产生的气泡会影响电解槽的稳定运行,了解气泡的成核、生长和脱离的规律是对气泡进行有效管理的前提。气泡生长是一个通过相界面的传质过程,从单气泡尺度模拟其演化行为,可以帮助深入理解电极表面气液传质过程,以及气泡的生成对局部流场和浓度场的影响关系,从而实现控制电解槽稳定运行、降低能耗以及提高电流效率等目的。实现单气泡生长行为的可视化,微电极的制备是必不可少的,微电极能够稳定且呈周期性的产生单个气泡。目前制备微电极的方法主要为铂丝嵌入环氧树脂法、光刻和电化学共沉积法、纳米盘电极法和印刷电路板法等,本文对这几种微电极制备方法的研究现状进行了阐述分析,不同学者制备微电极的实验结论存在差异,需要实验进行验证;目前微电极制备技术仍然无法对气泡的成核阶段进行可视化研究。未来,研究在电化学控制下气泡成核过程的可视化,并使用更快的电化学仪器来研究气泡的成核动力学将是重点。

稀土电解过程阳极壁面气泡聚并研究

稀土电解过程中阳极侧壁产生的气泡会改变阴阳极极间电场分布,引起极间电阻增大、电压升高、电解效率降低,从而影响电解槽的稳定运行。所以,系统分析阳极侧壁气泡的成核、长大、聚并及脱离等生长行为和规律对稀土金属的提取具有十分重要的意义。本文根据相似原理,进行水电解低温实验,按照与稀土电解槽1∶2的几何比例设计,通过铂丝嵌入环氧树脂的方法制备微电极。实验结果表明,垂直微电极侧壁面气泡成核、生长和脱离过程符合经典的气泡生长规律公式D(t)=βt^(1/3);为观察气泡之间的聚并、脱离行为,在微电极表面设计三个间距为500μm的成核点位,通过高速摄像机拍摄发现,微电极表面下方和中间的两个气泡率先发生聚并变为一个气泡,聚并时间为0.05 s,随后吸引上方的气泡与之发生聚并,最终三个气泡合并为一个大气泡脱离微电极,气泡的脱离时间为5.06 s,脱离直径约为1352.03μm。结合数值模拟的方法,进一步解释气泡之间的聚并过程,结果表明,电极表面的缺陷大小会影响气泡的脱离时间,气泡下侧与电极表面的三相接触位置会产生一个向上的涡旋,加速气泡的脱离,正确利用气泡的聚并行为可以减小稀土电解槽的槽电压,从而提高电解效率。

多参数云传感器系统在水质监测中的应用

针对饮用水管道中水质传感器表面污垢导致无线传感网络检测数据不准确的问题,设计了一种内置微型污垢监测器的多参数传感器系统。通过测量管道中的薄层沉积物,估算污垢的厚度和类型,利用算法分析实现了预警、预测性维护和更高效的管理流程,并在供水网络中实施为期两个月的实验验证。实证结果表明,此方案鲁棒性高、成本低,具有实用性。

体外培养的神经元网络可塑性

神经元网络是大脑执行高级认知行为的结构基础,研究证明学习记忆及神经退行性疾病与神经元网络可塑性密切相关。因此,揭示调控和改变神经元网络可塑性的机制对理解神经系统信息交互以及疾病治疗具有重大意义。目前,基于微电极阵列(microelectrode array,MEA)培养的神经元网络是体外探究学习和记忆机制的理想模型,同时针对该模型的研究为预防和治疗神经退行性疾病提供了独特的视角。本文综述了基于MEA采集体外培养神经元网络的放电信号来构建功能网络的相关研究,分别从二维神经元网络和三维脑类器官发育,以及开环和闭环电刺激对神经元网络可塑性影响的角度,总结了体外培养神经元网络可塑性的相关研究,最后对该方向的应用前景进行了展望。