Embedded Files
RESEARCH PROJECTS
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Development of characterization microsystems for compounds in aqueous media by electrical impedance:
Development of characterization microsystems for compounds in aqueous media by electrical impedance:
Develop a microstructure prototype for electrical impedance spectroscopy applications in the analysis of chemical substances in aqueous medium. This project intends to incorporate anisotropic gold nanoparticles in conductive polymer matrices to increase the sensibility of a micro-structured sensor of electrical impedance for the detection of pesticides in water.
Funded by Consejo Nacional de Rectores de Costa Rica (CONARE).
Quantitive nanomechanical property mapping in isolated and conducitive materials:
Quantitive nanomechanical property mapping in isolated and conducitive materials:
We using a AFM NX10 in PinPoint™ Nanomechanical mode and obtains the best of resolution and accuracy for nanomechanical characterization. Stiffness, elastic modulus, adhesion forces are acquired simultaneously in real-time. While the XY scanner stops, the high speed force-distance curves are taken with well-defined control of contact force and contact time between the tip and the sample. Due to controllable data acquisition time, PinPoint™ Nanomechanical mode allows optimized nanomechanical measurement with high signal-to-noise ratio over various sample surfaces. In other hand if tha cantilever is conductive is possible measument current over different sample surface. Different samples are explored with these techniques such as: biological samples, conductive polymers, cellulose fibers and crystals, lithium battery materials.
Closing the gap between the conventional diagnosis of infectious diseases and the next generation diagnosis:
Closing the gap between the conventional diagnosis of infectious diseases and the next generation diagnosis:
In order for the advances obtained so far in the fight against infectious diseases to be sustainable over time, it is necessary to improve their vigilance and control. At a global level, and particularly in developing countries, the diagnosis of infectious diseases does not achieve the objective of providing medical personnel with an accurate and timely response. And it is indeed in these countries that there is a greater probability that a new pathogen will emerge, a known one will reemerge or that microorganisms multiresistant to antibiotics will spread. The miniturization of diagnostic technology, thanks to nanotechnology, is a possible way to achieve the WHO criteria (portability, savings in reagents, amount of sample used, quick access to the result). The challenge nowadays is to evolve from generating "chips for the laboratory" to really having a "laboratory on a chip (LOC)". The proponent group has experience in the fields of nanotechnology, physics, infectious diseases, standardization of diagnostic and prevention methodologies, as well as in genomics. According to this experience, it is clear that in order to generate this "laboratory on a chip", it is necessary to transition from conventional (in this case, serological) techniques to the techniques that we call "new generation", as well as the implementation of methods of obtaining appropriate samples for metagenomic studies. Therefore, the general objective of this project is to generate the necessary technology to contribute to the transition from conventional techniques of diagnosis of infectious diseases to new generation techniques. The project generated a protocol in SU-8 of micro-channel molding of PDMS and a functional dielectrophoresis device to separate bacteria, involving students from the different participating public universities, some of which achieved honorable mentions in papers presented and scholarships for continue your postgraduate studies abroad.
Funded by Consejo Nacional de Rectores de Costa Rica (CONARE).
Graphene based lab-on-chip sensors for the detection and characterization of bacterial pathogens:
Graphene based lab-on-chip sensors for the detection and characterization of bacterial pathogens:
To obtain CVD graphenemodified with selective linkers capable of capturing Clostridium difficile andBrucellaabortus with channels systems that allow the passage of fluids that mimic the environment where the aforementioned bacteria inhabit; these devices will have a fully characterize Dielectrophoresis (DEP) system that will concentrate the bacteria in a “hot spot” (constrictions) where the kinetics allow to have a higher modification yield and target place to do the detection.
Funded by Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones de Costa Rica (MICITT) and Ministerio Federal de Educación e Investigación de Alemania (BMBF)
Electronic properties and topography measured by Scanning Tunneling Microscope in solar cells materials:
Electronic properties and topography measured by Scanning Tunneling Microscope in solar cells materials:
Topography and crystallography can affect in certain degree the electronic gap of semiconductor material. In this work we have used a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) in room conditions to measure the electronic gap and the topography of two stucked semiconductor type n and p CdS and CdTe respetivily. This semiconductor union was grown in Fluorine doped Tin OXide (FTO) that is transparent conductive substrate. Our measured electronic and topographic measurements on this thin films in stucked components show electronic gaps to use this sandwiched materials as a solar cells.
INSTRUMENTATION
INSTRUMENTATION
Home-built room condition AFM/STM
Home-built room condition AFM/STM
The homemade STM/AFM is controlled using Nanotec’s ‘‘Dulcinea’’ control unit electronics and all the images have been analyzed using the WSxM software. The tips STM were made of an Ir–Pt or Au alloy scissor-cut prior to the experiments. For AFM we buid cantilevers with a quartz tuning forks by attaching one prong to a large-mass substrate and mounting a tip to the free prong, creating the "qPlus-Sensor".
Park System Nx10
Park System Nx10
Park Systems NX-10 is a highly automated user friendly atomic force microscope (AFM). Supported AFM/SPM modes on Park NX10 – True Non-contact mode, Tapping mode, and Phase imaging (in air and in liquid) – Contact mode and LFM (lateral force microscopy) (in air and in liquid) – F/D spectroscopy and Force volume imaging (in air and in liquid) – PinPoint Nanomechanical Mode (in air and in liquid) – Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) – MFM (magnetic force microscopy) (only in air) – Enhanced EFM (PFM and SKPM) (only in air) – FMM (force modulation microscopy) (in air and in liquid) – Nanoindentation (in air and in liquid) and Electrochemical Scannig Microscopy (EC-AFM).
EmCraft Cube II
EmCraft Cube II
EmCraft Cube II is a to table and user friendly Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with a secundary electron detector, backscattered electron detector and energy dispersive spectroscopy detector (Oxford Instrument). Principal caracteristics: Full 5-Axis Euccentric Stage System, Tungsten Filament electron gun, magnification: x10 - x 200000, Aceleration Voltage: 1 - 30 kV, Low and High Vacuum Mode.
Sample preparation and synthesis
Sample preparation and synthesis
We have access to the use of synthesis equipment and sample preparation that has: ovens, spin couting, plate cleaner, ultrasonic bath, desiccators, fumehood, among others.
Google Sites
Report abuse