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Scientific Papers
Publications citing the applications of openQCM (by Novaetech S.r.l.) instruments and accessories in scientific research.
The list of scientific papers published on the most important journals showing the usage of openQCM in several scientific fields, such as thin film deposition, chemical sensors, biological research and biosensors.
Because of the large number of publications, we are reorganizing everything by subject areas. This will take some time. Thank you for your patience
2025
Beijersbergen, Daan; Charmet, Jérôme
Sample volume as a key design parameter in affinity-based biosensors Miscellaneous
2025.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: binding, biomarker, Biosensor, model, openQCM Q-1, optimization, QCM-D, Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM), transport, volume
@misc{beijersbergen2025samplevolumekeydesign,
title = {Sample volume as a key design parameter in affinity-based biosensors},
author = {Daan Beijersbergen and Jérôme Charmet},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.21997},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2512.21997},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-26},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
abstract = {Affinity-based biosensors have become indispensable in modern diagnostics and health monitoring. While considerable research has focused on optimizing analyte transport and binding kinetics, a fundamental parameter - sample volume - remains largely underexplored in biosensor design. This is critical because biosensor performance depends on the absolute number of target molecules present, not solely their concentration, making volume a key consideration where sample availability is limited. To address this gap, we developed a tractable two-compartment mathematical model integrating simplified mass transport, Langmuir binding kinetics, and mass conservation under finite volume constraints. Validated against experimental measurements and numerical simulations, the model accurately predicts critical performance metrics including assay time and minimum required sample volume while achieving more than a 10,000-fold reduction in computational time compared to commercial simulation packages. Through systematic analysis, we derived quantitative design rules for biosensor optimization that explicitly account for measurement time and sample volume as primary decision variables. We validated this framework experimentally by optimizing flow rate parameters for a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor and retrospectively applied it to enhance sensitivity of published biosensor designs. Released as open-source software, our model enables researchers to gain mechanistic insights, optimize device performance, and make informed design decisions tailored to specific healthcare contexts, including point-of-care testing and resource-constrained environments.},
keywords = {binding, biomarker, Biosensor, model, openQCM Q-1, optimization, QCM-D, Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM), transport, volume},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {misc}
}
Affinity-based biosensors have become indispensable in modern diagnostics and health monitoring. While considerable research has focused on optimizing analyte transport and binding kinetics, a fundamental parameter - sample volume - remains largely underexplored in biosensor design. This is critical because biosensor performance depends on the absolute number of target molecules present, not solely their concentration, making volume a key consideration where sample availability is limited. To address this gap, we developed a tractable two-compartment mathematical model integrating simplified mass transport, Langmuir binding kinetics, and mass conservation under finite volume constraints. Validated against experimental measurements and numerical simulations, the model accurately predicts critical performance metrics including assay time and minimum required sample volume while achieving more than a 10,000-fold reduction in computational time compared to commercial simulation packages. Through systematic analysis, we derived quantitative design rules for biosensor optimization that explicitly account for measurement time and sample volume as primary decision variables. We validated this framework experimentally by optimizing flow rate parameters for a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor and retrospectively applied it to enhance sensitivity of published biosensor designs. Released as open-source software, our model enables researchers to gain mechanistic insights, optimize device performance, and make informed design decisions tailored to specific healthcare contexts, including point-of-care testing and resource-constrained environments.
2024
Razib, Mohd Asyraf Mohd; Mahadi, Aisyah Syafiqah; Ralib, Aliza Aini Md; Yusoff, Marmeezee Mohd; Ahmad, Farah B.
2024.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biosensor, Carbon Nanotubes, openQCM Software, QCM, Quartz Crystal Microbalance, Sensing Layer
@bachelorthesis{nokey,
title = {Synthesis and Characterization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Chitosan (Mwcnt/Cs) Composite as a Sensing Layer on Quartz Crystal Microbalance (Qcm) for Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (Vocs)},
author = {Mohd Asyraf Mohd Razib and Aisyah Syafiqah Mahadi and Aliza Aini Md Ralib and Marmeezee Mohd Yusoff and Farah B. Ahmad},
url = {https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4727417},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-02-15},
urldate = {2024-02-15},
abstract = {Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a sensor that can detect changes in nanogram mass. QCM alone is inadequate for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as it lacks sensitivity and selectivity for a gas sensor; thus, various sensing layers were suggested to be deposited. This study introduces multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and chitosan (CS) composite as a potential new sensing material. MWCNT has the advantage of a large surface area, improving the adsorption of gases. At the same time, CS is a natural biopolymer with a high affinity with VOCs as it is very hydrophilic. Harnessing advantages over both materials can study the response in profiling selective VOCs. Studies were conducted through the characterization of nanocomposite using Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine the properties of the MWCNT/CS composite on QCM toward VOCs. MWCNT/CS was prepared using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker to form a covalent bond between MWCNT and CS via sonication. CS, MWCNT, and the composite were prepared for characterization analysis. The result of FTIR spectroscopy of MWCNT/CS showed NH2, C=O, and C-N bond at 3359.45 cm-1, 2160.51-2033.71 cm-1, and 1074.25 cm-1, respectively, showing that the functional group in CS was presented in the composite. The surface morphology of the MWCNTs/CS was detected using SEM. QCM sensor with gold electrodes was fabricated by drop-casting the composite on the working electrode of the QCM. Next, an adsorption test was conducted to study the sensitivity of the composite as the sensing layer using isopropyl alcohol (IPA, 13.1 M) as VOCs. The frequency shift of the IPA adsorption for the MWCNT/CS-based sensor was 95.2 Hz with a response time of 42s. The result shows that the MWCNT/CS can be a potential sensing layer to detect VOCs.},
keywords = {Biosensor, Carbon Nanotubes, openQCM Software, QCM, Quartz Crystal Microbalance, Sensing Layer},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {bachelorthesis}
}
Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a sensor that can detect changes in nanogram mass. QCM alone is inadequate for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as it lacks sensitivity and selectivity for a gas sensor; thus, various sensing layers were suggested to be deposited. This study introduces multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and chitosan (CS) composite as a potential new sensing material. MWCNT has the advantage of a large surface area, improving the adsorption of gases. At the same time, CS is a natural biopolymer with a high affinity with VOCs as it is very hydrophilic. Harnessing advantages over both materials can study the response in profiling selective VOCs. Studies were conducted through the characterization of nanocomposite using Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine the properties of the MWCNT/CS composite on QCM toward VOCs. MWCNT/CS was prepared using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker to form a covalent bond between MWCNT and CS via sonication. CS, MWCNT, and the composite were prepared for characterization analysis. The result of FTIR spectroscopy of MWCNT/CS showed NH2, C=O, and C-N bond at 3359.45 cm-1, 2160.51-2033.71 cm-1, and 1074.25 cm-1, respectively, showing that the functional group in CS was presented in the composite. The surface morphology of the MWCNTs/CS was detected using SEM. QCM sensor with gold electrodes was fabricated by drop-casting the composite on the working electrode of the QCM. Next, an adsorption test was conducted to study the sensitivity of the composite as the sensing layer using isopropyl alcohol (IPA, 13.1 M) as VOCs. The frequency shift of the IPA adsorption for the MWCNT/CS-based sensor was 95.2 Hz with a response time of 42s. The result shows that the MWCNT/CS can be a potential sensing layer to detect VOCs.
