@article{hardware4010004,

title = {Development of a Low-Cost, Open-Source Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring for Potential Biomedical Applications},

author = {Gabriel G. Muñoz and Martín J. Millicovsky and Albano Peñalva and Juan I. Cerrudo and Juan M. Reta and Martín A. Zalazar},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2813-6640/4/1/4},

doi = {10.3390/hardware4010004},

issn = {2813-6640},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-02-02},

urldate = {2026-01-01},

journal = {Hardware},

volume = {4},

number = {1},

abstract = {Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) systems are widely used for the real-time analysis of mass changes and viscoelastic properties in biological samples, enabling applications such as biomolecular interaction studies, biosensing, and fluid characterization. However, their accessibility has been limited by high acquisition costs. To address this limitation, a low-cost, open-source QCM-D system was developed. Unlike other affordable, open-hardware alternatives, this system is specifically optimized for potential biomedical applications by integrating active thermal control to preserve the physical properties of the samples and dissipation monitoring to characterize their viscoelastic behavior. A 10 MHz quartz crystal with a sensor module and a control and acquisition unit were integrated. The full system was built at a total cost below USD 500. Performance validation showed a temperature stability of ±0.13 °C, a frequency stability of ±2 Hz in air, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.46% polyethylene glycol (PEG), thereby enabling stable, reproducible measurements and the sensitive detection of small mass and interfacial changes in low-concentration samples. These results demonstrate that key QCM-D sensing capabilities can be achieved at a fraction of the cost, providing an accessible and reliable platform for potential biomedical research.},

keywords = {Biosensing, monitoring, openQCM sensors, Piezoelectric sensor, real-time, temperature control, Viscoelastic Properties},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{TIAN2025100341,

title = {Palm-size wireless piezoelectric immune-biosensing system for rapid E. coli O157:H7 detection},

author = {Yang Tian and Lisa Kelso and Yiting Xiao and Chaitanya Pallerla and Ramesh Bist and Siavash Mahmoudi and Ziyu Liu and Haizheng Xiong and Jeyam Subbiah and Terry Howell and Dongyi Wang},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666351125000166},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2025.100341},

issn = {2666-3511},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-06-01},

urldate = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Sensors International},

volume = {6},

pages = {100341},

abstract = {Rapid and accurate detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 is essential for ensuring public health, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Traditional detection methods are often time-consuming and require specialized laboratory infrastructure, limiting their practicality for on-site applications. In this study, we present a palm-sized, wireless piezoelectric immunosensor system designed for the swift and sensitive detection of E. coli O157:H7. The system integrates a gold-coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor functionalized with protein A-immobilized antibodies, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel for efficient sample handling, and a flexible loop antenna for wireless signal transmission. Real-time data is transmitted via Bluetooth to a smartphone application, enhancing user interaction and portability. Sensitivity tests demonstrated a proportional increase in frequency shift corresponding to E. coli O157:H7 concentrations, achieving a detection limit as low as 102 CFU ml−1 in field samples. Selectivity tests confirmed minimal cross-reactivity with other bacteria, highlighting the sensor's specificity. The incorporation of immuno-nanobeads amplified the signal, enhancing the system's ability to detect low bacterial concentrations. The portable, self-powered system offers a practical solution for rapid, on-site pathogen detection, addressing critical needs in food safety and environmental monitoring. By enabling timely and accurate detection of contaminants, this technology has the potential to significantly impact public health by reducing the incidence of foodborne illnesses, safeguarding environmental resources, and enhancing overall safety and health outcomes.},

keywords = {Food safety, Immuno-nanobeads, immunosensor, Microfluidic, openQCM sensors, Pathogen detection, Piezoelectric sensor, Wireless biosensor},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}