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Sensors based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes were functionalized by oxygen plasma treatment and plasma co-polymerization of maleic anhydride and acetylene, obtaining core-shell carbon nanopartices covered by functional groups. The active nanostructured carbonaceous material was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was confirmed that plasma treatment increases the content of surface functional groups. The sensing properties of the functionalized material were measured in the range of 10–1000 ppm of NH3 at room temperature. The plasma treated sensor showed an extremely high response of 22.5%, 27.9%, and 31.4% to 100 ppm, 250 ppm, and 500 ppm of NH3, respectively. It was shown that the nature of NH3 adsorption on the surface of functionalized nanostructured carbon material is physical adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The pressure sensor application gained recently substantial interest in many fields of basic and applied research and applications. In this paper, microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based pressure sensor contains nanostructured electrode consisting of carbon nanotube (CNT) array. CNTs are directly grown on such electrode by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method using microwave plasma torch at atmospheric pressure. This growth method enables us to use a simple electrode structure without need of buffer layer and time-consuming lithography process. Combination of CNTs field emission and MEMS membrane mechanical properties make possible to enhance sensitivity of the sensor. Field emission properties of CNTs are measured by newly developed system enabling us precise measurement of expecting properties, such as dependence on diaphragm (upper electrode) distance, applied voltage, and stability of the sensor. Measured values are compared with a numerical modeling of the membrane system in CoventorWare software by finite-element method. We also suggest encapsulating the sensor using glass frit bonding because such method is more suitable for high vacuum requirements of the field emission operation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were indicated in vascular repair, angiogenesis of ischemic organs, and inhibition of formation of initial hyperplasia. Differentiation of endothelial cells (ECs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived endothelial cells (hiPSC-ECs) provides an unlimited supply for clinical application. Furthermore, magnetic cell labelling offers an effective way of targeting and visualization of hiPSC-ECs and is the next step towards in vivo studies. Methods: ECs were differentiated from hiPSCs and labelled with uncoated superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (uSPIONs). uSPION uptake was compared between hiPSC-ECs and mature ECs isolated from patients by software analysis of microscopy pictures after Prussian blue cell staining. The acute and long-term cytotoxic effects of uSPIONs were evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay) and Annexin assay. Results: We showed, for the first time, uptake of uncoated SPIONs (uSPIONs) by hiPSC-ECs. In comparison with mature ECs of identical genetic background hiPSC-ECs showed lower uSPION uptake. However, all the studied endothelial cells were effectively labelled and showed magnetic properties even with low labelling concentration of uSPIONs. uSPIONs prepared by microwave plasma synthesis did not show any cytotoxicity nor impair endothelial properties. Conclusion: We show that hiPSC-ECs labelling with low concentration of uSPIONs is feasible and does not show any toxic effects in vitro, which is an important step towards animal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]