Biopolymer Sensor with Embedded Biological Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors are made from non-biodegradable materials that persist in the environment and cause environmental harm, lacking the biodegradability and additional functional features needed to minimize environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
Development of biopolymer sensors using materials like silk, chitosan, and other natural biopolymers, which are biodegradable and biocompatible, incorporating biological materials for functionalization and embedding in a matrix solution to create sensors with enhanced properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensors are made from metals and inorganic materials, then the sensors provide reliable detection functionality, but the materials are not biodegradable and cause environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from conventional metals and inorganic materials to biopolymers (such as silk fibroin, chitosan, collagen, alginate, cellulose, or starch). This parameter change transforms the sensor from non-biodegradable to biodegradable, eliminating environmental harm while maintaining sensor functionality through careful selection and formulation of biopolymer materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures by combining biopolymer matrices with embedded biological materials (enzymes, antibodies, cells, or DNA) and optional inorganic nanoparticles. This composite approach ensures reliable detection functionality through the embedded biological materials while the biopolymer matrix provides biodegradability and environmental compatibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensors are made from biodegradable materials, then environmental impact is minimized, but the sensors lack additional functional features and biocompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite biopolymer sensors by embedding functional biological materials (enzymes for catalytic detection, antibodies for specific binding, cells for metabolic sensing, or DNA for molecular recognition) within the biopolymer matrix. This composite structure provides diverse functional features and biocompatibility while maintaining biodegradability of the overall sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by selecting from a broad range of biopolymer materials (silk fibroin, chitosan, collagen, alginate, cellulose, starch) each with unique properties, and combining them with various biological materials. This universality allows the sensor system to perform multiple detection functions (chemical, biological, environmental monitoring) while maintaining biodegradability and biocompatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a biopolymer sensor including providing a biopolymer, processing the biopolymer to yield a biopolymer matrix solution, adding a biological material in the biopolymer matrix, providing a substrate, casting the matrix solution on the substrate, and drying the biopolymer matrix solution to form a solidified biopolymer sensor on the substrate. A biopolymer sensor is also provided that includes a solidified biopolymer film with an embedded biological material.