2024 Nanotechnology Engineering Capstone Designs

Food preservation has been a concern of human societies since antiquity. Yet developments in food preservation have stagnated in the face of a rising demand for them. Altregen is an edible food coating that consists of self-healing alternating layers on top of a nano-enhanced conventional polymer substrate. The synergy of these components results in the final coating being able to heal after experiencing physical damage, without compromising on water or oxygen permeability.

Approximately half of Canadians will either require, or have a connection to someone who will require, a blood transfusion in their lifetime. However, only 4% of Canadians donate, resulting in a shortage of blood. Since many do not know their blood type, this creates a reliance on O- blood. To stunt the consumption of Canada's low O- supply, we have developed a rapid blood typing device for emergency responders that utilizes optical immunosensing and requires minimal blood volume to determine a patient's blood type.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects 280 million people globally, introducing significant changes in a patient's quality of life. MDD is currently diagnosed by patient-physician interviews which are prone to biases and misdiagnosis. Using polymer films designed to trap and measure a depression-linked biomarker, DREAM Sensors provides a quantitative measurement to supplement diagnostic procedures. This information can provide mental health specialists the tools to assess the severity of the condition, as well as the ability to track a patient's response to treatment.

The adZrb product revolutionizes wastewater treatment by combining 3D printing with advanced material science. It features a high surface area aerogel structure embedded with an electrochemically synthesized, zirconium-based Metal-Organic Framework (MOF), UIO-66, optimized for heavy metal removal. This innovative design significantly increases the efficiency of adsorption, providing a rapid, effective, and sustainable solution for purifying industrial and municipal wastewater. adZrb's unique approach not only promises enhanced performance in contaminant removal but also offers a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods.

Within the looming energy crisis, EVs provide a way for consumers to reduce their emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, subarctic climates are troublesome for lithium-ion batteries, resulting in up to 30% capacity loss. We developed a wax-based insulation layer infused with carbon nanoparticles that aids in warming up the battery and retaining its warmth. We exploit the energy released when wax reaches its freezing point to keep the battery warm while the nanoparticles provide a mechanism to heat the system using resistive heating.

In Canada, 89% of plastics end up in landfills or as litter, where they break down into microplastics, a concern for human, animal, and ecosystem health. Existing microplastic removal systems in wastewater treatment plants are only effective on microplastics larger than 20 um in size. MicroSeize aims to develop a scalable methodology to capture the microplastics that other methods leave behind using functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles which adsorb onto the plastics, allowing them to be trapped from the wastewater stream magnetically.

As overall interest in fitness soars, testosterone monitoring has become more relevant than ever. Unfortunately for fitness enthusiasts, checking testosterone is not always accessible, quick, or private. TESTbright is a breakthrough kit designed to tackle these problems. It includes a pin prick needle for blood collection, a microfluidics device for precise blood component separation, a CLIA well for accurate testosterone measurement, and a web application for quick and private results. TESTbright makes testosterone monitoring effortless and accessible, revolutionizing personal health management in the fitness world.

Solar energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, solar panel efficiency is hindered by surface dust accumulation. Manual labour is the current method for contaminant removal; however, it is costly and time-consuming. Our solution, SPARC, is a self-cleaning photovoltaic anti-reflective coating made from alumina at a low cost and exceeds the current industry standard of light transmission on uncoated solar cells. With our scalable fabrication process and extended lifespan, the coating will remove impurities upon rainfall from solar cells everywhere.

Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. To address the challenge of unpredictable wandering of Alzheimer's patients, risking severe injury or going missing, we designed a flexible polymer-based piezoelectric supercapacitor which seamlessly integrates into insole wearable GPS devices for Alzheimer's patient tracking. Our design leverages the piezoelectric effect to harvest and store energy from natural movement, minimizing the need for external charging, ensuring uninterrupted support for caregivers and enhancing the safety of Alzheimer's patients.

Surgical site infections are responsible for up to $10 billion in US health care costs annually. Currently, physical examination is the primary diagnosis criteria for infection. This results in delayed treatments and increased complications. PathoSense is a non-invasive sensor utilizing a DNA hydrogel to detect the early biomarkers of infection while actively counterattacking bacterial growth by releasing antimicrobial agents. Our sensor provides healthcare professionals with an accurate tool to actively track the onset and progression of infection, and administer early, effective treatment. 

Currently, there are no methods to non-intrusively measure the current flowing through automotive ethernet wires (PoDL standard) without compromising signal integrity. Ethersense is a compact and non-intrusive current sensing connector that wirelessly logs data into a remote server and microSD card. Our device takes advantage of a custom indium antimonide-based micro-hall sensor to sense a wide range of current values passing through the ethernet wires. It aims to aid R&D within the autonomous vehicle industry for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which require rapid data transfers.

Revolutionizing precision in intrabody tissue probing - our design seamlessly integrates advanced force-sensing into endoscopic sheaths. Force control in surgery is crucial, as even small, improper forces on tissue can lead to tissue damage. MedSens overcomes this limitation with cutting-edge thin-film force sensors in medical probes, ensuring unmatched accuracy, a sleek profile, and remarkable flexibility. Leveraging innovative UV-laser microfabrication techniques, we achieve cost-effective strain gauge customization. Real-time force quantification marks a pivotal advancement for safer and more precise medical procedures, reducing the risk of adverse events.

Athletes, especially weight trainers, are susceptible to muscle injuries as a result of overtraining. A good indicator of muscle exertion is an increase in sweat lactate levels. Our DNA-based sensor uses a hydrogel patch to collect sweat and outputs lactate levels using a photodetector. The novelty of this sensor lies in its non-invasive and painless approach to lactate sensing. With its overarching objective to enhance fitness training plans, individuals can proactively adjust their regimen, mitigating the risk of overtraining and optimizing overall performance.

In a world shifting towards more sustainable options for single use plastics, the packaging industry is one area that is lagging behind. Products like Styrofoam have been the industry standard for over 65 years yet are not recyclable and take up a lot of room in landfills. Our product is a nanocomposite foam made from poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is renewably made from fermented biomass and can be composted at its end of life, while still exhibiting a comparable performance to industrial Styrofoam.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) play key roles in the menstrual cycle, both peaking 24-48 hours before ovulation. Current reproductive hormone testing involves invasive blood sampling with long lab wait times or requires expensive commercial devices. Our point-of-care device offers a non-invasive, saliva-based alternative, using a polymer-coated test strip to accurately measure FSH and LH concentrations. Our design advances reproductive hormone sensing by offering women+ access to lab quality testing and data anytime.

Our project introduces a cutting-edge Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) employing doped semiconductor material within a Toyota Corolla's exhaust system. This design efficiently captures wasted heat, addressing automotive energy inefficiency. The doped semiconductor material enhances conversion rates, maximizing electricity generation from heat. Our TEG offers sustainable on-the-go charging for phones and batteries while mitigating emissions. Its seamless integration into existing automotive infrastructure signifies practicality and environmental consciousness, marking a significant advancement in energy recovery systems for vehicles.

Despite the growing legalization of marijuana and alcohol's prevalence in Canada, there is still no portable device which can detect THC and ethanol as per the government's driving regulations. Our project will function as a point-of-collection drug screening tool. IntoxiSense is a multiplex lateral flow assay designed to identify THC and ethanol in saliva. THC detection uses quantum dots functionalized with antibodies, while ethanol detection relies on a colorimetric chemical reaction. Our design enables rapid on-site detection of these analytes.

The rising prevalence of mental health issues in our modern world underscores the challenge of prescribing drugs where individual responses can widely differ. Research has indicated genetic mutations as a precursor to variable drug uptake, emphasizing the importance of obtaining such information for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Our proposed solution utilizes an electrochemical biosensor with a modular probe, enabling the identification of genetic information derived from saliva samples. This innovative approach promises enhanced diagnostic precision aligning with the emerging era of personalized mental health care.

Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, surgical site infections and invasive wound infections are leading causes of death for post-operative and burn patients, respectively. GelRx is a multifunctional hydrogel bandage that aims to improve the health outcomes of such patients. The bandage utilizes an integrated colorimetric pH sensor to signal infection to healthcare providers and addresses infection through antibacterial zinc oxide nanoparticles. The GelRx hydrogel inherently supports the healing of damaged tissue by preventing moisture from escaping, absorbing wound exudate, and reducing bacterial contact.

With the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, sodium-ion batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries struggle with recyclability and are created using expensive, limited resources. Sodium is abundant, environmentally friendly, and easily recyclable. eNargy's sodium-ion battery uses an "anode-free" design to maximize its energy density. It's an affordable and competitive choice to reduce the environmental harm of everyday devices.

Digital computers have inherent limitations in precision which lead to inaccuracies when processing analog signals. We propose a novel Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) based time-to-frequency-domain device to eliminate digitization in analog signal processing. This microscopic device performs an electromechanical time-to-frequency-domain signal transform by harnessing the resonant frequency response characteristics of MEMS structures. The time-to-frequency-domain device targets applications in fully or partially analog computing, security, frequency-shift sensors, on-device signal processing, and other high-sensitivity electronics.

2% of the world's population is immunocompromised, these individuals require consistent monitoring of their immune system through a white blood cell count. However, current methods of counting white blood cells require expensive, heavy and immobile equipment which must be performed by trained personnel. With ImmunoScope,  a hand-held microfluidic device, allows for a white blood cell count within 5 minutes. ImmunoScope can be utilized in areas with struggling medical infrastructure as well as doctors without borders, for a quick and effective count on the go.

Our device utilizes nanoparticles to convert non-potable water from rivers, lakes, and oceans into drinkable water. When exposed to sunlight, these nanoparticles release intense bursts of heat, evaporating water at the nanoscale. The water vapor, free from pathogens and contaminants, is then condensed in a separate tank. This solar-powered process eliminates the need for energy costs associated with water heating, providing a sustainable method for producing potable water from sunlight alone.

Neck braces are a leading option when considering the prevention of cervical injuries in athletes. The design project aims to include an additional layer of protection in a team-designed brace by introducing an impact detection and a nitinol wire system that activates upon collision, providing support when required and remaining flexible during normal use.