Name:

Dr. Aleksandar Radu

Contact details

Qualifications

April 13th, 2005 Ph.D.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA

Adviser: Prof. Eric Bakker

Dissertation title: “Experimental and theoretical insight in the improvement of the detection limit of ion selective electrodes”

November 11th, 1997 B.S.

Department of Physical Chemistry, Belgrade University, Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Adviser: Prof. Dragan Veselinovic

Thesis title:"Influence of the composition of electrolyte on the temperature coefficient of an amperometric sensor"

Project Summary

HOST-GUEST CHEMICAL SENSORS: NEW PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS

Revolution in digital communication industry has forever changed our ability to connect people, places and objects. Complex information can today be instantaneously transmitted globally. It is believed that the next stage in this revolution will be driven by cheap sensors linked to microprocessors and lasers^{1, 2}  The ability to remotely asses the quality of our environment, the status of our food from the pastures all the way to our table and even the status of our health without the need to be physically present in doctor’s office will significantly change our lives.

The vision of ubiquitous sensing linked to digital communication conjures up the images of large-scale deployments of essentially self-sustaining wireless chemical sensor networks (WCSNs)². From the standpoint of a chemist, bridging the molecular and digital worlds offer unprecedented research opportunities by connecting two previously almost completely discrete fields such as chemistry and computer science/engineering. This link inevitably brings significant challenges in the field of chemical sensing and consequently forces the invention of completely new sensing principles and concepts.

In order to follow the steps of communication revolution, we need sensors that are simple, small, inexpensive, to require minimal/no power and ideally to exhibit local intelligence. Sensors with these characteristics were in my focus throughout my research career. The sensors that I am focusing on are typically referred to as ionophore-based sensors where ionophore stands for an organic compound with affinity to bind ion of interest where the binding event can be observed via variety of transducing mechanisms, most often electrochemical and optical although others may also used.

My research programme involves convergence of three seemingly separate yet interconnected areas such as ionophore-based electrochemical and optical sensors, intelligent materials and ionic liquids as shown on the figure below.  The convergence will be achieved by exploitation of novel materials and thorough understanding of related recognition mechanisms. Moreover, a strong focus will be put on establishing collaboration with engineers in order to develop sophisticated platforms capable for long-term deployment and integration with electronic platforms.

Ultimate goal is development of small, simple, low cost and user-friendly sensing platforms integrating chemo/bio sensors with digital communication devices that can be used by non-professional people for fast diagnostics at home, in doctor’s office or for in-situ measurements for application in environmental monitoring, control of water and food quality and safety and security applications.

The main aims of my research programme are:

·         Development of polymer membrane-based chemical sensing platforms with potential for upscaling and mass-production – large-scale deployment calls for sensing platforms that could easily be upscalled and produced on mass scale. All-plastic sensors have great potential since they could be produced using screen- and ink-jet printing technology.

·         Reducing/eliminating the need for sensor calibration - long-term deployment is often hampered due to the costs arising from the need for constant calibration of sensors involving expensive materials (i.e. calibration solutions, waste, pumps etc) and space. Alternative ways for calibration are an imperative in order to achieve the true cost decrease.    

·         Simplification and reduction of components in a chemical sensor – long-term deployment also carries the risks of leaching of the components while the need for monitoring of multiple parameters increases the complexity of the entire system. Therefore, there is the need for simplification of sensing platforms and introducing novel sensing concepts departing from traditional one-sensor-for-one-ion paradigm.

·         Integration of chemo/bio sensors with microfluidics and electronics in WCSNs.

Publications

CURRICULUM VITAE (including the list of publications)

Further Information

NEWS:

05/03/10 Great news from CLARITY: Two out of six awarded CLARITY summer internship (17 project proposals submitted accros entire CLARITY) went into our group and Alex is involved in both of them. Project 1: "CONNECT – Chemical Sensors integrated in Wireless Chemical Sensing Network" is a project between DCU and Tyndall where Alex will have main day-to-day supervision duties. Project 2: "No sweat! - Wearable sensors to monitor rehydration needs during sport activities" is the project between NCSR and Dept. of Health and Human Performance. Alex will here have support role in preparation of disposable sodium sensors.

15/12/09 Alex received great Christmass present from DCU: He was awarded DCU Research Fellowship. Duration: 1 year. Total award: EUR 60000. Project title: "Potentiometric system for detection of drugs of abuse using quantum dot-modified aptamers"

09/12/09 Alex is back from New Zealand.

20/11/09 Alex went to New Zealand to work with Dr. Dillingham on RSNZ ISAT programme.

01/08/09 Andy is back from Australia with loads of data.

19/06/09 NAP kick-off meeting.

04/06/09 Dr. Peter Dillingham has won Royal Society of New Zealand ISAT fund and invited Alex to University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand for research visit.

04/06/09 Sandra Teodora Buda has joined the group on ODCSSS programme for 10 weeks. She will work with Alex, Salzitsa and Conor on preparation of wireless platform for acquisition and transmission of the data for potentiometic sensors.

03/06/09 Dimitrije Cicmil from the Department of Physical Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia has joined the group on MASTRA fellowship for 12 weeks. He will work with Alex and Slazitsa on MASTRA project.

27/05/09 Andy left to Australia for Conference on Ionic Liquids (COIL). After the conference he will spend 2 months in Melbourne in CSIRO working with Dr. Noel Clark.

27/05/09 Paper titled "Spiropyran-based reversible, light-modulated sensing with reduced photofatigue" has been accepted in Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemmistry".

15/05/09 Alex was awarded Science Foundation Ireland's (SFI's) National Access Programme (NAP). The title of the work is " Polymer membrane-based ion-selective electrodes in wireless sensing networks for water quality monitoring".

15/04/09 Guillermo Goicoexea Rico has joined the group for 10 weeks through ECE Placements. He will work with Alex and Salzitsa on MASTRA project.

01/09/08 Andrew Kavanagh has joined the group on Alex' DCU RCS.

12/05/08 Alex was awarded €40k through DCU Research Career Start (DCU RCS). This award will fund a Master's student for 2 years.