Unlocking Alzheimer’s Molecular Secrets with Infrared Nanospectroscopy

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment, causing immense suffering for patients and their families. One of the main causes of Alzheimer’s is the aggregation of a protein called amyloid-β (Aβ42) in the brain, leading to the formation of toxic structures. Scientists have been working tirelessly to understand the molecular basis of this disorder and develop treatments that can stop or reverse the aggregation process. In a groundbreaking study, researchers used infrared nanospectroscopy and ultra-flat gold to explore the interactions between Aβ42 aggregates and a small molecule inhibitor.

Unveiling the Secrets of Alzheimer’s Disease at the Nanoscale

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is the leading cause of cognitive decline and death among seniors, accounting for about 70% of all neurodegenerative diseases. One of the hallmarks of AD is the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) proteins, which form toxic aggregates known as amyloid plaques. To better understand the molecular mechanisms behind AD and develop effective treatments, researchers are continually exploring new techniques to study these proteins at the nanoscale.

Unraveling the Mysterious Effects of β-Carotene on Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. One of the main features of this disease is the formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates in the brain, which are believed to play a critical role in the development of AD. Scientists have been exploring various strategies to prevent or treat AD, including the use of natural compounds like β-carotene. In a recent study, researchers investigated how β-carotene affects the structure of Aβ aggregates, providing new insights into potential therapeutic approaches.

Electrical Characterization of Interdigitated Electrodes (IDEs)

Interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) are widely used as pressure sensors and transducers in the medical electronics industry. IDEs have also found use as strain gauges and force sensors, as well as in chemical sensor applications. To characterize IDEs, electrical measurements of resistance, capacitance and impedance need to be implemented. This article discusses how to perform an electrical analysis of IDEs.

Improved sensors for water contaminants using Au(111)

New research published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, led by Professor Fernando Garzon of the University of New Mexico, demonstrates a novel strategy to improve sensors for water contaminants. The new approach involves using a thin films of highly oriented gold Au(111) on an electrode to enable redesign of the sensing surface and enhance its sensitivity.

Photolithography & Adhesion 

A common problem that can occur during photolithography fabrication is adhesion of the photoresist to the substrate. A photoresist consists of a resin, sensitizer, adhesion promoter, and a thinner. Each component contributes to the overall photoresist properties. A resin is included to withstand an etchant solution that may be used in the later stages of fabrication. A sensitizer offers a photosensitive element to the resist that allows it to be exposed in certain areas and not in others. A thinner is included to modify the viscosity of the overall photoresist and make it easier to spin-coat onto the substrate. The included adhesion promoter is often not potent enough to provide enough strength between resist and substrate material.  

What is Shadow Masking? 

In semiconductor fabrication, stencil metal plates or shadow masks can be used to designate where a metal is deposited upon a substrate. The stencil serves as a medium for achieving custom designs onto a substrate without the need for photolithography processes. This works by masking certain areas of a substrate while exposing others to be deposited with metal.  

Emerging Technologies – Internet-of-Things

Internet of things (IoT) encompasses physical things that connect and exchange data with other technology. IoT offers increased connectivity, cloud computing, machine learning, and advancements to AI. Emerging advancements in IoT include machine monitoring, wearable health monitoring, inventory management, and public safety enhancements. IoT works through device-to-device communications that is conducted through sensor technology and actuators.  

What is a Cleanroom?

You might be thinking a cleanroom refers to an organized and tidy space. However, a certified cleanroom is much more than that. A cleanroom is a space for conducting operations that are sensitive the particle contamination, such as semiconductor fabrication. Enviornmental factors are altered in order to provide a controlled clean atmosphere. Airborne particles are filtered out while temperature, humidity, and air flow are regulated.  

Custom Dicing Service

Platypus Technologies offers a customizable dicing service for a range of substrate materials. Accommodations can be made for both silicon wafers and glass substrates. Substrates are scribed, and then broken into individual pieces. Well-defined scribing lines are made with a diamond finished scribing wheel. This process does not involve heat therefore prevents any potential damage to a substrate material. 

Creating patterns through Metal Lift-off

Creating a patterned metal on a substrate can be done through various methods. Metal lift-off represents just one fabrication method that entails three steps: 1) patterning a photosensitive polymer film onto the target substrate, 2) metal deposition onto the patterns polymer film, and 3) removal of polymer with a solvent.  

Thin-film Metal Coatings

As more advancements are made in the electronics industry, thin-film metal coatings remain in high demand. The team at Platypus Technologies has done custom work with a range of companies, from completing small R&D projects to creating continual partnerships. Our credibility has been built based on our internal expertise, high-quality metal deposition, and attention to detail.  

What is Plasma Cleaning?

Reactive gas molecules form what is known as plasma. The ions and electrons in plasma are used to remove unwanted organic contaminants. Unwanted particles are removed through a vacuum system. This cleaning procedure creates an ideal sterilization process. In addition, plasma cleaning eliminates the need for expensive solvents since substrate surfaces can be cleaned via a chemical reaction within plasma molecules.  

Advancements in Precision Fluid Dispensing System Technology

Automation and Robotics Allow for Higher Precision in Industrial Fluid Dispensing Applications

Precision fluid dispensing systems are utilized in a range of advanced manufacturing applications. At Platypus Technologies, we employ advanced fluid dispensing technology in our biosensor and bioassay fabrication processes, as well as in our conformal coating solutions.

An Overview of the Photolithography Process

Photolithography is a fabrication process used in the production of patterned thin films for precision applications such as microelectronics, biosensors, and custom patterned electrodes. The process utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light to expose a minutely detailed pattern within a light-sensitive photoresist coating.

The coating is deposited on a substrate material and a mask is placed atop the photoresist. UV light therefore interacts only with the areas of the photoresist that are left exposed underneath the mask. Once the mask is removed, a precise geometric pattern remains on the substrate surface, formed via exposure to the UV light.

What Is the Thin Metal Film Deposition Process?

How Thin Film Deposition Works – Its Advantages and Applications

Thin metal film deposition is a unique fabrication process commonly used in the manufacturing of semiconductors, biosensors, and other specialized photolithography applications.

The process involves carefully depositing thin metallic film coating onto a substrate in order to yield specific material properties. For example, specially engineered thin film coatings are used in the fields of optics and imaging to modify the optical properties of glass. In more advanced biomedical and semiconductor applications, thin film deposition is used to create specific molecular properties in the conducting material, further paving the way for highly customizable chip manufacturing.

Building a Better Biosensor Polymer with Organic Semiconducting Materials

Cutting-Edge Engineering Developments in the Biosensor Polymer Manufacturing Industry

Recently, a novel organic semiconducting material was engineered which has the potential to push next-generation biosensor development to new heights. This innovative new carbon-based semiconductor polymer was specifically developed to surpass current biosensor options in sensing performance, reliability, as well as overall biocompatibility.