Abstract

This Plenary Talk will describe Materials Science and Technological Applications of a unique multifunctional, lowcost, outstanding Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCDTM) film (coating), enabling new generations of industrial products, high-tech / medical devices and prostheses. UNCD films. developed/patented by Auciello and colleagues, are grown by Microwave Power Chemical Vapor Deposition and Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition processes, using Ar/CH4 gas flow into vacuum chambers, where C, CHx (x=1,2,3) species, produced by plasma or hot filaments’ surface cracking of CH4, landing on substrate surfaces, induce growth of UNCD films with smallest gran size (3-5 nm). UNCD films exhibit unique combination of properties, namely: 1) Super harness (98 GPa) and Young’s modulus (998 GPa), like diamond gem. 2) Lowest friction coefficient (≤ 0.04), compared to other materials (≥ 0.5). 3) Only electrically conductive diamond coating, via N atoms in grain boundaries (N-UNCD) or B atoms in grains (B-UNCD), 4) Superior biocompatibility (because made of C atoms / life’s element in human DNA, cells, molecules). 5) Superior scaffolds for embryonic cell growth/differentiation to human cells for biological treatments. Technological applications of UNCDTM coatings include: 1.UNCD-coated seals/bearings for pumps used in industrial applications and mixing pharmaceutical chemicals 2.UNCD-coated high-tech/medical devices/prostheses, marketed by OBI-USA/México, namely: • New generation Li-ion batteries (LIBs) with ≥ 10x longer energy life/safer than current LIBs, using N-UNCD-coated current commercial NG/Copper anodes, for phones, portable electronics, and order of magnitude longer life Defibrillator/Pacemakers. • New generation prostheses (Ti-alloys dental implants (clinical trials / 51 patients received UNCD coated Ti-alloys DIs (2022-present). • UNCD-coated Si-microchip (artificial retina) inside eyes, receiving CCD camera’ images, sending electrons, via ganglion cells in eye’s retina, to brain, returns partial vision to people blind by gene- induced photoreceptors’ death (Argus II marketed by Second Sight (2011-2022) returned partial vision to ~ 450 blind people in USA and EU.

Biography

Auciello graduated with honors: M.S. (1973), Ph.D. (1976) – Physics, Institute “Balseiro”/Universidad Nacional Cuyo-Argentina); EE-Universidad Córdoba-Argentina (1964-1970). Postdoctoral-McMaster University, Canada (1977-1979); Distinguished Research Scientist-University of Toronto-Canada (1979-1984), Associate Professor/North Carolina State University-USA (1984-1988), Distinguished Scientist-Microelectronic Center North Carolina-USA (1988-1996), Distinguished Argonne Fellow (1996-2012)-Argonne National Laboratory-USA. Currently (2012-present), Auciello is Distinguished Endowed Chair Professor-University of Texas-Dallas, Materials Science/Engineering and Bioengineering Departments. Auciello directs basic/applied research on multifunctional oxide [ferroelectric (piezoelectric)/high-K dielectrics films], and nanocarbon films (novel Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCDTM) and graphene films) and applications to industrial, high-tech, and external and implantable medical devices. UNCD film technology is commercialized for industrial products by Advanced Diamond Technologies (Auciello et al.-Founders -2003, profitable-2012, sold to large company for profit-2019), and by Original Biomedical Implants (OBI-USA, 2013) and OBI-México (2016) (Auciello and colleagues /founders), for new generations of superior medical devices/prostheses and other implants. Auciello edited 33 books and published about 500 articles in several fields, holds 23 patents, He was Associate Editor of Applied Physics Letter, and currently of Integrated Ferroelectrics, Functional Diamond, and Coatings. He was President of the Materials Research Society (2013) Auciello is Fellow of AAAS, MRS and IAAM, and has numerous Awards.

Abstract

Biosensors have significant potential to revolutionize diagnostics in centralized clinical laboratories while expanding opportunities for rapid and accessible point-of-care testing. Acoustic wave biosensors offer label-free, sensitive, and real-time monitoring of biomolecular interactions that can be applied towards analyte detection in complex biofluids. However, achieving excellent bioanalytical performance in complex matrices requires antifouling surface chemistry that minimizes nonspecific adsorption and enables analyte recognition through biorecognition probes. Antifouling is particularly crucial for detecting small biomarkers present at low concentrations in complex biofluids. Among these biomarkers, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small phospholipid associated with the onset and progression of ovarian cancer. Since ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed in advanced stages when survival rate is poor, early diagnosis is critical. Existing blood tests suffer from limited sensitivity and specificity, highlighting the urgent need for an effective ovarian cancer screening test.

This lecture presents acoustic wave biosensors for the detection of LPA in serum with the electromagnetic piezoelectric acoustic sensor (EMPAS) and the thickness-shear mode (TSM)

sensor. Antifouling molecules based on monoethylene glycol were functionalized on the iii biosensing surfaces of EMPAS and TSM, providing bioconjugation capability for the

immobilization of the gelsolin-actin probe. The combination of antifouling chemistry and gelsolinactin enabled sensitive detection of LPA in undiluted human serum, reaching limits of detection of 1.07 and 0.70 μM with EMPAS and TSM, respectively. The biorecognition probe, gelsolin-actin, is a protein complex that enables label-free and indirect detection of LPA through LPA-induced dissociation of the complex. Molecular modeling revealed that the amphipathic nature of LPA destabilizes the complex through insertion of its hydrophobic tail into actin and interactions between its negatively charged headgroup with gelsolin. In addition to the developed acoustic wave biosensors for LPA, novel antifouling thiols were applied in aptasensors targeting penicillin and bacteria in human serum and whole milk, respectively. Furthermore, phosphonic acid surface functionalization was explored as an alternative to silanization of hydroxylated surfaces, where an octadecylphosphonic acid-based biosensor was developed for monitoring bacterial contamination in milk. Overall, this thesis demonstrates the capability of antifouling biosensors to achieve sensitive detection in complex biofluids for ovarian cancer diagnosis and food quality monitoring.

Biography

Professor Michael Thompson obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Wales, UK and his PhD in analytical chemistry from McMaster University. Following a period as Science Research Council PDF at Swansea University, UK, he was appointed Lecturer in Instrumental Analysis at Loughborough University. He then moved to the University of Toronto where he is now Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry. He has held a number of distinguished research posts including the Leverhulme Fellowship at the University of Durham and the Science Foundation Ireland E.T.S Walton Research Fellowship at the Tyndall National Institute, Cork City. He is recognized internationally for his pioneering work over many years in the area of research into new biosensor technologies and the surface chemistry of biochemical and biological entities. He has made major contributions to the label-free detection of immunochemical and nucleic acid interactions and surface behavior of cells using ultra high frequency acoustic wave physics. In recent years his group has concentrated on solutions to the ubiquitous fouling and biocompatibility problem of sensors and medical devices. This has included the direct operation of biosensors in biological fluids and avoidance of platelet aggregation on medical polymeric materials. Thompson has served on the Editorial Boards of a number of major international journals including Analytical Chemistry and The Analyst and is currently Editor-in-Chief of the monograph series “Detection Science” for the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK. He has been awarded many prestigious international prizes for his research including The Robert Boyle Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Elsevier Prize in Biosensor and Bioelectronic Technology, the E.W.R. Steacie Award of the Chemical Society of Canada, and recently the 2023 Royal Society of Chemistry Horizons Prize in Analytical Science. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1999.

Abstract

A guardrail system with a movable platform lift that incorporates movable guardrail components was investigated for failure. The manufacturer used a closed design, employing two hinge assemblies that are welded to a hinge bracket bar that is bolted to another guardrail section and also welded to the swinging guardrail gate. This is a poor design because it does not allow for the hinge brackets to be taken apart for inspection and/or maintenance. This presentation will show that this design is a poor design for fall protection safety equipment, because a failure is not the best way to find out that the hinge system is compromised.

Biography

Mr. O’Shea’s career has focused on the design evaluation, materials selection, engineering, fabrication, inspection & examination, and testing of plant equipment related to the energy industries (electric, gas and steam), marine industry, and petrochemical industries. M.S. Materials Science and Engineering - University of Notre Dame, 1986 B.S. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering - Illinois Institute of Technology, 1984 Registered Professional Engineer (Arkansas, Illinois, and Wisconsin)

Abstract

This study investigates the valorization of calcium carbide residue, an industrial by product rich in calcium hydroxide, as a low-carbon binder for sustainable construction materials. Calcium carbide residue was incorporated as a partial cement replacement in mortars and as a main component in unburned blocks cured through accelerated carbonation. The materials were evaluated in terms of mechanical performance, physical properties, environmental impact, and leaching behavior. The results showed that mortars containing 10-20% calcium carbide residue achieved adequate compressive strength for non-structural applications, while carbonated blocks exhibited significant strength improvement due to calcium carbonate formation. The incorporation of calcium carbide residue reduced the carbon footprint and met environmental safety requirements. These findings demonstrate that calcium carbide residue represents a promising secondary raw material supporting circular economy principles and the development of low-carbon construction materials.

Biography

Prof. habil. Dr. Eng. Buruiana Daniela Laura is a remarkable personality in the fields of industrial engineering and materials engineering. As director of the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Eco-Nanotechnologies and Innovative Materials (CC-ITI), she coordinates research projects that integrate advanced and sustainable technologies in the development of innovative materials. With extensive experience in coordinating research projects, she guides young researchers in exploring innovative solutions and implementing them on an industrial scale. In addition to her research, she is actively involved in publishing scientific papers, obtaining national/international patents, and participating in international conferences. She stays up-to-date with the latest discoveries in the field and contributes to the global scientific evolution.