TY - JOUR TI - Miniaturized electronic sensors and actuators for healthcare and environmental monitoring DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-s8s0-6c66 PY - 2019 AB - Lab on a chip is an emerging field that has the potential to fully automate small-scale biological experiments. To realize this aim, both analytical and fluid control components need to become fully miniaturized. In addition to this, high sensitivity sensors are needed to compensate for the reduction in target analyte. In this thesis, we address two key challenges in Micro Total Analysis Systems: The fabrication and characterization of 1) Highly sensitive sensors and 2) Low power magnetic based valves for microfluidic applications in lab-on-a-chip systems utilized for portable analytical methods for point-of- care healthcare applications and point-of-use environmental monitoring. For health monitoring we focus on development of a non-invasive approach for measuring indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress in the respiratory tract by quantifying a biomarker in exhaled breath condensate. We utilize the unique properties of reduced graphene oxide to electrochemically detect nitrite content in EBC samples. Nitrite is as one of promising biomarkers of inflammation in the respiratory tract. ii For environmental applications, lead contamination poses a serious public health problem considering it is one of the most dominant heavy metal present in the environment. Our sensor is capable of detecting lead in freshwater sediment samples. A sample-to-answer platform capable of on-chip sediment digestion and purification in conjunction with electrochemical quantification of lead ions is presented. Miniaturized fluidic valves with ultra-compact instrumentation footprint are necessary to realize flow control in microfluidic channels. Here we use an electronically controlled magnetic force combined with an elastomeric membrane to fabricate micro-valves. We evaluated geometrical effects on the performance of valves using both simulation and experimental approaches with permanent magnets. Zero static power switchable valves are demonstrated using electropermanent magnets enabling use in hand-held devices. KW - Electrical and Computer Engineering KW - Detectors KW - Medical technology KW - Environmental monitoring LA - eng ER -