Researchers from the Department of Microelectronics and Biomedical Engineering (DMIB) at the UTM Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics (FCIM) continue to make remarkable strides in innovation. One standout example is PhD student Rajat Nagpal from India, who, under the guidance of Prof. Oleg Lupan, Head of DMIB, recently published a groundbreaking paper in the prestigious journal Biosensors (impact factor 5.4, ranked in Q1 across multiple fields), as the first author. This contribution marks a revolutionary leap in bioengineering and sensor technology, further solidifying UTM’s position as a leader in scientific innovation.
The paper, titled “Multifunctional Three-in-One Sensor on t-ZnO for Ultraviolet and VOC Sensing for Bioengineering Applications,” introduces advanced multifunctional sensors based on tetrapodal ZnO (t-ZnO) networks, which deliver exceptional performance in three key areas:
– Detection of ultraviolet (UV-A) rays for medical applications,
– Monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for environmental protection,
– Temperature measurement for industrial purposes.
This innovative technology provides real-time data on UV exposure and VOC levels, creating new opportunities for personalized health and environmental monitoring. The sensors have wide-ranging applications, from health monitoring to environmental quality management.
The research is the result of a fruitful collaboration with renowned universities in Germany, including researchers Rainer Adelung, Leonard Siebert, Monja Gronenberg, and Erik Greve. This international partnership deepened the understanding of t-ZnO networks, including calculating the activation energy of oxygen interstitials, with significant implications for bioengineering and personalized health technologies.
In addition to his contribution to Biosensors, Rajat Nagpal co-authored a paper in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds on ultra-selective hydrogen sensors based on CuO-ZnO heterostructures. His research on the effect of thermal treatment on UV detection using ZnO structures, published in the UTM Journal of Engineering Sciences, further highlights his expertise in advanced sensor development.
Nagpal has presented his research at numerous prestigious international conferences, including MOFSIM 2024 in Montpellier, France, and EHB-2023 in Bucharest, Romania. Some of his notable works include:
- “Gas Sensing Structure of CuO/Cu2O Doped with Sn for Ethanol Detection in Exhaled Breath,”
- “Study on Al2O3/ZnO Heterostructure-Based UV Detection for Biomedical Applications.”
These papers, published by Springer as part of the Advances in Digital Health and Medical Bioengineering series, showcase his valuable contributions to gas sensing and biomedical sensor technologies.
Rajat’s academic growth has been profoundly influenced by international collaborations and research stays at universities in France, Germany, and Ireland. His active participation in the European SENNET project, aimed at developing miniaturized sensors for VOC detection, further demonstrates his commitment to innovation and progress.
Rajat Nagpal serves as an inspirational role model for young researchers, and his success reflects the opportunities provided by UTM. State-of-the-art research infrastructure, international collaborations, and access to prestigious academic networks have been key factors in enabling these achievements. Through their work, young researchers at UTM are actively enhancing the university’s reputation as a leader in scientific research.
Online references:
https://sennet-project.eu/consortium/beneficiaries/
https://sennet-project.eu/our-team/
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101072845/de
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-62523-7_20
