Wine aroma volatiles of two different typical Apulian wines made by autochthonous grape varieties (i.e. Negroamaro and Primitivo) were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in conjugation with an electronic nose (E-nose). Eighteen compounds were found over their own odour threshold and they were taken into account for further data analysis. Sensor data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) to investigate the discrimination capability of the sensor array. The concentrations of volatile chemical compounds in wines determined by GC-MS have been correlated with electronic nose (E-nose) responses using partial least squares (PLSs) and quadratic response surface regression (RSR) analysis. By means of these regression models, relationships between E-nose responses and wine aroma compounds were established. Quite all of the 18 wine odorant concentration were predicted at a satisfactory extent; RSR technique gave better prediction results compared to PLS. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper presents an open platform for continuous monitoring of clinical signs through a smart and noninvasive wearable device. In order to accomplish a communication in proximity, the Near Field Communication wireless technology is used, providing a fast link between the device and the host, avoiding the pairing (as typically occurs for Bluetooth protocol) and limiting the power consumption. The Arduino ecosystem has been used for prototyping since it allows an easy and open integration of ad-hoc functionalities. The first prototype of the platform has been customized for human body temperature measurement, assuring a lifetime of the battery for at least 2 months. Moreover, the acquisition and related transmission of other kind of clinical signs could be easily implemented, making the platform cost-effective in mobile scenarios.

In this work, we report on the competition between two-step two photon absorption, carrier recombination,and escape in the photocurrent generation mechanisms of high quality InAs/GaAs quantumdot intermediate band solar cells. In particular, the different role of holes and electrons ishighlighted. Experiments of external quantum efficiency dependent on temperature and electricalor optical bias (two-step two photon absorption) highlight a relative increase as high as 38% at10K under infrared excitation. We interpret these results on the base of charge separation by phononassisted tunneling of holes from quantum dots. We propose the charge separation as an effectivemechanism which, reducing the recombination rate and competing with the other escapeprocesses, enhances the infrared absorption contribution. Meanwhile, this model explains why thermalescape is found to predominate over two-step two photon absorption starting from 200 K,whereas it was expected to prevail at lower temperatures (70 K), solely on the basis of the relativelylow electron barrier height in such a system. VC 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

Detection of legionellae by water sampling is an important factor in epidemiological investigations of Legionnaires' disease and its prevention. To avoid labor-intensive problems with conventional methods, an alternative, highly sensitive and simple method is proposed for detecting L. pneumophila in aqueous samples. A compact Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) instrumentation prototype, provided with proper microfluidics tools, is built. The developed immunosensor is capable of dynamically following the binding between antigens and the corresponding antibody molecules immobilized on the SPR sensor surface. A proper immobilization strategy is used in this work that makes use of an important efficient step aimed at the orientation of antibodies onto the sensor surface. The feasibility of the integration of SPR-based biosensing setups with microfluidic technologies, resulting in a low-cost and portable biosensor is demonstrated.

Lubricant systems are fundamental in engines (automotive, aviation, rail etc.) and in any industrial system where surfaces of moving mechanical parts are in contact [1]. An improper lubrication due to oil degradation over a long period of time can lead to unwanted component failure and increased maintenance costs. Present study, unlike methods developed until now for detecting oil degradation (loss of mechanical, physical, chemical and optical properties) focuses on the development of a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) transduction methodology able to measure lubricant degradation in real time observing the change in the refractive index. This approach answers to environmental regulation and user requirements on performance, life-time expectancy and engine efficiency.

In this work, we perform a numerical and experimental comparison of 2D and 3D systems of plasmonic nanostructures in order to explore several key parameters for sensitivity enhancement of traditional LSPR biosensors. The optical properties and the sensing capabilities of planar and three-dimensional distributions of metal nanostructures have been theoretically and experimentally investigated. We developed a numerical model for calculating the absorption spectra and the sensitivity towards increasing refractive indexes of periodic array of plasmonic nanostructures. Our numerical results have been verified performing a sensitivity comparison of 2D and 3D nanostructured systems composed by the same kind of metal nanoparticles. As proof of concept, our experiment were conducted on a planar distribution of gold nano-spheres and an hybrid 3D plasmonic material composed by a disordered system of silica nanowires decorated with spherical gold nanoparticles.