A colour sensor integrated into a microcontroller platform as a reliable tool for measuring pH changes in biochemistry applications
An open-source colorimeter with a colour sensor for determination of pH in liquids with a universal indicator – a novel approach for reaction monitoring.
Label-free impedimetric analysis of microplastics dispersed in aqueous media polluted by Pb2+ ions
A label-free method based on dielectric impedance spectroscopy was developed for the differentiation of virgin from Pb2+ polluted microplastics.
Low-cost, real-time detection of bacterial growth via diffraction-based sensing
A low-tech, low-cost method for real-time, rapid bacterial growth detection using diffractive elements made from live bacteria.
A cheap and straightforward method for the selective isolation of histidine-derived natural products using nickel(II) phosphate
Using a simple three step solid-phase extraction protocol with nickel(II) phosphate, two histidine-derived alkaloids were isolated from fungal cultures.
Chromatographic fingerprinting of epiphytic fungal strains isolated from Withania somnifera and biological evaluation of isolated okaramine H
Investigation of epiphytic strains of Withania somnifera using chromatographic techniques to study chemical diversification, with isolation and structure elucidation of okaramine H from Aspergillus aculeatus.
A LAMP-based hydrogen ion selective electrochemical sensor for highly sensitive detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Simple, rapid, and accurate detection of M. pneumonia was achieved using a portable handheld POCT platform, with the entire testing process being completed within 30 minutes.
Paper
A simplified lateral flow immunosensor for the assay of carcinoembryonic antigen in low-resource settings
A colorimetric lateral flow immunosensor is developed and validated for assay of carcinoembryonic antigen in serum at the point-of-care (POC) or in resource-limited settings.
Distance-based detection of paracetamol in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for forensic application
Whisky adulteration is a prevalent practice driven by the high cost of these beverages.
Development of a paper-based lateral flow prothrombin assay
Devices fabricated using chromatography paper and wax printing, modified with thromboplastin (top left). Distance travelled by plasma samples (bottom right) is proportional to hospital prothrombin time (PT) (main graph) from normal (green) to significantly prolonged (red).
About this collection
This collection addresses new approaches to the application of analytical methods that enhance or improve their access in low-resource settings. It highlights how many scientists, technologists and engineers are turning away from traditional technological complexity to instead apply ‘low-tech’ approaches which can achieve comparable outcomes without the need for associated infrastructural complexity. This so-called ‘frugal innovation’ is taking creative approaches to eliminating technological complexity in the materials, production methods, analytical approaches and usage of such technologies, which that allows their application in resource-limited situations, and is often now also addressing issues of environmental sustainability.
Guest Edited and curated by Tony Killard (University of the West of England, UK), Stefano Cinti (University of Naples Federico II, Italy) and Anthony Gachanja (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya), the collection is open to new submissions from all areas of analytical chemistry and new articles will be added as they are published