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A wave of novel scientific innovations in diagnostics is transforming the 21st century by replacing the existing conventional devices, minimizing all limitations and enhancing accessibility. Developments in low-cost diagnostics in recent decades have drawn tremendous attention. Low-cost diagnostics are inexpensive, portable and easy to handle without special training and can be mass-produced. Moreover, they are harmless and do not pose any potential health risk. Furthermore, high sensitivity, low detection limit and robustness are other advantages. Low-cost diagnostics serve as efficient point-of-care devices in clinical settings, cancer detection, the fields of neurology and virology, the food industry and forensic investigations. Significant examples include diagnostics that use small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids to detect diseases, pathogens and biomarkers of interest using different platforms, such as screen-printed, paper, microfluidic and the latest 3D-printed devices. Moreover, significant micro- and nanomaterials are also used for the fabrication of sensitive low-cost devices. However, the standard methods and techniques used to develop low-cost diagnostics include colorimetric, fluorescent, electrochemical and electro chemiluminescent methods.

Therefore, this book explores recent advances in various areas of low-cost diagnostics, including materials, platforms, fabrication methods and techniques and applications. High-quality studies published recently have been covered by leading scientific researchers, including over twelve female scientists working at various geographical locations. These locations include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Poland, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Furthermore, “Low-Cost Diagnostics: Fabrication, Materials, and Applications” includes a total of fourteen chapters. The first chapter presents an introduction to colorimetric paper-based sensors and their applications in the low-cost detection of biomarkers in clinical diagnostics. The second chapter discusses the recently discovered four categories and ten types of low-cost small-molecule fluorescent probes and their corresponding indicators for diagnosing various non-communicable diseases, including cancers, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and depressive disorders. Chapter 3 explores the fundamentals of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and microfluidic systems and reviews recent advancements in paper- and microfluidic-based ECL sensors, with a specific focus on their applications in bioanalysis. Chapter 4 focuses on predominant food allergens, highlighting the significance of quick, inexpensive and accurate analytical techniques in screening specific allergen levels in food products.

Chapter 5 discusses the unique properties, functionalization and sensing applications of graphene and its derivatives. Chapter 6 discusses the scope of nanozyme-based biosensors for the Internet of Things and related applications in the healthcare sector. Chapter 7 addresses the classification of nanocellulose, including the most recent developments in environmentally friendly extraction methods. In addition, a thorough discussion of the most recent developments in nanocellulose for chemical sensing applications is covered. Chapter 8 covers microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs), particularly their origin, characteristics, fabrication methods, the control of liquid imbibition within µPADs and applications of µPADs in various analytical fields. Chapter 9 mainly illustrates potentially low-cost diagnostics for COVID-19, with an emphasis on their principle of detection, sensing scheme, materials used and detection limit. Chapter 10 discusses the basic aspects of 3D-printing technology, materials used for electrochemical low-cost diagnostic devices and their construction and performance.

Chapter 11 summarizes recent work conducted in the field of printed electrodes for diagnosing viral infections. It discusses the development of sensors to detect various viruses, including dengue virus, HIV, Zika virus, hepatitis viruses and SARS-CoV-2. Chapter 12 highlights the working principle of different diagnostic tools developed for α-synuclein detection, including details of how specificity has been achieved in each case. Chapter 13 describes immunosensors developed for detecting carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, cancer antigen-125, cancer antigen-15-3 and prostate-specific antigen. Chapter 14 provides an extensive introduction to readout circuit architectures designed to measure impedances across a frequency range in electrical impedance spectroscopy.

This comprehensive reference book serves a wide audience, including undergraduate and graduate students, new researchers, established academic scientists and professional researchers and scientists alike. All those interested in developing low-cost diagnostics for societal impact will find this book invaluable.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the scientific community, whose valuable contributions have advanced the field of low-cost diagnostics. Their dedication has paved the way for the development of this book. We are also deeply grateful to everyone who supported us on this challenging journey, from the initial concept of “Low-Cost Diagnostics: Fabrication, Materials, and Applications” to its successful completion.

Sincerely,

Mohammad Rizwan, PhD

Minhaz Uddin Ahmed, PhD

Guobao Xu, PhD

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