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In this work, a robust and reliable electrochemical sensor was developed for sensitive detection of non-electroactive melamine (MEL) using a modified glassy carbon electrode with ascorbic acid (AA) as the active recognition element. To increase the current signal of AA, the working electrode was successively modified with l-arginine (l-Arg) and reduced graphene oxide-copper nanoflower composite. The voltammetry measurements denoted that the hydrogen bonding was formed between AA and MEL. Using the optimum conditions, the proposed enhanced sensor can detect MEL concentrations ranging from 10 × 10-9 to 9.0 × 10-8 M with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10-9 M that is proportional to the decrease of AA in the anodic peak current. Finally, the proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of MEL in commercial infant milk samples and good recovery values were obtained.

Ferrites have emerged out as excellent material for a broad spectrum of applications. Thick films of these materials have great demand for energy and advanced electronics. This review highlights a brief overview of the spinel-type of ferrite thick films (S-FTFs) development right from their historical developments, preparation strategies and state of art applications. The fabrication of S-FTFs includes the discussion on screen-printing, doctor blade tape casting, plasma spray, and spin coating. The comparative analysis of the screen printing technique to the other methods is provided to assist the scientific community during the process of choosing the most suitable fabrication technique. The influence of the synthesis parameters such as temperatures (pre-sintering and final sintering), binders (organic and inorganic), sizes (crystallite, grain, and particle), substrate material and the final heat treatment process in S-FTFs, and the preparation of the ferrite powders and their fabrication technique are review and summarized. Moreover, this review provides a brief overview of the S-FTFs applications, which are classified into four broad categories: sensors, microwave, magnetic and advanced applications. This classification provides a deeper insight into the potential of the S-FTF applications. The motivation in materializing the review of S-FTFs technology is to inspire aspiring research candidates and boost their research interest in this particular field.

Self-cleaning concept has achieved significant attention because of their distinct features and inclusive range of probable applications in various fields. Inspired from the lotus effect; the self-cleaning properties showed by the leaves due to the micro and nanoscopic design which reduces the water droplets adhesion to the surface, self-cleaning technology (SCT) plays a significant role in the current time in various applications. One of its special features is its ability to keep the surface clean and maintain the self-cleaning property stable under severe environmental conditions over an intended period of time. This review introduces an overview of the fabrication techniques for superhydrophobic coating and self-cleaning (SC) applications in various fields. The SCT has applications in areas such as textiles, cotton-fabrics garments, buildings construction, lavatories, domestic-automobiles windows, architectural heritage, and photovoltaic and solar cells. As SCT has wide range of applications, there is a need for a deeper understanding of the resilience and preparation of SC surfaces. Therefore, we have discussed the major applications of SCT in building, toilet, mineral paints for architectural heritage, photovoltaic devices or solar cell, fabrics or textile industry in this review. Apart from this, we have also added information regarding the techniques of SC superhydrophobic surfaces and flexible self-cleaning materials and their applications. SCT naturally suffers from great issues in their durability and stability. As the durability of SCT is significant in daily human life, it is intensively reflected in this literature survey. Furthermore, the ongoing progress and potential efforts in the recent innovative applications of SCT along with the critical conclusions, forthcoming views, and obstacles on the field of the durability of SCT are discussed in the presented survey.

Reusable antibacterial non-leaching monolithic columns polymerized in microfluidic channels designed for on-chip cell lysis applications were obtained by the photoinitiated free radical copolymerization of diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) and ethylene glycol diacrylate (EGDA) in the presence of a porogenic solvent. The microfluidic channels were fabricated in cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (X-PMMA) substrates by laser micromachining. The monolithic columns have the ability to inhibit the growth of, kill and efficiently lyse Gram-positive Micrococcus luteus (Schroeter) (ATCC 4698) and Kocuria rosea (ATCC 186), and Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 12633) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218) by mechanically shearing the bacterial membrane when forcing the cells to pass through the narrow pores of the monolithic column, and simultaneously disintegrating the cell membrane by physical contact with the antibacterial surface of the column. Cell lysis was confirmed by off-chip PCR without the need for further purification. The influence of the cross-linking monomer on bacterial growth inhibition, leaching, lysis efficiency of the monolithic column and its mechanical stability within the microfluidic channel were investigated and analyzed for three different cross-linking monomers: ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate (1,6-HDDMA). Furthermore, the bonding efficiency of two X-PMMA substrates with different cross-linking levels was studied. The monolithic columns were shown to be stable, non-leaching, and reusable for over 30 lysis cycles without significant performance degradation or DNA carryover when they were back-flushed between lysis cycles.