Projects
The present list describes the most relevant projects of the past 5 years.
Ingestible Capsule Device (2021)
Researcher
University of Maryland
Detecting biomarkers in the digestive system is presently a major challenge. Available sensing tools, such as endoscopy probes, are invasive and therefore unsuitable to study the relation between biological factors, the psyche, and social factors associated with GI disorders because the sensing mechanism generates an additional stress, affecting the behavioral experiments. In this regard, ingestible smart capsules could provide a non-invasive solution. Miniaturized capsule systems could be equipped with sensors to study intraluminal molecules of interest as well as other imbalances in vivo with a minimal risk to the subject and without an alteration of the natural routine.
Development of a chemical product with applications in the capture of soluble phosphorous (2018-2020)
Researcher
University of the Republic (Uruguay)
ANII-EFICE SA
The eutrophication of water and cyanobacteria growth is one of the most worrying environmental problems in Uruguay in recent years. Losses of income related to tourism and fishing have had a strong economic and social impact for the country. One of the main causes for eutrophication is the excess of phosphorous in water, therefore controlling its concentration is mandatory to maintain healthy ecosystems.
Currently, the methods used for the measurement of phosphorus require expensive equipment, low accuracy or cannot be easily implemented in on-site measurements. In order to address this problem, two portable colorimetric and electrochemical sensor devices were designed to measure the phosphorus concentration in lakes and rivers.
Manufacture of nanoparticle standards (2017-2020)
Researcher and manager
University of the Republic (Uruguay)
Funded by "Fondo Carlos Vaz Ferreira"
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Turkevich method is one of the most employed techniques to synthesize gold nanoparticles. Although the synthesis is quite simple, obtaining homogenous nanoparticles by this method is still a challenge. The present project presents the synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles with ultra-narrow size distribution, along with their stability against salt aggregation, and shelf-time. We found that these ultra-homogeneous nanoparticles are stable for several months, making them suitable for many applications in the biomedical and analytical research.
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Analytical decentralization in the lead measurement (2016-2018)
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Researcher
University of the Republic
Funded by CSIC
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Environmental lead has been successfully abated in most countries due to the ban of lead compounds in fuels. However, little action has been taken to mitigate other sources of lead contamination. Lead inside homes is still a relevant problem that it is difficult to control because homes are private property in most countries. Hence, suitable methods for in situ analysis that provide simple but precise means of lead detection and quantification are in demand. The project focuses on the implementation of two portable techniques for in-home detection of lead in painted walls, doors, and windows. Lead is detected by a modified version of the dust wipe method as first screening and then positive or dubious samples where fuher analyzed by a decentralized electrochemical method on bismuth film electrodes, and further characterized by FTIR. The use of decentralized analyses provides an immediate response to this problem at an affordable cost for massive inspections.