Project Description

The perovskite nickelate (SmNiO3) belongs to a class of strongly correlated quantum materials, whose properties are highly sensitive to the occupancy of electrons in their partially filled orbitals. In previous work, perovskite nickelates have shown the potential for electric field detection in salt water media as well as detecting glucose through measurement of hydrogen transfer process. In this work, we will explore the possibility of using perovskite nickelates as a novel substrate for highly sensitive multimodal neurochemical sensing. Using SmNiO3 , we will create an array of implantable glutamate and dopamine biosensors, which are two of the most ubiquitous and important neurotransmitters in the nervous system. Glutamate is well-known for its role in relaying excitatory neurochemical signals as well as its role in neurodegeneration. Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter for learning and memory. Perovskite materials are often used in fuel cell and photovoltaic applications for their superior catalytic properties. Thus, the application of this quantum material for biological sensing application represents a convergence of multiple disciplines (i.e., material science, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience). With the limited sensitivity and stability issues of conventional neurochemical sensors, the nickelate-based biosensors with superior catalytic properties pose a unique research opportunity with significant potential impact.

Start Date

1/1/2020

Postdoc Qualifications

PhD in Material Science Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering with focus on biosensors, microfabrication, analytical chemistry or Perovskite material characterization.

Co-advisors 

Hyowon “Hugh” Lee
Hwlee@purdue.edu
Biomedical Engineering

Shriram Ramanathan
shriram@purdue.edu
Material Science Engineering

Collaborator 

Alex Chubykin
chubykin@purdue.edu
Department of Biological Sciences 

References 

Zhang, Z. et al. Perovskite nickelates as electric-field sensors in salt water. Nature 553, 68–72 (2018).

Zhang, H. T. et al. Perovskite nickelates as bio-electronic interfaces. Nat. Commun. 10, 1–7 (2019).

Nguyen, T. N. H. et al. Facile fabrication of flexible glutamate biosensor using direct writing of platinum nanoparticle-based nanocomposite ink. Biosens. Bioelectron. 131, 257–266 (2019).

Fu, Y., Sun, W., Shi, Y., Shi, R. & Cheng, J. X. Glutamate excitotoxicity inflicts paranodal myelin splitting and retraction. PLoS One 4, 2–13 (2009).