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The most well-known criterion for POC devices is ASSURED, and affordability, i.e., using low-cost instrumentation, is the most challenging one. This manuscript provides a pathway for transitioning ESSENCE, an impedance-based biosensor platform, from using an expensive benchtop analyzer—KeySight 4294A (~$50k)—to using a significantly portable and cheaper USB oscilloscope—Analog Discovery 2 (~$200) —with similar sensitivity (around 100 times price difference). To achieve this, we carried out a fundamental study of the interplay between an electrolyte like potassium chloride (KCl), and an electrolyte buffer like phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in the presence and absence of a redox buffer like ferro/ferricyanide system and ([Ru(bpy)3]2+). Redox molecules in the electrolyte caused a significant change in the Nyquist curve of the impedance depending on the redox molecule type. The redox species and the background electrolyte have their own RC semicircles in the Nyquist curve, whose overlap depends on the redox concentration and electrolyte ionic strength. We found that by increasing the electrolyte ionic strength or the redox concentration, the RC semicircle moves to higher frequencies and vice versa. Importantly, the use of the buffer electrolyte, instead of KCl, led to a lower standard deviation and overall signal (lesser sensitivity). However, to achieve the best results from the biorecognition signal, we chose a buffered electrolyte like PBS with high ionic strength and lowered the redox probe concentrations to minimize the standard deviation and reduce any noise from migrating to the low-cost analyzer. Comparing the two analyzers shows similar results, with a lowered detection limit from the low-cost analyzer. 

Integrating transducer/sensing materials into microfluidic platforms has enhanced gas sensors′ sensitivity, selectivity, and response time while facilitating miniaturization. In this manuscript, microfluidics has been integrated with non-planar microelectrode array and functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) to develop a novel miniaturized electrochemical gas sensor architecture. The sensor employs the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 2-cyanopyrolide ([EMIM][2-CNpyr]) as the electrolyte and capture molecule for detecting carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The three-layer architecture of the sensor consists of a microchannel with the IL sandwiched between glass slides containing microelectrode arrays, forming a non-planar structure. This design facilitates electric field penetration through the IL, capturing CO 2 binding perturbations throughout the channel volume to enhance sensitivity. CO 2 binding with [EMIM][2-CNpyr] generates carboxylate ([EMIM] + -CO2 − ]), carbamate ([2-CNpyr]-CO2 − ]), and pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (2-CNpyrH) species, significantly decreasing the conductivity. The viscosity is also increased, leading to a further decrease in conductivity. These cumulative effects increase charge transfer resistance in the impedance spectrum, allowing a linear calibration curve obtained using Langmuir Isotherm. The sensitivity and reproducibility in CO 2 detection are demonstrated by two electrode configurations using the calibration curve. The developed sensor offers a versatile platform for future applications. 

With the rapid growth of emerging point-of-use (POU)/point-of-care (POC) detection technologies, miniaturized sensors for the real-time detection of gases and airborne pathogens have become essential to fight pollution, emerging contaminants, and pandemics. However, the low-cost development of miniaturized gas sensors without compromising selectivity, sensitivity, and response time remains challenging. Microfluidics is a promising technology that has been exploited for decades to overcome such limitations, making it an excellent candidate for POU/POC. However, microfluidic-based gas sensors remain a nascent field. In this review, the evolution of microfluidic gas sensors from basic electronic techniques to more advanced optical techniques such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect analytes is documented in detail. This paper focuses on the various detection methodologies used in microfluidic-based devices for detecting gases and airborne pathogens. Non-continuous microfluidic devices such as bubble/droplet-based microfluidics technology that have been employed to detect gases and airborne pathogens are also discussed. The selectivity, sensitivity, advantages/disadvantages vis-a-vis response time, and fabrication costs for all the microfluidic sensors are tabulated. The microfluidic sensors are grouped based on the target moiety, such as air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and airborne pathogens such as E. coli and SARS-CoV-2. The possible application scenarios for the various microfluidic devices are critically examined.