Unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) have provided many breakthrough solutions for life science. The immense potential of MNP as labels in advanced immunoassays stems from the fact that they, unlike optical labels, can be easily detected inside 3D opaque porous biosensing structures or in colored mediums, manipulated by an external magnetic field, exhibit high stability and negligible background signal in biological samples, etc. In this research, the magnetic nanolabels and an original technique of their quantification by non-linear magnetization have permitted development of novel methods of multiplex biosensing. Several types of highly sensitive multi-channel readers that offer an extremely wide linear dynamic range are developed to count MNP in different recognition zones for quantitative concentration measurements of various analytes. Four approaches to multiplex biosensing based on MNP have been demonstrated in one-run tests based on several 3D porous structures; flat and micropillar microfluidic sensor chips; multi-line lateral flow strips and modular architecture of the strips, which is the first 3D multiplexing method that goes beyond the traditional planar techniques. Detection of cardio- and cancer markers, small molecules and oligonucleotides were used in the experiments. The analytical characteristics of the developed multiplex methods are on the level of the modern time-consuming laboratory techniques. The developed multiplex biosensing platforms are promising for medical and veterinary diagnostics, food inspection, environmental and security monitoring, etc. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The article describes analysis of land vehicles development (tractors, automobiles etc). There are three main branches (aims) of modern vehicles development. Firstly, application of mechatronics modules and systems for designing nowadays vehicles are believed to be an up-to date constructing method. Thus a vehicle for future will be consists of different modules. Secondly, a new theory should be developed. The theory should describe designing/control principles of the modules and their interaction as part of the main system. Thirdly, the main control system of all the mechatronics modules should be developed. Due to the control system autonomous driving can be designed. BMSTU has been studying the issues described. For example a mechatronics-based locomotion module for vehicle is being developed. All wheel steering as one of the main functions of the mechatronics-based locomotion module is considered. The steering drive place in conceptual scheme of automated steering system, developed and tested by researches in BMSTU, is shown. Comparison between all wheel steering with an independent drive and all wheel steering with centralized drive are proposed. Thus we can conclude that the main tendency of modern vehicle designing is application and development mechatronic modules and systems. The next articles will describes further BMSTU research connected with the mechatronics-based locomotion module, its designing and modeling approach.

The main trend in designing of automobiles and mobile robots is a widespread use of mechatronic modules and systems. But there are many questions concerning the mechatronics-based approach. We see a constant integration of the theory and practice of an automobile and a mobile robot. Thus, research in these areas can be carried out simultaneously. The aim of the research is development of a designing approach of the mechatronics-based locomotion module for the automobiles and mobile robots. Mechatronics-based locomotion module is intended to control: (i) turning of the wheels of the axle, (ii) pressure in the chambers of the hydraulic cylinders of the axle suspensions and (in) vertical displacement of the left and right wheels of the axle. The task of the research is development of a complex mathematical model, which includes development of control algorithms for the all-wheel steering system and the regulated wheel springing system, choice of the control system components and of electro-hydraulic servo drive of wheels turning. On the basis of the mathematical model the authors studied all the components of the mechatronics-based locomotion module. All the obtained results of physical modeling were done with the use of a mechatronics-based locomotion module test bench. The article describes the study of electro-hydraulic servo drive with a centralized hydraulic system.

A 3-channel biosensor based on spectral correlation interferometry (SCI) has been adapted for direct optical detection of antigens by measuring changes in thickness of a biolayer on functionalized glass slips employed as affordable single-use sensor chips. The instrument is insensitive to the bulk refractive index of a solution under test and provides signals in metrological units (pm or nm). Using real-time monitoring with the SCI, protocols for fabrication of sensor chips with different functional (epoxylated, carboxylated, and biotinylated) surfaces for antibody immobilization have been developed and optimized to minimize chip-to-chip variations and achieve better limit of detection (LOD), shorter assay time, and longer shelf life. The optimized coupling surfaces have been compared for detection of human serum albumin (HSA) used as a model agent of medical significance. The dynamic ranges for measuring the HSA concentration were 0.07–20, 0.12–30, and 0.25–10 μg/ml, and the assay durations were less than 20, 15, and 30 min for the epoxylated, carboxylated, and biotinylated chips, respectively. The advantages of each type of sensor chip have been shown, namely, the carboxylated chips feature the shortest assay time, the epoxylated ones demonstrate the best LOD, and the biotinylated chips exhibit the longest shelf life in an unprotected environment. The developed protocols of antibody immobilization can be used in different biosensors and assay techniques including those based on fluorescent, magnetic or plasmonic labels, etc. The SCI is well compatible with various partially transparent layers used in biosensing and with microarrays for multi-analyte detection.

This paper presents a new experimental test rig and experimental findings on tire elastomer-surface friction characteristics that are necessary for modeling tire thermodynamic characteristics and then tire characteristics, including the μ-curve in the driving and braking modes of operation. Unlike common approaches, the paper offers experimental procedures and test results on both steady and non-steady friction process by introducing (i) velocity factor, (ii) normal pressure distribution, and (iii) a temperature factor in the elastomer-surface contact. The group of (i), (ii), and (iii)-listed factors, taken together, represents the key elements by means of which tribological properties of the tire-road interaction, i.e., an elastomer-surface friction pair, impact the μ-curve.

A method for quantitative investigation of affinity constants of receptors immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles (MP) is developed based on spectral correlation interferometry (SCI). The SCI records with a picometer resolution the thickness changes of a layer of molecules or nanoparticles due to a biochemical reaction on a cover slip, averaged over the sensing area. The method is compatible with other types of sensing surfaces employed in biosensing. The measured values of kinetic association constants of magnetic nanoparticles are 4 orders of magnitude higher than those of molecular antibody association with antigen. The developed method also suggests highly sensitive detection of antigens in a wide dynamic range. The limit of detection of 92pg/ml has been demonstrated for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with 50-nm MP employed as labels, which produce 3-order amplification of the SCI signals. The calibration curve features high sensitivity (slope) of 3-fold signal raise per 10-fold increase of PSA concentration within 4-order dynamic range, which is an attractive compromise for precise quantitative and highly sensitive immunoassay. The proposed biosensing technique offers inexpensive disposable sensor chips of cover slips and represents an economically sound alternative to traditional immunoassays for disease diagnostics, detection of pathogens in food and environmental monitoring.

An open-link locomotion module, comprising a driving wheel with an electric motor, a system of electro-hydraulic suspension, and an electro-hydraulic power steering system, is presented in this paper as the basis for the modular design of unmanned (robotic) ground vehicles. The open-link-type configuration allows the module to be functionally integrated and engineered with a system of similar modules and thus virtually allows to compile vehicles with any required number of driving wheels. The overall dimensions and carrying capacity of the tire used in the module, as well as technical characteristics of the suspension and power steering systems make possible to employ the module for commercial ground vehicle applications.This paper considers technical issues related to designing the locomotion module. In particular, the interaction of the suspension and steering systems is studied while the systems form the normal reaction of the wheel and influence the resistance moment in the tire-road contact patch. The suspension characteristics influence the wheel normal reaction, tire deflections, and the over roll area of the tire patch. An increased tire patch area has a positive effect on stability of motion of the module and the vehicle as a whole. However, friction in the tire-road contact also goes up and increases power losses to steer the wheel. This can degrade module and vehicle handling performance.Theoretical and experimental studies (conducted on a test bench and a real automobile built from a set of the locomotion modules) have shown that the problem of increasing stability on motion and improving handling performance of the module can be solved by (i) defining and determining the friction/resistance moment of the tire as a function of the normal reaction of the wheel; (ii) computing the pressure of the working liquid pr in the electro-hydraulic power steering system that is sufficient to overcome the resistance moment; and (iii) by means of functional fusion of the suspension and steering control systems, in which stiffness and damping characteristics are controlled and thus generate a tire patch, which ensures the preset characteristics of module stability and handling. In addition, ride smoothness requirements are also observed.

A label-free method based on spectral correlation interferometry has been developed for highly sensitive detection of pyrethroids by competitive immunoassay on the surface of sensor chips made of widely available microscopy glass cover slips. It is shown that the method allows independent optimization of each step of the sensor surface modification. This fact may be used to increase the efficiency of development of protocols for a wide spectrum of immunoassays that employ glass surface as a solid phase. Detection of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, which is one of the most stable metabolites of a large number of pyrethroids, on the surface of the optimized sensor chips has been demonstrated on the level of 15 pg/ml. That is 50 times better than the sensitivity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

A label-free method based on spectral correlation interferometry has been developed for highly sensitive detection of pyrethroids by competitive immunoassay on the surface of sensor chips made of widely available microscopy glass cover slips. It is shown that the method allows independent optimization of each step of the sensor surface modification. This fact may be used to increase the efficiency of development of protocols for a wide spectrum of immunoassays that employ glass surface as a solid phase. Detection of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, which is one of the most stable metabolites of a large number of pyrethroids, on the surface of the optimized sensor chips has been demonstrated on the level of 15 pg/ml. That is 50 times better than the sensitivity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The article enumerates the main problems encountered in creating main traction-transport vehicles (TTV) units as mechatronic systems. The authors review the results of the comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies of creating TTVs—automobiles and tractors of the future based on mechatronic systems. The analysis of the results shows that TTV progress is only possible based on a broad introduction of mechatronic modules into vehicle designs. This significantly increases the role of electronics and control systems.