Fabrizio Spano

Materials used to simulate physical properties of human skin

For many applications in research, material development and testing, physical skin models are preferable to the use of human skin, because more reliable and reproducible results can be obtained.

In vivo confirmation of hydration-induced changes in human-skin thickness, roughness and interaction with the environment

The skin properties, structure, and performance can be influenced by many internal and external factors, such as age, gender, lifestyle, skin diseases, and a hydration level that can vary in relation to the environment. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the multifaceted influence of water on human skin through a combination of in vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy and images of volar-forearm skin captured with the laser scanning confocal microscopy. By means of this pilot study, the authors have both qualitatively and quantitatively studied the influence of changing the depth-dependent hydration level of the stratum corneum (SC) on the real contact area, surface roughness, and the dimensions of the primary lines and presented a new method for characterizing the contact area for different states of the skin. The hydration level of the skin and the thickness of the SC increased significantly due to uptake of moisture derived from liquid water or, to a much lesser extent, from humidity present in the environment. Hydrated skin was smoother and exhibited higher real contact area values. The highest rates of water uptake were observed for the upper few micrometers of skin and for short exposure times.

Implantable Neurorecording Sensing System: Wireless Transmission of Measurements

Seizure detection and monitoring are generally carried out by electroencephalogram (EEG) instrumentation with electrodes located on the scalp. For 24 h monitoring, it is possible to use an EEG recorder brought by the patient positioned on a bed or normally moving in the hospital and doing everything. This paper presents findings in the design of a neurocase for hosting a neurorecording system and its conformity to IEEE 24451 limited to wireless aspects related to data transmission. The recording system also provides for suppressing spikes and surges in EEG signals since these signals can be considered as a series of voltages with a relationship with space and time. Nanotechnology solutions relative to materials have been illustrated. Moreover, a stress simulation has been also performed in order to verify the sustainability of the design. The studied system considers the implementation of the neurorecording system including, design of circuital electronic components and thermoelectric power board supply, and 3-D package.

POF-yarn weaves: controlling the light out-coupling of wearable phototherapy devices

Neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubinaemia) is common in neonates and, often, intensive blue-light phototherapy is required to prevent long-term effects. A photonic textile can overcome three major incubator-related concerns: Insulation of the neonate, human contact, and usage restraints. This paper describes the development of a homogeneous luminous textile from polymer optical fibres to use as a wearable, long-term phototherapy device. The bend out-coupling of light from the POFs was related to the weave production, e.g. weave pattern and yarn densities. Comfort, determined by friction against a skin model and breathability, was investigated additionally. Our textile is the first example of phototherapeutic clothing that is produced sans post-processing allowing for faster commercial production.

The relationship between skin function, barrier properties, and body-dependent factors

Skin is a multilayer interface between the body and the environment, responsible for many important functions, such as temperature regulation, water transport, sensation, and protection from external triggers.

Optical glucose sensing using ethanolamine–polyborate complexes

Wound monitoring is essential to tackle chronic complications at their infancy and thus objectively scrutinize any delay in the epithelization process. Since glucose in wound exudates is recognized as key bio-marker in wound monitoring, the development of a cost-efficient detection method for glucose would aid at tackling early-stage infections in wounds. For the first time, we present a novel platform for one-step synthesis of non-enzymatic, cost-efficient optical glucose sensors. These are based on complexes formed by the interactions between polyborates and ethanolamines. The complexes, synthesized by just heating a solution of boric acid and ethanolamines at 150 °C, were characterized using 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, 11B-NMR, analytical ultracentrifugation and DFT. The results show that the complexes in solution are extremely small (hydrodynamic diameter of around 0.5 nm) and that the polyborates species interact with the ethanolamines via both moderate and weak hydrogen bondings. These complexes were then tested on glucose concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 mM, showing significant changes in the fluorescent emission between the glucose level expressed in an healable wound (5.0-7.6 mM) and a chronic one (0.3-1.0 mM).

Flexible touch sensors based on nanocomposites embedding polymeric optical fibers for artificial skin applications

Development of artificial or robotic skin implementing optical touch sensors is considered. Integration of polymeric optical fibers in elastomeric nanocomposite matrix biomimicking human skin specification as flexibility and large-area sensing is presented. The sensing principle is directly linked to deformation of the polymeric optical fiber itself under applied weight solicitations.