NTU-MSE Sports Material (Biosensor) Research Shadowing: Day 7- Back to the beginning

We started the day back in the Research Techno Plaza in NTU, where we carried out a new task today. We prepared clean and dry silicon chips as the substrate for the graphene oxide, so that we are able to carry out tests using solutions of different pH like what was done in Day 5.

The centre where we were at in Day 5 and today

We collected a sample size of about 40 silicon chips and prepared a cleaning solution to wash these chips. The solution is a mixture of water, hydrogen peroxide as well as aqueous ammonia. We had to mix these chips with the solution and allow the mixture to be kept warm for a period of time.

Picking the chips out one by one~

The collection of chips to be used~

The fume cupboard in which we left the chips to be cleansed~

The procedures for the process( 1st point itself is self-explanatory)

Apparatus for pump out accurate amount of hydrogen peroxide easily~

Preparing　ＲＣＡ　cleaning solution~

The chips in the cleaning solution~

The heat plate to keep the mixture warm~

While waiting for the chips to be ready , we went to prepare the functionalising agent, which is made up of aptes as well as ethanol . This is important because the functionalised chips will allow liquid graphene to be attached to it such that it will not go off easily.

Where ethanol is kept~

The bottle of ethanol is somewhere amongst these FLAMMABLE liquids~

Aptes (White bottle) and centrifugal tubes filled with ethanol( on blue rack)

After that, we proceeded with drying the silicon chips with pressured nitrogen gas . It is truly a valuable experience, though our hands will feel sore when clamping down on a chip using a twister while the air gun is firing at it.

Warmed mixture

The tank of pressurised nitrogen gas

Picking out the chip from the cleansing solution~

Drying the chip with an air gun~

Notice how the color of the surface of the chip change as it dries!

Before~

Drying in process~

After~

Placing the dried chips onto a separate Petri dish~

Now, let us show you a video on how it's done holistically!

Still halfway done here~

Look at what we have noticed when looking outside ...

What is he doing ?

Well, we would like to have such free time too :(

Eventually, we have dried up all the chips, followed by pouring the functionalising agent over these in the Petri dishes, and then we left it in the dry box for about 1 hour .

Meanwhile, time for our self-proclaimed lunch-break!

Our meals, of different cuisine ( Western, Chinese and Indian)

We managed to take a look at one of the lecture theaters in NTU~

When we came back, we proceeded with rinsing the chips with ethanol and drying them again.

Mentor drying the chips personally~

After that, our mentor obtained a bottle of graphene that was prepared the other day and performed a process known as 'drop-casting' onto the functionalised chips with the liquid graphene . Notice the surface of the chips.