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Analysis of institutional authors

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December 2, 2025
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Article
Hybrid Gold

Toward a Plasmon-Based Biosensor throughout a Thermoresponsive Hydrogel.

Publicated to: Acs Applied Polymer Materials. 6 (22): 13618-13629 - 2024-11-22 6(22), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.4c02255

Authors:

Parra A; Ahumada Ó; Thon A; Pini V; Mingot J; Armelin E; Alemán C; Lanzalaco S
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Affiliations

IMEM-BRT's Group, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I, second floor, 08019, Barcelona, Spain. - Author
Mecwins S.A., Ronda de Poniente, 15 2°D, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid, Spain. - Author

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of thermoresponsive hydrogels as innovative substrates for future in vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications using AVAC technology, developed and patented by the Mecwins biomedical company. In order to convert the hydrogel in a substrate compatible with AVAC technology, the following prerequisites were established: (1) the hydrogel layer needs to be permeable to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and (2) the optical properties of the hydrogel should not interfere with the detection of AuNPs with AVAC technology. These two key aspects are evaluated in this work. A silicon substrate (Sil) was coated with a layer of a thermosensitive hydrogel (TSH) based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N'-methylene bis(acrylamide) (PNIPAAm-co-MBA). The TSH offers the advantage of easy modulation of its porosity through cross-linker adjustments, crucial for the plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) permeation. The platforms, denominated as (Sil)-g-(PNIPAAm-co-MBA), were fabricated by changing the cross-linker concentrations and exploring three deposition methods: drop casting (DC), spin coating (SC), and 3D printing (3D); the DC approach resulted in a very homogeneous and thin hydrogel layer, very suitable for the final application. Furthermore, after physical-chemical characterization, the TSH demonstrated its functionality in regulating nanoparticle absorption, and AVAC technology's capability to precisely identify such NPs through the hydrogel matrix was validated. The proposed hydrogel platform fulfills the initial requirements, opening the possibility for employing these hydrogels as dynamic substrates in sandwich immunoassay devices. The next step in the development of the hydrogel substrate would be its functionalization with biorecognition groups to allow for biomarker detection. By leveraging their enhanced capture efficiency and the ability to manipulate particle flow thermally, we anticipate a significant advancement in diagnostic methodologies, combining the spatial benefits of three-dimensional hydrogel structures with the precision of AVAC's digital detection.
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Keywords

Biomarker classificationDark-field microscopyGold nanoparticlesNanoparticle permeationPlasmonic detectionThermoresponsive hydrogel

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Acs Applied Polymer Materials due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 22/94, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Polymer Science.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-25:

  • Open Alex: 1
  • Scopus: 1
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 25 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/92128/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 48
  • Downloads: 39
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (PARRA HEMING, ANNE BEATRIZ) .

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