Research Papers - Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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Publication Open Access Anthocyanin (ATH)-incorporating polyvinylpyrrolidone-ethyl cellulose-(2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (PVP–EC–BCD) nanofiber-based pH sensor for ocular pH detection during accidental chemical spills(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2026-02-03) Sandaruwan, B; Liyanage, R; Costha, P; Dassanayake, R.S; Wijesinghe, R.E; Herath H.M.L.P.B; Nalin de S.K.M; de Silva, R.M; Rajapaksha, S.M; Wijenayake, UThe existing ocular pH detection methods encounter numerous limitations, including low accuracy, poor sensitivity across a wide pH range, and patient discomfort, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. A novel biosensor for ocular pH detection has been developed to assess ocular health and chemical injuries in clinical settings. This study uses the pH-sensitive properties of anthocyanins (ATHs), natural pigments extracted from butterfly pea flowers, to develop a novel pH-responsive nanofiber mat. ATHs are integrated into a polymer blend containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), ethyl cellulose (EC), and (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (BCD) to fabricate electrospun nanofibers. The acquired characterization, employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), confirmed the successful fabrication of the ATH-infused nanofibers with a mean diameter ranging from 121 to 396 nm. Four formulations were tested: PVP:EC:BCD:ATH (18 ppm), PVP:EC:BCD:ATH (25 ppm), PVP:EC:BCD:ATH (35 ppm), and PVP:EC:BCD:ATH (50 ppm). Among them, the 50 ppm ATH-incorporating nanofiber mat exhibited the best performance in terms of color clarity, response time, and pH sensitivity. The fabricated 50 ppm ATH incorporating nanofiber mat demonstrated a rapid pH response time of less than 5 seconds (s) while exhibiting a color variation from pink to blue to green across the pH range of 1 to 12, providing a rapid and accurate method for visual pH detection. Based on the color performance of the 50 ppm ATH-incorporating system, a standardized color reference chart was developed to serve as a practical and visual guide for estimating pH levels in clinical applications. Zebrafish toxicity assays were conducted further to validate the safety and biocompatibility of the developed sensor, revealing no significant toxic effects across the range of ATH concentrations.Publication Open Access Three-Dimensional Assessment of Dental Enamel Microcrack Progression After Orthodontic Bracket Debonding Using Optical Coherence Tomography(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-01) Saleah, S.A; Hamdan, A.H; Seong, D; Ravichandran, N. K; Wijesinghe, R.E; Han, S; Kim, J; Jeon, M; Park, H. SThe current study aimed to quantify the length progression of enamel microcracks (EMCs) after debonding metal and ceramic brackets, implementing OCT as a diagnostic tool. The secondary objectives included a three-dimensional assessment of EMC width and depth and the formation of new EMCs. OCT imaging was performed on 16 extracted human premolars before bonding and after debonding. Debonding was conducted with a universal Instron machine, with ARI values recorded. Additionally, 2D and 3D OCT images were employed to detect EMC formation and progression. Enface images quantified the length, width, and number of EMCs, and the length and width were analyzed using Image J (1.54f) and MATLAB (R2014b), respectively. Sagittal cross-sectional images were used for EMC depth analysis. A paired t-test showed significant differences in the length, width, and number of EMCs after debonding (p-value < 0.05), while the Wilcoxon non-parametric test indicated significant EMC depth changes (p-value < 0.05). No significant results were identified for the EMC number in ceramic brackets and EMC depth in metal brackets. Three-dimensional OCT imaging monitored existing EMCs at higher risk of progression and detected new EMCs following orthodontic bracket debonding. This study provides novel insights into EMC progression regarding the length, width, depth, and number after debonding.Publication Embargo Brewing plastics: OCT reveals microplastic release from nylon tea bags in simulated brewed tea infusions(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2026-02-12) Jayasekara, P.M; Abhishek, P; Kahandawala,B.S; Damith, N; Weerasinghe, M; Kahatapitiya, N.S; Silva, B.N; Karunaratne, S; Wijesinghe, R.E; Wijenayake, UThe release of microplastics (MPs) from nylon tea bags poses a critical concern for human exposure; however,their detection and quantification remain challenging especially in beverage matrices, and hence, this study pioneers the use of high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) integrated with an image processing algorithm to rapidly detect and quantify the size and count of the MPs directly in the water extractions simulating tea brewing. The water extractions prepared by simulating tea brewing conditions, hot (100 °C, 1–5min), cold (2 °C, 1 h), and ambient (30 °C, 1 h), were observed employing OCT imaging and validated through Nile Red (NR) staining and digital microscopy. The nylon tea bags steeped in hot water for 5 minutes released 16 000 to 24 000 LMPs (>30 mm) and SMPs (12–30 mm) per millilitre. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of MPs indicates a higher exposure for children (ranging from 0.201 to 0.349 mm3 kg−1 day−1 ) compared to adults (0.046 to 0.080 mm3 kg−1 day−1 ). In contrast, cold brewing for 1 hour released fewer LMPs but an equal quantity of small MPs (SMPs) compared to hot brewing. This OCT-based approach offers a rapid, versatile platform for the detection and quantification of MPs from diverse packaging materials and provides a powerful tool for comprehensive risk assessment when combined with chemical and toxicological analyses.