Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Development of a portable device for quantifying endogenous cyanide in Cassava
This master project aims to develop a small, safe, and low-cost mobile device for cyanide quanti-fication in cassava by non-expert users in remote settings
Keywords: biosensors, mobile device, point-of-care diagnostic, image processing, computer vision, rapid prototyping, engineering for development
Cassava is one of the most important staple foods worldwide, especially cultivated and consumed in Africa and South America. However, its consumption bears risks as it contains cyanogenic glycosides that convert to toxic cyanide during cell damage [1]. Recently the Zelder group (University of Zurich) reported the first rapid field test for detecting endogenous cyanide with the naked eye [2]. Quantifications with routine laboratory analytical devices (e.g. UV-Vis) was also demonstrated [3].
This master project aims to develop a small, safe, and low-cost mobile device for cyanide quanti-fication in cassava by non-expert users in remote settings, e.g. farmers or food safety officers.
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/10/cyanide-test-cassava
[1] F. Zelder, L. Tivana, Org. Biom. Chem. 2015, 13, 14-17. [2] L. Tivana, J. Da Cruz Francisco, F. Zelder, B. Bergenstahl, P. Dejmek, Food. Chem. 2014, 158, 20-27. [3] C. Männel-Croisé, F. Zelder, ACS Appl. Mat. Interf. 2012, 4, 725-729.
Cassava is one of the most important staple foods worldwide, especially cultivated and consumed in Africa and South America. However, its consumption bears risks as it contains cyanogenic glycosides that convert to toxic cyanide during cell damage [1]. Recently the Zelder group (University of Zurich) reported the first rapid field test for detecting endogenous cyanide with the naked eye [2]. Quantifications with routine laboratory analytical devices (e.g. UV-Vis) was also demonstrated [3]. This master project aims to develop a small, safe, and low-cost mobile device for cyanide quanti-fication in cassava by non-expert users in remote settings, e.g. farmers or food safety officers.
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/10/cyanide-test-cassava [1] F. Zelder, L. Tivana, Org. Biom. Chem. 2015, 13, 14-17. [2] L. Tivana, J. Da Cruz Francisco, F. Zelder, B. Bergenstahl, P. Dejmek, Food. Chem. 2014, 158, 20-27. [3] C. Männel-Croisé, F. Zelder, ACS Appl. Mat. Interf. 2012, 4, 725-729.
Not specified
Prof. Walter Karlen, Mobile Health Systems Lab, BAA
http://www.mhsl.hest.ethz.ch/the-group/people/person-detail.html?persid=208929
Prof. Walter Karlen, Mobile Health Systems Lab, BAA http://www.mhsl.hest.ethz.ch/the-group/people/person-detail.html?persid=208929
ETH for Development (ETH4D) aims to develop innovations that are directly relevant to improving the livelihoods of people in low-resource settings and to educate future leaders in sustainable development.