Q-Sense QCM-D systems offers a unique combination of real-time analysis of surface events, substrate flexibility, and a robust, exact and user-friendly multi-channel instrument providing an invaluable tool for biomaterial scientists wanting to understand what really happens at the surface. It e.g. provides detailed information on protein reorganization processes, the formation of a polymer coating and allow optimization of the procedure on a range of substrates.

Available model surfaces include hydroxyapatite, titanium, stainless steel and a range of ceramics and polymers including user-specific polymers. Once the coating is formed, Q-Sense QCM-D instruments can provide detailed information on the stability and impact of changes in temperature, pH, ionic strength and humidity. QCM-D also offers insights into the mechanisms that control host response when exposing a biomaterial to biologically relevant components such as proteins and cells, or more complex fluids such as blood, saliva or tears. These insights may help to pinpoint which parameters to focus on in animal and subsequent clinical studies.

Real-time output results include:
• adsorbed mass
• thickness changes
• water content
• material (viscoelastic) properties
• swelling characteristics

The QCM-D technology works on the principle of oscillator resonance, where not only resonance frequency, but also energy dissipation (D) is simultaneously determined. This unique combination of parameters makes its possible to analys the soft, “viscoelastic” molecular films that form in biological liquids. A model system is created in a flow cell on a 2D substrate, and resulting in real-time data on adsorption/desorption, crosslinking or swelling, the data presented as mass, thickness and viscosity. By comparison with optical adsorption techniques, the acoustic nature of QCM-D means that completely opaque liquids can easily be studied.

Biomaterial Sensors and coatings
Q-Sense provides a wide range of relevant sensor substrates coated with realistic surface chemistry such as hydroxyapatite, titanium, stainless steel, polystyrene and PMMA. Apart from these standard coatings, Q-Sense has the know-how to provide some 40 sensor coatings. Q-Sense can also provide custom made sensor coatings and sensors can be coated almost with any material as long as it can be applied as a thin homogenous film. Q-Sense has a large knowledge of making modified surfaces user specific materials such as different polymers. Many of our biomaterial users also make their own specific coatings, such as functionalized peptide/protein, polymers or hydrogel coatings. Q-Sense can advise users on specific coating procedures.

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