Aleksandar Radu

Biography

I joined Keele University as Lecturer in Chemistry in December 2011 and I am a member of the Research Institute for Environmental Physics and Applied Mathematics EPSAM.

I studied Physical Chemistry at Belgrade University, Serbia and after obtaining my BSc in 1997 I worked as Consultant in Chemistry for three years in Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection Co, Serbia. I then started my postgraduate studies at Auburn University, USA under the supervision of Prof Eric Bakker and obtained my PhD in 2005. My work contributed towards better understanding of response mechanisms of ionophore-based sensors. One of the important consequences of this work was improvement of the detection limit of up to six orders of magnitude.

Following my studies, I joined the group of Prof Dermot Diamond at Dublin City University, Ireland as postdoctoral researcher and stayed here for 5 years. I worked on real-life applications of ionopore-based sensors and expanded my expertise on materials capable of changing sensing characteristics using external stimuli. Prior to the appointment at Keele, I spent a year as Lecturer in Physical Chemistry and Formulation at the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at University of Portsmouth.

See my Research Group web pages for further information.

Research and scholarship

My research is positioned on the interface between material and analytical chemistry and involves the convergence of ionophore-based sensors with materials whose properties can be tuned (e.g ionic liquids (ILs)) or changed using external stimuli (e.g. molecular switches (MSs)). The convergence is achieved through the design, development and exploitation of these materials in sensing applications and a thorough understanding of related recognition mechanisms. I develop both fundamental and applied aspects of my research as I am interested in development of new sensing concepts and platforms and their application on some of the important issues in daily life.

The ultimate goal is development of small, simple, low-cost and user-friendly sensing platforms integrating chemo/bio sensors with digital communication devices. These devices could be used by non-professional people for fast diagnostics at home, in doctor’s office or for in-situ measurements for application in environmental monitoring, control of water and food quality, safety and security, and forensic applications.

Teaching

Year 1

CHE-10048: Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills (Semester 1)
CHE-10044: Introductory Environmental Chemistry (Semester 2)

Year 2

CHE-20030: Spectroscopy and Analytical Chemistry (Semester 1)
ESC-20032: Environmental Analytical Methods (Semester 2)
CHE-20029: Radicals, Phases and Supramolecular Chemistry (Semester 2)

Year 3

CHE 30037: Topics in Chemistry (Semester 2)
CHE-30040: Chemistry Research Project (Semester 1 and 2)

Selected Publications

Dillingham PW, Alsaedi BSO, Granados-Focil S, Radu A, McGraw CM. 2020. Establishing Meaningful Limits of Detection for Ion-Selective Electrodes and Other Nonlinear Sensors. ACS Sens, vol. 5(1), 250-257. link> doi>
Mendecki L, Granados-Focil S, Jendrlin M, Mold M, Radu A. 2020. Self-plasticized, lumogallion-based fluorescent optical sensor for the determination of aluminium (III) with ultra-low detection limits. Anal Chim Acta, vol. 1101, 141-148. link> doi> full text>
Dillingham PW, Alsaedi BSO, Radu A, McGraw CM. 2019. Semi-Automated Data Analysis for Ion-Selective Electrodes and Arrays Using the R Package ISEtools. Sensors (Basel), vol. 19(20). link> doi> full text>
Choosang J, Numnuam A, Thavarungkul P, Kanatharana P, Radu T, Ullah S, Radu A. 2018. Simultaneous Detection of Ammonium and Nitrate in Environmental Samples Using on Ion-Selective Electrode and Comparison with Portable Colorimetric Assays. Sensors (Basel), vol. 18(10). link> doi> full text>
Schazmann B, Demey S, Ali ZW, Plissart M-S, Brennan E, Radu A. 2018. Robust, Bridge-less Ion-selective Electrodes with Significantly Reduced Need for Pre- and Post-application Handling. ELECTROANALYSIS (vol. 30, pp. 740-747). link> doi>

Full Publications List show

Journal Articles

Dillingham PW, Alsaedi BSO, Granados-Focil S, Radu A, McGraw CM. 2020. Establishing Meaningful Limits of Detection for Ion-Selective Electrodes and Other Nonlinear Sensors. ACS Sens, vol. 5(1), 250-257. link> doi>
Mendecki L, Granados-Focil S, Jendrlin M, Mold M, Radu A. 2020. Self-plasticized, lumogallion-based fluorescent optical sensor for the determination of aluminium (III) with ultra-low detection limits. Anal Chim Acta, vol. 1101, 141-148. link> doi> full text>
Dillingham PW, Alsaedi BSO, Radu A, McGraw CM. 2019. Semi-Automated Data Analysis for Ion-Selective Electrodes and Arrays Using the R Package ISEtools. Sensors (Basel), vol. 19(20). link> doi> full text>
Choosang J, Numnuam A, Thavarungkul P, Kanatharana P, Radu T, Ullah S, Radu A. 2018. Simultaneous Detection of Ammonium and Nitrate in Environmental Samples Using on Ion-Selective Electrode and Comparison with Portable Colorimetric Assays. Sensors (Basel), vol. 18(10). link> doi> full text>
Fayose T, Mendecki L, Ullah S, Radu A. 2017. Single strip solid contact ion selective electrodes on a pencil-drawn electrode substrate. ANALYTICAL METHODS, vol. 9(7), 1213-1220. link> doi> full text>
Rich M, Mendecki L, Mensah ST, Blanco-Martinez E, Armas S, Calvo-Marzal P, Radu A, Chumbimuni-Torres KY. 2016. Circumventing Traditional Conditioning Protocols in Polymer Membrane-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes. Anal Chem, vol. 88(17), 8404-8408. link> doi> full text>
Mendecki L, Callan N, Ahern M, Schazmann B, Radu A. 2016. Influence of Ionic Liquids on the Selectivity of Ion Exchange-Based Polymer Membrane Sensing Layers. Sensors (Basel), vol. 16(7). link> doi> link> full text>
Mendecki L, Chen X, Callan N, Thompson DF, Schazmann B, Granados-Focil S, Radu A. 2016. Simple, Robust, and Plasticizer-Free Iodide-Selective Sensor Based on Copolymerized Triazole-Based Ionic Liquid. Anal Chem, vol. 88(8), 4311-4317. link> doi> full text>
Mendecki L, Fayose T, Stockmal KA, Wei J, Granados-Focil S, McGraw CM, Radu A. 2015. Robust and Ultrasensitive Polymer Membrane-Based Carbonate-Selective Electrodes. Analytical Chemistry, vol. 87(15), 7515-7518. link> doi> link> full text>
Radu A, Radu T, McGraw C, Dillingham P, Anastasva-Ivanova S, Diamond D. 2013. Ion selective electrodes in environmental analysis. JOURNAL OF THE SERBIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, vol. 78(11), 1729-1761. link> doi>
Dillingham PW, Radu T, Diamond D, Radu A, McGraw CM. 2012. Bayesian Methods for Ion Selective Electrodes. ELECTROANALYSIS, vol. 24(2), 316-324. link> doi>
Anastasova S, Radu A, Matseu G, Zuliani C, Mattinen U, Bobacka J, Diamond D. 2012. Disposable solid-contact ion-selective electrodes for environmental monitoring of lead with ppb limit-of-detection. Electrochimica Acta, vol. 73, 93-97. doi>
Fay C, Anastasova S, Slater C, Buda ST, Shepherd R, Corcoran B, O'Connor NE, Wallace GG, Radu A, Diamond D. 2011. Wireless Ion-Selective Electrode Autonomous Sensing System. IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL, vol. 11(10), 2374-2382. link> doi>
Kavanagh A, Hilder M, Clark N, Radu A, Diamond D. 2011. Wireless radio frequency detection of greatly simplified polymeric membranes based on a multifunctional ionic liquid. ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA, vol. 56(24), 8947-8953. link> doi>
Cicmil D, Anastasova S, Kavanagh A, Diamond D, Mattinen U, Bobacka J, Lewenstam A, Radu A. 2011. Ionic Liquid-Based, Liquid-Junction-Free Reference Electrode. ELECTROANALYSIS, vol. 23(8), 1881-1890. link> doi>
Kavanagh A, Byrne R, Diamond D, Radu A. 2011. A two-component polymeric optode membrane based on a multifunctional ionic liquid. Analyst, vol. 136(2), 348-353. link> doi>
Radu A, Anastasova-Ivanova S, Paczosa-Bator B, Danielewski M, Bobacka J, Lewenstam A, Diamond D. 2010. Diagnostic of functionality of polymer membrane - based ion selective electrodes by impedance spectroscopy. ANALYTICAL METHODS, vol. 2(10), 1490-1498. link> doi>
Anastasova-Ivanova S, Mattinen U, Radu A, Bobacka J, Lewenstam A, Migdalski J, Danielewskic M, Diamond D. 2010. Development of miniature all-solid-state potentiometric sensing system. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL, vol. 146(1), 199-205. link> doi>
Radu A, Byrne R, Alhashimy N, Fusaro M, Scarmagnani S, Diamond D. 2009. Spiropyran-based reversible, light-modulated sensing with reduced photofatigue. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY, vol. 206(2-3), 109-115. link> doi>
McGraw CM, Radu T, Radu A, Diamond D. 2008. Evaluation of liquid- and solid-contact, Pb2+-selective polymer-membrane electrodes for soil analysis. ELECTROANALYSIS, vol. 20(3), 340-346. link> doi>
Radu A, Scarmagnani S, Byrne R, Slater C, Lau KT, Diamond D. 2007. Photonic modulation of surface properties: a novel concept in chemical sensing. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS, vol. 40(23), 7238-7244. link> doi>
Scarmagnani S, Walsh Z, Alhashimy N, Radu A, Paull B, Macka M, Diamond D. 2007. Beads-based system for optical sensing using spiropyran photoswitches. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, vol. 2007, 4096-4097. link> doi>
Radu A, Peper S, Bakker E, Diamond D. 2007. Guidelines for Improving the Lower Detection Limit of Ion-Selective Electrodes. Electroanalysis, vol. 19(2-3), 144-154.
Chumbimuni-Torres KY, Rubinova N, Radu A, Kubota LT, Bakker E. 2006. Solid contact potentiometric sensors for trace level measurements. Anal Chem, vol. 78(4), 1318-1322. link> doi>
Radu A, Peper S, Gonczy C, Runde W, Diamond D. 2006. Trace-level Determination of Cs+ Using Membrane-based Ion-Selective Electrodes. Electroanalysis, vol. 18(13-14), 1379-1388.
Wygladacz K, Radu A, Xu C, Qin Y, Bakker E. 2005. Fiber-optic microsensor array based on fluorescent bulk optode microspheres for the trace analysis of silver ions. Anal Chem, vol. 77(15), 4706-4712. link> doi>
Radu A and Bakker E. 2005. Shifting the Measuring Range of Chloride Selective Electrodes and Optodes Based on the Anticrown Ionophore [9]Mercuracarborand-3 by the Addition of 1-Decanethiol. Chem Analityczna, vol. 50(1), 71-83. link>
Radu A, Meir AJ, Bakker E. 2004. Dynamic diffusion model for tracing the real-time potential response of polymeric membrane ion-selective electrodes. Anal Chem, vol. 76(21), 6402-6409. link> doi>
Radu A, Sutter J, Peper S, Bakker E, Pretsch E. 2004. A lead selective solid-contact polymeric membrane electrode with subnanomolar detection limit. Analytica Chimica Acta, vol. 523(1), 53-59.
Radu A, Telting-Diaz M, Bakker E. 2003. Rotating disk potentiometry for inner solution optimization of low-detection-limit ion-selective electrodes. Anal Chem, vol. 75(24), 6922-6931. link> doi>
Malon A, Radu A, Qin W, Qin Y, Ceresa A, Maj-Zurawska M, Bakker E, Pretsch E. 2003. Improving the detection limit of anion-selective electrodes: an iodide-selective membrane with a nanomolar detection limit. Anal Chem, vol. 75(15), 3865-3871. link> doi>
Qin Y, Peper S, Radu A, Ceresa A, Bakker E. 2003. Plasticizer-free polymer containing a covalently immobilized Ca2+-selective ionophore for potentiometric and optical sensors. Anal Chem, vol. 75(13), 3038-3045. link> doi>
Ceresa A, Radu A, Peper S, Bakker E, Pretsch E. 2002. Rational design of potentiometric trace level ion sensors. A Ag+-selective electrode with a 100 ppt detection limit. Anal Chem, vol. 74(16), 4027-4036. link> doi>

Chapters

Radu A, Peper S, Diamond D. 2007. Determination of cesium in natural waters using polymer-based ion-selective electrodes. In Electrochemical Sensor Analysis. Alegret S and Merkoci A (Eds.). (vol. 49). Elsevier.
Radu A and Diamond D. 2007. Ion-selective electrodes in trace level analysis of heavy metals: Potentiometry for the XXI century. In Electrochemical Sensor Analysis. Alegret S and Merkoci A (Eds.). (vol. 49). Elsevier.

Other

Schazmann B, Demey S, Ali ZW, Plissart M-S, Brennan E, Radu A. 2018. Robust, Bridge-less Ion-selective Electrodes with Significantly Reduced Need for Pre- and Post-application Handling. ELECTROANALYSIS (vol. 30, pp. 740-747). link> doi>
Radu A, Granados-Focil G, Mendecki L. Robust and plasticizer-free iodide sensor. full text>
Focil SG, Mendecki L, Stockmal K, Radu A. 2015. 1000-fold sensitivity increase on solid-contact ion-selective electrodes by controlling the ionophore/polymer interface. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (vol. 249). link>
Radu A and Schazmann B. Hybrid compunds formed from ionic liquids and uses thereof in ion selective electrodes. full text>
McGraw CM, Radu T, Diamond D, Radu A, Dillingham PW. 2012. Bayesian methods for robust calibration of ion selective electrodes. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (vol. 244). link>
Radu A, Anastasova S, Fay C, Diamond D, Bobacka J, Lewenstam A, IEEE. 2010. Low Cost, Calibration-free Sensors for In Situ Determination of Natural Water Pollution. 2010 IEEE SENSORS (pp. 1487-1490). link> doi>
Byrne R, Scaramagnani S, Radu A, Benito-Lopez F, Diamond D. 2009. Schizophrenic Molecules and Materials With Multiple Personalities - How Materials Science Could Revolutionise How we do Chemical Sensing. ACTIVE POLYMERS (vol. 1190, pp. 139-153). link>
Radu T, Radu A, Diamond D. 2007. Ion-selective electrodes with polypyrrole- and poly(3-octylthiophene)-mediated internal solid contact in soil analysis - art. no. 674922. REMOTE SENSING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, GIS APPLICATIONS, AND GEOLOGY VII (vol. 6749, p. 74922). link> doi>
Radu A, Scarmagnani S, Byrne R, Slater C, Alhashimy N, Diamond D. 2007. Photoswitcable surfaces: A new approach to chemical sensing - art. no. 67491Z. REMOTE SENSING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, GIS APPLICATIONS, AND GEOLOGY VII (vol. 6749, p. Z7491). link> doi>
Radu A, Byrne R, Alhashimy N, Diamond D. 2006. Spiropyran-based smart surfaces: Development and characterization. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (vol. 231). link>

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Dr Aleksandar Radu