Nanosensor Technology Overview

Study Notes

A sensor that operates on the scale of atoms and molecules.
Smaller size, lower weight, and modest power requirements.
Can be used for data storage systems.
A transducer converts an input to an electrical signal, which is then detected by a detector.

Physical sensors: Measure physical quantities like temperature, pressure, and light.
Chemical sensors: Detect the presence of specific chemicals, such as pollutants or toxins.
Biosensors: Interact with biological molecules, such as proteins or DNA, to detect specific substances in biological samples.

Cantilever Array Sensors: Utilize micro-electromechanical systems.
Nanotube Sensors: Composed of carbon nanotubes, which are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment.
Nanowire Sensors: Consist of thin wires of semiconductor materials, such as silicon or germanium.

Working: The cantilever array sensor detects biochemical or physical processes by utilizing micro-electromechanical systems.
Features:
- Precision cantilevers: 300nm thickness tolerance.
- Precision resonance frequency: Achieved by a special cantilever mount.
- Easy handling: Enabled by vertical chip sidewalls and optional non-sticking properties.
- Contamination-free storage.
Specifications:
- Size/Shape: Rectangular shaped silicon bars (2.5mm wide and 3mm high).
- Duosensis sensors: 2 cantilevers per chip.
- Octosensis sensors: 8 cantilevers per chip.

Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosis: Detect small amounts of acetone in breath, aiding in early diagnosis.
Detection of Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses: Ultrasensitive detection of antigens on cell membrane surfaces, enabling single bacterium detection (mass of ~1pg).
Cancer Diagnosis: Detect cancer-associated molecules due to changes in surface tension, bending the cantilever. The mass detection limit is improved to the detection of a single DNA molecule (mass of ~1ag).

Size/Shape: Strands of DNA coated nanotubes to detect molecules in the range of parts per million.
Platform: Can detect molecules in the air or liquid, suitable for applications like domestic security and medical detectors.

Blood Glucose Monitoring: Enzyme glucose oxidase is attached to the sensor. The enzyme catalyzes glucose to produce hydrogen peroxide, enabling blood glucose monitoring.