Chemical/ biological sensors employing functionalized nanoswitch array

摘要

Sensor devices disclosed herein allow multiple analytes or organisms to be individually tagged and selectively detected. When a binding event occurs one or more nanoswitches close and the corresponding array resistance value produces a voltage imbalance in the Wheatstone Bridge. The voltage detected by the voltage meter will then exhibit unique value change corresponding to the particular nanoswitche(s) in the array that are closed due to a binding event. Similarly the same functionalization chemistry can be used on all nanoswitches so that the voltage detected by the voltage meter corresponds to concentration levels of the target analyte. Multiple functionalization chemistries on each switch can also be used to improve selectivity for more complex analytes. In some disclosed embodiments, the Wheatstone bridge voltage is tied to a predetermined resistance change rather than to smaller resistance changes that would occur from functionalization of one leg of a nanowire Wheatstone bridge.

主权项

1. A sensor device comprising: a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensing resistive electrical paths electrically arranged in parallel across sensor array electrical terminals, each sensing resistive electrical path having a resistance value and a sensing switch that opens or closes the resistive electrical path responsive to the sensing switch detecting an analyte or organism of interest, wherein the sensing switch of each sensing resistive electrical path is normally closed and opens the sensing resistive electrical path responsive to the sensing switch detecting the analyte or organism of interest.