Devices and methods for detecting a target analyte of interest

A method for detecting an analyte of interest in a fluid sample, the method comprising:

• (a) contacting a sensor with a fluid sample, the sensor comprising:
• (i) a structure comprising a plurality of surficial walls that define a plurality of air gaps in the structure, the structure configured such that both a fluid sample lacking the analyte of interest and a fluid sample comprising the analyte of interest will penetrate the plurality of air gaps;
• and
• (ii) a binding material, present on the plurality of surficial walls, configured to bind to the analyte of interest, wherein the sensor is configured such that,
• when the fluid sample comprising the analyte of interest binds to the binding material, a change in surface energy results within the plurality of surficial walls, such that the change in the surface energy within the plurality of surficial walls prevents the fluid sample comprising the analyte of interest from exiting the plurality of air gaps, and
• when the fluid sample lacks the analyte of interest, a lack of the change in the surface energy within the plurality of surficial walls allows the fluid sample lacking the analyte of interest to exit the plurality of air gaps;
• and
• (b) determining whether the fluid sample comprises the analyte of interest by observing the sensor.

A method comprising:

• manufacturing a sensor, the sensor comprising:
• a structure comprising a plurality of surficial walls that define a plurality of air gaps in the structure, the structure configured such that both a fluid sample lacking an analyte of interest and a fluid sample comprising the analyte of interest will penetrate the plurality of air gaps;
• and
• a binding material, present on the plurality of surficial walls, configured to bind to the analyte of interest, wherein the sensor is configured such that,
• when the analyte of interest in the fluid sample comprising the analyte of interest binds to the binding material, a change in surface energy results within the plurality of surficial walls, such that the change in the surface energy within the plurality of surficial walls prevents the fluid sample comprising the analyte of interest from exiting the plurality of air gaps, and
• when the fluid sample lacks the analyte of interest, a lack of the change in the surface energy within the plurality of surficial walls allows the fluid sample lacking the analyte of interest to exit the plurality of air gaps.