DNA-bridged carbon nanotube arrays
AssigneeThe Trustees of Boston College
InventorsShana O. Kelley, John Fourkas, Michael Naughton, Zhifeng Ren
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Abstract
A class of biological sensing devices that include a substrate comprising an array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to which are chemically attached biological molecules is disclosed. The attached biological molecules are capable of electrical conductivity that is responsive to chemical changes occurring as a result of their interaction with target species. A means for means for using DNA as a material of potential in molecular electronic sensor devices, being primarily based on molecular electron-transfer reaction processes between DNA-binding donors and acceptors is also disclosed, including composition, method of manufacture and their use are described.
Claims59
A carbon nanotube array device comprising at least one nanotube tubule with a proximal and distal ends, said proximal end being attached to a substrate, further comprising a metallic material capable of providing a surface for binding biological compounds coated or adsorbed thereon.
A molecular sensor device comprising:
- a) a carbon nanotube array device comprising at least one pair of carbon nanotubes that are further comprise a metallic material;
- b) a surface immobilized layer of at least one sensor agent deposited on said nanotubes so as to provide an electrical contact between said pair of carbon nanotubes, said electrical contacts being capable of conducting an electrical charge.
- wherein said sensor agent is capable of interacting with a target species so as to produce a change in electrical conductivity of the said sensor device.
A method of manufacturing a sensor device comprising at least one carbon nanotube comprising the steps of:
- a) patterning the surface of a substrate with a catalytic material;
- b) exposing patterned catalytic materials under conditions sufficient to cause individual carbon nanotubes to grow from the said catalytic materials to constitute an array;
- c) depositing a metallic material on individual nanotubes;
- and
- d) depositing at least one sensing agent on the metallic material coating such that the said agent bridges two or more individual nanotubes to permit electrical conduction between said nanotubes upon interaction of said sensing agent with a target species.
A method of manufacturing a sensor device comprising at least one carbon nanotube comprising the steps of:
- a) patterning the surface of a substrate with a catalytic material;
- b) exposing patterned catalytic materials under conditions sufficient to cause individual carbon nanotubes to grow from the said catalytic materials to constitute an array;
- c) depositing a metallic material on inorganic or organic beads;
- d) depositing at least one sensing agent on the metallic material containing beads;
- and
- e) immobilizing the beads containing sensing agent and metallic material to individual carbon nanotubes said agent bridges two or more individual nanotubes to permit electrical conduction between said nanotubes upon interaction of said sensing agent with a target species.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.