Nanomembranes for remote sensing
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsRobert H. Blick, Robert David Nowak
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Abstract
The present invention provides sensors for use in detecting the presence or absence of analytes, systems incorporating the sensors, and methods for using the sensors. The sensors include thin membranes that undergo a detectable geometry change upon exposure to an analyte. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensors are small, thin-film membranes that include a stained semiconductor bilayer, wherein an interaction between the membrane and an analyte induces a detectable change in a strain-induced curvature of the membrane.
Claims19
A method for detecting the presence of an analyte, the method comprising exposing a plurality of membranes to an environment comprising, or suspected of comprising, the analyte, and detecting a change in the geometry of the semiconductor membrane caused by an interaction of the analyte with the plurality of membranes, wherein the membranes have a thickness of no greater than about 200 nm and lateral dimensions of no greater than about 2000 microns.
A system for detecting the presence of an analyte, the system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of membranes, wherein the membranes have a thickness of no greater than about 200 nm and lateral dimensions of no greater than about 1000 microns;
- (b) an electromagnetic signal generator adapted to direct an electromagnetic signal onto the plurality of semiconductor membranes;
- and
- (c) a detector adapted to detect an electromagnetic signal reflected from the plurality of semiconductor membranes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.