# US 2019/0170681 A1 · Systems and methods for electrical sensing of biomolecular targets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170681 A1 - Document ID: US20190170681A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/324,974 - Filed: 2017-08-15 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-15 - Assignees: Integrated Nano-Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Integrated Nano-Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Nathaniel E. Wescott; Dennis M. Connolly; Richard S. Murante - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170681A1 ## CPC - G01N 27/4145: {specially adapted for biomolecules, e.g. gate electrode with immobilised receptors} - C12Q 1/68: involving nucleic acids - C12Q 1/6825: Nucleic acid detection involving sensors - G01N 27/414: Ion-sensitive or chemical field-effect transistors, i.e. ISFETS or CHEMFETS - G01N 27/4146: {involving nanosized elements, e.g. nanotubes, nanowires} - H10D 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - H10D 62/80: characterised by the materials - H10D 62/83: being Group IV materials, e.g. B-doped Si or undoped Ge - H10D 62/875: {being semiconductor metal oxide, e.g. InGaZnO (Group II-VI materials H10D62/86; Group I-VI materials H10D62/871; Pb compounds or alloys H10D62/874)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - H10D: INORGANIC ELECTRIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES ## Abstract A system for detection of a target molecule includes a source terminal, a drain terminal, a gate positioned between the source terminal and the drain terminal, and a functionalized sensor surface between the source terminal and the drain terminal and adjacent to the gate. The sensor surface is configured to bind target molecules and the target molecules are configured to bind functionalized nanoparticles. A sensor is coupled to the source terminal and drain terminal to monitor changes in electrical signals and detect the target molecules when changes in the electrical signals are detected. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting a target molecule in a sample, comprising: a source terminal; a drain terminal; a sensor coupled to the source terminal and the drain terminal, the sensor configured to monitor electrical signals across the source terminal and drain terminal; a gate positioned adjacent to one of the source terminal and the drain terminal and extending partially across a gap between the source terminal and drain terminal; and a sensor surface exposed between the gate and one of the source terminal and the drain terminal, the sensor surface comprising a functionalized sensor surface configured to bind the target molecule. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a well on which the source terminal and drain terminal are positioned. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the target molecule is configured to bind a catalytic nanoparticle when the target molecule is bound to the functionalized sensor surface, and wherein the catalytic nanoparticle acts as a gate material to fill a distance across the functionalized sensor surface between the gate and one of the source terminal and the drain terminal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the catalytic nanoparticle is further configured to act as a nucleation site for development of a conductive film. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein when the catalytic nanoparticle fills the distance across the functionalized sensor surface, the sensor is configured to monitor any resulting changes in the electrical signals. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a presence of the target molecule when changes in the electrical signals are detected. ### Claim 7 A system for detecting a target molecule in a sample, comprising: a source terminal; a drain terminal; a sensor coupled to the source terminal and the drain terminal, the sensor configured to monitor electrical signals across the source terminal and drain terminal; a gate positioned between the source terminal and the drain terminal; and a channel positioned above the gate, the channel comprising a functionalized sensor surface configured to bind the target molecule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the target molecule is configured to bind a catalytic nanoparticle when the target molecule is bound to the functionalized sensor surface, and wherein the catalytic nanoparticle acts as a top gate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the catalytic nanoparticle is further configured to act as a nucleation site for development of a conductive film. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor any changes in the electrical signals from development of the top gate and wherein the sensor is configured to detect the target molecule when a change in the electrical signals is detected. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a body on which the source terminal, drain terminal, and gate are positioned. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a first spacer between the gate and the source terminal and a second spacer between the gate and the drain terminal. ### Claim 13 A system for detecting a target molecule in a sample, comprising: a substrate; a first transducer positioned on the substrate, the first transducer having a signal input; a second transducer positioned on the substrate, the second transducer having a signal output; a sensor coupled to the signal input to input a signal and to the signal output to measure an output signal; and a delay area positioned between the first transducer and the second transducer, the delay area having a functionalized coating configured to bind the target molecule. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the target molecule is configured to bind a functionalized nanoparticle when the target molecule is bound to the functionalized coating. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the functionalized nanoparticle is a catalytic nanoparticle and wherein the catalytic nanoparticle is configured to act as a nucleation site for development of a film. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is an acoustic wave mass sensor and wherein the output signal is indicative of a mass of the target molecule and the functionalized nanoparticle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is configured to: measure the output signal; compare the measured output signal to a baseline signal; and detect the target molecule when the measured output signal exceeds the baseline signal.