Sensor formed from conductive nanoparticles & a porous non-conductive substrate
AssigneeUniversity of Delaware
InventorsErik THOSTENSON, Thomas SCHUMACHER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In various aspects, the sensors include a substrate that is porous and non-conductive with nanoparticles deposited onto the substrate within pores of the substrate by an electrophoretic process to form a sensor element. The nanoparticles are electrically conductive. The sensor includes a detector in communication with the sensor element to measure a change in an electrical property of the sensor element. The change in the electrical property may result from alterations in quantum tunneling between nanoparticles within the sensor element, in various aspects.
Claims20
A sensor, comprising:
- a substrate that is porous and non-conductive;
- nanoparticles deposited onto the substrate within pores of the substrate to form a sensor element, the nanoparticles are electrically conductive;
- and
- a detector in operable communication with the sensor element to measure a change in an electrical property of the sensor element.
A sensor, comprising:
- a substrate that is porous and non-conductive;
- nanoparticles deposited onto the substrate within pores of the substrate to form a sensor element, the nanoparticles are electrically conductive;
- a detector in operable communication with the sensor element to measure a change in an electrical property of the sensor element;
- and
- wherein the nanoparticles are deposited onto the substrate within pores of the substrate at least in part by electrophoresis of a charged functionalized nanoparticle dispersion.
A method of sensing with a sensor including a sensor element, comprising the steps of:
- inducing an electric field through a substrate that is porous and non-conductive;
- contacting a nanoparticle dispersion with the substrate, the nanoparticle dispersion comprising functionalized nanoparticles having a charge;
- drawing the functionalized nanoparticles into the substrate using the electric field;
- depositing the functionalized nanoparticles onto the substrate within the pores thereby forming said sensor element;
- and
- detecting a change in an electrical property of said sensor element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.