Nanoparticle-based sensors for detecting analytes in fluids
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsMichael S. Freund, Nathan S. Lewis, Shawn M. Briglin
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Abstract
Sensors, sensor arrays and sensing methods provide for detection of a chemical analyte in a fluid. Sensors include a plurality of conductive and nonconductive regions in contact with a measuring apparatus. One or more sensors include a plurality of particles that include a metallic core. Preferably, the particles also include one or more capping ligands coupled to the metallic core. Exposure of the sensors to a fluid containing a chemical analyte causes the analyte to react with the metal core, preferably by displacing one or more of the capping ligands. The chemical analyte can be detected based on a change in electrical or optical properties of the sensors.
Claims21
A method of detecting a chemical analyte in a fluid, comprising:
- providing one or more sensors comprising regions of conductive metal material and regions-of nonconductive material proximate to the conductive metal material, the nonconductive material including one or more chemical groups comprising one or more ligans coupled to the conductive metal material, the chemical groups being displaceable by a chemical analyte;
- exposing the sensors to a fluid containing the chemical analyte under conditions sufficient to cause the chemical analyte to displace one or more of the chemical groups;
- measuring a response based on the displacement of the chemical groups;
- and
- detecting the chemical analyte based on the measured response.
The method of claimed 3, wherein:
- the metals include one or more of Ag, Au, Cu, Pt, Pd, Ni, W, Rh, Cr and alloys and mixtures thereof.
A method for detecting a chemical analyte in a fluid, comprising:
- providing one or more sensors comprising a plurality of conductive metal particles disposed in a nonconductive matrix, the conductive metal particles comprising a metal core bounded to a chemical group;
- exposing the sensors to a fluid-containing the chemical analyte under conditions sufficient to cause the chemical analyte to react with the metal particle 5 to form a capped particle metal cores by displacing the chemical groups with the chemical analyte;
- measuring a response based on the reaction of the chemical analyte and the metal particle 5;
- and
- detecting the chemical analyte based on the measured response.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.