Nanosensors

A smart sensing technology

Dr. K. SUNDAR ,PhD

Scientist cum Technical Director
Molecular-biology Lab
Department of Microbiology
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences
Puducherry – 605502
sundar.gk@gmail.com
Sense/Sensing

Echolocation

Electroreception

Hygroreception

Infrared sensing

Chemicals
Reorientation
Magnetic fields
Water current
Light

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 Sensor

▰ Sensor is a device, module,

machine, or system that detects
and responds to some type of
input from the physical
environment
▰ Sensor converts the physical
parameter (for example:
temperature, blood pressure,
humidity, speed, etc.) into a
signal which can be measured
electrically
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 Sensor

▰ A sensor is a device that receives a stimulus

and responds with an electrical signal.

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Evolution of sensor

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 Sensor
▰ American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) Definition
▻ A device which provides a
usable output in response
to a specified measurand
Input Signal Output Signal
Sensor
▰ A sensor acquires a physical
parameter and converts it into a
signal suitable for processing (e.g.
optical, electrical, mechanical)
▰ A transducer
▻ Microphone, Loud Speaker,
Biological Senses (e.g. touch,
sight,…ect)
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 Detectable Phenomenon

Stimulus Quantity
Wave (amplitude, phase, polarization), Spectrum, Wave,
Acoustic
Velocity
Biological & Chemical Fluid Concentrations (Gas or Liquid)
Charge, Voltage, Current, Electric Field (amplitude,
Electric
phase, polarization), Conductivity, Permittivity
Magnetic Field (amplitude, phase, polarization), Flux,
Magnetic
Permeability
Optical Refractive Index, Reflectivity, Absorption
Thermal Temperature, Flux, Specific Heat, Thermal conductivity
Position, Velocity, Acceleration, Force, Strain, Stress,
Mechanical
Pressure, Torque 8
 Physical Principles

▰ Ampere’s Law
A current carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiences a
force (e.g. galvanometer)
▰ Curie-Weiss Law
There is a transition temperature at which ferromagnetic materials
exhibit paramagnetic behavior
▰ Faraday’s Law of Induction
A coil resist a change in magnetic field by generating an opposing
voltage/current (e.g. transformer)
▰ Photoconductive Effect
When light strikes certain semiconductor materials, the resistance
of the material decreases (e.g. photoresistor) 9
 Need for Sensors

Sensors are omnipresent.

They embedded in our bodies, automobiles, airplanes,

cellular telephones, radios, chemical plants, industrial
plants and countless other applications.

Without the use of sensors, there would be no

automation !!

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History of Sensors

▰ Sensors have been around for quite some time in various

forms. The first thermostat came to market in 1883, and
many consider this the first modern, manmade sensor.
▰ Infrared sensors have been around since the late 1940s,
even though they’ve really only entered the popular
nomenclature over the past few years. Motion detectors
have been in use for a number of years

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Timeline

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 Temperature Sensor
▰ Bimetallic Strip
▰ Temperature sensors appear in building, chemical
process plants, engines, appliances, computers, ▰ Application
and many other devices that require temperature
▻ Thermostat
monitoring
(makes or
breaks
▰ Many physical phenomena depend on electrical
temperature, so we can often measure temperature connection
indirectly by measuring pressure, volume, with
electrical resistance, and strain deflection)
Metal A

Metal B 13
 Light Sensor

▰ Light sensors are used in

cameras, infrared detectors,
and ambient lighting p n
I

applications

▰ Sensor is composed of + V -

photoconductor such as a
photoresistor, photodiode, or
phototransistor

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 Magnetic Field Sensor

▰ Magnetic Field sensors are

used for power steering,
security, and current
measurements on
transmission lines

▰ Hall voltage is proportional

to magnetic field

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
I (protons) x x x x x x +
x x x B x x x VH
x x x x x x -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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 Photogate

▰ Photogates are used in

counting applications (e.g.
finding period of period
motion)

▰ Infrared transmitter and

receiver at opposite ends of
the sensor

▰ Time at which light is broken

is recorded
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 CO2 Gas Sensor

▰ CO2 sensor measures gaseous CO2

levels in an environment

▰ Measures CO2 levels in the range

of 0-5000 ppm

Infrared Source IR Detector

▰ Monitors how much infrared

radiation is absorbed by CO2
molecules
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 Types of Sensors

▰ Active
▻ send signal into environment and measure
interaction of signal w/ environment
▻ e.g. radar, sonar
▰ Passive
▻ record signals already present in
environment
▻ e.g. video cameras
Simple Practical Sensors

 Touch sensors
 Tilt sensors
 Encoders
 Bend sensors
 Light sensors
 Temperature sensors
 Potentiometers
 Laser rangefinders
 Cameras
Touch sensors

electrical flow

force voltage
measurement
Tilt sensors

gravity
What are some quantities
that can be sensed?

▰ Sound
▰ Motion, position, displacement
▰ Moisture
▰ Velocity and acceleration
▰ Light
▰ Force, strain
▰ Radiation
▰ Pressure
▰ Temperature
▰ Flow
▰ Chemical presence

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 Nanosensors

▰ Nanosensors are platforms

with a characteristic
▰ Nanosensors are nanoscale devices that
dimension - nanometer in
measure physical .quantities and convert
scale, and work in much
those quantities to signals that can be
the same way as a sensor;
detected and analyzed.
they detect either minute
▰ “Nanosensors are chemical or mechanical particles or miniscule
sensors that can be used to detect the quantities of something.
presence of chemical species and
nanoparticles, or monitor physical
parameters such as temperature, on the
nanoscale.”
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 Nanosensors include

▰ Carbon Nanotube–Based Fluorescent Nanosensors

▰ Quantum Dot–Based Fluorescent Nanosensors
▰ DNA-Based Fluorescent Nanosensors
▰ Peptide-Based Fluorescent Nanosensors
▰ Plasmon Coupling–Based Nanosensors
▰ Plasmonic Enhancing–/Quenching–Based Nanosensors
▰ Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Nanosensors
▰ Photoacoustic-Based Nanosensors
▰ Multimodal Nanosensors (synergistic nanosensors with
multiple modalities to overcome individual challenges)
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Nanosensor Applications

▰ To detect various chemicals in gases for pollution

monitoring
▰ For medical diagnostic purposes either as bloodborne
sensors or in lab-on-a-chip type devices
▰ To monitor physical parameters such as temperature,
displacement and flow
▰ As accelerometers in MEMS devices like airbag sensors
▰ To monitor plant signaling and metabolism to understand
plant biology
▰ To study neurotransmitters in brain for understanding
neurophysiology
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 Biosensor

“Biosensor” once refered to any device which responds to chemical species in

biological samples or using biological components.
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 Current Definition for Biosensors:

A sensor that integrates a biological element with a physiochemical transducer to

produce an electronic signal proportional to a single analyte which is then conveyed to
a detector.
Components of a Biosensor

Detector
1ST Component: Biological Element

Must be highly specific, stable under storage conditions, and immobilized.

Microorganism
Tissue
Cell
Organelle
Nucleic Acid
Enzyme
Enzyme Component
Receptor
Antibody
2ND Component: Physiochemical Transducer

Acts as an interface, measuring the physical change that occurs with the reaction at the bioreceptor then
transforming that energy into measurable electrical output.
 3RD Component: Detector

Signals from the transducer are passed to a

microprocessor where they are amplified and
analyzed.

The data is then converted to concentration units and

transferred to a display or/and data storage device.
Principles of Detection

measures change in mass

measures change in electric distribution

measures change in light intensity

measures change in heat

 Principles of Detection

Piezo-Electric Biosensors
Some piezo-electric devices utilize crystals, such as
quartz, which vibrate under the influence of an electric
field. The frequency of this oscillation depends on their
thickness and cut.
Others use gold to detect the specific angle at
which electron waves (surface plasmons) are
emitted when the substance is exposed to laser
light.
 Principles of Detection

▰ Electrochemical Biosensors
• Amperometric for applied current: Movement of e- in redox reactions detected when a
potential is applied between two electrodes.

• Potentiometric for voltage: Change in distribution of charge is detected using ion-

selective electrodes, such as pH-meters.

• Conductimetric for impedance

 Principles of Detection

▰ Optical Biosensors

• Colorimetric for color: Measure change in light

adsorption as reactants are converted to products.

• Photometric for light intensity: Photon output for a

luminescent or fluorescent process can be detected
with photomultiplier tubes or photodiode systems.
 Principles of Detection

▰ Calorimetric Biosensors
If the enzyme catalyzed reaction is exothermic, two thermistors may be used to measure the
difference in resistance between reactant and product and, hence, the analyte concentration.
Potential Applications
 Nano censors – in food applications

▰ Development of silver-nanoparticles
based sensors for detection of organic
acids and milk spoilage

0.5
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O.D.
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300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750
Wavelength (nm)

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▰ Development of gold-nanoparticles based
method for detection of artificial ripening of
fruits

Indian patent filled with application no. 201741012672, priority

date 7 April 2017, “Detection of artificially ripened fruits 0.45

using conjugated nano­metal composites”. 0.4

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O.D.
0.2

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0.1

0.05

350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800

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Wavelength (nm)
 Future of sensor technology

▰ Sensors can improve the world through diagnostics in medical applications;

improved performance of energy sources like fuel cells and batteries and solar
power; improved health and safety and security for people; sensors for exploring
space and the known university; and improved environmental monitoring.
▰ The seed technologies are now being developed for long-term vision that includes
intelligent systems that are self-monitoring, self-correcting and repairing, and self-
modifying or morphing not unlike sentient beings.
▰ The ability for a system to see (photonic technology), feel (physical measurements),
smell (electronic noses), hear (ultrasonics), think/communicate (smart electronics
and wireless), and move (sensors integrated with actuators), is progressing rapidly
and suggests an exciting future for sensors.

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 Future ideas

Developing
colorimetric
Using
method into digital
microfluidic/
electrochemical

Rapid methods for Detection of

MIC determination pesticides in edible
crops

Pesticide sensor

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  sundar.gk@gmail.com
Acknowledgement  +91-8825792882

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