What are the top nanoelectronics-based sensors for next-gen materials science?

2 Nanowire sensors

Nanowires are one-dimensional nanostructures with diameters ranging from a few nanometers to hundreds of nanometers, and lengths up to several micrometers. Nanowires can be made of various materials, such as metals, semiconductors, oxides, or polymers, and can exhibit different electrical, optical, magnetic, or catalytic properties. Nanowire sensors can detect and measure various parameters, such as electric current, voltage, magnetic field, light, temperature, gas, or chemical reactions, by measuring the changes in their electrical or optical properties. Nanowire sensors can also be assembled into arrays, networks, or devices to achieve higher sensitivity, selectivity, or multiplexing. Nanowire sensors can be used for materials synthesis, analysis, and manipulation, as well as for energy harvesting, storage, and conversion.

3 Quantum dot sensors

Quantum dots are nanoscale particles of semiconductors that have discrete and tunable energy levels due to quantum confinement effects. Quantum dots have unique optical and electrical properties, such as fluorescence, photoluminescence, electroluminescence, and photoconductivity. Quantum dot sensors can detect and measure various parameters, such as light, temperature, electric field, magnetic field, pressure, or biomolecules, by measuring the changes in their emission or absorption spectra, intensity, or lifetime. Quantum dot sensors can also be functionalized with other molecules or materials to improve their specificity, stability, or biocompatibility. Quantum dot sensors can be used for materials imaging, sensing, and labeling, as well as for biomedical diagnostics, therapeutics, and imaging.

4 Nanopore sensors

Nanopores are nanoscale holes or channels in a thin membrane that separate two electrolyte solutions. Nanopores can be fabricated from various materials, such as silicon, graphene, or DNA, and can have different shapes, sizes, and surface properties. Nanopore sensors can detect and measure various parameters, such as electric current, voltage, resistance, or capacitance, by measuring the changes in the ionic transport through the nanopore when a molecule or particle passes through it. Nanopore sensors can also be modified with receptors, enzymes, or antibodies to increase their selectivity or sensitivity. Nanopore sensors can be used for materials identification, characterization, and sequencing, as well as for molecular biology, genomics, and proteomics.

5 Plasmonic sensors

Plasmonics is the study of the interaction of light and free electrons in metals or metal nanostructures. Plasmonics can generate strong electromagnetic fields and enhance optical phenomena, such as scattering, absorption, or emission. Plasmonic sensors can detect and measure various parameters, such as refractive index, temperature, pressure, gas, or biomolecules, by measuring the changes in the plasmonic resonance frequency, wavelength, or intensity. Plasmonic sensors can also be coupled with other nanomaterials, such as graphene, nanowires, or quantum dots, to improve their performance and functionality. Plasmonic sensors can be used for materials detection, characterization, and manipulation, as well as for biosensing, imaging, and spectroscopy.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?