What I learned About Nanosensors in Less Than 48 Hours.
According to the United States National Nanotechnology Initiative, nanotechnology is “science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers.”
The prefix “nano” means extremely small, also the nanoscale is a scale of measurement used by scientists to measure “nanometers”. Google defines sensors as a device which detects or measures physical properties and records, indicates, or responds to it. All that aside, in the words of Professor Hossam Haick, nanosensors are “novel sensing tools that make use of nanotechnology to screen, detect, and monitor various events in either our personal or professional life.”
Nanofabrication
Nanosensors aren’t like regular sensors because they are extremely small. To understand how they work I needed to understand nanofabrication which is the process or technique used to create nanosensors. The three types of nanofabrication methods are: top-down lithography, bottom-up approach, and molecular self-assembly. To me the simplest one to understand is the top-down lithography method. If you think of building a sculpture out of clay, you normally start off with a bigger chunk of clay then in the process of sculpting, it’s size decreases. Next, to make the nanostructure pattern for the nanosensor nanolithography is used.
Nanolithography
is a method of producing nanoscale structures by using a mold with 3D surface designs that is pressed against a superheated cast.
Seems Complicated, but is Worth it.
Nanotechnology is away to do so much for humanity. For example, deliver chemotherapy drugs to specific cells, such as cancer cells. As well as cost-efficient, portable water treatment systems for improving the quality of drinking water in emerging countries.
Because of nanosensors many chemical sensors are able to identify specific
chemicals at extremely low levels. This works for surveillance and security systems anywhere, industrial sites, and airports.
All That Sounds Great but Nanofabrication Also has it’s Problems.
First, with the top -down lithography method, at times toxic chemicals are used and the method leaves plenty of waste behind.
Second, although the bottom-up method is more cost effective, it requires more time to assemble and create.
“Nanotechnology has given us the tools to play with the ultimate toy box of nature–atoms and molecules. Everything is made from it… The possibilities to create new things appear limitless” Nobel laureate Horst Stormer.
Further Reading:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/nanolithography
