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Publication Number
US-10746692-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for detection of biological agents are generally described. Target biological agents may be detected by use of a sensor, which in some situations is a nanowire. An external electric field is applied in some embodiments to induce an electric dipole. The induced electric dipole is detected, allowing detection of the biological agent.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to sensing a chemical and/or biological analyte by using a nanosensor that is functionalized with a chemical and/or biological detector species. A sample comprising an analyte is placed in an ionic environment, and the nanosensor is configured so that an alternating electric field is applied across first and second electrodes with the nanosensor disposed between them.
The alternating electric field modulates Debye (screening) length and Debye shielding in the ionic sample, thereby affecting the electric double layer and the electrical potential across the nanosensor. The modulation of Debye shielding can induce an induced electric dipole in the Debye layer, changing the detector-analyte interaction response that is electrically detectable.
The method also applies an electrical potential across the nanosensor by applying a voltage across third and fourth electrodes in electrical communication with first and second portions of the nanosensor. Data are collected at points in time corresponding to different alternating electric field powers, including collection of a background signal at a first power and collection of a signal indicative of a property of the analyte, the detector species, and/or an interaction between the analyte and the detector species at a second, different power.
The invention addresses the problem that ionic strength and Debye screening limit sensitivity for electrically detecting charged biological agents by shielding electrical interactions. By driving field-dependent Debye modulation and induced dipoles in the Debye layer, electrically detectable signals associated with the analyte and its interaction with the detector species are recovered despite Debye screening.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides a method-level sensing workflow with an alternating electric field and a nanosensor functionalized with detector species, including applying an electrical potential and collecting two data sets at different alternating electric field powers. The inventive features focus on background-vs-signal data collection tied to alternating electric field power while maintaining an electrically biased nanosensor.
Alternating electric field applied across electrodes with functionalized nanosensor
Applying an alternating electric field across a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein a nanosensor is disposed between the first electrode and second electrode such that the alternating electric field is applied to the nanosensor, wherein the nanosensor is functionalized with a chemical and/or biological detector species in the presence of a sample comprising an analyte.
Electrical potential across the nanosensor using third and fourth electrodes
Applying an electrical potential across the nanosensor, comprising applying a voltage across a third electrode in electrical communication with a first portion of the nanosensor and a fourth electrode in electrical communication with a second portion of the nanosensor.
Background data collected at first alternating-field power
Collecting a first set of data, while applying the electrical potential and the alternating electric field, at points in time at which the alternating electric field is at a first power to provide a background signal.
Signal data collected at second alternating-field power indicative of analyte property
Collecting a second set of data, while applying the electrical potential and the alternating electric field, at points in time at which the alternating electric field is at a second power that is different from the first power to provide a signal indicative of a property of the analyte, the detector species, and/or an interaction between the analyte and the detector species.
Across the independent claim, sensing is performed with a functionalized nanosensor positioned between electrodes where an alternating electric field is applied, with an electrical potential applied across the nanosensor, and with two datasets collected at different alternating electric field powers to distinguish background signal from a signal indicative of analyte-related properties or interactions.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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