Nanosensors — a revolutionary technology
Treatment before symptoms are even noticed. Fewer toxins in the air. Detecting emotions, and the phases of love?!
Yes. It’s possible and happening right before our eyes. The future looks big, or should I say small…
First of all, before I wrote this article, I didn’t know much about the world of nano. So I decided to use the most reliable source and ask my family what they thought nanosensors were.
Here are a few of their responses:
“I think nanosensors are little tiny bits of technology that would make up parts of a robot and revolutionize technology in general. This is because I think of nano as being super tiny, so its like sensors that are nano” — (Mom)
“I think nanosensors are bits of technology that can sense things, and they can go inside people’s bodies to heal them. I think its in a form of a magnet, and it can take stuff out. In avengers end game and infinity war, I saw nanotechnology in Tony stark’s suit, because his suit does a lot of things but the heart is small” — Brother (9 years old)
“I think nanosensors are super tiny electro things that can help cure diseases and make the world revolutionary and change the way we think of things. It will evolve science because I’ve heard that they can be used to help with cancers and I think they can go far into the medical field, by how patients can be treated” — Sister (15 years old)
I encourage you to ask yourself what you think nanosensors are as well. However, I got trust issues after my sister said, “I think nanosensors are super tiny electro things”. Like what does that even mean? Anyways, after researching more about it, let me tell you, its a whole WORLD at a super small size (When I say super small, I mean 1 billionth of a meter! Crazy right?). So the question becomes, why don’t more people know about what the future holds? I am confident that by the end of this article, you will further understand how these small sensors create a BIG impact.
Tip: There are a few fill in the blanks to create an interactive reading experience. The question will look like Qn (n= question number), and the answer will be at the bottom of the article, as shown: Qn-A: (Answer to question n)
What are nanosensors?
Nano + sensor = Nanosensor!
Nano
Welcome to the world of nano! The word nano comes from the Greek word, Nanos, which means dwarf. Essentially a nanosensor is a dwarf, tiny, small, petite, minuscule sensor, with limitless possibilities. I could write about how small these particles are, but I think its best you see for yourself:
Challenge! Take one strand of your hair, and notice the size. Now take a look at the nanoparticles inside your hair! I’m just kidding! There’s no way you could see a nanoparticle with your bare eye. That’s because one hair strand is 80,000–100,000 nanometers wide!
Here are a few more examples:
- In diameter, a single gold particle is one-third of a nanometer
- In one inch, there are 25,400,000 nanometers
- In comparison, the earth would be one meter if the diameter of a marble was one nanometer
- Your fingernail grows one nanometer every second! (Maybe this could help you book your nail appointments early, once you know when your nails will get too long.)
Sensor:
According to Oxford Dictionary, a sensor is “a device which detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it”.
“Sensors will help us better understand the world we live in.”
Aleksandra Lobnik, Founder of Centre for Sensor Technology at University of Maribor and Co-founder of Institute of Sensors and Environmental Protection
We use sensors in our daily lives, here are some examples:
- Automic light switches when you enter a room
- In the washing machine, to make sure water doesn’t overflow
- Sensors in the car to make sure you aren’t to close to something
- At stores, used for opening doors when someone enters
So if we know what nano is and what a sensor is…
Then what exactly is a nanosensor?
Nanosensors are mechanical or chemical sensors. They have many uses especially in detecting the presence of nanoparticles and types of chemicals. Monitoring temperatures at the nanoscale and other physical parameters also are benefits of nanosensors.
Applications and importance of nanosensors:
Emotions and the brain:
- Nanosensors can detect emotions such as the phases of love. This is because each phase of love connects with a chemical component. Nanosensors are also able to detect levels of dopamine. In the second stage of love, dopamine is a correspondent.
- Can be used in neurophysiology, to study neurotransmitters in the brain
Medical Applications:
- Nanosensors can be inserted into the bloodstream detecting blood-borne biomarkers. The data is then wirelessly sent to another device, possibly notifying you of any viruses before you develop symptoms.
- Through our lifetime, nanorobots will be able to destroy cancer cells, after being detected by nanosensors. The nanosensors can be incorporated into the body, and through a lot of research, it’s something we can look forward to.
Environmental Applications:
- When filtering water, some harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, can be removed using nanosensors. Because of how fast the nanosensor can detect data and send it to a monitor, real-time updates can be studied. Toxic metals can also be detected even of a low concentration.
- We can significantly slow down climate change with nanosensors because they can monitor pollution by detecting various chemicals in gases.
- Lastly, nanosensors can be used in the study of plant biology, by understanding the metabolism and monitoring the signaling of plants.
General Applications:
- medical technology
- precision agriculture
- urban farming
- plant nano bionics
- prognostics and diagnostics
- SERS-based sensors
- industrial applications
Something to think about:
Though I listed many benefits of nanosensors above, a cool idea to think about is using what is found naturally to our benefit. Here is an example:
Some plants are water repellent and we can use nature’s nanoscale to benefit ourselves by copying the small structures in the plant that stop water, we can make water repellent surfaces.
We can make water repellent surfaces!
How?
By using what already exists such as water repellant plants, we can look at the structure that makes these plants unable to absorb water. By copying the same structure, at the nanoscale, we can make water repellent surfaces!
After exploring the key points of how nanosensors can be used, it reveals how many aspects of our lives can be improved. Nanosensors are more accurate and useful because they are ultra-sensitive to change at an atomic level. As we know, nanosensors are very small, this causes them to behave differently because the surface area is larger with less volume, giving more opportunity for reactions.
Fun fact: Light behaves differently towards the nanoscale.
“OK, we get how nanosensors can be used, but how do they work?”
Nanosensors have been developed allowing for electrical changes in sensor materials to be monitored, at the single-molecule level. When designing a sensor, the goal is the ease of execution, specificity, and sensitivity. A sensor system contains an analyte, sensor, and transducer, giving feedback to the sensor from the detector.
The 2 types of nanosensors are Mechanical and Chemical. Though they use nanomaterials as their active sensing element, they have different sensing mechanisms.
Welcome to “The Nanosensor Games…”
Game 1:
Chemical nanosensor vs. Mechanical nanosensor
In today’s tournament, team mechanical nanosensors will be versing team chemical nanosensors. We will finally see which type of nanosensor is the ultimate champion!
Our first contestant is… Team Chemical nanosensor:
Chemical nanosensors are used for detecting a chemical change.
Once an analyte has been found, the chemical sensor will measure the change in electrical conductivity. Because many nanomaterials have high electrical conductivity, when it is reduced, by the binding or absorption of a molecule, the sensor will detect the measured change. Nanotubes and nanowires are examples of chemical sensors because they have an electrically confined structure. Once an analyte has been detected their structure allows for it to act as the electronic wires and the transducer.
(Transducer: A transducer is a device that can transform one energy form into another given a signal.
Q1: Try to figure this out! An example of a transducer is a ________ because it can convert an amplifier’s electrical energy into mechanical energy or… hint hint: soundwaves.)
(Nanotubes: A nanotube is a material in the structure of a tube, at a nanoscale. Carbon, silicon, and boron are some of the materials which a nanotube can be made from. Each of these materials has its uses regarding new technologies.
Carbon Nanotube: Carbon nanotubes were discovered in 1991. They are composed of carbon atoms, covalently bonded to three other carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are linked in hexagonal shapes to form a nanotube which is composed of carbon atoms linked in hexagonal shapes, with each carbon atom covalently bonded to three other carbon atoms. These amazing nanotubes are 1nm thick in diameter, and they can be up to a few centimeters long. The highest strength-to-weight ratio of any known material is found in carbon nanotubes. This creates a lot of opportunity for companies like NASA. Researchers at NASA are working on creating a more lightweight spacecraft by combining carbon nanotubes with other materials)
Our second contestant is… Team Mechanical nanosensor:
Mechanical nanosensors are used for detecting physical change, invoking in a detectable response.
A mechanical nanosensor also works by measuring the change in electrical conductivity. The difference between the two nanosensors is the material used in a mechanical nanosensor. The material will change its electrical conductivity when it is physically manipulated. The physical change will cause a detectable response.
Nanofabrication
Game 2:
Nanofabrication is the process of making these amazing nanosensors! There are two methods including top-down or bottom-up
Contestant 1: Top-down
The top-down method is most used in electrical applications. The technique is essentially like carving a sculpture. You start with a large piece (or relatively small rather) and remove the unnecessary material until you have the desired shape. A technique using this method is called nanolithography. Nanolithography is used for structures under 100nm. The technique etches away the rest of the material after using a mask covering the predetermined structure. Etching can be done chemically or mechanically. Chemically, the technique uses acids and mechanically, ultraviolet light, x-rays or electron beams are used.
(Q2: With the top-down technique, you start at the top and work your way down, _______ the unnecessary material, giving you the desired structure.)
Contestant 2: Bottom-up
Our second contestant is all about working your way up.
“Started from the bottom, now we here” — Drake (Clean verison obviously)
Starting from the bottom is basically how the bottom-up method works. An example is like building a house brick by brick. This method is more intricate, requiring the chip to be assembled atom by atom. Though the tedious steps in this method, it is more flawless then the top-down method. This method is used for biological and chemical purposes.
Timeout!
The issue with these methods:
- The top-down method involves a lot of disregarded material considering the small size. The original nanomaterial started with is expensive. Not only the nanomaterial but the space needed to make amazing these amazing nanosensors called a clean room, which is a room with very limited particles and HEPA (fancy air filtration system), as well as the machines needed, is costly. It is also a challenge to convert the materials needed, to the nanosize.
- The bottom-up method is cheaper than top-down however the process is much slower. It takes a long time to build the nanosensor atom by atom, and not lose your mind. Luckily, molecular self-assembly is a technique used where the nanostructure builds itself up. This is done using the chemical forces between molecules, resembling a biological occurrence happening naturally in nature.
Problems with nanofabrication:
One of the reasons why costs are high is because machines and technology needed to make nanosensors are not yet being produced at a mass scale. The reason for this is because there is a lack of knowledge in the field of nanotechnology. While other technologies are being explored such as computer sciences and biotechnology, there is a lot of ignorance around the field. Before writing this article, I hadn’t known about the world making up what we see today. I asked myself why, and it’s because after knowing just general information about these amazing sensors and the emerging technology, I became curious and was interested in how nanosensors can positively impact our future.
If only the curiosity could somehow spread…
By providing people with the base knowledge of this technology, I believe they too will become interested in this field. Before I knew about this, how could I be interested in it? After all, a pro once started as a beginner and the future of nanosensors starts with a bit of knowledge.
Solution:
By writing more articles like this one, and creating more accessible knowledge for the general public, more people can be informed. We can achieve this by using simple techniques and what we have, to reach a larger group of people.
How:
- Writing articles
- Simpler written websites
- Speakers at schools about nanotech and nanosensors
- Programs at schools (elementary and secondary) to reach a larger group of people, to conduct research, and do activities to build their interest in the topic
A second problem with nanofabrication is that both techniques are prone to fouling. Fouling causes the nanosensor to be easily clogged. If the nanosensor is clogged, it might be completely unusable or less efficient. Currently, particles over 0.3 microns can be filtered with the HEPA system.
Some of my thinking:
As we know, the sun’s radiation heats the floors and walls in your house, causing dust particles to spread. Convection currents occur because the walls and floor heat the air. Dust gets lifted and carried to other parts of the house because of the currents. In short, the sun’s radiation causes dust to spread. Using this prior knowledge, we can remove an element of dust spreading, to lessen the amount of dust in the first place.
After looking more into how particles behave at the nanoscale, I found that there is a lot of friction, causing things to stick together easily. If this happens over and over again, new and more complicated nanostructures can be formed (this is called self-organization).
How can we use this knowledge to solve the issue?
Solution:
- Work in rooms without natural light and radiation. Without natural light, there would not be heat to create convection currents.
- Friction produces heat, by reducing friction, we can reduce convection currents, circulating dust.
- Use a lubricant coat to reduce friction on parts of the nanosensor.
A future with nanotech
- At the nanoscale, they can make things that can stretch such as phones because when you put gold only a few nanometers thin, into rubber, and stretch the rubber, the gold doesn’t break but rather it creates small cracks which allow it to stretch, and move. In the future phones will be able to stretch and possibly wrap around your wrist!
- Solar panels that can be replaced by batteries at the nanoscale will almost be invisible!
(Q3: Where do you think a good spot to put solar panels would be? Hint: They could be added to make a pollution-causing item, more eco-friendly!)
BZz BZz BZz, their the buzzer goes! Today’s the Nanosenosr Games has come to an end!
Result for game 1:
Chemical vs. Mechanical nanosensor!
The winner is …
Its a tie! What?!?!
For the first time in The Nanosensor Games history, both teams have won! This is because both the mechanical and chemical nanosensor has different uses! The chemical nanosensor is used for detected chemical changes, whereas the mechanical nanosensor is used for detecting physical changes.
Results for game 2:
Top-down vs. bottom-up
The winner is…
I hate to do this because methods have their pros and cons. The bottom-up is more precise however it takes a long time. The top-down method wastes a lot of material = expensive, and needs a lot of equipment = expensive!
Its either precision and time, or money, and simplicity! I’m going to leave this one up to you!
Here are the answers to the questions found in the article:
Q1- A: A speaker! You can catch me jamming out to Shawn Mendes with one of these!
Q2-A: Removing, or etching using the lithography technique.
Q3-A: They could be built into cars or vehicles!
Sources and further reading:
https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1840
https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/nano-size
https://www.nature.com/subjects/nanosensors
https://www.tappi.org/content/pdf/events/06NANO-papers/Session%2020%20-%20Dykstra.pdf
https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1736
http://www.nanoandsociety.com/nanotechnology-impact-on-computer-technology/
