Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
bottom-up approach providing a good control of size, growth direction,
interface, and electronic properties during the synthesis processes.
Additionally, reliable post-growth methods (dielectrophoresis,
electric field alignment, magnetic field, surface chemistry, etc.) exist
for their enhanced assembly. Second, it is possible to manipulate
by focus ion beam (FIB) instruments and the individual CNTs as
building blocks to fabricate unique devices as proof-of-concept
with new functionalities leading to unexpected sensors with a
deep knowledge base. Finally, these gas-sensitive materials can
be engineered atom by atom according to smart arrangements for
chemical nanosensors exhibiting multifunctionality and integrated
properties at the nanoscale level.
However, this capability of the bottom-up approach should allow
for assembly of nanostructures and nanomaterials with functions
not readily obtained by conventional methods and, thus open new
opportunities for innovative and advanced CNT-based gas sensors.
The focus of the recent developments in materials science
and nanotechnology has been on the control of the chemistry and
functionalization of the low-dimensional systems, with the view of
use in applications such as molecular electronics and the advances
in nanoelectronic sensors for future gas sensing devices, and smart
microsystems.
Nanosensors are very attracting for the interest of many research
groups from around the world and although the sensor business is
not subject to strong technological changes, the evidence suggests
that their impact will be dramatically innovative. Today we can
only guess at what their ultimate capabilities will be but perhaps
now we are really on the verge of a technological revolution in the
nanosensing science and engineering. Somebody speaks about
“invisible revolution.”
A full-scale viability will be predicated on the ability of the
manufacturers to closely control the repeatability and purity of the
CNTs, and the ability to further reduce the production costs, so as to
make CNTs use more feasible for future nanoelectronic gas sensors.
The CNTs can lead to the development of innovative chemical
nanosensors with remarkable functionality and performance.
These sensing devices result from the combined use of chemical
functionalization and self-assembly techniques that are the basis
of the future electronic gas nanosensors. Advanced theoretical
studies can help predicting the complex and critical impact of
