Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Chemiresistors
: Modified CNTs, at format of the individual
SWCNTs or functionalized networks, will be integrated directly
onto flexible plastic substrates for selective chemical detection
at ppb-level and low-power consumption for commercial
disposable devices.
•
Optoelectronic
: Near-infrared, visible,
UV optical sensors by using CNTs fluorescence properties
modulated by gas molecules adsorption will be engineered
for medical and biology applications.
•
Nano
nanotube
devices
:
Combining the excellent electronic and mechanical properties
of the CNTs, miniaturized NEMS and MEMS devices based
on SWCNTs and/or MWCNTs will be fabricated for advanced
chemical sensing at ppb-level detection with high sensitivity
and for molecular electronics.
•
CNT sensor arrays
microelectromechanical
systems
(NEMS/MEMS)
: Gas sensor nanoarrays with novel
functionalities based on individual CNTs, differently
functionalized, will be fabricated for broad selectivity in order
to analyze chemical and biochemical environments.
Current efforts have led to sensing devices with incredibly low
detection limits and promising selectivity. At this early stage in
the CNT sensor technology it is very difficult to speculate on their
future impact on the commercial sensor market. However, the
largest potential for CNT-based sensor technology may reside in
the development of nanodevices, sensor arrays, and compact, low-
power, portable sensor systems.
The possible application fields for CNT nanosensors will be
various and novel functionalities could be employed. Generally, the
following technological fields are expected to be very attractive for
chemical sensors:
•
Medicine and biology
: Taking into account the toxicology and
biocompatibility of the CNTs, they are emerging as innovative
tools in nanobiotechnology for therapeutic applications in
medicine as drug and vaccine delivery vehicles in aqueous
media, and advanced studies [307] report in the human blood
as well. Moreover, it is expected that CNTs nanostructures will
be used as probes to test cellular behavior [322]. In particular,
CNTs can sustain and promote neuronal electrical activity
in networks of the cultured cells, including how the cellular
functions can be affected by the presence of the CNTs in the
nerve tissue.
