Nanosensors are platforms with a characteristic dimension - nanometer in scale, and work in much the same way as a sensor; they detect either minute particles or miniscule quantities of something.
“Nanosensors are chemical or mechanical sensors that can be used to detect the presence of chemical species and nanoparticles, or monitor physical parameters such as temperature, on the nanoscale.” They find use in medical diagnostic applications, food and water quality sensing, and other chemicals.” (Nature)
Nanosensor Applications
Nanosensors can be chemical sensors or mechanical sensors. They are used:
- To detect various chemicals in gases for pollution monitoring
- For medical diagnostic purposes either as bloodborne sensors or in lab-on-a-chip type devices
- To monitor physical parameters such as temperature, displacement and flow
- As accelerometers in MEMS devices like airbag sensors
- To monitor plant signaling and metabolism to understand plant biology.
