Smartsens - All-in-one ultra sensitive and very low concentration pollutant detecting devices

BACKGROUND

Urbanization and increased human activities gradually lead to the degradation of the environment. It causes adverse effects on human health by the release in food, water, air or soil of various pollutants, including pharmaceutical & personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), heavy metals (HM) or toxins.

Assessing, quantifying their presence and their impact on both the environment and the human health is crucial. The development of innovative analytical techniques have therefore unlimited applicative potential. Especially if they encompass specificity, sensitivity, ergonomics , accuracy, swiftness and high-throughput while being miniaturizable and wearable associated to real-time remote monitoring capabilities.

HOW IT WORKS

The technology is based on the Field Effect Transistor (FET) technology associated to an organic sensitive layer. We have developed an organic ultrathin dielectric layer based on the combination of amphiphilic molecules with appropriate receptors leading to ultrasensitive and specific detecting devices. This type of devices help detecting analytes at very low concentration levels with low pH interference. For instance, ultrasensitive Cu2+, Fe3+ ions detection (down to the femtomole) can be achieved with an engineered lipid-sensing layer.

KEY BENEFITS

• Compatible with the existing microelectronic technologies
• Miniaturizable, Versatile, adaptable
• Allows detection of charged and non-charged species (ions, molecules)
• Low operating voltage (prevent the damage of molecules)
• Ultrasensitive detection (femtomole or below)
  

DEVELOPMENT STATUS

Technical development to validate the technology on a specific molecule representing industrial needs.

Lab prototype available

APPLICATIONS

Biomedical diagnosis, environmental monitoring and food safety