Scientists in Germany, the US and Finland have used graphene membranes as highly sensitive sensor devices for molecules on the nanoscale.
The molecules are adsorbed onto the graphene’s surface and then molecular dynamics are used to measure mass and other physical properties. The team showed that they can detect specific “fingerprints” left by the molecules on the graphene surface, which can be identified by IR or Raman spectroscopy. As the molecule moves on the surface, these dynamical movements can be detected by a graphene-based drum (a nanoscale “ear” that can hear “sounds” produced by other molecules).
The device could be used for nanoelectronics or to improve atomic force microscopy-based techniques.
Read the full details of this exciting work today:
Nanoscale ear drum: Graphene based nanoscale sensors
Stanislav Avdoshenko , Claudia Gomes Rochaa and Gionarelio Cuniberti
Nanoscale, 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2NR30097D
