Sensors based on nanotechnology are considered being a technology that can contribute to the quality of and reduction of costs in our health care. Due to their extreme sensitivity, this type of sensors is capable of giving a diagnose quickly yet accurately, using only a small quantity of sample from blood, saliva, breath of urine. This creates additional possibilities next to existing, often more extensive analysis techniques.
This project will build on the knowledge gained during the past years within the research group.
Optical nanosensor
Although various types of sensing principles have been around already quite some time, hardly any practical applications have been realised to date. To get from a prototype sensor in a laboratory environment to a complete analysis device, a number of technical steps have to be made. Within the research project ONS-BIO the research group Nanotechnology will, in cooperation with its partners, carry out this development for an optical nanosensor. This project will build on the knowledge gained during the past years within the research group. In the project two important aspect will be studies:
- The deposition of the sensing layer
- The electronics interface.
Important topics are the requirement that the sensitive layer (which interacts with the molecules to be detected) is deposited at the right area on the sensor and that it adheres well to the chip. For certain applications it may be required to combine different sensing layers on a chip (with several sensing structures). For the read-out electronics, the focus of the research is aimed at:
- The optical connection to the chip (because the chip should be easily exchanged).
- Possibilities for miniaturisation (in order to generate maximum flexibility for the application of the sensor device).
- The requirements of the user interface (depending on the application and targeted users).
Eventually, all developed parts will be integrated into a demonstrator setup.
Because of the past experience within the research group Nanotechnology on measuring biomarkers at the skin for the human metabolism, a demonstrator for this application was chosen.
Partners ONS-BIO
The Saxion research groups Nanotechnology, Ambient Intelligence, Prevention in Health Care, the Fontys research chair Thin Films and Functional Materials, University of Twente (Films in Fluids), Beta Applied Research BV, BioVolt BV, MetaSenze BV, LioniX BV, Surfix BV, Roessingh R&D BV, AllRoundTechnology BV, Panton BV, InnoPhysics BV, XiO Photonics BV, CE-Mate BV.
Duration
The project runs from 1st April 2016 until 31st march 2018.
The project ONS-BIO is partially financed by SIA/RAAK-mkb.
For more information, please contact Cas Damen, professor NanoPhysicsInterface:
