Supersensitive Detection of Explosives by Silicon Nanowire Arrays

Yoni Engel, Roey Elnathan, Alexander Pevzner, Guy Davidi, Prof. Eli Flaxer andProf. Fernando Patolsky

16 AUG 2010

​

Abstract

​

Dog on a chip: Explosives can be detected with unprecedented sensitivity by using arrays of silicon nanowire field-effect transistors modified with an electron-rich aminosilane monolayer, which form complexes with the analytes (see picture). These “nanosniffers” can be used to sense the presence of TNT at concentrations as low as 1×10−6 ppt, which is superior to that of sniffer dogs or any other known explosive detection method.