Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 15651

Special Issue Editor

Center for Functional Sensor & Actuator (CFSN), Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
Interests: nanomechanical sensors; nanomaterials; nanocarbons; organic synthesis; supramolecular chemistry; biosensors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The detection of gases has gained significant attention, with potential applications not only for monitoring food and environmental safety but also for healthcare and medical diagnosis. Nanomechanical sensors and their arrays can be utilized as sensing units for detecting, distinguishing, and identifying target analytes, especially odors, which are composed of a complex mixture of gaseous and volatile molecules. Since a multidimensional dataset obtained from a nanomechanical sensor array contains a large amount of information, multivariate analyses and machine learning techniques can be effectively applied to distinguish and identify gases more accurately. In the application of nanomechanical sensors for gas detection, it is necessary to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of receptor materials and develop effective analytical methods, including machine learning approaches. A Special Issue of Biosensors can become a scientific platform for discussing the advantages and possibilities of nanomechanical sensor-based gas detection.

Accordingly, this Special Issue of Biosensors will cover the topic of gas sensing using nanomechanical sensors, including both dynamic and static mode operations. It is my great pleasure to invite you to submit original research papers, comprehensive reviews, and communications focusing on topics such as:

  • The design of novel nanomechanical sensor systems;
  • Sensitive and selective materials for nanomechanical sensors—e.g, polymers, nanomaterials, nanocomposites, nanocarbons, and 2D materials;
  • The use of analytical methods for gas/odor detection: signal processing and machine learning;
  • Electronic nose (e-nose)/artificial olfaction;
  • Biological applications of nanomechanical gas sensors.

Dr. Kosuke Minami
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanomechanical sensors
  • gas sensors
  • dynamic and static mode
  • electronic nose (e-nose)
  • artificial olfaction
  • breath diagnosis
  • machine learning

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 159 KiB  
Editorial
Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection towards Artificial Olfaction
by Kosuke Minami
Biosensors 2022, 12(4), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12040256 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2294
Abstract
Humans, as well as other organisms, tend to recognize their surroundings by smells/odors [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection)

Research

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12 pages, 1458 KiB  
Article
Metal-Multilayered Nanomechanical Cantilever Sensor for Detection of Molecular Adsorption
by Masaya Toda, Takahito Ono and Jun Okubo
Biosensors 2023, 13(6), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13060573 - 23 May 2023
Viewed by 979
Abstract
A metal-multilayered nanomechanical cantilever sensor was proposed to reduce the temperature effect for highly sensitive gas molecular detection. The multilayer structure of the sensor reduces the bimetallic effect, allowing for the detection of differences in molecular adsorption properties on various metal surfaces with [...] Read more.
A metal-multilayered nanomechanical cantilever sensor was proposed to reduce the temperature effect for highly sensitive gas molecular detection. The multilayer structure of the sensor reduces the bimetallic effect, allowing for the detection of differences in molecular adsorption properties on various metal surfaces with higher sensitivity. Our results indicate that the sensor exhibits higher sensitivity to molecules with greater polarity under mixed conditions with nitrogen gas. We demonstrate that stress changes caused by differences in molecular adsorption on different metal surfaces can be detected and that this approach could be used to develop a gas sensor with selectivity for specific gas species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection)
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11 pages, 2962 KiB  
Article
Repetitive Direct Comparison Method for Odor Sensing
by Gaku Imamura, Kosuke Minami and Genki Yoshikawa
Biosensors 2023, 13(3), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13030368 - 10 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1310
Abstract
Olfactory sensors are one of the most anticipated applications of gas sensors. To distinguish odors—complex mixtures of gas species, it is necessary to extract sensor responses originating from the target odors. However, the responses of gas sensors tend to be affected by interfering [...] Read more.
Olfactory sensors are one of the most anticipated applications of gas sensors. To distinguish odors—complex mixtures of gas species, it is necessary to extract sensor responses originating from the target odors. However, the responses of gas sensors tend to be affected by interfering gases with much higher concentrations than target odor molecules. To realize practical applications of olfactory sensors, extracting minute sensor responses of odors from major interfering gases is required. In this study, we propose a repetitive direct comparison (rDC) method, which can highlight the difference in odors by alternately injecting the two target odors into a gas sensor. We verified the feasibility of the rDC method on chocolates with two different flavors by using a sensor system based on membrane-type surface stress sensors (MSS). The odors of the chocolates were measured by the rDC method, and the signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of the measurements were evaluated. The results showed that the rDC method achieved improved S/N compared to a typical measurement. The result also indicates that sensing signals could be enhanced for a specific combination of receptor materials of MSS and target odors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection)
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13 pages, 3478 KiB  
Article
Measurement of Volatile Fatty Acids in Silage through Odors with Nanomechanical Sensors
by Kosuke Minami, Hisami Kobayashi, Masaaki Matoba, Yuko Kamiya, Subrata Maji, Takahiro Nemoto, Masanori Tohno, Ryoh Nakakubo and Genki Yoshikawa
Biosensors 2023, 13(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020152 - 18 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2459
Abstract
The measurement of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) is of great importance in the fields of food and agriculture. There are various methods to measure VFAs, but most methods require specific equipment, making on-site measurements difficult. In this work, we demonstrate the measurements of [...] Read more.
The measurement of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) is of great importance in the fields of food and agriculture. There are various methods to measure VFAs, but most methods require specific equipment, making on-site measurements difficult. In this work, we demonstrate the measurements of VFAs in a model sample, silage, through its vapor using an array of nanomechanical sensors—Membrane-type Surface stress Sensors (MSS). Focusing on relatively slow desorption behaviors of VFAs predicted with the sorption kinetics of nanomechanical sensing and the dissociation nature of VFAs, the VFAs can be efficiently measured by using features extracted from the decay curves of the sensing response, resulting in sufficient discrimination of the silage samples. Since the present sensing system does not require expensive, bulky setup and pre-treatment of samples, it has a great potential for practical applications including on-site measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection)
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11 pages, 1673 KiB  
Article
Detection of Trace Amounts of Water in Organic Solvents by DNA-Based Nanomechanical Sensors
by Tomohiro Murata, Kosuke Minami, Tomohiko Yamazaki, Genki Yoshikawa and Katsuhiko Ariga
Biosensors 2022, 12(12), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12121103 - 01 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
The detection of trace amounts of water in organic solvents is of great importance in the field of chemistry and in the industry. Karl Fischer titration is known as a classic method and is widely used for detecting trace amounts of water; however, [...] Read more.
The detection of trace amounts of water in organic solvents is of great importance in the field of chemistry and in the industry. Karl Fischer titration is known as a classic method and is widely used for detecting trace amounts of water; however, it has some limitations in terms of rapid and direct detection because of its time-consuming sample preparation and specific equipment requirements. Here, we found that a DNA-based nanomechanical sensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity to water vapor, leading to the detection and quantification of trace amounts of water in organic solvents as low as 12 ppm in THF, with a ppb level of LoD through their vapors. Since the present method is simple and rapid, it can be an alternative technique to the conventional Karl Fischer titration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection)
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Review

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19 pages, 7759 KiB  
Review
Recent Advancements in Novel Sensing Systems through Nanoarchitectonics
by Karthick Velu, Rekha Goswami Shrestha, Lok Kumar Shrestha and Katsuhiko Ariga
Biosensors 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020286 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1678
Abstract
The fabrication of various sensing devices and the ability to harmonize materials for a higher degree of organization is essential for effective sensing systems. Materials with hierarchically micro- and mesopore structures can enhance the sensitivity of sensors. Nanoarchitectonics allows for atomic/molecular level manipulations [...] Read more.
The fabrication of various sensing devices and the ability to harmonize materials for a higher degree of organization is essential for effective sensing systems. Materials with hierarchically micro- and mesopore structures can enhance the sensitivity of sensors. Nanoarchitectonics allows for atomic/molecular level manipulations that create a higher area-to-volume ratio in nanoscale hierarchical structures for use in ideal sensing applications. Nanoarchitectonics also provides ample opportunities to fabricate materials by tuning pore size, increasing surface area, trapping molecules via host–guest interactions, and other mechanisms. Material characteristics and shape significantly enhance sensing capabilities via intramolecular interactions, molecular recognition, and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This review highlights the latest advancements in nanoarchitectonics approaches to tailor materials for various sensing applications, including biological micro/macro molecules, volatile organic compounds (VOC), microscopic recognition, and the selective discrimination of microparticles. Furthermore, different sensing devices that utilize the nanoarchitectonics concept to achieve atomic-molecular level discrimination are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection)
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34 pages, 7448 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Nanomechanical Membrane-Type Surface Stress Sensors towards Artificial Olfaction
by Kosuke Minami, Gaku Imamura, Ryo Tamura, Kota Shiba and Genki Yoshikawa
Biosensors 2022, 12(9), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12090762 - 16 Sep 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2880
Abstract
Nanomechanical sensors have gained significant attention as powerful tools for detecting, distinguishing, and identifying target analytes, especially odors that are composed of a complex mixture of gaseous molecules. Nanomechanical sensors and their arrays are a promising platform for artificial olfaction in combination with [...] Read more.
Nanomechanical sensors have gained significant attention as powerful tools for detecting, distinguishing, and identifying target analytes, especially odors that are composed of a complex mixture of gaseous molecules. Nanomechanical sensors and their arrays are a promising platform for artificial olfaction in combination with data processing technologies, including machine learning techniques. This paper reviews the background of nanomechanical sensors, especially conventional cantilever-type sensors. Then, we focus on one of the optimized structures for static mode operation, a nanomechanical Membrane-type Surface stress Sensor (MSS), and discuss recent advances in MSS and their applications towards artificial olfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomechanical Sensors for Gas Detection)
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