Supersensitive detection of explosives by silicon nanowire arrays

Abstract

(Figure Presented) 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.© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.