Molecular wire injection sensors
First Claim
1. A sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte component, the sensor comprising:
- a plurality of conductive polymer strands each having at least a first end and a second end, and being in contact with a molecular insulator that isolates one or more of said conductive polymer stands from one or more other conductive polymer strands on the sensor;
a plurality of molecular recognition headgroups having an affinity for said analyte component and being attached to said conductive polymer strands such that when the analyte interacts with the molecular recognition headgroup one or more mobile charge carriers are transferred to a conductive polymer strand attached to said headgroup; and
an electrode substrate attached to said conductive polymer strands at said second ends configured to report to an electronic circuit reception of mobile charge carriers from said conductive polymer strands whereby the presence of said analyte component is sensed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte component without relying on redox mediators. This sensor includes (a) a plurality of conductive polymer strands each having at least a first end and a second end and each aligned in a substantially common orientation; (b) a plurality of molecular recognition headgroups having an affinity for the analyte component and being attached to the first ends of the conductive polymer strands; and (c) an electrode substrate attached to the conductive polymer strands at the second ends. The electrode substrate is capable of reporting to an electronic circuit reception of mobile charge carriers (electrons or holes) from the conductive polymer strands. The electrode substrate may be a photovoltaic diode.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte component, the sensor comprising:
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a plurality of conductive polymer strands each having at least a first end and a second end, and being in contact with a molecular insulator that isolates one or more of said conductive polymer stands from one or more other conductive polymer strands on the sensor; a plurality of molecular recognition headgroups having an affinity for said analyte component and being attached to said conductive polymer strands such that when the analyte interacts with the molecular recognition headgroup one or more mobile charge carriers are transferred to a conductive polymer strand attached to said headgroup; and an electrode substrate attached to said conductive polymer strands at said second ends configured to report to an electronic circuit reception of mobile charge carriers from said conductive polymer strands whereby the presence of said analyte component is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of forming a sensor capable of sensing the presence of an analyte component, the method comprising:
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affixing conductive polymer strands or precursors of said conductive polymer strands to a sensor substrate; affixing molecular recognition headgroups to said affixed conductive polymer strands, whereby a sensor structure is formed having said substrate affixed to said conductive polymer strands and said molecular recognition headgroups also affixed to said conductive polymer strands; and contacting at least the conductive polymer strands with a molecular insulator that isolates one or more of said conductive polymer stands from one or more other conductive polymer strands on the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of sensing the presence of an analyte component in an analyte with a sensor including (i) a plurality of conductive polymer strands each having at least a first end and a second end, and being in contact with a molecular insulator that isolates one or more of said conductive polymer stands from one or more other conductive polymer strands on the sensor, (ii) a plurality of molecular recognition headgroups having an affinity for said analyte component and being attached to said conductive polymer strands such that when the analyte interacts with the molecular recognition headgroup one or more mobile charge carriers are transferred to a conductive polymer strand attached to said headgroup, and (iii) an electrode substrate attached to said conductive polymer strands at said second ends, the method comprising:
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contacting said molecular recognition headgroups with said analyte; and determining whether mobile charge carriers have been transferred to said electrode substrate resulting from mobile charge carriers transferred by said conductive polymer strands, at least some of which are isolated from one another by said molecular insulator, to said electrode substrate to thereby sense the presence of the analyte component.
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Specification