Molecular wire injection sensors

• US 20040157319A1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keensense, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Keensense, Inc.
• Inventors: Keen, Randy E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,979,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.2
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/001 Enzyme electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/002 Electrode membranes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/806 Electrical property or magnetic property

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.

Claims

1. A sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte component, which sensor does not rely on redox mediators, the sensor comprising:

a substrate that reports reception of mobile charge carriers to an electronic circuit; and

a plurality of active molecular recognition groups wired to a surface of the substrate by molecular wires aligned in a non random orientation,

wherein when the analyte component contacts the active molecular recognition surfaces, mobile charge carriers are transferred directly to and through the molecular wires attached to said headgroup surfaces, without redox reaction in the molecular wires, to thereby allow the substrate to sense the presence of the analyte component.