Design and Evaluation of Nano-cantilever Beam for Sensing Application

Abstract

Sensor array offers several advantages such as selectivity enhancement towards analytes,
multiple component analysis etc. In case of an array system, we see that one cantilever beam
can be set as a reference, while the other beams are subjected to varying loads. As a result,
even a very small deflection would be detected with the help of adjacent beams, hence
enhancing the sensitivity of the cantilever. By using an array of beams with different
functionalization on each of the beam, it is possible to develop a sensor which is suitable for
multi-target detection like multi-explosive detection system where in different explosive
molecules can be sensed if their traces are beyond a certain threshold value (in ppm or ppb).
This technology holds the key to developing sensors which are ultrasensitive to the limits of
detection of single molecular species.