Toward the Responsible Development and Commercialization of Sensor Nanotechnologies

Abstract

Nanotechnology-enabled sensors (or nanosensors) will play an important role in enabling the progression toward ubiquitous information systems as the Internet of Things (IoT) emerges. Nanosensors offer new, miniaturized solutions in physiochemical and biological sensing that enable increased sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexing capability, all with the compelling economic drivers of low cost and high-energy efficiency. In the United States, Federal agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) “Nanotechnology for Sensors and Sensors for Nanotechnology: Improving and Protecting Health, Safety, and the Environment” Nanotechnology Signature Initiative (the Sensors NSI), address both the opportunity of using nanotechnology to advance sensor development and the challenges of developing sensors to keep pace with the increasingly widespread use of engineered nanomaterials. This perspective article will introduce and provide background on the NNI signature initiative on sensors. Recent efforts by the Sensors NSI aimed at promoting the successful development and commercialization of nanosensors will be reviewed and examples of sensor nanotechnologies will be highlighted. Future directions and critical challenges for sensor development will also be discussed.

Nanosensors and particles: a technology frontier with pitfalls

“…This opened the door to a range of medical applications, including transformative technologies for point of care monitoring and diagnostics devices. It's thus a timely occasion to review the successes of nanoparticles and sensors tailored to serve highly specific functions, from medical applications [2][3][4][5][6] to sensing the environment [7][8][9][10][11][12], as well as to ask where and when caution is warranted [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

Interpreting Mobile and Handheld Air Sensor Readings in Relation to Air Quality Standards and Health Effect Reference Values: Tackling the Challenges

“…Needed improvements include smaller, more reliable power sources, including the possibility of body-heat or motion-driven power sources, and more compact data collection, processing, and memory capabilities. As described in the perspective article by Fadel et al [ 105 ], advances in nanotechnologies could enable and accelerate the development of inexpensive, portable devices for the broad detection, identification, and quantification of biological and chemical substances, including sensors for air quality and health applications.…”

Application of DNA-Nanosensor for Environmental Monitoring: Recent Advances and Perspectives

“…In case of nanobiosensor, the nanotechnology component is used to improve the transduction process in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, reproducibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Few cases report nanomaterial as recognition as well as transuding element [ 13 , 14 ]. DNA nanosensors are nanobiosensors with DNA mostly as recognition and nanomaterials as transducing component.…”

“…Alternative to use of chemicals is use of better approach, green nanotechnology. In the last decade, there are a lot of studies raising concern regarding safety concerns of nanomaterials as these materials can invade any cell and organelles to interact at biomolecule level [ 14 , 28 •]. The toxicity of nanomaterial to be used as component of DNA nanosensor needs to be thoroughly investigated before declaring it fit for use.…”