Nanophotonic sensors for biomedical and ecological application

Abstract

There is an ever-increasing need to enhance the capability of sensor technology for health, structural and environmental monitoring. One area of great concern is new strains of microbial organism and the spread of infectious diseases that requires rapid identification and detection in vivo and in vitro. Another area of major concern, worldwide, is the threat of chemical and biological terrorism. This points out onto necessity of improovement of existing and development of novel detection technologies based on nanomaterials. Nanophotonics-based sensors utilizing nanostructured multiple probes provide the ability for simultaneous detection of different biomedical and ecological objects as well as the ability for remote sensing where necessary. A useful future approach can utilize nanoscale optoelectronics with hybrid detection methods involving both photonics and electronics.