Our research group is focused on developing novel functional nanoscale (<1-100 nm) devices and their application as sensors to measure a variety of different measurands. Using modern fabrication and synthesis techniques we have the ability to engineer materials with near atomic scale precision, which has facilitated advancements in many application areas, such as medical diagnostics, drug discovery, forensics, and energy conversion. Currently, our main research efforts are aimed at developing nanosensors for medical diagnostics that employ nanoscale physical and chemical effects to enhance the sensitivity of detecting ultra-low concentrations of target molecules in small sample volumes.

Plasmonic nanosensors

The emerging field of plasmonics, the science and engineering of surface plasmon polariton excitation on conductor-dielectric interfaces, has grown significantly over the last half century since the discovery of bulk plasmons, and surface plasmon polaritons on noble metal foils. Interest in surface plasmon polaritons, or simply surface plasmons, was renewed by two important discoveries: first, the attribution that the large average Raman scattering enhancement measured on electrochemically roughened silver surfaces was due to large electromagnetic field enhancements generated by localized surface plasmon resonance excited with focused laser radiation, and later the development and commercialization of surface plasmon resonance biosensors on planar metal surfaces. more»

Nanowire sensors

One-dimensional electrical nanosensors, such as semiconductor nanowires, are particularly important due to their suitability for large-scale, high-density integration and interfacing to conventional electronic systems, hence are attractive for low cost portable sensing systems. Silicon nanowire field-effect biosensors have been reported extensively for the highly sensitive, label-free, and real time detection of biomolecular binding of DNA and proteins. The high detection sensitivity of silicon nanowire biosensors has been attributed to their large surface-to-volume ratio and the three-dimensional multigate structure; both contribute to the improved sensitivity compared to conventional planar devices. more»