According to a report from the American Physicist Organization Network on May 10 (Beijing time), researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a new ultra-sensitive detector that pushes the ability to detect explosives to the last limit of a molecule. The explosive detector used at the airport is very sensitive. Related papers were published this week on the website of the National Academy of Sciences.
This technology makes use of a protein fragment known as bombolitins in bee venom. The researchers painted the protein fragments on carbon nanotubes and discovered that these peptides react to explosives such as nitroaromatic compounds including TNT. Michael Steinau, an associate professor of chemical engineering at MIT who led the study, said that the new nanosensors have increased detection capabilities to the limit and can detect single explosive molecules at room temperature.
Steiner's laboratories have developed carbon nanotube sensors capable of detecting a variety of molecules in recent years. These include nitroxides, hydrogen peroxide, and neurotoxic Sarin. This sensor makes use of the natural fluorescence properties of carbon nanotubes. Once a target molecule is found, the carbon nanotubes will flash due to changes in fluorescence intensity. However, such a sensor using fluorescence intensity is easily affected by ambient light, and has a high error rate and high noise.
In order to avoid the above shortcomings, the new explosives sensor has improved the original carbon nanotube sensor from the working principle. The natural fluorescence characteristics of carbon nanotubes are also used, but the new sensor uses a change in the fluorescence wavelength after the carbon nanotubes bind to the target molecules, and a new microscope is manufactured to read these wavelength changes that the naked eye cannot see. signal.
Each nanotube-polypeptide combination reacts to different nitroaromatic compounds. With nanotubes coated with different bombolitins, unique "fingerprints" of the explosives to be detected can be identified. In addition, nanotubes can also detect the products of explosive decomposition in the environment. "For example, TNT can be broken down into other molecules in the environment, and these derivatives can also be identified." Steiner said, "What we need is a sensor platform that can detect the entire reaction network and derivatives, not just One kind."
Studies have confirmed that the sensor can also detect two pesticides that belong to nitro compounds and therefore have the potential as an environmental detector. In the future, even any molecules floating in the air can be detected. In addition, the technology also has great potential for commercial and military applications.
"Although we can't install this detector in the subway to detect explosives, the new sensor has broken its own bottleneck. If there is only one molecule in a sample, it can be detected as long as you let it enter the sensor." Steiner said.
This technology makes use of a protein fragment known as bombolitins in bee venom. The researchers painted the protein fragments on carbon nanotubes and discovered that these peptides react to explosives such as nitroaromatic compounds including TNT. Michael Steinau, an associate professor of chemical engineering at MIT who led the study, said that the new nanosensors have increased detection capabilities to the limit and can detect single explosive molecules at room temperature.
Steiner's laboratories have developed carbon nanotube sensors capable of detecting a variety of molecules in recent years. These include nitroxides, hydrogen peroxide, and neurotoxic Sarin. This sensor makes use of the natural fluorescence properties of carbon nanotubes. Once a target molecule is found, the carbon nanotubes will flash due to changes in fluorescence intensity. However, such a sensor using fluorescence intensity is easily affected by ambient light, and has a high error rate and high noise.
In order to avoid the above shortcomings, the new explosives sensor has improved the original carbon nanotube sensor from the working principle. The natural fluorescence characteristics of carbon nanotubes are also used, but the new sensor uses a change in the fluorescence wavelength after the carbon nanotubes bind to the target molecules, and a new microscope is manufactured to read these wavelength changes that the naked eye cannot see. signal.
Each nanotube-polypeptide combination reacts to different nitroaromatic compounds. With nanotubes coated with different bombolitins, unique "fingerprints" of the explosives to be detected can be identified. In addition, nanotubes can also detect the products of explosive decomposition in the environment. "For example, TNT can be broken down into other molecules in the environment, and these derivatives can also be identified." Steiner said, "What we need is a sensor platform that can detect the entire reaction network and derivatives, not just One kind."
Studies have confirmed that the sensor can also detect two pesticides that belong to nitro compounds and therefore have the potential as an environmental detector. In the future, even any molecules floating in the air can be detected. In addition, the technology also has great potential for commercial and military applications.
"Although we can't install this detector in the subway to detect explosives, the new sensor has broken its own bottleneck. If there is only one molecule in a sample, it can be detected as long as you let it enter the sensor." Steiner said.
Ecurity Fence,Stainless Steel Pipe Co., Ltd. , http://www.zjsteeltube.com