Graphene shows potential as biosensor
29 Mar 2016 by Evoluted New Media
Graphene has been touted as a material highly suited for use as a biosensor, by Plymouth University researchers.
Graphene has been touted as a material highly suited for use as a biosensor, by Plymouth University researchers.
Results from a new study show electrical signals transmitted at high frequencies do not lose energy when travelling through graphene – as the material does not have a band gap, making it an excellent conductor. Due to this, graphene has been put forward for a range of uses in the engineering and health sectors. Researchers believe high-speed transistors and amplifiers for mobile and satellite communications and biological sensors may be possible uses for graphene.
Dr Shakil Awan, a lecturer from Plymouth University and principal investigator in the study, said: “Our results for the first time not only confirm the theoretical properties of graphene but also open up many new applications of the material in high-speed electronics and bio-sensing.
“An accurate understanding of the electromagnetic properties of graphene over a broad range of frequencies has been an important quest. Initial measurements gave conflicting results with theory because graphene's intrinsic properties are often masked by much larger interfering signals from the supporting substrate, metallic contacts and measurement probes,” he added.
The results from this study will be used to develop high speed, low noise amplifiers, mixers, radiation detectors and novel-biosensors.
The biosensors are being researched as part of a one million pound project on developing early detection of dementia, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Graphene is also an ideal material for this because of its small thermal noise at room temperature.
Dr Alan Colli, from Nokia Technologies, who was involved in the study, said: “Our study has unlocked the fundamental behaviour of graphene at high frequencies, which will be essential in the design and evaluation of future graphene-based wireless devices.”
The research published in 2D Materials, was carried out by Plymouth and Tohoku University in conjunction with the Nokia Research Centre in Cambridge.
