Nano-Coated Sensors for Rapid Detection of Chemical and Biological Contaminants

Abstract

This invention describes a nano-coated sensor for the rapid detection of chemical and biological contaminants. The sensor comprises a substrate, a nano-coating layer of engineered nanomaterials, and functionalization elements for selective binding to target contaminants. The sensor employs electrochemical, optical, or piezoelectric mechanisms to detect binding events, providing real-time and highly sensitive detection. Applications include environmental monitoring, food safety testing, medical diagnostics, and defense. The nano-coated sensor offers rapid response times, high sensitivity, and robustness in challenging environments. Accompanied Drawing [FIG. 1]

Specification

Description:[001] The present invention relates to the fields of nanotechnology, sensor systems, and environmental monitoring. Specifically, it concerns nano-coated sensors designed for the rapid detection of chemical and biological contaminants, with applications in environmental safety, food quality control, healthcare, and defense.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The following description provides the information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] The detection of chemical and biological contaminants in air, water, and surfaces is critical for ensuring public safety, environmental protection, and operational security in various industries. Conventional sensors often lack the sensitivity and specificity required for detecting contaminants at trace levels, and they can be slow to respond in real-time monitoring scenarios. Furthermore, traditional sensor materials can degrade in harsh environments, limiting their usability in challenging conditions.
[004] Recent advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the development of nanostructured coatings that enhance the sensitivity, specificity, and durability of sensors. By increasing the surface area and facilitating specific molecular interactions, nanocoatings can significantly improve the performance of sensors. This invention leverages nanotechnology to create sensors capable of detecting chemical and biological contaminants rapidly and accurately, even at low concentrations.
[005] Accordingly, to overcome the prior art limitations based on aforesaid facts. The present invention provides Nano-Coated Sensors for Rapid Detection of Chemical and Biological Contaminants. Therefore, it would be useful and desirable to have a system, method and apparatus to meet the above-mentioned needs.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[006] This invention provides a sensor system featuring nano-coated surfaces for the rapid detection of chemical and biological contaminants. The nano-coating consists of engineered nanomaterials, such as metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, or graphene derivatives, tailored to enhance the sensor's sensitivity and selectivity. The system comprises a sensor substrate, a functionalized nano-coating layer, and an electrochemical or optical signal transduction mechanism.
[007] The nano-coating layer is functionalized with chemical or biological recognition elements, such as antibodies, enzymes, or aptamers, which selectively bind to target contaminants. When a contaminant binds to the nano-coated surface, it induces a measurable change in the sensor's signal, enabling rapid detection. The system supports multiple detection methods, including electrochemical, fluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based techniques, making it versatile for a wide range of applications.
[008] The sensor is designed to detect contaminants in real-time and at trace concentrations, offering high sensitivity, fast response times, and robustness in harsh environments. It is suitable for applications such as environmental monitoring, food safety testing, medical diagnostics, and chemical warfare detection.
[009] In this respect, before explaining at least one object of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of set of rules and to the arrangements of the various models set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other objects and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, according to the need of that industry. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[010] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[011] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1: Schematic representation of the nano-coated sensor system, showing the substrate, nano-coating layer, and functionalization elements.
FIG. 2: Cross-sectional view of the sensor, illustrating the interaction between a contaminant and the functionalized nano-coating.
FIG. 3: Diagram of the signal transduction mechanism, showing electrochemical or optical changes upon contaminant binding.
FIG. 4: Example output from the sensor, demonstrating detection of a chemical contaminant with signal intensity changes over time.
FIG. 5: Graph of detection sensitivity, showing the sensor's ability to detect contaminants at trace levels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[012] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and the word "plurality" means "one or more" unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or are common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[013] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting of", "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of, "including", or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[014] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[015] The nano-coated sensor system consists of several key components, each designed to enhance its functionality and effectiveness. At its core is the sensor substrate, which serves as the foundational material. This substrate can be made of silicon, glass, or flexible polymers, providing both mechanical support and electrical connectivity for the sensor system.
[016] Overlaying the substrate is the nano-coating layer, composed of engineered nanomaterials such as metal nanoparticles (e.g., gold, silver), carbon-based materials (e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene), or metal oxides. These materials are selected for their high surface area, conductivity, and ability to improve signal transduction. The nanomaterials are uniformly deposited onto the substrate using techniques like chemical vapor deposition (CVD), spin coating, or layer-by-layer assembly, ensuring stability and consistent performance.
[017] The nano-coating is further enhanced with functionalization elements that provide selective binding capabilities. These elements include antibodies for detecting biological pathogens, enzymes for identifying chemical analytes, and aptamers for selectively binding to toxins or pollutants. Together, these functionalization elements enable the sensor to target specific contaminants with high precision.
[018] The system's signal transduction mechanism translates interactions between contaminants and the nano-coating into measurable signals. This mechanism operates through multiple detection modes. In electrochemical detection, the binding of a contaminant alters the sensor's electrochemical properties, such as current, voltage, or impedance, which are measured using techniques like cyclic voltammetry or electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In optical detection, the sensor detects changes in light properties, such as intensity or wavelength, using techniques like fluorescence or surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Alternatively, piezoelectric detection leverages piezoelectric materials to sense mass changes on the nano-coated surface, generating electrical signals in response to mechanical stress.
[019] The sensor operates through a well-defined workflow. First, the sensor is deployed in the environment or integrated into a device to monitor air, water, or surfaces. When a target contaminant is present, it binds to the functionalized nano-coating layer, triggering a physical or chemical change on the sensor surface. The signal transduction mechanism then captures this change and converts it into a measurable electrical or optical signal. Embedded software or external systems process this signal to quantify contaminant levels. The sensor provides real-time feedback, displaying contaminant levels on a user interface or sending alerts via connected systems, ensuring timely responses.
[020] This nano-coated sensor system has broad applications. In environmental monitoring, it detects pollutants in air, water, and soil, including heavy metals, pesticides, or pathogens. In food safety testing, it identifies contaminants such as bacteria, toxins, or chemical residues in food products. For medical diagnostics, the sensor facilitates the rapid detection of biological markers associated with infectious diseases or toxins. Additionally, it plays a critical role in defense and security, monitoring for chemical and biological warfare agents in military or public safety scenarios. Through its versatility and precision, this system addresses critical needs across multiple domains.
[021] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
[022] The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments.
[023] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention. 
, Claims:1. A nano-coated sensor for detecting chemical and biological contaminants, comprising a sensor substrate, a nano-coating layer of engineered nanomaterials, and functionalization elements for specific contaminant binding.
2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the nano-coating layer comprises metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, or graphene derivatives to enhance sensitivity and signal transduction.
3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the functionalization elements include antibodies, enzymes, or aptamers for selective binding to target contaminants.
4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the signal transduction mechanism is electrochemical, optical, or piezoelectric, enabling the detection of contaminant binding events.
5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the nano-coating layer is deposited onto the substrate using chemical vapor deposition, spin coating, or layer-by-layer assembly.
6. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising an embedded system for processing signals and quantifying contaminant levels in real time.
7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the detection sensitivity allows for the identification of contaminants at trace levels, including concentrations in the nanomolar range.
8. The sensor of claim 1, configured for use in applications such as environmental monitoring, food safety testing, medical diagnostics, or defense and security.

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