SensNews Mar 2017

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Sensor100 March 2017 22
Ultra-thin Nanomaterials Set to Improve Environmental
Sensing
A project at Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology could lead to a new type of
chemical nanosensor, thanks to research into atomically thin nanomaterials that are
extremely sensitive to changes in their surroundings.
The sensors are based on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a class of sub-
stance known to be promising for novel sensor architectures thanks to their strong
interactions with light, and an optimal surface-to-volume ratio when formed into thin
layers. TMDs are potentially effective as sensors thanks to the nature of the direct
band gap in the material, which readily leads to the creation of excitons - bound states
of electrons and electron holes - when they interact with light.These “bright” excitons
are influenced by the environment of the material, and so offer a way to make TMDs
respond to their surroundings.
22 March
Alcohol and Formaldehyde Detection Sensors Among
Others in Expanded Range
Dart Sensors, known for its breath alcohol and formaldehyde detection is expanding
its range to include:
transdermal alcohol sensor; food freshness; oxygen sensor
Reported in: 3 March