Karl Franzens University Graz
Graz University of Technology
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Karl Franzens University Graz | Graz University of Technology | |
Towards single-molecule analysis with nanomechanical resonators The identification and quantification of samples are a fundamental task in most applications in medicine, science and engineering. Mass spectrometry and absorption spectroscopy are two indispensable instrumental methods available in analytical chemistry today. While these are two highly capable methods, their limit of detection is in the femtogram and nanogram range, respectively. There is a big demand for the identification of samples with ever-increasing sensitivity in emergent applications such as single-cell protein profiling or environmental trace analysis. Nanomechanical resonators have already demonstrated single-molecule mass and photothermal absorption sensitivity. In our group we work towards the realisation of single-molecule analytical chemistry with nanomechanical resonators. In this effect, we have developed a novel method based on surface acoustic waves that enables the transduction of individual nanopillars resonators for the application in single-molecule mass spectrometry. And we are exploring single-molecule photothermal absorption spectroscopy based on nanomechanical silicon nitride resonators. |