Broad spectrum optically addressed sensor
US7390461B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2991
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a sensor for detecting chemical, biological, biochemical or other environmental stimuli, and includes a plurality of colloidal particles having chemical receptors bound to each particle's surface, wherein when a target stimulus is directed to the bound chemical receptor, the gelled matrix contracts or expands, which changes the lattice constant, thereby changing the pattern of diffracted light in a measurable manner so that the target stimulus' presence can be detected by a spectrometer. The plurality of colloidal particles are composed of a material having a first dielectric constant, and the gel and surrounding medium have a second dielectric constant. The colloidal particles can be assembled using holographic optical tweezers and polymerized to create an integrated sensor array, which diffracts light in a detectable characteristic manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.