Colorimetric Sensor with Photonic Crystal and Plasmonic Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing colorimetric sensors lack the sensitivity to accurately detect both bacteria and viruses, particularly viruses like COVID-19, due to their smaller size compared to bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A colorimetric sensor is developed with a photonic crystal structure and a bioresponsive functional layer containing silver or gold nanomaterials, enhanced by a plasmonic nanostructured layer, which interacts with bacteria and viruses to cause a visible color change through surface plasmon resonance, and optionally includes receptor proteins or antibodies to detect specific viruses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional colorimetric sensor with silver layer and one-dimensional photonic crystal is used, then bacteria detection is achieved, but sensitivity is insufficient for detecting viruses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple materials with complementary properties: photonic crystals for optical interference effects, plasmonic metals (silver/gold) for surface plasmon resonance, and dielectric layers for field enhancement. This composite structure creates synergistic effects that amplify the optical response to viral targets, achieving detection sensitivity for viruses while maintaining a manageable device structure through systematic integration of these material systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor structure is simplified for easier manufacture, then manufacturing ease improves, but detection sensitivity for viruses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into distinct functional layers: photonic crystal layers for structural color, plasmonic metal layers for field enhancement, and dielectric spacer layers for field confinement. Each layer can be fabricated using standard techniques (sputtering, spin-coating, thermal evaporation) and assembled sequentially. This segmentation allows complex sensing functionality to be achieved through modular fabrication, balancing manufacturing ease with high detection sensitivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional sensing mechanisms are used, then device complexity remains low, but the ability to detect both bacteria and viruses simultaneously is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The photonic-plasmonic-dielectric composite structure provides universal detection capability for both bacteria and viruses through a single sensing mechanism. The photonic crystal provides broad spectral response, the plasmonic layer enhances electromagnetic field for small targets, and the dielectric layer optimizes field distribution. This multi-functional design allows the same sensor structure to detect targets of varying sizes (bacteria and viruses) without requiring multiple specialized sensors, achieving versatility while controlling complexity through a unified design approach.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor achieves improved sensitivity to detect both bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19, by amplifying the color change response through the photonic crystal and plasmonic interactions, enabling accurate detection.
Implementation Method 1
a photonic crystal structure and a bioresponsive functional layer containing silver or gold nanomaterials, enhanced by a plasmonic nanostructured layer
Implementation Method 2
enhanced by a plasmonic nanostructured layer, which interacts with bacteria and viruses to cause a visible color change through surface plasmon resonance
Data Source
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AI summary
A colorimetric sensor (1) for detecting bacteria and/or viruses, comprising: - one more layers (3', 3", ...) having a photonic crystal structure; - a functional layer (4) comprising a nanomaterial capable of generating bacteria- and/or viruses-bioresponsive surface plasmon overlapping the one or more layers (3', 3", ...) having the photonic crystal structure; wherein: - the bacteria- and/or viruses-bioresponsive nanomaterial of the functional layer (4) is doped with proteinic substances or antibodies acting as virus receptors, or the colorimetric sensor (1) comprises a receptor layer (5) comprising proteinic substances or antibodies acting as virus receptors, wherein the functional layer (4) and receptor layer (5) overlap each other; and/or - the colorimetric sensor (1) comprises a plasmonic nanostructured layer (7) comprising nanostructures such to generate plasmonic colors, overlapping the one or more layers having the photonic crystal structure (3', 3", ...).