Phase-Transition Biosensor for Ultra-Low Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biosensors struggle to detect target substances at extremely low concentrations in non-invasive samples due to non-specific surface adsorption and Debye shielding, leading to unreliable and insensitive readings.
Innovation Solution
A biosensor design incorporating a reaction layer, hydrogen ion transfer layer, and phase transition layer, with specific materials and electrodes, that generates and transfers hydrogen ions to induce a phase transition, amplifying the electrical signal for detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional biosensors are used to detect biomarkers in non-invasive samples, then the detection can be performed without invasive sampling, but the detection sensitivity is insufficient due to low biomarker concentrations (10 to 10,000 times lower than blood samples)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a phase transition layer containing materials such as VO2, WO3, or MoS2 that undergo insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) when exposed to hydrogen ions. This phase transition causes a dramatic change in electrical conductivity (up to 10,000 times), thereby amplifying the detection signal and enabling sensitive detection of low-concentration biomarkers in non-invasive samples
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the phase transition layer material from insulating to metallic through hydrogen ion interaction. This parameter change triggers a massive increase in electrical conductivity, which amplifies the weak signal from low-concentration biomarkers and enables detection at concentrations 10 to 10,000 times lower than conventional biosensors
2Reliability
If FET-based biosensors are used to amplify surface potential changes, then current changes can be detected, but non-specific surface adsorption by highly charged molecules causes artifact signals that reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrogen ion transfer layer as an intermediary between the reaction layer and phase transition layer. This layer selectively transfers hydrogen ions generated from specific biomarker reactions while blocking other highly charged molecules, thereby preventing non-specific surface adsorption and artifact signals while maintaining signal amplification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates functionally distinct layers with specific properties: the reaction layer for selective biomarker interaction, the hydrogen ion transfer layer for selective ion transport, and the phase transition layer for signal amplification. This local differentiation of material properties enables specific detection while rejecting non-specific adsorption
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional biosensors detect biomarkers in high-salt solutions, then physiological samples can be analyzed, but Debye shielding neutralizes surface potential making the sensor insensitive to biomarkers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the phase transition layer to overcome Debye shielding by converting the weak electrical signal into a strong signal through insulator-to-metal transition. The phase transition materials (VO2, WO3, MoS2) undergo dramatic conductivity changes that amplify the biomarker signal enough to penetrate through the Debye shielding effect in high-salt physiological solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct electrical field detection method (which is blocked by Debye shielding) with a phase transition-based detection method. Instead of measuring small potential changes directly, the system uses hydrogen ion-triggered phase transitions that produce large conductivity changes, substituting electrical field measurement with phase state measurement that is less susceptible to shielding
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 biosensor achieves significant signal amplification, allowing detection of target substances at concentrations as low as 10−17 M with high sensitivity and selectivity, surpassing existing technologies in detection limits and response speed.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction layer that generates a hydrogen ion through a physical and/or chemical interaction with a target substance in a specimen
Implementation Method 2
a hydrogen ion transfer layer that is formed on one side of the reaction layer to transfer the hydrogen ion generated in the reaction layer
Implementation Method 3
a phase transition layer that is formed on one side of the hydrogen ion transfer layer, in which a phase of a substance changes due to the hydrogen ion transferred from the hydrogen ion transfer layer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a biosensor and a method of detecting a target substance by using the biosensor. The biosensor according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reaction layer generating a hydrogen ion through a physical and/or chemical interaction with a target substance in a specimen, a hydrogen ion transfer layer formed on one side of the reaction layer to transfer the hydrogen ion generated in the reaction layer, and a phase transition layer formed on one side of the hydrogen ion transfer layer, in which a phase of a substance changes due to the hydrogen ion transferred from the hydrogen ion transfer layer.