NER: Nanoscale Design of Aqueous Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Molecular Transducers for Biosensors

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This project is developing innovative biosensors based on a conductive polyaniline (PANI) molecular transducer reinforced with functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes. It is hypothesized that the reinforcement will result in increased electrical conductivity of the transducer, thus lowering detection limits of the new sensors, which will detect microorganisms via a binding event with tethered antigens. The study will evaluate whether these approaches will increase sensor speed and sensitivity. Detailed characterization of the new materials will be followed by efforts to manufacture functional biosensors based on the improved electrical conductivity of the material. Such sensors have potential applications in a wide variety of environmentally related fields, including rapid pathogen detection in aqueous systems, agricultural and food safety assessment uses, and homeland security.