Berkeley Nanotechnology Lab University of California, Berkeley

Project

Biosensing

A carbon-nanotube sensing platform for point-of-care diagnostics.

The research question

Can functionalized carbon nanotubes, read out with impedance spectroscopy, detect clinically relevant biomarkers in a device small and simple enough for point-of-care use? Current test targets include tacrolimus and creatinine, toward monitoring for kidney failure.

The approach

The platform combines a miniaturized, multi-channel impedance-spectroscopy readout with integrated microfluidics. Carbon nanotubes are functionalized with secondary amine groups — verified by fluorescence spectroscopy — to bind target molecules; sensor response is characterized with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Microfluidic chips are designed in CAD and fabricated with photolithography and soft lithography, and stress on the nanotubes is analyzed with COMSOL simulations.

Functionalization chemistry in progress: electrodes suspended in test tubes and a beaker of solution
Functionalization of carbon-nanotube electrodes in the lab.
COMSOL simulation screenshot showing pressure distribution in a microfluidic channel junction
COMSOL simulation of a microfluidic channel junction (surface pressure).

Inspect a measurement figure

An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy figure from the lab’s biosensing work. Open the inspector to examine regions of the original image — the magnified view is cropped from the same file, not enhanced.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy plot from the lab's biosensing experiments
Impedance spectroscopy measurement figure (original resolution 2218 × 1626 px).

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