Nanotechnology-Based Environmental Sensors

Atomically thin semiconductors driving smart sensors with real-world impact Focusing on atomically thin semiconductors at RMIT University, we are creating the next generation of ultra-sensitive sensors and smart systems. They are smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient than ever before. Our innovation begins at the atomic scale. My colleagues and I are engineering two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors such as graphene, transition-metal dichalcogenides, and transition-metal oxides - materials only a few atoms thick yet possessing extraordinary electrical and optical tunability. These quantum-thin layers exhibit exceptional charge-carrier mobility, excitonic behaviour, and mechanical flexibility, unlocking new frontiers in wearable sensors, ultra-fast optoelectronics, and bio-integrated devices. I’m lucky to work in world-class research facilities, which serve as the backbone of innovation, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration across scales, and alongside several national research centres, including the ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS) . These hubs help connect my research to a global network of experts in photonics, quantum materials, and low-energy electronics. What truly distinguishes our approach is the ability to translate atomic-scale discoveries into intelligent, connected systems. Atomically thin semiconductor devices are being integrated into Internet of Things platforms, wireless communication modules, and AI-assisted signal processors, creating systems that not only sense but also interpret and respond. These platforms enable real-time environmental monitoring, such as detecting trace gases and pollutants, as well as advanced biomedical diagnostics, where bio-field-effect transistors (bio-FETs) and photonic biosensors can identify disease biomarkers at early stages. In the energy and mobility sectors, high-mobility 2D semiconductors are driving low-power electronics and adaptive control systems for sustainable technologies. RMIT’s multidisciplinary engineering ecosystem ensures each layer, from material design to data analytics, contributes to intelligent functionality. A notable example of this multi-layered ecosystem at work is the world-first ingestible gas-sensing capsule, now commercialised by Atmo Biosciences. Incorporating nanoscale sensors, a smart processor, and a wireless transmission module, the capsule measures intestinal gases in vivo and transmits real-time data to reveal insights into gut health. It exemplifies how nanomaterial-enabled sensors can evolve into life-changing medical technologies. By uniting atomically thin materials, smart system integration, and global collaboration, my colleagues and I continue to lead in Electrical and Electronic Engineering research. We are shaping a future where every atom powers intelligent, sustainable, and connected technologies. Interested in collaborating? Get in touch: Jian Zhen Ou - RMIT University

Thrilled to share our latest publication from Biosensor and NanoBioengineering Laboratory (BNBL) in the Chemical Engineering Journal. Our paper, entitled “Two-dimensional WS₂ meets gold nanowires: A powerful duo for pesticide sensing,” reports the development of a sensitive electrochemical biosensor for detecting the organophosphate pesticide monocrotophos. By synergistically combining 1D gold nanowires (AuNWs) with 2D tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanosheets, we created a hybrid AuNW–WS₂ nanocomposite that exhibits remarkable conductivity, catalytic activity, and stability. This unique nanostructure offering a simple yet powerful approach for environmental and agricultural safety monitoring. Congratulations to all the co-authors — Sagar Narlawar Shrikrishna and G. Pratheeth Bhat. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gY4vfRTV #ChemicalEngineeringJournal #Biosensor #Nanotechnology #PesticideDetection #EnvironmentalMonitoring #NIABHyderabad

Switzerland: EPFL scientists build first self-illuminating biosensor. Engineers harnessed quantum physics to detect the presence of biomolecules without the need for an external light source, overcoming a significant obstacle to the use of optical biosensors in healthcare and environmental monitoring settings. Participating institutions: ETH Zurich, ICFO (Spain), and Yonsei University (Korea). 26 June 2025. Excerpt: Optical biosensors use light waves as a probe to detect molecules, and are essential for precise medical diagnostics, personalized medicine, and environmental monitoring. Their performance is dramatically enhanced if the sensors can focus light waves down to the nanometer scale – small enough to detect proteins or amino acids, for example – using nanophotonic structures that ‘squeeze’ light at the surface of a tiny chip. The generation and detection of light for nanophotonic biosensors requires bulky, expensive equipment that greatly limits their use in rapid diagnostics or point-of-care settings. The design of the team’s nanostructure creates just the right conditions for an electron passing upward through it to cross a barrier of aluminum oxide and arrive at an ultrathin layer of gold. In the process, the electron transfers some of its energy to a plasmon, which then emits a photon. Their design ensures the intensity and spectrum of light changes in response to contact with biomolecules, resulting in a powerful method for extremely sensitive, real-time, label-free detection. Key: “Tests showed our self-illuminating biosensor can detect amino acids and polymers at picogram concentrations – that’s one-trillionth of a gram – rivaling the most advanced sensors available today,” says Bionanophotonic Systems Laboratory head Hatice Altug. Refer to the enclosed press release further information. The work has been published in Nature Photonics (26 June) in collaboration with researchers at ETH Zurich, ICFO (Spain), and Yonsei University (Korea). https://lnkd.in/eC8SqVh8

First-Ever Quantum-Grade Nanodiamonds Could Revolutionize Bioimaging and Sensing Researchers at Okayama University in Japan have successfully developed quantum-grade nanodiamond sensors, paving the way for transformative advancements in bioimaging and quantum sensing technologies. These innovations promise significant breakthroughs in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and precision technology. Key Applications of Quantum-Grade Nanodiamonds 1. Bioimaging Revolution: • Quantum-grade bioimaging allows for high-resolution, detailed imaging of cells, tissues, and organs. • Enhanced detection capabilities could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer. 2. Quantum Sensing Capabilities: • Nanodiamond sensors can detect atomic- and molecular-scale changes with unprecedented accuracy. • Applications include environmental monitoring, precision medical diagnostics, and advanced industrial sensing. According to Masazumi Fujiwara, Associate Professor at Okayama University, these technologies hold the potential to “transform healthcare, technology, and environmental management, improving quality of life and providing sustainable solutions for future challenges.” Nanodiamonds with Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) Centers The core of this breakthrough lies in nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers within nanodiamonds. These are defects in the diamond lattice where a nitrogen atom replaces a carbon atom next to an empty lattice site. Why NV Centers Matter: 1. Quantum Sensitivity: • NV centers are highly sensitive to changes in electrical, thermal, and magnetic fields. • This makes them ideal for detecting minute environmental variations at the molecular level. 2. Quantum Properties Harnessed: • NV centers rely on quantum phenomena like spin states, entanglement, and superposition. • These properties allow the sensors to function with extreme precision and stability. 3. Real-Time Detection: • NV centers in nanodiamonds can operate under ambient conditions, unlike many traditional quantum systems that require ultra-cold environments. Challenges and Next Steps While the research marks a significant milestone, challenges remain in scaling up production, reducing costs, and integrating nanodiamonds into existing medical and industrial systems. Future research will focus on refining manufacturing techniques to make these sensors widely accessible and commercially viable. Conclusion The development of quantum-grade nanodiamond sensors at Okayama University represents a major step forward in quantum technology. By harnessing the unique properties of NV centers, these sensors offer unprecedented capabilities in bioimaging, environmental monitoring, and precision sensing. As quantum technology continues to evolve, innovations like these bring us closer to a future where healthcare diagnostics are more accurate, environmental monitoring is more precise, and quantum systems are seamlessly integrated into everyday technology.

Perhaps of interest -- our article, titled “Materials Advances for Distributed Environmental Sensor Networks at Scale,” just now published in Nature Reviews Materials (https://lnkd.in/g8UJZyym). This piece summarizes efforts to develop materials and device strategies for large-scale, multiparametric monitoring of environmental events – natural or anthropogenic. We believe that there are significant research opportunities for new engineering approaches in this area, oriented around adapting and extending advanced bioelectronic sensors of the health of an individual – a focus of ours and other groups worldwide – for spatio-temporal tracking of the health of an environment. For this envisioned use case, the challenges are not only in the sensors, but also in their cost-effective volume production, wide-scale rapid dispersal and long-range quantitative readout. Our recent papers (https://lnkd.in/g8FbcBhx  https://lnkd.in/gQfS-4aJ https://lnkd.in/gcnRN5Di) aim to achieve these goals through ideas in 3D assembly methods, eco-resorbable materials, optimized aerodynamic designs and digital imaging techniques -- as routes to large quantities of small-scale, environmentally benign colorimetric/electronic sensors with 3D architectures that enable passive flight via mechanisms inspired by wind-dispersed seeds. Our review article captures these and many other new concepts that show promise in this important field of research. As we write in our introduction: “The rapid increase in global human population and the ever-evolving landscape of modern industrialization place a mounting burden on the availability of natural resources, as well as on the health and stability of the ecosystems that support them.” The academic research community can play a central role in developing technologies to address these worrisome trends – and as a bonus, working on mobile collections of small, eco-resorbable, wireless sensors for the environment is tremendous fun! Thanks to Prof. Kenneth Madsen (former postdoc now on the faculty at Baylor University), Prof. Matthew Flavin (former postdoc now on the faculty at Georgia Institute of Technology) for leading the process of writing this article, and thanks to the editors for the invitation to contribute!

🚀 Exciting news from the lab! Our latest review in Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemical Communications unveils the game-changing potential of silver clusters embedded in zeolites for next-gen (bio)sensors! These tiny powerhouses blend molecular properties with zeolite's sturdy structure, offering tunable glows, high efficiency, and sensitivity to everything from water vapor and oxygen to biomolecules and H2O2. Imagine portable devices detecting pollutants, health markers, or even in wearable tech! 💡🔬 From optical switches to electrochemical strips, they're paving the way for affordable, sustainable diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Congrats Cecilia García Guzmán Stefano Cinti Eduardo Coutino Gonzalez! Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eYSF9DBe #Nanotech #Biosensors #ScienceOutreach #ChemComm

📢 Publication Alert 🌱 From crop protection to environmental concern—chlorpyrifos is emerging as a silent threat, while advances in electrochemical biosensing are enabling its rapid and precise detection. I’m happy to share our latest publication: “Advances in nanomaterial-assisted electrochemical biosensors for chlorpyrifos detection: From fundamentals to field applications” published in Plant Nano Biology, I.F 7.7 (Elsevier). 🔗 Read here: [https://lnkd.in/gNqPWqgq] This review highlights how nanomaterial-enabled electrochemical biosensors can offer sensitive, selective, and field-deployable solutions for detecting chlorpyrifos, addressing critical challenges in environmental safety and public health. A special note of gratitude 🙏 Mr. Vikas Kumar (NPTel Fellow) — whose dedication and hard work made this review possible. Prof. Gopinath Packirisamy — thank you for your constant support and encouragement. Grateful to other collaborator for being part of this work. Looking forward to pushing boundaries in nanobiosensing for real-world environmental applications 🌍 #EnvironmentalScience #Biosensors #Nanotechnology #Electrochemistry #Sustainability #Research #Elsevier #PlantNanoBiology