Nanotechnology-Enabled Sensors

Chapter 3: Transduction Platforms
3.1 Introduction
In this chapter, some of the major transduction platforms utilized in
sensing are presented. The focus is on platforms which are fabricated
utilizing micro/nano-fabrication processes. Integrating them with nanomaterials
for sensing applications can enhance their performance and
consequently lead to increased sensitivity towards measurands. The transduction
platforms, presented in this chapter, include: conductometric and
capacitive, optical, electrochemical, solid state, and acoustic wave based.
In Chaps. 6 and 7, examples of integrating nanomaterials based sensitive
layers to such platforms, along with various sensing examples will be
presented.
3.2 Conductometric and Capacitive Transducers
Conductormetric (or resistive) and capacitive transducers are among the
most commonly utilized devices in sensing applications. This is largely
due to their simple and inexpensive fabrication and set-up. They involve
placing a material between conducting electrodes, to which a voltage is
applied and the electrical conductivity or capacitance is subsequently
measured. A typical set-up is shown in Fig. 3.1.