Sensing Applications of Nanomechanical Resonators

• Author / Creator

  Amin, Muhammad Ruhul

• Nanomechanical resonators are explored as mass sensors and molecular sensors due to their high sensitivity and real time label-free detection ability, respectively. One downside of mechanical molecular sensing is the lack of chemical information carried in the signal. For this reason, a secondary technique such as functionalized surface, gas chromatography, or photothermal spectroscopy, must be combined with mass sensing for chemical specificity. As an alternative to this approach, we have developed a metallized nanomechanical resonator, capable of electrical local heating. Here, we explore the use of local temperature as a secondary molecular indicator similar to thermogravimetric analysis. In the present study, we explore the desorption of a polymer from these electrical nanostring sensors above room temperature and the adsorption of acetone below room temperature.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Physisorption
  • Nanostring
  • Resonators
  • Polymers
  • Acetone

• Graduation date

  Spring 2017

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3F766K53

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.