Scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have recently developed a groundbreaking new nanosensor that enables the monitoring of processes within fabrics, ushering in a new era in the study of brain chemistry at the micro-level. This new device has the capability to observe processes with dimensions that are 1000 times smaller than what existing technologies were previously able to detect.
Constructed using silicon technologies and microelectronics processes, the sensor can swiftly collect data on the chemical composition of living tissue with an impressive efficiency rate of 100% in a matter of moments. This feature is crucial for the precise monitoring of drug distribution within the body.
The device operates on the principle of microdialysis, utilizing a probe with a narrow membrane that is inserted directly into biological tissue. Chemicals pass through the membrane and into the liquid, which is then analyzed. This advancement by the scientists marks a significant breakthrough in the fields of neurology, pharmacology, and dermatology.
One of the key advancements of microdialysis lies in the ultra-precise fluid flow through the sensor, enabling the detection of tissue composition from areas 1000 times smaller than what traditional methods allow. Despite this dramatic reduction in scale, the device is able to effectively analyze the chemical makeup of the tissue under examination.