Feb 26 2009
Advances in micro and nanotechnology has significantly influenced the growth of next generation sensors which are small in size, consume less power, have better specificity and low weight. The availability of novel tools and techniques and the ability to develop new materials with unique properties have facilitated the development of novel sensors. The use of new materials such as carbon nanotubes, nanowires and nanoparticles has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in sensors and the detection of chemical and biological species.
Micro and Nano Sensors Interest Group (MiNSIG) of the Sensors & Instrumentation KTN is organising its first meeting which will be held on the 26th of March at National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK. The one-day conference and exhibition titled ‘Applications of Micro and Nanosensors in Security, Health and Environmental Monitoring’ will showcase novel sensing technologies developed by UK companies and Universities leading to new applications in Security, Health and the Environmental Monitoring.
The event will see leading industrial leaders and scientists sharing their vision of the impacts of micro and nanotechnology in sensing and providing a window on their activities. The keynote speaker of the event Dr. Brent Segal, Director of Research Science at Lockheed Martin and the Chief Technologist at Lockheed Martin Nanosystems will highlight some of the premier developments in nanotechnology and sensor applications including future challenges, trends and opportunities. The other key speakers include Dr. Richard Moore, the head of nanomedicine at the Institute of Nanotechnology who will outline how micro and nanotechnology is facilitating the development of novel biosensors and Dr. Mark Rahn, the investment manager at MTI Partners who will discuss the problems of technology led research and how they can be made to map onto a typical investment approach for a start-up technology company in today's downturn.
In another session led by Prof. Peter Dobson, Academic Director of Begbroke Science Park, Oxford University, three UK based companies will present their novel sensing technologies which have potential applications in Security, Health and Environmental Monitoring. This include an asthma breath analyzer for the detection of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled breath by Applied Nanodetectors, novel technology for trace gas detection using Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) by Cascade Technologies and QTC, a novel nano-tech material which have been developed and used as sensors, switches and controls with potential applications in security, clothing, robotics and medicine by Peratech. Among the other presentations, Prof. Stephen Haswell from the University of Hull will illustrate the development of Lab on a Chip technology based on DNA fingerprinting and the challenges in optimising a process to generate a single sensor device and Prof. Maher Kalaji from Bangor University who has previously developed a biosensor called ‘nanodog’ will present the method of organised layer assembly to develop sensors and recent developments on biosensors for security applications.
Source: Sensors & Instrumentation KTN