Quantum Instruments Sensor Specification Sheet - page 10

Sensors & Transducers Journal, Vol.76, Issue 2, February 2007, pp.935-936

Biological and chemical warfare agents have broad threat spectrum, ranging from relatively simple 

chemical agents to complex bioengineered microorganisms. Traditional chemical agents (nerve, 

vesicant, and blood agents) have acute toxicities in the range of 10

–3

 g/person and are relatively easy to 

detect. Emerging chemical agents (toxic chemicals and aerosols) and bioregulators (neuropeptides and 

psychoactive compounds) are more varied in their chemical structure, requiring more sophisticated 

analytical methods for identification and detection. The most difficult chemical agents to detect are the 

cytotoxins and neurotoxins with chronic toxicities as low as 10

–10

 g/person. To identify and detect this 

complex array of chemicals, the ideal instrument would respond within min, cover the 15 to 200,000 

dalton threat beside field portability. Despite the public’s anticipation that biosensors with real-time 

detection will be able to monitor biological and chemical weapons, the technology hasn’t caught up 

with expectations. Presently, biosensors in environmental monitoring stations, worldwide can detect 

compounds like anthrax – but detection can take 12 to 24 hours. Sandia National Laboratories, USA is 

developing the µChemLab, a system that detects biotoxins in 5 minutes [2]. Currently they are trying 

to upgrade the µChemLab to integrate both gas-based and liquid-based analysis into one handheld 

device. This type of biosensor could be incorporated into military uniforms and eventually into high 

security buildings. 

6. Future Prospects and Popularization of Biosensors 

Simplicity, quick results and economic advantages are enabling new procedures in hospitals while 

increasing the possibilities for self-care. For the biosensor to be of optimal use, it must be at least as 

precise and standardized as other available technology. Personnel with minimum training should be 

able to use these devices. Collecting and analyzing specimen at the bedside or in the clinic will 

enhance the superior turnaround time of biosensors. Reducing blood specimen volumes to micro (µ) 

level may permit continuous on-line monitoring of critical blood chemistries and has the advantage of 

creating less blood to clean up hence reducing the potential for infectious contamination from patient 

blood. It is anticipated that the health care worker at the bedside of a hospital patient µl aliquot of 

whole blood directly into the chip, and insert the chip into a portable biosensor instrument. In addition, 

a single chip insert may measure multiple parameters. This multi-specialty in itself will save 

considerable time and effort over the specimen processing that constitutes a substantial part of today’s 

laboratory workload. In addition, mass-produced disposable biosensors will make medical diagnosis 

cheaper. The world total analytical market is approx ₤12000, 000, 000/ year and less than .1% of this 

market is currently using biosensors. Despite huge market potential & except for few commercial 

successes, many of the prototypes of biosensors in our laboratories are not commercially viable. The 

gap between research and the market place still remains wide and commercialization of biosensor 

technology has continued to lag behind the research by several years. Some of the many reasons 

includes: cost considerations, stability and sensitivity issues, quality assurance and competitive 

technologies. Until all these issues are addressed it would be difficult to move these devices from the 

research lab to market place. Biosensors undisputedly have got tremendous applications in healthcare, 

but the level of sophistication, reliability, awareness, cost, availability and marketing of these devices 

are important for deciding whether biosensors will be popular in the near future. 

7. Conclusion 

Biosensors are analytical devices which can transform biological recognition into a measurable signal. 

Our fascination with biosensor world is due to its exponential potential in analytical market. This 

multidisciplinary field offers potential applications in clinical diagnostics, defense, food and beverage 

industry, pollution control.  In addition to sensitivity, simplicity and fast processing power, micro 

fabrication technology enhances biosensors with desired specifications. There is a great need to bring 

synergy among R&D institutions and Government, Industrial houses that leads to smooth transmission 

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