Photonic sensors, xerogel-based sensors and nanosensors

Abstract

A photonic sensor system is provided. The system generally includes a beta emission source, optionally, a scintillation layer, and a luminophore-containing sensory layer. The system can be embodied in a particle. Also provided are photonic sensor strategies which are highly accurate and photonic sensors which are highly stable.

1 . A photonic sensor system for sensing an analyte in a sample, said system comprising:
 a) at least one encapsulated beta emission source;   b) optionally, a scintillation layer which radiates upon exposure to beta emission from said beta emission source;   c) at least two sensors which comprise luminophores capable of radiating upon exposure to beta emission from said beta emission source or radiation from said scintillation layer, wherein the intensity, polarization, spectrum, or lifetime of said luminophore radiation is changed upon exposure of the at least two sensors to said analyte;   
       wherein the scintillating layer is disposed between the beta emission source and said at least two sensors. 
     
     
         2 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 1 , wherein said a least two sensors comprise an array of photonically-active sensor elements. 
     
     
         3 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 1  wherein the beta emission source is encapsulated within a ceramic or steel matrix. 
     
     
         4 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 1  wherein the beta emitter is  90 Sr. 
     
     
         5 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 1  wherein the photonic sensor system does not include a scintillation layer. 
     
     
         6 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 1 , said at least two sensors having different calibration curves with respect to said analyte. 
     
     
         7 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 6  wherein said at least two sensors are xerogel sensors. 
     
     
         8 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 7  wherein the xerogels comprising said sensors are different from each other. 
     
     
         9 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 6  wherein said at least two sensors comprise luminophores. 
     
     
         10 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 9  wherein said luminophores are different from each other. 
     
     
         11 . A photonic sensor system as in  claim 7  for the detection and quantization of oxygen, wherein said at least two sensors comprise tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II), n-octyltriethoxysilane, and tetraethoxysilane. 
     
     
         12 . A nanosensor particle for the detection of an analyte, said particle comprised of:
 a) a beta emitter core;   b) optionally, a scintillation layer which radiates upon exposure to beta emission from said beta emission source.   c) a sensing layer comprising luminophores which are capable of radiating upon exposure to beta emission from said beta emission source or radiation from said scintillation layer.   
     
     
         13 . A nanosensor particle as in  claim 12  wherein the outermost layer is a directing layer. 
     
     
         14 . A nanosensor particle as in  claim 12  wherein the nanosensor particle does not include a scintillation layer. 
     
     
         15 . A nanosensor particle as in  claim 12  wherein the nanosensor particle does not include a directing layer, and wherein the intensity, spectrum, polarization, or lifetime of said luminophore radiation is changed in the presence of said analyte. 
     
     
         16 . A method for forming a microarray having a sensor density of at least 1000 sensors per square millimeter, said method comprising:
 a) forming a pin printing apparatus comprising nonmetallic tubes having printing end bores in the range of from 0.02 to 100 microns;   b) printing a microarray comprised of sensor elements having diameters in the range of from approximately 0.2 to 100 microns onto a substrate with said pin printing apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein said pin printing apparatus comprises tubes which are pulled tubes. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the printing ends of said tubes are treated to facilitate the formation of said sensors. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein said tubes are glass. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein said tubes are glass. 
     
     
         21 . A photonic sensor system for sensing an analyte in a sample, said system comprising:
 a) a source of sinusoidally modulated radiation;   b) at least one sensor having a non-linear Stern-Volmer plot which comprises luminophores capable of radiating upon exposure to said sinusoidally modified radiation; wherein the intensity, polarization, spectrum, or lifetime of said luminophore radiation is changed upon exposure of the at least one sensor to said analyte;