Nanoscale Sensing and Detection Technologies

Detecting Danger at Nanoscale: New Technology for Security

Vaporsens, Inc., Salt Lake City, USA Vaporsens logo featuring a stylized gray square icon with a red circle and white connecting lines, followed by the word 'VAPORSENS' in red uppercase letters and the phrase 'NANOFIBER CHEMICAL SENSORS' in smaller gray uppercase letters below. Vaporsens logo featuring a stylized gray square icon with a red circle and white connecting lines, followed by the word 'VAPORSENS' in red uppercase letters and the phrase 'NANOFIBER CHEMICAL SENSORS' in smaller gray uppercase letters below.

Founded in 2011 based on the patented techniques developed by Dr. Ling Zang, Vaporsens develops a revolutionary sensor system capable of detecting a broad range of explosive vapors with unprecedented sensitivity and speed. The sensor 1) detects explosives that remain challenging for current detection technologies, 2) has high throughput providing results in seconds, 3) can be used in small, portable devices, and 4) provides "stand-off" or distance detection.

Three side-by-side microscopic images of nanofibers in green, red, and blue colors, with text above reading 'Multifunctional nanofibers and multi-sensing modes -> Multi-target explosives detection'. Three side-by-side microscopic images of nanofibers in green, red, and blue colors, with text above reading 'Multifunctional nanofibers and multi-sensing modes -> Multi-target explosives detection'.

Robust Molecular Probes for Trace Mercury (Hg2+) Detection

Metallosensors Inc., Salt Lake City, USA Metallosensors logo

Founded in 2010 based on the patented technology developed by Dr. Ling Zang, Metallosensors focuses its business on research, development and manufacturing of highly efficient fluorescence sensor materials and devices for expedient detection of trace metal ions in aqueous systems, including mercury (Hg2+).

Metallosensors was recently awarded a SBIR grant from NSF for developing next generation of device for Trace Mercury Detection.

Two vials with red caps against a black background; the left vial contains a bright yellow-green fluorescent liquid and the right vial contains a clear liquid, with chemical structures and an arrow indicating the reaction with Hg2+ to form an aggregate. Two vials with red caps against a black background; the left vial contains a bright yellow-green fluorescent liquid and the right vial contains a clear liquid, with chemical structures and an arrow indicating the reaction with Hg2+ to form an aggregate.

Super-fine Safety Nets

We have developed a new generation of extremely acute sensing devices using nanowires. Together, these infinitesimally small threads act as super-fine filters that can catch airborne molecules from explosives (such as TNT). This patented technique was licensed to FLIR, a leading manufacturer in trace detection of explosives.

A microscopic image showing a tangled web of thin, grey nanowires against a light background, with a 500 nm scale bar in the bottom right corner. A microscopic image showing a tangled web of thin, grey nanowires against a light background, with a 500 nm scale bar in the bottom right corner.