New nanotech sensor developed with medical, chemistry applications

ScienceBlog

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Researchers at Oregon State University and other institutions have developed a new "plasmonic nanorod metamaterial" using extraordinarily tiny rods of gold that will have important applications in medical, biological and chemical sensors.

The new device is at least 10 times more sensitive than existing technology, researchers say, can be tuned to sense different types of materials and is easy to make in differing sizes for individual needs. It's one of the first real applications of "metamaterials" -- artificial materials that have unusual properties based on their structure, which are not readily available in nature