A research team led by Prof. SangWook Lee of IMMS has developed an ultrasensitive sensing technology capable of detecting mass changes at the 100-femtogram level, by reinterpreting the operating principle of conventional quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs). The study significantly improves sensing sensitivity without requiring complex sensor fabrication by introducing a new approach to conventional sensing methods.
The team actively utilized nonlinear resonance, a phenomenon that has traditionally been avoided in sensor operation. Instead of relying solely on changes in resonance frequency, the new method detects subtle mass changes through amplitude variations and abrupt amplitude drops occurring in the nonlinear resonance regime.
The technology demonstrated the ability to detect individual micro- and nanoparticles as well as single protein molecules, highlighting its potential for real-time biomolecular analysis and precision mass measurements across various fields. The research was published in <Microsystems & Nanoengineering> and was supported by the National Research Laboratory (NRL 2.0) program and other research support programs.
IMMS will continue to explore new possibilities in existing technologies and advance precision measurement technologies at the micro- and nanoscale, while delivering innovative research that contributes to the future of biosensing and advanced sensor technologies.
Related Link
- Read the Ewha News Article (KR): 이상욱 교수팀, 10조분의 1그램 질량 검출 초고감도 센싱 기술 개발
