Patent ID: 7939346
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: G01D,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting the presence of an analyte, the method comprising exposing a plurality of membranes to an environment comprising, or suspected of comprising, the analyte, and detecting a change in the geometry of the membranes caused by an interaction of the analyte with the plurality of membranes, wherein the membranes have a thickness of no greater than about 200 nm and lateral dimensions of no greater than about 2000 microns, wherein the membranes are made from strained semiconductor bilayers comprising at least two layers of semiconductor materials, wherein one layer is under strain with respect to the other layer due to a lattice mismatch between the two layers, and further wherein the change in the geometry of the membrane is a change in a strain-induced curvature of the membrane.