Document Type
Patent
Publication Date
10-6-2009
Patent Number
patent number 7598723
Abstract
A method and system is disclosed that can be used to directly detect and analyze an electric signal electrostatically induced a semi-conductive or conductive element at resonance. Through detection of the changes in the characteristics of the signal from the element, the disclosed devices can detect, for instance, presence of chemical/biological species in a sample or measure physical parameters of a sample such as pressure/acceleration, magnetic force, temperature, and/or extremely small masses. The disclosed systems include one or more micro- or nano-sized elements. Through modulation of an electric charge on a counter-electrode that is located at a pre-determined distance from the element, a modulating charge can be induced upon the element. Resonance can be directly detected via electronic monitoring of the induced signal for the higher harmonics of the natural resonant frequency.
Application Number
11/354268
Assignees
Clemson University
Filing Date
2006-02-14
Primary/U.S. Class
324/76.42
Other/U.S. Class
324/76.11, 324/76.41, 324/633