Semiconductor Device-Based Sensors for Gas, Chemical, and Biomedical Applications

This book provides a basic understanding of new developments on semiconductor-based sensors. Written for senior undergraduate and graduate students majoring in solid-state physics, electrical engineering, and materials science and engineering, this material is also relevant to researchers in the field of sensors for gas, chemical, bio, and medical applications. It presents original theory and experimental research, featuring numerous experts in the field who review progress in semiconductor and nano-material-based sensors and discuss the latest research regarding their applications. Fields addressed include Si-MOS based sensors, nano-material based sensors, GaN-bsed sensor arrays for nano- and pico-fluidic systems, and InN based sensors.

Sales of U.S. chemical sensors represent the largest segment of the multi-billion-dollar global sensor market, which includes instruments for chemical detection in gases and liquids, biosensors, and medical sensors. Although silicon-based devices have dominated the field, they are limited by their general inability to operate in harsh environments faced with factors such as high temperature and pressure.

Exploring how and why these instruments have become a major player, Semiconductor Device-Based Sensors for Gas, Chemical, and Biomedical Applications presents the latest research, including original theoretical and experimental work. It also explains how these investigations have translated into applications and products.

Written by experts in the field, the chapters review cutting-edge progress on semiconductor and nanomaterial-based sensors. An excellent introduction to the subject, this book is also an outstanding reference for those working on different sensor applications. It addresses various subfields, including:

• GaN-based sensor arrays for quick and reliable medical testing
• Optical sensors
• Wireless remote hydrogen sensing systems
• MOS-based, thin-film, and nanowire-based sensors

The wide-bandgap semiconductor sensors discussed in this book offer many advantages as replacements for silicon-based sensors, including their high chemical resistance, high-temperature operation, and blue and ultraviolet optoelectronic behaviors. Although assays exist for biomedical detection, they are limited by various factors. Nanomaterial devices, such as the sensors examined in this book, are currently the best option for moving toward fast, label-free, sensitive, and selective multiple-detection systems for biological and medical sensing applications. Providing sufficient background information and technical detail, this is an excellent resource for advanced level undergraduate and graduate students as well as researchers in gas, chemical, biological, and medical sensors.