Vol. 128, Issue 5, May 2011, pp.73-80

Detection of VX Simulants Using Piezoresistive Microcantilever Sensors

¹Timothy PORTER, ²Richard VENEDAM, ²Kevin KYLE and ³Gus WILLIAMS

¹Physics, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

²National Security Technologies LLC, Las Vegas, NV, 89193, USA

³Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

¹Tel.: (702) 895-2058

E-mail: tim.porter@unlv.edu

Received: 23 December 2010   /Accepted: 20 May 2011   /Published: 28 May 2011

Abstract: Piezoresistive microcantilever sensors may be used in a variety of sensing applications, including chemical analytes and some types of biological species. These sensors employ a tiny piezoresistive microcantilever functionalized with a “sensing material” that acts as a probe for the desired analyte. In this study, the microcantilever was partially embedded into the sensing material, producing a sensor element that is highly rigid and resistant to shock, making it suitable for portable or handheld operation. The sensing material matrix used was Hypol, a hydrogel capable of preserving the bio-functionality of molecules embedded into it. This matrix was combined with acetylcholinesterase to form the composite sensing material. Results of exposing these sensors to a VX simulant, Malathion, are presented for both vapor and liquid environments.

Keywords: Piezoresistive microcantilever sensor, VX

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