Developing a new magnetic sensor for application in biosensing and surveying

Detecting subtle chemical and physical changes occurring at the early stages of chronic disease and many other infectious diseases caused by harmful bacteria is still a challenge, as ultra-sensitive sensors with large signal-to-noise-ratio are required to detect them. We recently explored new ways to enhance the sensitivity of magnetic nano-sensors and theoretically demonstrated that under optimum design conditions, the sensitivity can be improved by up to a thousand – higher than any of the biosensors currently available on the market. This new sensor merges three branches of physics: magnetics, optics, and plasmonics. Due to the tunability of light and magnetic fields, this sensor configuration can detect as small as 100 parts per billion changes in material optical properties. This work would allow GEM Systems to diversify their product development, complementing their ongoing effort in magnetic field sensor development for surveying, mineral, oil and gas exploration, to name a few.

Faculty Supervisor:

Simone Pisana

Student:

Conrad Rizal

Partner:

York University

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

York University