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Wednesday, 14th January 2009 (1599 views)

Scientists have used gold to help them develop a method that could be useful in making ultra-sensitive gas detectors.

A team from the National Institute of Standards and Technology has created a way to produce gas sensors that could be up to 1,000 times more sensitive than current applications.

To do so, they deposited thin layers of gold on an aluminium oxide membrane to create nanotubes.

Nanotubes have been proven to be extremely useful in sensor technology as they have a large surface area, allowing for more sensitivity.

However, fabricating these devices can prove to be a "difficult, imprecise and time-consuming process", according to co-author of the research Kurt Benkstein.

This is an issue that it is hoped the new technique can overcome.

Meanwhile, Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos of Tufts University's School of Engineering has been named as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her work on catalysis using precious metals.

 

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