Engineers at EPFL have developed a groundbreaking biosensor that uses quantum physics to detect biomolecules at incredibly small scales—without relying on any external light source. This innovation addresses a major challenge in optical biosensing, particularly for use in healthcare and environmental monitoring.
Imagine identifying a single trillionth of a gram—such as an amino acid—using only electricity and a chip smaller than your fingertip. That’s now possible thanks to this quantum-powered sensor. Instead of using traditional bulky lasers, the sensor leverages quantum tunneling, a phenomenon where electrons pass through barriers and emit light in the process.
At the heart of the device is a gold nanostructure that both produces and detects light. This self-lighting design allows the chip to remain ultra-compact and extremely sensitive, ideal for fast diagnostics or detecting environmental contaminants. With its advanced capabilities, this new biosensor could transform the way we monitor diseases, track pollutants, and perform real-time testing in the field.
