The diversity of techniques employed in modern sensing nanodevices is crucial for large-scale use of sensors in multifunctional technological cycles. We propose a new concept of selective detection of gases and liquids based on the formation of an original quantum system and registration of its energy states in dynamic mode using dendrite point contacts synthesized electrochemically in the probed medium. The in situ synthesis of nanosized dendrite point contacts is shaped by the cyclic switchover effect which takes place in an electrolyte in contact with the analyzed medium and results in consecutive cycles of the formation and destruction of an electrochemical gapless electrode system. Conductivity of such point contacts demonstrates quantum behavior driven by the shell effect which determines the geometry of their conducting channels. Temporal dependence of dendrite point contact electrical resistance measured in dynamic mode is characterized by a step-like structure which reflects the metastable quantum states of the system whose distribution can be presented in the form of a conductance histogram. The histogram is a unique fingerprint of the probed medium and can thus be used to unambiguously identify it. The dynamic mode scanning of the energy states of point contact quantum systems proposed here makes it possible to develop a universal method for selective detection of many gaseous and liquid media including such hard to detect substances as methane and rare gases. The new approach is expected to prove its efficiency in investigating quantum effects for various sensor applications and stimulate the development of the next generation of highly selective nanodevices. Graphical abstract The new concept of selective detection of gases and liquids is based on the registration of quantum states of nanosized dendrite point contacts synthesized in the probed medium.

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