Single‐carbon‐atomic‐resolution detection of odorant molecules has been demonstrated using a human olfactory receptor‐based bioelectric nose. Furthermore, since the human olfactory receptor is a G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR), these sensor systems may be a new powerful platform for the development of new drugs and fragrances.

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Miniaturized smart sensors that can perform sensitive and selective real-time monitoring of target analytes are tremendously valuable for various sensing applications. We developed selective nanocoatings by combining trinitrotoluene (TNT) receptors bound to conjugated polydiacetylene (PDA) polymers with single-walled carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (SWNT-FET). Selective binding events between the TNT molecules and phage display derived TNT receptors were effectively transduced to sensitive SWNT-FET conductance sensors through the PDA coating layers. The resulting sensors exhibited an unprecedented 1 fM sensitivity toward TNT in real time, with excellent selectivity over various similar aromatic compounds. Our biomimetic receptor coating approach may be useful for the development of sensitive and selective micro- and nanoelectronic sensor devices for various other target analytes.