Due to their all-electrical nature,
impedance biosensors have significant
potential for use as simple and portable sensors for environmental
studies and environmental monitoring. Detection of two endocrine-disrupting
chemicals (EDC), norfluoxetine and BDE-47, is reported here by impedance
biosensing, with a detection limit of 8.5 and 1.3 ng/mL for norfluoxetine
and BDE-47, respectively. Although impedance biosensors have been
widely studied in the academic literature, commercial applications
have been hindered by several technical limitations, including possible
limitations to small analytes, the complexity of impedance detection,
susceptibility to nonspecific adsorption, and stability of biomolecule
immobilization. Recent research into methods to overcome these obstacles
is briefly reviewed. New results demonstrating antibody regeneration
atop degenerate (highly doped) Si are also reported. Using 0.2 M KSCN
and 10 mM HF for antibody regeneration, peanut protein Ara h 1 is
detected daily during a 30 day trial.