Towards practicable sensors using one-dimensional nanostructures

Nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes etc., are the object of much well deserving attention by researchers and the public alike. Because of their novel properties associated with their typically large surface to volume ratios and finite- or quantum-size effects, they offer an avenue of exploration for new and interesting physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. Before it is possible to take advantage of these materials, an understanding of their fundamental properties is needed. Even with an understanding of these properties, in order to create practicable devices, the details of how changes in these fundamental properties (e.g., band-structures) manifest themselves as changes in practically measurable properties (e.g., the current-voltage characteristics) is needed. This review article will examine some recent work that focused on these issues. The first topic is the use of mats of gold-nanoparticle-decorated GaN nanowires as a gas sensor. The second and third developed the theory of using carbon nanotubes as elements of real-world sensors for ions and magnetic fields.