SOLID STATE SENSORS BASED ON CHEMICAL MODULATION OF ADMITTANCE OF BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES

Abstract

Barrier properties of phospholipid membranes to small inorganic ions can be modulated by addition of chemical species to the solution which adsorb at the solution/membrane interface or which penetrate into the membrane hydrophobic interior. With additional highly selective receptors such membranes could serve as the basis for new class of chemical sensors. This concept has been recognized [1] and various attempts have been made to implement synthetic phospholipid membranes in a sensor configuration.