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1 Introduction

Figure 1.51c: A fluorescent antibody is emitting

when biding to another antibody, which is bound to

a specific protein. This can be used to determine the

concentration of a specific protein in a mixture or

even in a cell.

Figure 1.52: A coulomb meter measures the voltage across a capacitor.

Another electrophysiological method mentioned in this book is the electroantennogram

(Figure 1.54). Basically, the difference of voltage between the two ends of an insect an-

tenna is measured. Antenna are the noses of insects, therefore, electroantennograms

are used to determine how the olfactory sense works in insects and what insects can

smell. It has been used to detect a variety of chemicals.

1.7 Sensor Elements and Testing on the Nanoscale

This is a long introduction, and we haven’t really talked about what it is all about yet!

The book is about human senses and movements, how they work in the nanoscale, and

how they have been mimicked on the nanoscale. Therefore, we need to talk a little

more about sensors in general before we can start describing current knowledge and

approaches.