A major step towards the creation of highly-sensitive chemical sensors has been announced after researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology gained a better understanding of the mechanism behind charge transport in SAMFETs.
The SAMFET is an example of plastic microelectronics - electronics based on organic materials - and previous research indicates that as their length increases, their levels of conductivity decrease.
However, scientists at the university, together with Philips Research, have discovered that this decrease is determined by the monolayer coverage in the SAMFET.
This extreme sensitivity could potentially pave the way for the development of the ultimate chemical sensor.
Martijn Kemerink, assistant professor at Eindhoven University of Technology explained: "Imagine that there are just enough rocks to cross that river.
"When you remove just one rock, the effect is significant, for it is impossible to make it to the other side of the river."
In January, the university was named as the one that creates the greatest scientific output in cooperation with industry, in a study conducted by the Leiden Centre for Science and Technology Studies.