Protein nanowires (light green) harvested from Geobacter (background) are sandwiched between electrodes (gold) to form bioelectronic sensor for detection of biomolecules (red). Source: UMass Amherst/Yao labA team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed an extremely sensitive bioelectronic ammonia gas sensor.

To develop the extremely sensitive chemical sensor, the research team used electric-charge conducting protein nanowires from Geobacter — a bacteria. Microbes from the Geobacter produce hair-like protein filaments that behave as nanowires, transferring charges for nourishment and communicating with other bacteria.

When introduced to ammonia, the protein nanowires’ conducting properties were altered, producing a measurable response. As such, the researchers determined the sensors could be used to measure ammonia in agricultural, biomedical and environmental applications where the presence of ammonia might suggest health issues in either livestock or in human patients, for instance.

The biodegradable sensors, which are sustainably produced using bacteria, could also potentially be modified to make them appropriate for the detection of other compounds, according to the research team.

The research appears in the journal Nano Research.