Identifying Single Particles in Air Using a 3D-Integrated Solid-State Pore

Solid-state micro-
and nanopores are a versatile sensor platform
capable of detecting single particles in electrolyte solution by cross-pore
ionic current. Here we report on a use of this technology to identify
airborne particulate matter. The detection concept lies in an electrophoretic
control of air-floating particles captured in liquid to deliver them
into a pore detector via microfluidic channels. We demonstrate resistive
pulse measurements to machine-learning-based discriminations of intragranular
contents of cypress and cedar pollens at a single-particle level.
This all-electrical-sensor technique would pave a new venue toward
real-time monitoring of single particles and molecules in air.