CEA mass-spectrometry breakthrough

Author: EIS Release Date: Oct 23, 2020


Targeting analysis of biological particles with large aspect ratios, such as viruses or fibrils, CEA scientists have demonstrated a breakthrough in single-particle mass spectrometry (MS) that could fast track the detection of viral particles in hospitals, offices, airplanes and other public places.


Nano-electromechanical sensors measure the mass of nano-objects inaccessible to conventional mass-spectrometry.

They can be used to characterize synthetic or natural nanoparticles, such as viruses.

Until now, the sensors’ electrical mode of detection restricted both the precision and speed of analysis and would only take into account spherical particles.

 The researchers overcame this hurdle by developing novel mass sensors and was the first to demonstrate MS measurement of individual nanoparticles by optomechanical detection.

The researchers used light waves to enable new sensor geometries, leading to better speed and analytical performance.

Interaction with the sensor is performed with optical signals instead of electrical signals, which provides a 10k improvement in motion sensitivity.