Biomimetic Sensor Technology

Abstract

To use Nature as a model for a new sensor technique - that is a concept that has become very attractive in recent years. This biomimetic approach deals with sensors and sensor systems based on mechanisms found in biological systems. One branch consists of the concept of biosensors, a biosensor being a combination of a biologically active material with a transducer element. Another branch consists of the concept of artificial senses, such as so-called electronic noses and electronic tongues. The principles of these are analogous to the sense of smell: a signal pattern from a sensor array with different selectivities is processed with multivariate data analysis for recognition and learning. Electronic noses have already become an established technique, and the establishment of electronic tongues is rapidly growing.