IIT Guwahati Develops UV-Based Fluorescent Sensor for Cyanide Detection in Water and Human Cells
Why in News?
- Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a highly responsive fluorescent sensor capable of detecting cyanide in water and human cells using ultraviolet (UV) light.
Important Key Points:
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Innovative Detection Mechanism: The sensor employs a ‘turn-on’ fluorescence mechanism, wherein it changes color and emits bright fluorescence upon detecting cyanide. This approach enhances detection clarity and reduces false negatives compared to traditional ‘turn-off’ sensors.
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High Sensitivity: The sensor can detect cyanide concentrations as low as 0.2 micromolar (μM), significantly below the World Health Organization’s permissible limit of 1.9 μM in drinking water.
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Versatile Applications: Effective in various real-world samples, including river and tap water, the sensor demonstrates an accuracy range of 75% to 93%. It is also suitable for live cell imaging, having been tested on breast cancer cells.
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Portable Testing: The sensor’s design allows it to be embedded into paper strips, facilitating easy and portable testing for environmental monitoring and forensic investigations.
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Potential for Smart Devices: The research indicates that the molecular sensor can function like a basic logic gate, a fundamental component in digital electronics. This suggests potential future applications in developing smart, sensor-based electronic devices for real-time detection of harmful chemicals like cyanide.
