Acoustic Wave-Based Detection in Bioanalytical Chemistry: Competition for Surface Plasmon Resonance?

Abstract

A concise overview of selected literature concerning biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance and acoustic wave technologies is presented. A comparison in terms of their performance and potential advances in the bioanalytical field is discussed. This Mini-Review highlights the generally underrecognized potential of acoustic wave technology, in the field of biosensors relative to plasmon resonance, and focuses on stimulating not only the development of acoustic wave biosensors but also a broader and increased use of them. These sensors are anticipated to play a central role in biodetection in the near future.

Keywords:

• Acoustic wave biosensors
• biosensors
• limit of detection
• sensitivity
• surface plasmon resonance
• thickness shear-mode device

The authors are very grateful to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for support of their own work on acoustic wave-based biosensors.