Multilayer, colloidal nanoparticle based devices for biological and nuclear radiation detection

Multiple layers of colloidal nanoparticles were used to make large area, visible blind and wavelength selective, ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors [1]. Polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) coated ZnO nanoparticles were created by a top-down wet-chemical means and deposited on quartz, glass, or GaN-based substrates [1-3]. The advantages of high sensitivity, low power consumption, and the ability of to filter out ambient light, are the result of layered nano-materials on substrates [4]. In separate experiments, these detectors were tested for both bio-fluorescence and alpha particle scintillator detection as a proof-of-concept.