Optical fiber biosensors and lab-on-a-device/chip

Nanotechnology has become an essential part of developing biosensors and lab-on-device/chip (LOD/LOC). This chapter summarizes the recent progress made in the application of various nanomaterials and nanostructures in the fabrication of these devices. Biosensors are analytical tools that offer fast and reliable measurements of different analytes in clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental analysis. The chapter especially focuses on the application of nanotechnology in a particular type of biosensors—optical fiber-based biosensors. Nanomaterials are inscribed inside the fibers to enhance the optical properties for biosensing, coated to produce surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and used as an adlayer for further functionalization. Nanotechnologies are also an important part of LOD/LOC, which is a tool that incorporates several laboratory tasks onto a small device and aims at offering automation, portability, and reduced reagent consumption. Nanofibers, nanomotors, and nanochannels can significantly help to miniaturize the main components of lab-on-a-chip, enhance their performance, and improve biolabeling capacities.