Nanopore Breakthrough Enables Single-Molecule Detection of Industrial Chemicals
Scientists have engineered protein nanopores capable of detecting volatile organic compounds at the single-molecule level. The technology reportedly achieves unprecedented resolution, distinguishing between chemical structures that differ by just one carbon atom. This breakthrough could transform environmental monitoring and industrial quality control applications.
Researchers appear to have achieved a significant advancement in chemical sensing technology, with reports indicating they’ve developed protein nanopores that can detect volatile organic compounds with remarkable precision. According to findings published in Nature Communications, the system reportedly uses engineered alpha-hemolysin nanopores to identify aldehydes through covalent chemistry at the single-molecule level.