Low-Cost Optics for Field-Based Optical Biosensors

Abstract

<p>One of the main reasons of failures to ensure safe food production, especially in developing countries, is the lack of effective, low-cost detectors for toxic molecules. The manufacture of low-cost, easy-touse optical biosensors is expected to provide the means to detect toxic chemical and biological molecules in agricultural industry. Thus, such technologies are highly beneficial for in-field applications. The proposed approach integrates fairly sophisticated engineering concepts and low-cost parts and materials. Indeed, we employ low-cost light-emitting diode and single-board Raspberry Pi computer in order to build a fifty-dollar optical reader that can be applied to Nanotube-based biosensors. Previous research and our findings have shown promising results which offer the prospect to proceed to further steps in our research.</p>