Comparison of Magnetoelastic Sensors to Other Acoustic Wave Sensors

Acoustic wave (AW) sensors have been widely investigated for use as gravimetric devices to weigh extremely small masses and for surface science studies. By measuring the frequency shift and/or the motion of the sensor, the change in mass, due to adsorption of chemical or biological species on the surface of the sensor, can be determined. The mass resolution for some AW sensors have been demonstrated to extend to the yoctogram (1 yg = 10^-24 g) range, the mass of a single proton. Here we compare the operation and performance of the magnetoelastic (ME) acoustic wave sensor to other AW sensor platforms. For the ME sensor, longitudinal vibrations are actuated by an oscillating external magnetic field which induces magnetostrictive strain within the material. The use of the ME sensor platform as a biosensor for the detection of foodborne pathogens is discussed.