COVID-19 Detection via Silicon Nanowire Field-Effect Transistor: Setup and Modeling of Its Function

Biomolecular detection methods have evolved from simple chemical processes to laboratory sensors capable of acquiring accurate measurements of various biological components. Recently, silicon nanowire field-effect transistors (SiNW-FETs) have been drawing enormous interest due to their potential in the biomolecular sensing field. SiNW-FETs exhibit capabilities such as providing real-time, label-free, highly selective, and sensitive detection. It is highly critical to diagnose infectious diseases accurately to reduce the illness and death spread rate. In this work, a novel SiNW-FET sensor is designed using a semiempirical approach, and the electronic transport properties are studied to detect the COVID-19 spike protein. Various electronic transport properties such as transmission spectrum, conductance, and electronic current are investigated by a semiempirical modeling that is combined with a nonequilibrium Green's function. Moreover, the developed sensor selectivity is tested by studying the electronic transport properties for other viruses including influenza, rotavirus, and HIV. The results indicate that SiNW-FET can be utilized for accurate COVID-19 identification with high sensitivity and selectivity.