Unblocking a Path for Single Entity Electrochemistry in Digital Sensing

Traditionally, single nanoparticle collision experiments have been used to understand fundamental properties about nanoparticles at the highest resolution─one at a time. However, this technique shows great promise in being used for future applications such as a digital sensing platform. For this technique to translate into an ultrasensitive sensing method, two main challenges must be addressed: (1) achieving sufficient sensitivity (signal-to-noise ratio) when there are modifications to the particle or electrode to impart biospecificity or chemical specificity and (2) improving the reproducibility and standardization of data analysis across experiments. In this perspective, we discuss the state of the field of nanoparticle collision experiments, common challenges researchers may face, and suggestions on what it will take to move this technique forward into important and ultrasensitive applications.