A graphene nanoribbon neuro-sensor for glycine detection and imaging

Glycine acts as a neurotransmitter in the Central Nervous System (CNS) and plays a vital role in processing of motor and sensory information that control movement, vision, and audition. Glycine detection and imaging can lead to a greater understanding of how this information is processed in the CNS. Here, we present a neuro-sensor for the detection and imaging of Glycine molecules, based on a zigzag Graphene Nanoribbon device structure. An energetically stable Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) center is introduced in the device to enable its use in neuronal imaging applications.We demonstrate, by using the Density Functional Theory and Nonequilibrium Greens Function method, that the device detects the attachment of a single Glycine molecule to its edges by significant changes in its conductance. The attachment of Glycine induces current channels around the NV center increasing the current flow through the device. In absence of Glycine, the presence of the NV center suppresses current flow through the device, significantly reducing its power consumption, and allowing for its use in proximity of living neuron cells.