Nanodiamonds in Motion: A Breakthrough in Quantum Sensing

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Berkeley, CA — Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a revolutionary quantum sensing technique that could transform environmental monitoring, medicine, and bioengineering. By embedding nanodiamonds in microscopic flowing water droplets, researchers have created a powerful, precise, and cost-effective chemical detection tool.

The breakthrough method, described in Science Advances, leverages a combination of green lasers, microwaves, and nanodiamond dust. “We weren’t even sure whether our technique would work, but it turned out to be surprisingly easy and effective,” said Ashok Ajoy, a faculty scientist at Berkeley Lab and assistant professor at UC Berkeley.

Harnessing Quantum Properties for Detection

Quantum sensing exploits unique behaviors that emerge at the smallest scales. In this new approach, microdroplets—millions of times smaller than a raindrop—contain nanodiamonds engineered with nitrogen vacancies. These defects allow the diamonds to emit light when exposed to a laser and microwaves, and changes in the emitted light indicate the presence of nearby chemicals.

The flowing microdroplets improve precision by reducing background noise, allowing the detection of trace amounts of paramagnetic chemicals—substances with slight magnetic properties. The technique is already outperforming leading detection methods, offering a cheaper and more effective alternative. “For just 63 cents worth of diamond dust, we can analyze hundreds of thousands of droplets,” noted Ajoy.

Expanding Applications: From Cell Health to Environmental Safety

The potential applications of this technique are vast. The research team, led by UC Berkeley graduate student Adrisha Sarkar and Berkeley Lab postdoc Zack Jones, successfully detected gadolinium ions and TEMPOL, a molecule that responds to oxygen levels. The method could be instrumental in studying reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are linked to cell metabolism, aging, and stress—offering new insights into diseases such as cancer.

Researchers are also exploring ways to attach antibodies to the nanodiamonds to enhance their detection capabilities, opening possibilities for highly sensitive diagnostic tests. This technique could enable the detection of viruses even when only trace amounts are present. Additionally, the low-tech nature of the method suggests potential for portable systems that monitor air and water for harmful contaminants in industrial or field settings.

Quantum Sensors in Future Bioreactors

One of the most exciting prospects for nanodiamond microdroplets is in self-regulating bioreactors—controlled environments for growing microorganisms that produce medicines, biofuels, and food ingredients. Because each droplet acts as a microscopic beaker, researchers envision using the technology to fine-tune bioreactors in real time.

“You can envision setting up bioreactors in remote locations or even in space to produce food that isn’t easily delivered,” said Deepti Tanjore, director of the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit at Berkeley Lab. “Having precise quantum sensors to monitor microorganism cultures in real-time is an important step toward that dream.”

As development continues, this innovative quantum sensing approach promises to revolutionize chemical detection across multiple fields, paving the way for smarter diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and next-generation bioreactors.

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