New Sensors can Detect Threats at the Molecular Level Written by AZoSensorsMay 17 2021 We are frequently reminded of how vulnerable our health and safety are to threats from nature or those who wish to harm us. New sensors developed by Professor Otto Gregory, of the College of Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, and chemical engineering doctoral student Peter Ricci, are so powerful that they can detect threats at the molecular level, whether it's explosive materials, particles from a potentially deadly virus or illegal drugs entering the country. "This is potentially life-saving technology," said Gregory. " We have detected things at the part-per-quadrillion level. That's really single molecule detection."