Researchers suggest ways to improve graphene-based DNA sequencing

In past years we've seen many research papers describing how graphene could be used for DNA sequencing (see for example here and here). Now researchers from Seoul National University are suggesting a new method to reduce 1/f noise in graphene based sequencing devices. First, they replace the silicon substrate that is usually used with a quartz-based substrate. Second, they use few-layer graphene instead of single or bilayer graphene.

The quartz substrate results in almost six times lower noise - because the silicon creates most of the 1/f noise. Using few-layer graphene instead of single-layer or dielectric layer coated graphene also simplifies the fabrication steps and allows for identical pore size during the pore drilling.