Fundamental properties and sensing performance of quartz tuning forks in biological and chemical detection applications

Abstract The applications of quartz tuning forks are to be expanded not solely for timekeeping, since their outstanding vibration precision and piezoelectric nature are promising approaches for biological and chemical applications. This review discusses the geometries and principles of these forks, as well as the various enhancement techniques that influence and may improve their sensitivity for detecting and identifying different types of analytes. The choice of quartz tuning forks arose from their capability to detect small increment changes in mass for small analyte samples with high precision. This was combined with their well-known high-quality factor. This review paper showcases recent developments in QTF-based biological and chemical sensors, emphasizing their potential applications in real-world applications.