Understanding the sensing mechanism in nanodimensions is very important for developing the efficient sensors. Researchers have been putting their efforts to fabricate small and ultrasensitive single nanowire sensors. Recently, the biosensors have got lot of attention due to the biotechnological advancement in the nanotechnology. Biosensor is a device used for the detection of an analyte that combines a biological component with a physiochemical detector. The advances in nanotechnology require understanding of physics, chemistry, and biology in low dimensions. Materials in the nanostructured form can achieve high response to very small targets in practical conditions. The goal of this special issue is to provide a platform for researchers working in the field of nanosensors to discuss exciting new developments on various topics in this area. We attempted the best to get high-quality review process for all the manuscripts submitted to this issue. Only five papers were accepted for publication in this issue. The first paper by Rani et al. discusses the enhancement in ammonia sensitivity of SnO2 thin films using high-energy Ni+ ion irradiation. Authors have described the sol-gel method for SnO2 thin film preparation. The observed enhancement in NH3 sensitivity has been discussed in context of ion beam generated electronic states in thin films. The second paper by Zhang et al. discusses the ambient pressure synthesis of tungsten oxide nanowires and nanoparticles on AlN substrates using the hot filament CVD techniques. They present a systematic study of sensing properties of the long nanowires. The third paper by Sun et al. discusses a proposal for the design of microgyroscope based on MEMS structures. Authors in this paper demonstrate the methods to fabricate accurate and cheaper gyroscope. The fourth paper by Weber el al. presents the fabrication and characterization of ZnO nanowire array for electrochemical sensing of glucose. The authors concluded that the nanoarray sensor is highly sensitive to glucose. The issue closes with the fifth paper by Niemann et al. on significance of nanomaterials for hydrogen energy. Authors present a review on the development of nanomaterials for hydrogen storage. They suggested that a high surface/volume is very important for energy storage in nanomaterials.

Acknowledgments

We thank all the contributing authors and reviewers for their help in putting together this special issue. We also thank the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nanomaterials, Dr. Michael Z. Hu, for his support and encouragement. We highly appreciate Dr. Hu's contribution to the Journal of Nanomaterials.

Rakesh K. Joshi
Sekhar Bhansali