INTERMITTENCY INERTIAL SENSORS

The present disclosure describes an intermittency-based analyte sensor and a method for using the intermittency-based analyte sensor. The intermittency-based analyte sensor includes a microcantilever, a substrate, a plurality of electrodes, a contact pad and a microcontroller. The microcantilever has a micromechanical beam having has a fixed end and a free end. The substrate is connected to the fixed end of the micromechanical beam. The plurality of electrodes are configured to connect to a biased source of alternating voltage. The frequency of the alternating voltage is in a frequency range which generates intermittencies in a motion of the free end. The microcontroller monitors a frequency response of the micromechanical beam; compares the frequency response to a calibration curve, and provides an alert that an analyte has deposited on the surface of the micromechanical beam when the frequency response is less than a calibrated frequency response.