University of California, Berkeley, researchers have invented the first “nanofluidic” transistor, which allows them to control the movement of ions through sub-microscopic, water-filled channels.

One application tney are exploring is cancer diagnosis. A nanoscale chemical analysis chip could, theoretically, take the contents of as few as 10 cancer cells and pull out protein markers that can tip doctors to the best means of attacking the cancer.

Nanofluidic channels could be integrated with electronics on a single silicon chip, with the electronics controlling the operation of the nanofluidics.

University of California, Berkeley news release