A method, apparatus and system for use in sensing and detecting various biological and chemical agents. More specifically, the present invention utilizes nanotubes as a novel structure in a particle detection application. Antibodies for agents such as anthrax, bubonic plague, e-coli, botulism, small pox and fast spreading viruses such as SARS are homogeneously dispersed on a nanotube filter such as a CNT filter, including buckypaper. These filters are then placed into a device which facilitates filtering volumes of the atmosphere or food material. Any pathogen or toxin corresponding to the specific antibody held by the nanofilter reacts with the antibody and are retained on the filter. The nanofilter would then be subjected to microwave treatment and spectral analysis.