Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for sensing a variety of biologically-related substances and/or chemical substances. In a device aspect, the present invention is directed to a multilayer device for sensing metal ions, non-biological molecules, biological molecules, or whole cells. In a method aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for sensing species such as ions, protons, metal ions, non-biological molecules, whole cells, and biological molecules, for example one or more biologically-related substances such as proteins, nucleic acids, DNA, RNA, enzymes, and chemical substances such as water contaminants.