Sensors Based on Method

Thermal Methods Level-measuring systems may be based on the difference in thermal characteristics oetween the fluids, such as temperature or thermal conductivity. A fixed-point level sensor based on the difference in thermal conductivity between two fluids consists of an electrically heated thermistor inserted into the vessel. The temperature of the thermistor and consequently its electrical resistance increase as the thermal conductivity of the fluid in which it is immersed decreases. Since the thermal conductivity of liquids is markedly higher than that of vapors, such a device can be used as a point level detector for liquid-vapor interface. 

B. Ge and F. Lisdat, Superoxide sensor based on cytochrome c immobilized on mixed-thiol SAM with a new calibration method. Anal. Chim. Acta. 454, 53-64 (2002). 

In recent years, there are more applications based on the layer-by-layer fabrication techniques for CNT-modified electrodes. This technique clearly provides thinner and more isolated CNTs compared with other methods such as CNT-composite and CNT coated electrodes in which CNTs are in the form of big bundles. This method should help biomolecules such as enzymes and DNA to interact more effectively with CNTs than other methods, and sensors based on this technique are expected to be more sensitive. Important biosensors such as glucose sensors have been developed using this technique, and further development of other sensors based on the layer-by-layer technique is expected. 

Vertically aligned CNT-modified electrodes are based on a more elaborated technique than other methods, and microscopic images are used to characterize the integrity of this type of electrode. The technique has been applied for the immobilization of enzymes and DNA, and the sensors based on this technique have shown a lower detection limit than those based on other methods. More research activities using this technique, particularly with low density CNT arrays, are expected in the near future because of its sensitivity and versatility. 

J. Yu, S. Liu, and H.X. Ju, Mediator-free phenol sensor based on titania sol-gel encapsulation matrix for immobilization of tyrosinase by a vapor deposition method. Biosens. Bioelectron. 19, 509-514 (2003). 

Up to now, sensors using this parameter have not been taken into consideration, as they are generally not selective. Water for instance is traceable in air because its velocity of sound is significantly higher. The VOS of carbon dioxide is just around 1/3 the VOS of air. In a mixture of air, water and C02 none of the compounds can be quantified. As the VOS of carbon monoxide is similar to that of air, CO cannot be quantifiedby this method either. Hence, sensors based on acoustic principles cannot be taken into consideration neither for the measurement of single species in a flue gas flow nor for the identification of fuel gases. 

Software sensors and related methods - This last group is considered because of the complexity of wastewater composition and of treatment process control. As all relevant parameters are not directly measurable, as will be seen hereafter, the use of more or less complex mathematical models for the calculation (estimation) of some of them is sometimes proposed. Software sensing is thus based on methods that allow calculation of the value of a parameter from the measurement of one or more other parameters, the measurement principle of which is completely different from an existing standard/reference method, or has no direct relation. Statistical correlative methods can also be considered in this group. Some examples will be presented in the following section. 

The methods of anion detection based on fluorescence involve quenching, complex formation, redox reactions and substitution reactions (Fernandez-Gutierrez and Munoz de la Pena, 1985). This chapter will be restricted to anion molecular sensors based on collisional quenching (in general, they exhibit a poor selectivity) and on recognition by an anion receptor linked to a fluorophore (fluoroionophore). 

Enormous progress is being made in the development of amperometric sensors, based on enzyme catalysed reactions, in widely varying clinical and immunological diagnostic methods. 

Figure 5. SPR sensor based on ATR method and angular modulations (upper) and corresponding reflectivity calculated for two different refractive indices of sample (lower). Sensor configuration SF14 glass prism, 50 nm thick gold layer, sample, wavelength - 682 nm.

An ideal sensor recognizes analytes in a sensitive, selective, and reversible manner. This recognition is in turn reported as a clear response. In recent years, conducting polymers have emerged as practical and viable transducers for translating analyte-receptor and nonspecific interactions into observable signals. Transduction schemes include electronic sensors using conductometric and potentiometric methods and optical sensors based on colorimetric and fluorescence methods [1]. 

Recent reports [30-31] on the use of atmospheric corrosion sensors based on changes in electrical resistance showed that when there were no contaminants [29], in tests of 100-110 h., corrosion rate was zero or insignificant. These sensors can determine changes in metal thickness lower than one nanometer. However, in the presence of 0.08 ppm of S02 or 20 pg/cm2 of NaCl in the system, changes in thickness where always detected over 75% of relative humidity. Corrosion rate was determined at temperatures of 20, 30 and 40°C and the Arrhenius equation was used to calculate the activation energy of the reactions. This method is very similar to the natural conditions. 

Li et al. [61] reported a novel method using a sequence-specific label-free DNA sensors based on silicon nanowires (Si-NWs) by measuring the change in the conductance. Kelley s group [62] developed a gold nanowire array (Au-NW) in 15-20 nm diameter range and this array was used for electrochemical DNA detection with the help of the elect-rocatalytic reporter systems, Ru(NH3)6+ and Fe(CN). ... 

S. Andreescu, D. Fournier and J.-L. Marty, Development of highly sensitive sensor based on bioengineered acetylcholinesterase immobilized by affinity method, Anal. Lett., 36 (2003) 1865-1885. 

In this part we will describe recent achievements in the development of biosensors based on DNA/RNA aptamers. These biosensors are usually prepared by immobilization of aptamer onto a solid support by various methods using chemisorption (aptamer is modified by thiol group) or by avidin-biotin technology (aptamer is modified by biotin) or by covalent attachment of amino group-labeled aptamer to a surface of self-assembly monolayer of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA). Apart from the method of aptamer immobilization, the biosensors differ in the signal generation. To date, most extensively studied were the biosensors based on optical methods (fluorescence, SPR) and acoustic sensors based mostly on thickness shear mode (TSM) method. However, recently several investigators reported electrochemical sensors based on enzyme-labeled aptamers, electrochemical indicators and impedance spectroscopy methods of detection. 

There is a continuing demand for the application of electrochemical sensors with a good quality/cost performance not only in comparison to sensors based on other transducer mechanisms but also to some standard analytical methods. Electrochemical Sensor Analysis (ECSA) presents novel theoretical considerations along with detailed applications of electrochemical (bio)sensors. The combination of both theoretical and practical aspects provides a comprehensive forum that integrates interdisciplinary research and development, presenting the most recent advances in applications in various important areas related to everyday life. Additionally ECSA reflects that electrochemical sensor analysis is already a well established research and applied area of analytical chemistry. 

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