Synthetic sensor

Nature has developed recognition systems that are able to discriminate on the basis of highly specific molecule-molecule interactions generating a unique signal. Alternatively, nature utilises arrays of less specific sensors to collect information that is deciphered using pattern recognition processes carried out in the brain. Both approaches have also been pursued using ICPs in the development of synthetic sensors. 

Synthetic sensors incorporate a synthetically prepared element for recognition. While biomimetic reeeptors have been prepared, with synthetic receptors mimicking the active sites in naturally occurring biological molecules, synthetic receptors can, and often are, designed entirely from first principles. 

There can be no question that the availabihty of affordable home blood glucose monitoring has revolutionised the quahty of life experienced by diabetics. However, there are some inherent limitations with an enzymatic approach. The systems have to be stored appropriately, they are specific only for a few saccharides and in most cases they become unstable under harsh conditions and hence cannot be sterilised. For this reason, much work has been focused on the development of synthetic sensors with the capacity to monitor saccharides under a broad range of environmental conditions, and thus allow access to a wider spread of diagnostic applications. 

Non-Boronic Acid Appended Synthetic Sensors for Saccharides... 

Many complex systems have been spread on liquid interfaces for a variety of reasons. We begin this chapter with a discussion of the behavior of synthetic polymers at the liquid-air interface. Most of these systems are linear macromolecules however, rigid-rod polymers and more complex structures are of interest for potential optoelectronic applications. Biological macromolecules are spread at the liquid-vapor interface to fabricate sensors and other biomedical devices. In addition, the study of proteins at the air-water interface yields important information on enzymatic recognition, and membrane protein behavior. We touch on other biological systems, namely, phospholipids and cholesterol monolayers. These systems are so widely and routinely studied these days that they were also mentioned in some detail in Chapter IV. The closely related matter of bilayers and vesicles is also briefly addressed. 

There are three advantages to study molecular recognition on surfaces and interfaces (monolayers, films, membranes or soHds) (175) (/) rigid receptor sites can be designed (2) the synthetic chemistry may be simplified (J) the surface can be attached to transducers which makes analysis easier and may transform the molecular recognition interface to a chemical sensor. And, which is also a typical fact, this kind of molecular recognition involves outside directed interaction sites, ie, exo-receptor function (9) (see Fig. 5b). 

More recendy, two different types of nonglass pH electrodes have been described which have shown excellent pH-response behavior. In the neutral-carrier, ion-selective electrode type of potentiometric sensor, synthetic organic ionophores, selective for hydrogen ions, are immobilized in polymeric membranes (see Membrane technology) (9). These membranes are then used in more-or-less classical glass pH electrode configurations. 

Moreover, disposable electrochemical sensors for the detection of a specific sequence of DNA were realised by immobilising synthetic single-stranded oligonucleotides onto a graphite or a gold screen-printed electrode. Tire probes became hybridised with different concentrations of complementary sequences present in the sample. 

Due to the very flexible synthetic approach, imprinted layers are highly suitable for sensor measurements in complex mixtures Sensor coatings consisting of a carbonic-acid-imprinted sol-gel material e.g. incorporate oxidative degradation products from engine oil leading to a chemical lubricant sensor. 

SENSORS BASED ON FREE-STANDING MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMER MEMBRANES. COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF SYNTHETIC MIMICKS OF BIORECEPTORS... 

For example, Novasina S.A. (www.novasina.com), a Swiss company specializing in the manufacture of devices to measure humidity in air, has developed a new sensor based on the non-synthetic application of an ionic liquid. The new concept makes simple use of the close correlation between the water uptake of an ionic liquid and its conductivity increase. In comparison with existing sensors based on polymer membranes, the new type of ionic liquid sensor shows significantly faster response times (up to a factor of 2.5) and less sensitivity to cross contamination (with alcohols, for example). Each sensor device contains about 50 pi of ionic liquid, and the new sensor system became available as a commercial product in 2002. Figure 9-1 shows a picture of the sensor device containing the ionic liquid, and Figure 9-2 displays the whole humidity analyzer as commercialized by Novasina S.A.. 

Among all semiconductor NPs, metal selenides have been the focus of great attention due to their importance in various applications such as thermoelectric cooling materials, optical filters and sensors, optical recording materials, solar cells, superionic materials, laser materials and biological labels. Many synthetic methods have been developed for the preparation of relatively monodispersed selenide nanopartides (Murray et al., 1993 Korgel... 

Conceptually and synthetically more straightforward molecules can be prepared through incorporation of chromophores onto simple phosphine moieties. The phosphorus fragment can be used either to influence or to organise the n-con-jugated systems. This section will focus only on derivatives tailored in order to exhibit specific properties related to applications in NLO,opto-electronics or as sensors. 

In conclusion, synthetic dyes can be determined in solid foods and in nonalcoholic beverages and from their concentrated formulas by spectrometric methods or by several separation techniques such as TEC, HPLC, HPLC coupled with diode array or UV-Vis spectrometry, MECK, MEECK, voltammetry, and CE. ° Many analytical approaches have been used for simultaneous determinations of synthetic food additives thin layer chromatography, " " derivative spectrophotometry, adsorptive voltammetry, differential pulse polarography, and flow-through sensors for the specific determination of Sunset Yellow and its Sudan 1 subsidiary in food, " but they are generally suitable only for analyzing few-component mixtures. 

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