Conventional approaches to chemical sensors have
traditionally made use of a “lock-and-key” design,
wherein a specific receptor is synthesized in order to
strongly and highly selectively bind the analyte of
interest.1-6 A related approach involves exploiting a
general physicochemical effect selectively toward a
single analyte, such as the use of the ionic effect in
the construction of a pH electrode. In the first
approach, selectivity is achieved through recognition
of the analyte at the receptor site, and in the second,
selectivity is achieved through the transduction
process in which the method of detection dictates
which species are sensed. Such approaches are appropriate
when a specific target compound is to be
identified in the presence of controlled backgrounds
and interferences. However, this type of approach
requires the synthesis of a separate, highly selective
sensor for each analyte to be detected. In addition,
this type of approach is not particularly useful for
analyzing, classifying, or assigning human value
judgments to the composition of complex vapor
mixtures such as perfumes, beers, foods, mixtures of
solvents, etc.

/pdf/cross-reactive-chemical-sensor-arrays-38dz1buu0b.pdf

Cross-reactive chemical sensor arrays.

Polymers in sensor applications

There is an enormous demand for chemical sensors for many areas and disciplines. High sensitivity and ease of operation are two main issues for sensor development. Fluorescence techniques can easily fulfill these requirements and therefore fluorescent-based sensors appear as one of the most promising candidates for chemical sensing. However, the development of sensors is not trivial; material science, molecular recognition and device implementation are some of the aspects that play a role in the design of sensors. The development of fluorescent sensing materials is increasingly captivating the attention of the scientists because its implementation as a truly sensory system is straightforward. This critical review shows the use of polymers, sol–gels, mesoporous materials, surfactant aggregates, quantum dots, and glass or gold surfaces, combined with different chemical approaches for the development of fluorescent sensing materials. Representative examples have been selected and they are commented here.

/pdf/design-of-fluorescent-materials-for-chemical-sensing-3qfe7gr6p7.pdf

Design of fluorescent materials for chemical sensing

An apparatus and method for performing rapid DNA sequencing, such as genomic sequencing, is provided herein The method includes the steps of preparing a sample DNA for genomic sequencing, amplifying the prepared DNA in a representative manner, and performing multiple sequencing reaction on the amplified DNA with only one primer hybridization step

Methods of amplifying and sequencing nucleic acids

A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator.

Method and Apparatus for Penetrating tissue

The present invention provides a unique fiber optic sensor which is able to conduct multiple assays and analysis concurrently using a plurality of different dyes immobilized at individual spatial positions on the surface of the sensor. The present invention also provides apparatus for making precise optical determinations and measurements for multiple analytes of interest concurrently and provides methods of detection for multiple analytes of interest which can be correlated with specific parameters or other ligands for specific applications and purposes.

Imaging fiber optic array sensors, apparatus, and methods for concurrently detecting multiple analytes of interest in a fluid sample

The present invention provides fiber optic sensors, apparatus, methods of optical detection, and methods of sensor manufacture for detection of organic analytes having a fixed polarity. The sensor requires an optical fiber strand; an immobilized polarity-sensitive dye; and an immobilized polymeric material which not only contains the polarity-sensitive dye but also absorbs and partitions the organic analyte of interest.

Fiber optic sensor, apparatus, and methods for detecting an organic analyte in a fluid or vapor sample

The present invention provides a unique fiber optic sensor which is able to provide a viewing zone for visual examination of a sample and its surrounding environment; and is able to conduct multiple assays concurrently using a plurality of different dyes immobilized at individual spatial positions within a dye sensing zone on the surface of the sensor. The present invention also provides apparatus for making precise optical determinations and measurements for multiple analytes of interest concurrently and provides methods of detection for multiple analytes of interest which can be correlated with specific parameters or other ligands for specific applications and purposes.

Fiber optic array sensors, apparatus, and methods for concurrently visualizing and chemically detecting multiple analytes of interest in a fluid sample

The present invention provides a unique fiber optic sensor which is able to conduct multiple assays and analyses concurrently using a plurality of different dyes immobilized at individual spatial positions on the surface of the sensor. The present invention also provides apparatus for making precise optical determinations and measurements for multiple analytes of interest concurrently and provides methods of detection for multiple analytes of interest which can be correlated with specific parameters or other ligands for specific applications and purposes.

Steven M. Barnard

Papers

Imaging fiber optic array sensors, apparatus, and methods for concurrently detecting multiple analytes of interest in a fluid sample

Fiber optic sensor, apparatus, and methods for detecting an organic analyte in a fluid or vapor sample

Fiber optic array sensors, apparatus, and methods for concurrently visualizing and chemically detecting multiple analytes of interest in a fluid sample

Method of making imaging fiber optic sensors to concurrently detect multiple analytes of interest in a fluid sample

Simultaneous monitoring of pH, CO2 and O2 using an optical imaging fiber