Recent Work in Optical Chemical Sensor Development

Recent efforts to develop integrated, multi-sensor chemical detection systems for life support and life science applications are presented. Sensors have been developed using a variety of transduction mechanisms, but the focus of the work described here is on optical chemical sensor development.

Particular success has been realized in the area of fiber optic (optrode) sensors for monitoring pH in hydroponic growth media; in low (parts per billion) level detection of both atmospheric and dissolved NH₃; and for monitoring CO₂. In addition multichannel optoelectronic interfaces, employing all solid state optical sources and detectors have been designed and tested for use with these sensors.

Recent work to assess the feasibility of using self-assembled monolayers and molecular assemblies, combined with microlithographic patterning techniques, for the detection of specific metals and anions in solution will also be presented.