Optical Gas Sensor Fabrication Based on Porphyrin-Anchored Electrostatic Self-Assembly onto Tapered Optical Fibers

Tapered optical fibers with nano-assembled coatings of thicknesses of order tens of nanometres were used for the detection of ammonia gas. The film coating was composed of alternate layers of tetrakis-(4-sulfophenyl) porphine (TSPP) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), which were deposited using the electrostatic self-assembly process (ESA). Exposure of a PAH/TSPP nano-assembled non-adiabatic tapered optical fiber with a waist diameter of 10 µm to ammonia induced significant optical changes in the transmission spectrum of the optical fiber. The fiber optic sensor showed a linear sensitivity to the concentration of ammonia in the range of 10–100 ppm, with response and recovery times less than 100 and 240 sec, respectively. The 3σ limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be ca. 2 ppm.     

Cadmium(II)–Triazole Framework as a Luminescent Probe for Ca2+ and Cyano Complexes

A bidentate ligand, 1‐{4‐[4‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)phenoxy]phenyl}‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole (TPPT), has been designed and synthesized. By using TPPT as a building block for self‐assembly with Cd(NO₃)₂ ? 4 H₂O and CdCl₂ ? 10.5 H₂O, novel 1D double‐chain {[Cd(TPPT)(NO₃)₂] ? 3 H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and 2D (4,4) layer [Cd(TPPT)Cl₂(H₂O)]_n ( 2 ) have been constructed. When 1 was employed as a precursor and exposed to DMF or N,N′‐dimethylacetamide (DMAC), the crystals of 1 dissolved and reassembled into two types of brown block‐shaped crystals of 1D double chains: {[Cd(TPPT)₂(NO₃)₂] ? DMF}_n ( 1 a ) and {[Cd(TPPT)₂(NO₃)₂] ? DMAC}_n ( 1 b ). The anion‐exchange reactions of complex 2 have also been investigated. After gently stirring crystals of 2 in CHCl₃/C₂H₅OH/H₂O containing NaBr, NaI ? 2 H₂O, or NaOAc ? 3 H₂O, the crystals retained their crystalline appearances. A remarkable single crystal to single crystal transformation was observed and 1D double chains of {[Cd(TPPT)Br₂] ? C₂H₅OH}_n ( 2 a ) and {[Cd(TPPT)₂I₂] ? CHCl₃}_n ( 2 b ), and 1D single chains of [Cd(TPPT)(H₂O)₂(CH₃COO)₂]_n ( 2 c ), can be obtained. Luminescent properties indicate that 1 shows excellent selectivity for Ca²⁺ and cyano complexes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a luminescent probe for Ca²⁺ based on triazole derivatives.     

Green solvent approach for printable large deformation thermoplastic elastomer based piezoresistive sensors and their suitability for biomedical applications

Composites based on biocompatible thermoplastic elastomer styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene (SEBS) as matrix and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as nanofillers show excellent mechanical and piezoresistive properties from low to large deformations. The MWCNT/SEBS composites have been prepared following a green solvent approach, to extend their range of applicability to biomedical applications. The obtained composites with 2, 4, and 5 wt % MWCNT content provide suitable piezoresistive response up to 80% deformation with a piezoresistive sensibility near 2.7, depending on the applied strain and MWCNT content. Composite sensors were also developed by spray and screen printing and integrated with an electronic data acquisition system with RF communication. The possibility to accurately control the composites properties and performance by varying MWCNT content, viscosity, and mechanical properties of the polymer matrix, shows the large potential of the system for the development of large deformation printable piezoresistive sensors. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 2092–2103     

A Disposable Homemade Screen Printed Electrochemical Sensor for Vitamin B1 Determination in Multivitamin Ampoules: Potentiometric and Surface Morphology Studies

Thiamine chloride hydrochloride (TCH) is one of the B‐complex vitamins which resemble a very biologically important group of biomolecules. The first screen‐printed graphite ion‐selective sensor for the determination of TCH was prepared and characterized. The sensor is based on TCH‐tetraphenylborate as electrode material. A number of parameters such as the type of solvent mediator, weight percent of the ion‐exchanger, test solution temperature and possible interferences were extensively studied. Moreover, the surface morphology of the prepared sensor was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The sensor shows a Nernstian slope of 30.60±0.07 mV/decade, a low LOD of 5.08×10⁻⁶ mol/L and a wide applicability range of 5.96×10⁻⁶‐1.00×10⁻² mol/L. The sensing graphite ink remains usable for at least one month. Fast potentiometric response was obtained within 5 s and remains stable for at least 60 s. The sensor was applied to the analysis of TCH in pure solutions and multivitamin ampoules from the Egyptian market using the standard addition method and high recovery values of 97–102 % were obtained. Low %RSD values (0.27‐1.30) indicate high precision of the proposed sensor. Our sensor provides the advantages of disposability, simple preparation procedures, sensitivity and easy storage and transportation.     

Remote detection of explosives using field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer installed on multicopter

The detection of explosives and drugs in hard‐to‐reach places is a considerable challenge. We report the development and initial experimental characterization of the air analysis system that includes Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometer, array of the semiconductor gas sensors and is installed on multicopter. The system was developed based on the commercially available DJI Matrix 100 platform. For data collection and communication with operator, the special compact computer (Intel Compute Stick) was installed onboard. The total weight of the system was 3.3 kg. The system allows the 15‐minute flight and provides the remote access to the obtained data. The developed system can be effectively used for the detection of impurities in the air, ecology monitoring, detection of chemical warfare agents, and explosives, what is especially important in light of recent terroristic attacks. The capabilities of the system were tested on the several explosives such as trinitrotoluene and nitro powder.     

Novel materials for bioanalytical and biomedical applications: Environmental response and binding/release capabilities of amphiphilic hydrogels with shape‐persistent dendritic junctions

The binding and release capabilities of a hydrogel series, constructed of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) segments and hydrophobic dendritic junctions [poly (benzyl ether)s], are evaluated in aqueous media. The environmental response of the amphiphilic networks is also tested in water at three pH values: 1.5, 7.0, and 10.1. The highest swelling ratio is observed under acidic conditions and varies between 3.7 and 6.5, depending on the crosslinking density and dendrimer generation. Gel specimens with embedded indicators react within 3–6 s with a clear color switch to the change in the pH of the surrounding medium. The experiments with model anionic and cationic indicators and stains show that the hydrogels have basic interiors. The gel binding capabilities depend on the water solubility of the substrate and on the size of the incorporated dendritic fragments. Model release studies have been performed at 37 °C and pHs 1.5, 7.0, and 10.1. The observed phenomena are explained by the transformations in the structure and charge that both the networks and the model compounds undergo with the changes in the pH of the aqueous medium. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4017–4029, 2005     

Small Targeted Cytotoxics: Current State and Promises from DNA‐Encoded Chemical Libraries

The targeted delivery of potent cytotoxic agents has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer and other serious conditions. Traditionally, antibodies against markers of disease have been used as drug‐delivery vehicles. More recently, lower molecular weight ligands have been proposed for the generation of a novel class of targeted cytotoxics with improved properties. Advances in this field crucially rely on efficient methods for the identification and optimization of organic molecules capable of high‐affinity binding and selective recognition of target proteins. The advent of DNA‐encoded chemical libraries allows the construction and screening of compound collections of unprecedented size. In this Review, we survey developments in the field of small ligand‐based targeted cytotoxics and show how innovative library technologies will help develop the drugs of the future.     

Bipolar Electrochemistry

A bipolar electrode (BPE) is an electrically conductive material that promotes electrochemical reactions at its extremities (poles) even in the absence of a direct ohmic contact. More specifically, when sufficient voltage is applied to an electrolyte solution in which a BPE is immersed, the potential difference between the BPE and the solution drives oxidation and reduction reactions. Because no direct electrical connection is required to activate redox reactions, large arrays of electrodes can be controlled with just a single DC power supply or even a battery. The wireless aspect of BPEs also makes it possible to electrosynthesize and screen novel materials for a wide variety of applications. Finally, bipolar electrochemistry enables mobile electrodes, dubbed microswimmers, that are able to move freely in solution.