Characterisation and analytical potential of a photo-responsive polymeric material based on spiropyran.
In this paper we consider the critical issues inhibiting the widespread deployment of bio/chemo-sensors in wireless sensor networks. Primary among these is the problem of performing calibration at remote locations, and the consequent need for integrated fluidic systems for performing tasks like sampling, calibration and detection. Our conclusion is that low-cost, bio/chemo-sensing platforms that provide reliable information over long periods of use will only be realised through the use of microfluidic platforms that are much more biomimetic in nature than technologies employed in current devices. Central to driving down costs will be the development of fluidic platforms with integrated soft polymer actuators that will replace existing pumps and valves. A particularly attractive approach is to employ photo-controlled polymer actuators, wherein the status of the material can be effectively switched using light, as this allows physical separation of the control layer from the fluidic platform layer in a planar system. This, in principle, should greatly simplify manufacturing and therefore drive down costs. In this paper, we describe a polymeric gel and a linear polymer modified with a photochromic moiety and show that it is possible to utilize photochromic molecules for performing sensing and actuating functions.
Byrne
Robert
R
CLARITY: Centre for Sensor Web Technologies, National Centre for Sensor Research, School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland. robert.byrne@dcu.ie
Ventura
Claudia
C
Benito Lopez
Fernando
F
Walther
Adelheid
A
Heise
Andreas
A
Diamond
Dermot
D
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000737:chemistry*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005782:Gels; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001578:Benzopyrans; D005782:Gels; D007211:Indoles; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D011108:Polymers; C088184:spiropyran; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate