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Electroanalytical chemistry and Sensor (Chemical and Bio-) Technology
The objective of chemical and bio- sensors and
many electroanalytical devices is to allow analysis to be performed in the field
in real time by personnel who are untrained in performing analysis. Thus a
sensor is an analytical device in which all the issues associated with any
analytical method, such as reliability, robustness and validation, not only
apply but also are amplified because of the rigid criteria of being able to
perform the analysis in the field by non-experts. These criteria mean that the
analyst can perform no sample preparation step. To avoid sample preparation
requires a highly selective recognition element to be integrated with some type
of signal transducer. This recognition element may be a selective ligand in the
case of a chemical sensor or a biological molecule such as an antibody or
enzyme. The transducer determines the extent of reaction between the recognition
component and the analyte and converts this to an electronic signal that can be
outputted to the end user. Successful development of sensors therefore requires
a team of people including engineers, chemists, biologists, end users and
analytical chemists.
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