Chemical Sensors and Biosensors

Citation

Rigelsford, J. (2002), "Chemical Sensors and Biosensors", Sensor Review, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 364-364. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2002.22.4.364.3

This book is part of the “Analytical techniques in the sciences” series. The series addresses the application of the major analytical techniques to physical, life and materials science. “Chemical sensors and biosensors” comprises eight chapters which provide simple clear descriptions of the sensing systems, the components of different transducers, and the commonly found sensing elements.

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to sensors and biosensors and addresses the different aspects of sensors. Chapter 2, “Transduction elements”, discusses electrochemical transducers, potentiometry and ion selective electrodes, conductivity, field‐effect transistors, photometric sensors, and voltammetry and amperometry.

Ionic, chemical, spectroscopic and biological recognition techniques are presented in chapter 3, “Sensing elements”, while chapter 4 discusses performance factors. These include selectivity, sensitivity, time factors, precision, accuracy, and repeatability. The following three chapters address Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors; Photometric Applications; and Mass‐Sensitive and Thermal Sensors, respectively. Subjects discussed in these sections include potentiometric biosensors; conductometric sensors and biosensors; visible absorption spectroscopy; fluorescent reagents; surface acoustics waves; and thermal sensors. The final chapter of the book, “Specific Applications”, provides case studies of five sensors used to detect glucose in blood, copper(I) in water, trinitrotoluene antibodies, flavanols in beer, and several ions simultaneously.

Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors uses a simple open learing approach to present the important aspects of this fast growing field. Each chapter includes learning objectives, summaries of the subject matter being covered, self‐assessment questions, and worked examples. Solutions are provided at the end of the book, along with a bibliography, glossary of terms, SI units and physical constants, and the periodic table. The book is suitable for BTEC, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and for professionals who wish to quickly familiarise themselves with the latest developments in analytical sensors.