Nowadays, all scientists recognize that fluorescent probes play important roles in wide research areas, from chemistry to biology. By combining this fact with specific functional benefits from synthetic polymers, fluorescent polymeric probes are occasionally superior to small organic and inorganic fluorescent (or luminescent) probes in terms of sensitivity, robustness, and multiple functionality. The targets of fluorescent polymeric probes have extended from chemical species to physical parameter. This special issue is a platform for researches to develop a novel fluorescent polymeric probe and to establish a new analytical method using a conventional fluorescent polymeric probe. Related researches, e.g., fluorometric investigation of functional polymers, are also included.

This interesting book covers latest aspects of a highly sophisticated technology; results treated in critical detail; demonstrates applicability of this technology to practical problems in process control, biochip methods, clinical analysis, environmental sciences

Fluorescence is the most popular technique in chemical and biological sensing and this book provides systematic knowledge of basic principles in the design of fluorescence sensing and imaging techniques together with critical analysis of recent developments. Its ultimate sensitivity, high temporal and spatial resolution and versatility enables high resolution imaging within living cells. It develops rapidly in the directions of constructing new molecular recognition units, new fluorescence reporters and in improving sensitivity of response, up to the detection of single molecules. Its application areas range from the control of industrial processes to environmental monitoring and clinical diagnostics. Being a guide for students and young researchers, it also addresses professionals involved in basic and applied research. Making a strong link between education, research and product development, this book discusses prospects for future progress.

We all learn - in schools, factories, bars and streets. We gather, store, process and transmit information in society. Molecular systems involved in our senses and within our brains allow all this to happen and molecular systems allow living things of all kinds to handle information for the purpose of survival and growth. Nevertheless, the vital link between molecules and computation was not generally appreciated until a few decades ago. Semiconductor-based information technology had penetrated society at many levels and the interest in maintaining momentum of this revolution led to the consideration of molecules, among others, as possible information handlers. Such an overlap between the recent engineering-oriented revolution with the ancient biology-oriented success story is very interesting and George Boole's times in Ireland 150 years ago produced the logic ideas that provide the foundations of computation to this day. Molecular logic and computation is a field which is 17 years young, has had a healthy growth and is a story which deserves to be told. It is a growing branch of chemical science which highlights the connection between information technology (engineering and biological) and chemistry. The author and co-workers of this publication launched molecular logic as an experimental field by publishing the first research in the primary literature in 1993 and are uniquely placed to recount how the field has grown. There is no other book at present on molecular logic and computation and is more comprehensive than that found in any review available so far. It shows how designed molecules can play the role of information processors in a wide variety of situations, once we are educated by those information processors already available in the semiconductor electronics business and in the natural world. Following a short history of the field, is a set of primers on logic, computing and photochemical principles which are an essential basis in this field. The book covers all of the Boolean logic gates driven by a single input and all of those with double inputs and the wide range of designs which lie beneath these gates is a particular highlight. The easily-available diversity of chemical systems is another highlight, especially when it leads to reconfigurable logic gates. Further on in the book, molecular arithmetic and other more complex logic operations, including those with a memory and those which stray beyond binary are covered. Then follows molecular computing approaches which lie outside the Boolean blueprint, including quantum phenomena and finally, the book catalogues the useful real-life applications of molecular logic and computation which are already available. This book is an authoritative, state of the art, reference and a 'one-stop-shop' concerning the current state of the field for scientists, academics and postgraduate students.

Semiconducting Polymer Materials for Biosensing Applications provides a comprehensive look at semiconducting polymer materials and their deposition, characterization and use in biosensors. The book begins with an introduction to the key materials and background of essential technologies. Major types of monomer chemistries and fabrication of polymer materials are discussed, with a focus on semiconducting films suitable for use in (bio)sensors. A survey of the state-of-the-art for organic thin-film polymer semiconductor sensor-based fabrication methods for materials and devices covers a wide range of chemical, material, physical and advanced fabrication techniques. The book concludes with a chapter on theoretical insights for designing sensors, (bio)sensors for medical, food and environmental applications and the future of sensors. This book is suitable for materials scientists and engineers and biomedical engineers in academia or industry. - Reviews the most promising semiconductor polymer materials, such as conjugated polymers most frequently used in biosensing applications - Provides an overview of the electrochemical techniques to process semiconductor polymer materials - Discusses the use of semiconductor polymer-based biosensors in biomedical, environmental, chemical and aerospace applications

Functional Fluorescent Materials: Applications in Sensing, Bioimaging, and Optoelectronics explains functional molecular probes (organic/inorganic materials, polymers, nanomaterials), with a focus on those that represent spectroscopic properties with detection of different analytes and specific roles in molecular recognition and their applications. It broadly covers molecular recognition to applications of fluorescence reporters, starting from optoelectronic properties of materials, detection of heavy metals, through biological macromolecules, and further to a living cell, tissue imaging, and theranostics. Features: • Covers different aspects of fluorescence spectroscopy ranging from chemical, physical, and biological aspects along with optoelectronic properties, mechanisms, and applications. • Describes all types of chemical and functionalized fluorescent nanomaterials. • Provides additional information on different kinds of fluorescence reporters. • Explains the concept of fluorescence spectroscopy and its role in human health care. • Discusses changes in static and dynamic properties of fluorescent probes and molecular recognitions. This book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in materials, chemical engineering, and engineering physics.

Molecular Imprinting for Nanosensors and Other Sensing Applications provides fundamental knowledge on molecular imprinting, including types, preparation methods, properties and characterization techniques. The book also covers the state-of-the-art technological developments of sensors that incorporate with microfluidic systems, lab-on-a-chip-tools, and other techniques. Sections discuss the integration of molecularly imprinted polymers with current top-notch tools and platforms that facilitate their potential applications in the realms of medicine, pharmaceuticals and environmental monitoring. Topics of note include molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensor models, their functionalization methodologies, prominent characteristics, and their characterization tools. - Covers, in an in-depth manner, molecular imprinting as it relates to nanosensors - Provides an appropriate resource on the various applications of imprinted sensors, such as their use in the environment, medicine and food industry - Includes future outlooks and expectations for sensor technology

This book provides systematic knowledge of basic principles in the design of fluorescence sensing and imaging techniques together with critical analysis of recent developments. Fluorescence is the most popular technique in chemical and biological sensing because of its ultimate sensitivity, high temporal and spatial resolution and versatility that enables imaging within the living cells. It develops rapidly in the directions of constructing new molecular recognition units, new fluorescence reporters and in improving sensitivity of response up to detection of single molecules. Its application areas range from control of industrial processes to environment monitoring and clinical diagnostics. Being a guide for students and young researchers, it also addresses professionals involved in active basic and applied research. Making a strong link between education, research and product development, this book discusses prospects for future progress.

Smart Stimuli-Responsive Poymers, Films, and Gels Discover the most important developments in synthesis, simulation, and applications of a fascinating compound class There exist a range of natural materials that respond to environmental changes by altering their physical or chemical properties, known as stimuli-responsive polymers, these substances are responsive to light, temperature, pressure, and more. The study of these so-called “smart” polymers is essential to a range of application fields, many of which have generated cutting-edge research in recent decades. A comprehensive introduction to the subject is therefore well-timed Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers, Films, and Gels provides an introduction to these polymers and their applications. It includes producing these polymers through synthetic approaches, simulating their responses to different stimuli, and applying these materials in different industries and research capacities. Written to serve the requirements of advanced students and senior researchers alike, this timely work will drive years of research in this vital field. In Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers, Films, and Gels readers will also find: Treatment of mechanoresponsive, photoresponsive, and ionizing-radiation responsive polymers Applications in emerging fields such as sensors, biomedicine, catalysis, and more Interdisciplinary research into the properties and responses of these vital compounds Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers, Films, and Gels promises to become a seminal work for chemists, materials scientists, and industrial researchers seeking to incorporate these materials into a variety of industrial and research areas.

Metal Nanoclusters in Catalysis and Materials Science: The Issue of Size Control deals with the synthesis of metal nanoclusters along all known methodologies. Physical and chemical properties of metal nanoclusters relevant to their applications in chemical processing and materials science are covered thoroughly. Special attention is given to the role of metal nanoclusters size and shape in catalytic processes and catalytic applications relevant to industrial chemical processing.An excellent text for expanding the knowledge on the chemistry and physics of metal nanoclusters. Divided in two parts; Part I deals with general aspects of the matter and Part II has to be considered a useful handbook dealing with the production of metal nanoclusters, especially from their size-control point of view.* Divided into two parts for ease of reference: general and operational * Separation of synthetic aspects, physical properties and applications* Specific attention is given to the task of metal nanoclusters size-control