Chemical technology news from across RSC Publishing.
Issue 1
Nanoforests
Researchers in the USA and Ireland have used single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) forest electrodes to develop a sensitive amperometric immunosensor. The self-assembled forests are constructed from oxidatively shortened SWNTs onto Nafion/iron oxide-coated pyrolytic graphite electrodes. James Rusling and his team have observed that antibodies are strongly adsorbed on the surface of the SWNTs giving good assay results for enzyme-labelled biotin. They anticipate that the limits of detection of this high sensitivity immunosensing system may be improved further, for example by using high affinity monoclonal antibodies.
Up, up and away
Researchers from the University of Cambridge, University College London and ACNielsen BASES, UK, have developed a solid state sensor for balloon-borne profiling of ozone concentrations in the atmosphere. The instrument, based on a tungsten oxide sensor, is able to operate continuously during the balloon flight, unlike ground-based sensors which often provide readings which are averaged hourly. Future work will focus on treating the effects of the reducing air pressure on the sensor, to produce more accurate readings.
Two chips are better than one
A new concept for continuous measurements on microchips, developed by scientists in Dortmund, Germany, addresses some of the problems associated with fluid handling in microchip-based separation systems. Peter Jacob and colleagues at the Institute for Analytical Sciences coupled a system chip, serving as a 'world-to-chip' interface, with an exchangeable analysis chip. This two-chip system, which eliminates the need for cleaning, refilling or removal of the separation chip between measurements, generates results with good reproducibility and provides analytical flexibility.
Amorphous materials
When the molecular structures of small organic molecules are designed they can form stable amorphous glasses characterised by well defined glass-transition temperatures. This new class of functional materials termed amorphous molecular materials is suitable for use in a wide range of applications including organic electroluminescent and photovoltaic devices. Yasuhiko Shirota discusses the rise of this interdisciplinary field, the molecular design concepts used to control the molecular morphology and the materials' functions and performance in a selection of devices.
Essential Elements
Celebrations all round at RSC journals
2005 is a momentous year for RSC Publishing, with two of its prestigious journals celebrating milestone anniversaries.
A Lab on a Chip special delivery
Lab on a Chip moves from strength to strength in 2005 by doubling in frequency to monthly issues and starts the year with a cutting-edge special issue on cell biology.
The RSC book, Clean Energy, has been well-received by the UK's Select Committee on Science and Technology
About the Series
Application Highlights
Spinning webs with microfluidics
New method mimics spiders to produce microscale fibres and tubes
Green chemistry's shining light
Using sunlight to create carbon-carbon bonds the green way
The best way to do a reaction could be easier to work out thanks to a microreactor developed by a team of US and Swiss scientists.
Giving liquid crystals the brush-off
Polymer molecules in the shape of tiny brushes can help liquid crystals line up on a surface
Scientists in the UK, have found a simple way to introduce sensors into cells without causing them stress
Downloadable Files
Chemical Technology 2005 issue 1
PDF (338k)
PDF files require 
Adobe Acrobat Reader
