Handbook of Chemical and Biological Sensors

Much attention has been paid in recent times to the advances in computer hardware and software and the many benefits these can bring. However, if these advances are to be exploited to the full in the biological sciences and engineering, then practitioners also need to be aware of the modern advances in sensors - and that is exactly what this handbook sets out to do. It is written in the form of a series of papers by different authors and is in two parts: part 1 covers the fundamental science; part 2 provides examples of sensor systems. Part 1 describes the physical and chemical principles behind sensors together with techniques for fabrication. Much of the theory behind the physical principles is analytic: whilst this makes the book an excellent reference it does make for rather `dry' reading. The reader requires a wide analytic background in physics, chemistry and biology in order to follow the material. Bearing this in mind, a small but irritating point is that not all of the symbols used in the equations are explained. The range of material covered includes electrical, electronic, optical, electrochemical and biological principles. Part 2 is intended to provide examples of how the physical principles described in part 1 are applied to practical sensors. Perhaps because of the applied nature of the subject matter, it is not always distinguishable from that presented in part 1. However, it provides a wide range of examples of biosensors including gas and enzyme sensors. In addition, examples of optical and ultrasound sensors for use in biomedical applications are also included. Perhaps the last chapter in the book is the most unusual and is in some ways the most fascinating. It describes the commercialization of chemical and biological sensors and the factors which must be addressed.