Abstract: A light-emitting composition containing first and second light-emitting markers. The first light-emitting marker comprises a first light-emitting material and a first binding group configured to bind to a first target analyte. The second light-emitting marker comprises a second light-emitting material which is different from the first light-emitting material and a second binding group which is different from the first binding group and which is configured to bind to a second target analyte. A luminescent lifetime of the first light-emitting material is shorter than a luminescent lifetime of the second light-emitting material. The difference in lifetimes of the first and second light-emitting materials may be used to distinguish between the first and second target analytes in a sample, e.g. by time-gated flow cytometry.

Abstract: Resin-adhered graphite particles are obtained by causing a modified novolac-type phenolic resin to adhere to graphite particles. At least part of surfaces of the graphite particles is coated with a carbonaceous coating by heating the resin-adhered graphite particles in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 900 to 1,500° C. to carbonize the modified novolac-type phenolic resin. Arylene groups having hydroxy groups account for 5 to 95 mol % of arylene groups constituting the modified novolac-type phenolic resin. The obtained carbonaceous substance-coated graphite particles exhibit excellent battery properties when used as a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery.

Abstract: A material comprising an electron-accepting unit of formula (I): Ar is an aromatic ring; Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring containing N and C ring atoms; when Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted 6-membered heteroaromatic ring, Ar2 is a substituted or unsubstituted 6-membered heteroaromatic ring wherein the ring atoms are selected from N and C; when Ar1 is a 5-membered heteroaromatic ring, Ar2 is a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring; Ar3 is a 5-membered ring or a substituted or unsubstituted 6-membered ring; Ar4 is a 5-membered ring or a substituted or unsubstituted 6-membered ring or is absent; Ar5 is a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or polycyclic group containing at least one aromatic or heteroaromatic ring; Ar6 is a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or polycyclic group containing at least one aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or is absent; and each X is independently a substituent bound to a C atom of Ar3, and where prese

Abstract: Nanoparticles for use in diagnosis by photoacoustic imaging or therapy by photothermal therapy are disclosed. The nanoparticles may have a core containing a light-absorbing material and silica. The nanoparticles may contain a light-absorbing material comprising an electron accepting unit and an electron donating unit wherein the electron-donating unit is a unit of formula (IIIa-1) wherein: Y in each occurrence is independently O or S; Z in each occurrence is O, S, NR55, or C(R54)2; R51 in each occurrence is H or a substituent; R54 in each occurrence is independently a substituent; and R55 is H or a substituent.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a repeating structure of formula (I): -D-X1-A-X2-. D is a conjugated electron-donating group of formula (II); A is a conjugated electron-accepting group; X1 and X2 are each independently a conjugated bridge group selected from phenylene, thiophene, furan, thienothiophene, furofuran, thienofuran, thiazole, oxazole, alkene, alkyne and imine, each of which may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents. The polymer has a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level as measured by square wave voltammetry of no more than 5.30 eV from vacuum level. The polymer may be used as an electron donor in an organic photodetector.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a test nucleotide comprises a base complementary to the next base of a template strand immediately downstream of a primer in a primed template nucleic acid molecule is described. The method comprises the use of a marked nucleotide comprising a test nucleotide conjugated to a light emitting marker by a linker.

Abstract: A gas sensor apparatus (100) comprising a gas inlet (10); a first gas sensor (40); a first gas flow path between the inlet and the gas sensor; a humidifier (20) disposed between the gas inlet and the gas sensor in the first gas flow path of the gas sensor apparatus; and a dehumidifier (30) disposed between the humidifier and the first gas sensor in the first gas flow path. The gas sensor apparatus may have more than one gas flow path. The gas sensor apparatus may contain more than one sensor. The gas sensor apparatus may contain one or more filters for filtering a target gas or a non-target gas. The gas sensor apparatus may be used in detection of ethylene and/or 1-methylcyclopropene.

Abstract: A conjugated light-emitting polymer comprising a host repeat unit and an intermediate repeat unit in a backbone of the conjugated light emitting polymer, and an emissive unit. The host repeat unit has a wider band gap than the intermediate unit. The intermediate repeat unit has a wider band gap than the emissive unit. The emissive unit is either: an emissive repeat unit of a block copolymer wherein the block copolymer comprises a first block comprising the intermediate repeat unit and the emissive repeat unit and a second block comprising the host repeat unit; a substituent of a proportion of the host repeat units and at least some of the host repeat units substituted with an emissive unit are arranged directly adjacent to an intermediate repeat unit; a substituent of a proportion of the intermediate repeat units; or a repeat unit in the backbone of the conjugated polymer and is arranged directly adjacent to the intermediate repeat unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a presence, a concentration or a change in concentration of a target material in an environment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises first and second sensors configured to respond to the target material. The apparatus further comprises a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the environment, and a valve assembly having a first and second configuration. In the first configuration, the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with only the first sensor. In the second configuration, the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A light-emitting polymer comprising a repeat unit of formula (I): R1-R4 are each independently H or a substituent; and Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently an aromatic or heteroaromatic group selected from formulae (IIa) and (IIb): The polymer may be formed from a non-luminescent or weakly luminescent monomer.

Abstract: A method of identifying a target analyte in a sample containing a light-emitting marker configured to bind to the target analyte and detecting emission from the light-emitting marker. The light-emitting marker comprises a light-emitting polymer comprising a repeat unit of formula (I).

Abstract: A target analyte in a sample may be identified using a light-emitting ting marker is irradiated and emission from the sample at an emission wavelength of the light-emitting marker is detected. The method may be flow cytometry. The light-emitting marker comprises a light-emitting polymer comprising an electron-accepting repeat unit of formula (I) and an electron-donating repeat unit: (I) R1 and R2 independently in each occurrence is H or a substituent and X in each occurrence is dependently a substituent. The light-emitting marker may be a particulate light-emitting marker comprising particles containing the light-emitting polymer and a matrix material, e.g. silica.

Abstract: A polymer comprising an electron-donating repeat unit of formula (I) and an electron-accepting repeat unit: -(A)n- (I) wherein A in each occurrence is independently a group of formula (II): Y in each occurrence is independently O or S. Z is O, S or NR3 wherein R3 is H or a substituent. R1 in each occurrence is independently H or a substituent. R2 in each occurrence is independently a substituent, n is at least 2. The polymer may be used as an electron-donating polymer in combination with an electron-accepting material in a bulk heterojunction layer of an organic photodetector.

Abstract: A method of identifying a target analyte in which a sample containing a light-emitting marker configured to bind to the target analyte is irradiated and emission from the light-emitting marker is detected. The light-emitting marker comprises a light-emitting material comprising a group of formula (I): X is one of N and B and Y is the other of N and B; Ar1 and Ar2 independently are an unsubstituted or substituted an aromatic or heteroaromatic group which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents. Ar1 and Ar2 bound to the same X group may be linked by a direct bond or a divalent group. The group of formula (I) may be a repeat unit of a light-emitting polymer. The light-emitting marker may be used in flow cytometry.

Abstract: A method of determining a presence, concentration or change in concentration of a first or second material in an environment is disclosed. The method comprises measuring a response of a first sensor to the first and second material, wherein the first sensor is one of a metal oxide sensor, an electrochemical sensor, a photoionisation sensor, an infrared sensor, a pellistor sensor, an optical particle monitor, a quartz crystal microbalance sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, a cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor, or a biosensor. The method further comprises measuring a response of a second sensor to the first and second material, wherein the second sensor is another one of a metal oxide sensor, an electrochemical sensor, a photoionisation sensor, an infrared sensor, a pellistor sensor, an optical particle monitor, a quartz crystal microbalance sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, a cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor, a biosensor or a field effect transistor sensor.

Abstract: A composition comprising an electron-donating polymer and an electron acceptor wherein the electron-donating polymer comprises a benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b?]dithiophene repeat unit and wherein a film of the electron-accepting material has a peak absorption wavelength greater than 1000 nm. The composition may be used as a photosensitive layer of an organic photodetector.

Abstract: A light-emitting particle comprising a core comprising a matrix material and a light-emitting system comprising a polymer and a shell layer comprising an inorganic oxide in contact with and surrounding the core.

Abstract: A material comprising an electron-accepting unit of formula (I): wherein Ar1 and Ar2 independently is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or is absent; and each X is independently H or a substituent with the proviso that at least one X is an electron-withdrawing group and wherein X groups bound to adjacent carbon atoms may be linked to form an electron-withdrawing group. The material further comprises an electron-donating unit D comprising a fused or unfused furan or thiophene. The material may be a polymer comprising repeat units of formula (I). The material may be a non-polymeric compound. An organic photodetector may contain a bulk heterojunction layer containing an electron acceptor or an electron donor wherein at least one of the electron acceptor and electron donor contains a unit of formula (I).

Abstract: A composition comprising a first organic electron donor material having an absorption maximum greater than 900 nm; a second organic electron donor material having an absorption maximum at a shorter wavelength than the first organic electron donor material; and an organic electron acceptor material. The composition may be used in an organic photodetector.

Abstract: A light-emitting particle comprising a core and a composite shell layer in contact with and surrounding the core wherein the composite shell layer comprises silica and a light-emitting polymer distributed across the thickness of the composite shell layer.