Abstract: The present teaching relates to photo-responsive hydrogels comprising a copolymer comprising N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), a polymerisable derivative of benzospiropyran, a cross-linking agent and an acid, the acid having a pKa of less than 6, wherein the hydrogel is operably responsive to exposure to water so as to undergo spontaneous protonation and swelling. The photo-responsive hydrogels described can be used in the field of microfluidic platforms.

Abstract: A polymerizable boronic acid salt has the general structure (I): A+.X? (I) in which: A represents a quaternised ammonium boronic acid cation; and X represents an anion, wherein either A or X contains a free-radical polymerizable group. Diol-sensing hydrogels comprising a crosslinked polymeric matrix formed from the polymerizable boronic acid salt monomer are also described.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to photo-responsive hydrogels comprising a copolymer comprising N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), a polymerisable derivative of benzospiropyran, a cross-linking agent and an acid, the acid having a pKa of less than 6, wherein the hydrogel is operably responsive to exposure to water so as to undergo spontaneous protonation and swelling. The photo-responsive hydrogels described can be used in the field of microfluidic platforms.

Abstract: A photoresponsive ionogel comprising a photo-responsive polymer polymerised within an ionic liquid matrix is described. This solid-state electrolyte material maintains its ionic liquid characteristics but these characteristics can be altered upon irradiation of the gel with light of a particular wavelength. By suitably configuring the ionogel through the incorporation of specific ions within the gel it is possible to cause dramatic changes in properties of the ionogel such as viscosity, conductivity, acidity, basicity and polarity using light as the stimulus.

Abstract: A photoresponsive ionogel comprising a photo-responsive polymer polymerised within an ionic liquid matrix is described. This solid-state electrolyte material maintains its ionic liquid characteristics but these characteristics can be altered upon irradiation of the gel with light of a particular wavelength. By suitably configuring the ionogel through the incorporation of specific ions within the gel it is possible to cause dramatic changes in properties of the ionogel such as viscosity, conductivity, acidity, basicity and polarity using light as the stimulus.

Abstract: Photochromic materials, such as spiropyran dyes, are disclosed that can be used for high-density optical storage and molecular switches. According to the disclosure these compounds can be used as transducers in optical sensors. When the spiropyran dye absorbs UV light it switches to the merocyanine form, and this structure has an active binding site for cations. When cations bind to the site, the resulting colored complex has a new absorption band in the visible spectrum. By shining white or green light on the colored complex, the dye is reverted to the closed spiropyran form, and the cation is released. The disclosure optimizes the immobilization of the spiropyran dye onto a polymer substrate via long chain alkyl groups. These long chain alkyl linkers enable the dye to reversibly form the preferred merocyanine (2):(1) cation sandwich complex.

Abstract: A flow analysis apparatus is disclosed. The flow analysis apparatus has at least one wicking channel fluidically coupled to an absorbent pump. A wicking valve is fluidically coupled to the wicking channel to provide a fluidic connection to the sample source where opening the wicking valve allows the absorbent pump to cause liquid to flow down the wicking channel toward the absorbent pump. Other similar wicking valves can be added to provide functions such as calibration and reagent addition. A detection unit allows for analysis of the liquid as it flows down the wicking channel.

Abstract: A chemochromic sensor includes multiple bi-directional LEDs, each optically aligned with one or more test areas. Each LED is used as both a light emitter when driven in forward bias, and as a light detector when driven in reverse bias. By alternating the bias on the LEDs, multi-way light measurements of the test area can be obtained.

Abstract: A chemochromic sensor includes multiple bi-directional LEDs, each optically aligned with one or more test areas. Each LED is used as both a light emitter when driven in forward bias, and as a light detector when driven in reverse bias. By alternating the bias on the LEDs, multi-way light measurements of the test area can be obtained.

Abstract: New chromoionophores of the formula IV ##STR1## wherein a=0-3, b=0 or 1, c =0 or 1, x=0 or 1, y=0 or 1, z=0 or 1,R', which may be the same or different in each aryl group, is H, halogen, hydrocarbyl, aryl, hydrocarbylaryl or a substituted derivative thereof;R, which may be the same or different, is hydrocarbyl, aryl, hydrocarbylaryl, or a substituted derivative thereofare useful in optical sensors or colourmetric reagents for clinical use particularly for lithium, When complexed with lithium, the chromoionophores of the invention and other calixarene derivatives can be used for detecting amines, particularly trimethylamine, as an indicator of fish spoilage.

Abstract: An ion-selective polymeric membrane for an electrochemical sensor for use in analytical chemistry, comprisinga) a supporting matrix e.g. of PVC, andb) an ionophore selected from calixarene or oxacalixarene derivatives of the formula IV ##STR1## wherein n+m=3-8;m=0-8;n=0-8;a, which may be the same or different on each aryl group, is 0 or 1;R.sup.2 is alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, alkaryloxy, alicyclic, alkylthio, arylthio, alkarylthio, or a substituted derivative thereof;R.sup.3 is --H, alkyl or alkenyl;X is --OH or a group containing an acrylate or methacrylate functional group;provided that when X is --OH, n is at least 1/2(n+m);and provided that when m=0, n=4, a=0 and R.sup.3 is alkyl or allyl, R.sup.2 is not alkoxy having 4 or more carbon atoms in the alkyl group;and provided that when m=0, n=4, a=0 and R.sup.3 is t-butyl, R.sup.2 is not methoxy or ethoxy;or of the formula V ##STR2## wherein R.sup.