Abstract: A method for detection of a nerve agent in a sample, which method comprises (a) irradiating an optical sensing element, the optical sensing element comprising a fluorescent sensing compound provided on a substrate, and measuring the luminescence of the optical sensing element; wherein the fluorescent sensing compound comprises a combination of at least one electron acceptor moiety and, optionally, one or more electron donor moieties such that the electronic properties of the sensing compound are sufficient to enable a change in the luminescence of the sensing element in the presence of the nerve agent, and a moiety that influences solubility of the sensing compound in a solvent; (b) contacting the sample with the optical sensing element; (c) measuring the luminescence of the optical sensing element; and (d) determining whether the nerve agent is present in the sample based on the measurements obtained in steps (a) and (c).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for detecting a nerve agent in an analyte, said nerve agent having a phosphorus-fluorine bond, which method comprises: (a) contacting the analyte with a solid state composition comprising a sensor compound; wherein the sensor compound comprises a basic nitrogen atom and a hydroxyaryl moiety protected by a silyl protecting group; and wherein, in the presence of hydrogen fluoride, said silyl group is cleaved to effect deprotection of the hydroxyl group thus forming a luminescent reporter compound; (b) irradiating the solid state composition at a predetermined wavelength; (c) measuring the luminescence to determine if the reporter compound is present; and (d) determining whether the nerve agent is present in the analyte based on the measurement obtained in step (c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensing element for detection of a narcotic, the optical sensing element comprising a fluorescent sensing compound provided on a substrate, wherein emission of the fluorescent sensing compound is quenched in the presence of the narcotic, and wherein the fluorescent sensing compound is non-polymeric and comprises an electron donor moiety, an electron acceptor moiety and a moiety that influences solubility of the compound in a solvent. Sensing devices incorporating the sensing element and methods of detecting narcotics are also described.

Abstract: An optical sensing element for use in the detection of hydrogen peroxide includes a sensing compound provided as a coating on a substrate. The sensing compound, on exposure to hydrogen peroxide, forms a luminescent reporter compound when excited with stimulating radiation at a predetermined wavelength that the sensing compound does not absorb.

Abstract: A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensing element for detection of a narcotic, the optical sensing element comprising a fluorescent sensing compound provided on a substrate, wherein emission of the fluorescent sensing compound is quenched in the presence of the narcotic, and wherein the fluorescent sensing compound is non-polymeric and comprises an electron donor moiety, an electron acceptor moiety and a moiety that influences solubility of the compound in a solvent. Sensing devices incorporating the sensing element and methods of detecting narcotics are also described.

Abstract: An optical sensing element for use in the detection of hydrogen peroxide, the sensing element comprising a sensing compound provided as a coating on a substrate. The sensing compound, on exposure to hydrogen peroxide, forms a luminescent reporter compound when excited with stimulating radiation at a predetermined wavelength that the sensing compound does not absorb.

Abstract: A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A method of axially separating an annular system, such as a gas turbine engine (10), comprising first (34) and second (36) annular components. An annular array of fastenings (42) couples the first (34) and second (36) components together axially. The first (34) and second (36) components are supported by support tooling. The fastenings (42) are removed to leave one fastening (42) located on each side of the system. One of the remaining fastenings (42) is removed. The relative height of the first (34) and second (36) components is adjusted so that the apertures (46, 48) for the fastening (42) removed at the previous step are aligned. Then the final fastening (42) is removed.

Abstract: A method of axially separating an annular system, such as a gas turbine engine (10), comprising first (34) and second (36) annular components. An annular array of fastenings (42) couples the first (34) and second (36) components together axially. The first (34) and second (36) components are supported by support tooling. The fastenings (42) are removed to leave one fastening (42) located on each side of the system. One of the remaining fastenings (42) is removed. The relative height of the first (34) and second (36) components is adjusted so that the apertures (46, 48) for the fastening (42) removed at the previous step are aligned. Then the final fastening (42) is removed.

Abstract: A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A dendrimer of formula (I): [DENDRON1]x-CORE-[B-[X]b]a (I) wherein: CORE is a metal ion or a group containing a metal ion, or is a non-polymeric organic group; B is a phenyl ring; a is an integer of from 1 to 8; b is an integer of from 3 to 5; x is zero or an integer of from 1 to 7; each X is an aryl or heteroaryl ring, or is an at least partially conjugated dendritic molecular structure; each DENDRON1 is an at least partially conjugated dendritic molecular structure; and wherein the dendrimer further comprises one or more surface groups; with the proviso that where CORE is a non-metallic core, then X is an at least partially conjugated dendritic molecular structure comprising at least one linking group.

Abstract: The invention provides a dye-sensitized photovoltaic device which comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode; and, disposed between the first and second electrodes: an electron acceptor material which comprises a semiconductive metal oxide, a redox mediator material, and a photosensitizing dye which comprises a dendrimer of formula (I): [X]m-CORE-[[Y]p-[DENDRON]]n wherein n, m, p, CORE, DENDRON, X and Y are as defined herein. The invention further provides a photosensitizing dye which is a dendrimer of formula (I), and the use, as a photosensitizing dye in a dye-sensitized photovoltaic device, of a compound which is a dendrimer of formula (T). Novel dendrimers of formula (T) are also provided. Novel catechol-based compounds are also provided. The catechol-based compounds can be used together with the dendrimers of formula (T) as the photosensitizing dyes in a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A charge-neutral organometallic dendrimer is described, said dendrimer having the formula (I): CORE-[DENDRITE(-Q)a]n??(I) in which CORE represents a group of formula MXxYz, in which M represents a metal cation, x represents an integer of 1 or more, each X which may be the same or different represents a mono-, bi- or tri-dentate coordinating group, z represents 0 or an integer of 1 or more, and each Y which may be the same or different represents a coordinating group, the total of (b.x)+(c.

Abstract: Light emitting devices are described which incorporate, as the light emitting element, a dendrimer of which the constituent dendrons include a conjugated dendritic structure comprising aryl and/or heteroaryl groups connected to each other via bonds between sp2 hybridised ring atoms of said aryl or heteroaryl groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hat emitting device which comprises at least one layer that contains an organometallic dendrimer having a core comprising a metal cation. The invention also relates to organometallic dendrimers and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a cyclometallated complex comprising the structure of formula I wherein: M is a d-block transition metal; B is a five- or six-membered aryl or heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted and optionally fused to one or more other aryl or heteroaryl rings; A is a five- or six-membered heteroaryl ring comprising at least three nitrogen atoms; R1 is a group other than hydrogen; n is zero or an integer equal to or greater than one; and A and B are optionally fused or linked by one or more covalent bonds. The invention also provides the use of such complexes in optoelectronic devices, and in particular in organic light emitting devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds having formula (I): Scaffold-[L-(Antigen)t]y (I) wherein Antigen represents at least a portion of a target antigen for modulating an immune response; wherein t is 0 or an integer of at least 1; wherein y is at least 1; wherein the number of Antigens on the Scaffold is at least 2; wherein L is a linking group or a covalent bond, wherein when L is a covalent bond, the covalent bond is a single bond attached to a sp or sp2 hybridized atom of the Scaffold and when L is a linking group, the linking group is attached to the Scaffold through a single bond attached to a sp or sp2 hybridized atom; whereby the Scaffold is sufficiently rigid to maintain the relative position of the single bonds attached to sp or sp2 hybridized atoms. Further described are compositions containing the compounds and methods of using them.