Abstract: A method of detecting chlorate in soil includes contacting soil wetted with a solvent containing an electrically conductive salt with an electrode comprising layers of vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate alternating with layers of para-rosaniline, and performing voltammetry with the electrode, wherein a catalytic reduction current indicates a likelihood of the presence or absence of chlorate in the soil. A system includes a potentiostat operably connected to the electrode and in communication with hardware and software sufficient to produce an output indicating a chlorate level in soil.

Abstract: A method of detecting chlorate in soil includes contacting soil wetted with a solvent containing an electrically conductive salt with an electrode comprising layers of vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate alternating with layers of para-rosaniline, and performing voltammetry with the electrode, wherein a catalytic reduction current indicates a likelihood of the presence or absence of chlorate in the soil. A system includes a potentiostat operably connected to the electrode and in communication with hardware and software sufficient to produce an output indicating a chlorate level in soil.

Abstract: A method of detecting chlorate in soil includes contacting soil wetted with a solvent containing an electrically conductive salt with an electrode comprising layers of vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate alternating with layers of para-rosaniline, and performing voltammetry with the electrode, wherein a catalytic reduction current indicates a likelihood of the presence or absence of chlorate in the soil. A system includes a potentiostat operably connected to the electrode and in communication with hardware and software sufficient to produce an output indicating a chlorate level in soil.

Abstract: A method of detecting chlorate in soil includes contacting soil wetted with a solvent containing an electrically conductive salt with an electrode comprising layers of vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate alternating with layers of para-rosaniline, and performing voltammetry with the electrode, wherein a catalytic reduction current indicates a likelihood of the presence or absence of chlorate in the soil. A system includes a potentiostat operably connected to the electrode and in communication with hardware and software sufficient to produce an output indicating a chlorate level in soil.

Abstract: Irradiating, with ultraviolet light, surfaces which contain thiol groups, epoxy groups, or vicinal diol groups, results in surfaces which exhibit a reduced adsorption of biomolecules. In the case of surfaces having thiol groups such irradiation also results in a reduced capacity for the bonding of heterobifunctional crosslinking reagents. Such irradiation may be carried out in a patternwise fashion to obtain patterned surfaces.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention relates to a method of rapid detection and identification of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae and fungi. The method involves staining all microorganisms or fragments thereof in a sample. The stained sample is introduced onto an optical waveguide coated with a capture molecule specific for the microorganism of interest, and the bound microorganism or fragment thereof is then optically detected. For example, detection of B. anthracis and Salmonella was achieved in times of approximately one minute. The sensitivity of this method is on the order of about 3 cells/.mu.l.

Abstract: Irradiating, with ultraviolet light, surfaces which contain thiol groups, epoxy groups, or vicinal diol groups, results in surfaces which exhibit a reduced adsorption of biomolecules. In the case of surfaces having thiol groups such irradiation also results in a reduced capacity for the bonding of heterobifunctional crosslinking reagents. Such irradiation may be carried out in a patternwise fashion to obtain patterned surfaces.

Abstract: Active agents such as proteins are covalently immobilized on substrates carrying hydroxyl groups. A silane is bound to the substrate and coupled to a heterobifunctional crosslinker at one functional group leaving a free functional group, different than the first group, to which a protein is bound while retaining high protein functionality. Preferably, the silane has a functional group which reacts with the hydroxyl group of the substrate and a thiol terminal group which reacts with a functional group of a heterobifunctional crosslinking agent which contains a succinimide group that reacts with an amino group of the active agent. Bound active agents such as proteins are useful as biosensors or reactants in a variety of applications including bioassays.