Abstract: A passive temperature-sensing apparatus, which includes a capacitive sensing element that includes a capacitive sensing composition that includes a ferroelectric ceramic material that exhibits a measurable electrical Curie temperature that is below 30 degrees C. The capacitive sensing composition exhibits a negative slope of capacitance versus temperature over the temperature range of from 30 degrees C. to 150 degrees C.

Abstract: Methods for detecting moisture are described. The methods include sequential steps: (a) subjecting an article comprising a reversible moisture-indicating medium to steam sterilization in a steam sterilizer to produce a sterilized article; (b) subjecting the sterilized article to drying to reduce moisture in the sterilized article; (c) removing the sterilized article from the steam sterilizer; and (d) determining the level of moisture in the sterilized article after step (c) based on at least one property of the moisture-indicating medium.

Abstract: A method of using an absorptive sensor element includes: providing the absorptive sensor element, heating the absorptive sensor element to a temperature in a range of from 30° C. to 100° C., exposing the absorptive sensor element to an analyte vapor, and measuring a capacitance-related property of the absorptive sensor element and/or a spectral feature upon reflection of incident light. The absorptive sensor element comprises: a substrate, a first member disposed on the substrate, a second member, and a detection layer comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity disposed between and contacting the first member and the second member.

Abstract: Post-steam sterilization wet pack indicators are described. The indicators generally comprise a moisture-impermeable layer having a first surface and a moisture-indicating layer comprising a reversible colorimetric steam-sterilization-compatible moisture-indicating medium. The moisture-indicating layer is disposed on or near the first surface of the moisture-impermeable layer. The area of the moisture-indicating layer is dimensionally smaller than the moisture-impermeable layer such that the edges of the moisture-impermeable layer extend beyond the edges of the moisture-indicating layer. Articles and packages comprising wet pack indicators are also described.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor element includes a thin metallic layer, an optical construction disposed on the thin metallic layer for directing light to and away from the thin metallic layer, and an absorptive layer disposed on the thin metallic layer opposite the optical construction. The absorptive layer includes a polymer of intrinsic microporosity having an average pore volume of at least 0.4 cubic nanometers.

Abstract: Colorimetric moisture-indicating compositions comprising a modified moisture-indicating composition comprising (a) a moisture-indicating composition comprising (1) a solid support and (2) a bis(glyoxime)-transition metal complex bound to the solid support, and (b) a modifier comprising at least one hygroscopic salt are described. In some embodiments, the at least one hygroscopic salt is in physical contact with or in fluid communication with the moisture-indicating composition and comprises an anion the group comprising halide, nitrate, acetate, carbonate, and hydroxide; and a cation selected from the group comprising ammonium, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, and a transition metal. These color-imetric moisture-indicating compositions can be used to make a colorimetric relative humidity-indicating sensor. A method of adjusting the colorimetric response of a colorimetric moisture-indicating composition and a method of detecting moisture are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising: 1) a solid metal oxide support having surface hydroxyl groups; 2) a silyl-containing compound bound to the solid metal oxide support through a silanol bond with the surface hydroxyl groups; and 3) a bis(glyoxime)-transition metal complex bound to the solid metal oxide support. These compositions can be used to make a colorimetric relative humidity-indicating sensor. A method of adjusting the colorimetric response of a moisture-indicating composition and a method of detecting moisture are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic indicator includes artificial soil and sensor. An electrical characteristic of the electronic indicator can vary due to a change in the volume of the artificial soil. In some embodiments, the electrical characteristic of the electronic indicator can be measured by an electrical characteristic reader and used to determine efficacy of a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A method of using an absorptive sensor element includes: providing the absorptive sensor element, heating the absorptive sensor element to a temperature in a range of from 30° C. to 100° C., exposing the absorptive sensor element to an analyte vapor, and measuring a capacitance-related property of the absorptive sensor element and/or a spectral feature upon reflection of incident light. The absorptive sensor element comprises: a substrate, a first member disposed on the substrate, a second member, and a detection layer comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity disposed between and contacting the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A method for identifying and quantitatively analyzing an unknown organic compound in a gaseous medium. More specifically, the method provides a gas sensor array (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) coupled to a diluting channeling gas inlet (105) with a honeycomb configuration. Each sensor (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) in the array receives the test gas after successive dilutions. Detected gas are identified by correlating the responses of each sensor with its associated dilution.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor element includes a thin metallic layer, an optical construction disposed on the thin metallic layer for directing light to and away from the thin metallic layer, and an absorptive layer disposed on the thin metallic layer opposite the optical construction. The absorptive layer includes a polymer of intrinsic microporosity having an average pore volume of at least 0.4 cubic nanometers.

Abstract: Method of patterning a substrate are described including a method of providing a substrate comprising a metalized surface having a self-assembled monolayer patterned region and unpatterned region; and wet etching the metalized surface in a liquid etchant agitated with bubbling gas to remove metal from the unpatterned regions to form a metal pattern. Also described are metal patterned article including an article comprising a substrate and an etched microcontact printed metal pattern disposed on the substrate wherein the pattern has a thickness of at least 100 nanometers and a pattern feature uniformity of at least 50% for an area of at least 25 cm2.

Abstract: Methods of generating a reference correlation for use with an absorptive capacitance vapor sensor and calibration of the absorptive capacitance vapor sensor. An electronic article including the reference correlation and methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of using a sensor element includes: exposing a sensor element to an unknown analyte vapor; measuring a capacitance of the sensor element to obtain a measured capacitance; obtaining a true capacitance of the sensor element; exposing the semi-reflective conductive electrode to incident light and observing reflected light in order to measure a spectral change between the incident light and the reflected light; comparing the true capacitance and the measured spectral change, or at least one derivative thereof, to a reference library, the reference library comprising reference correlations between spectral change and true capacitance, or at least one derivative thereof, for a plurality of reference analyte vapors; and determining at least one of the chemical class or identity of the analyte vapor.

Abstract: Compositions that include bis(glyoxime)-transition metal complexes bound to metal oxide solid supports are provided. In some embodiments the compositions include nickel dimethylglyoxime and the metal oxide supports can be alumina or silica. These compositions can be used to make a colorimetric moisture-indicating sensor that changes visible reflection spectrum quantitatively and reversibly according to the amount of moisture in contact with the sensor. Also provided is a method of detecting moisture using the provided compositions.

Abstract: A sensor element includes a first conductive electrode having a first conductive member electrically coupled thereto; an absorptive dielectric layer comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity; and a second conductive electrode having a second conductive member electrically coupled thereto. The second conductive electrode comprises at least one noble metal, has a thickness of from 4 to 10 nanometers and is permeable to at least one organic vapor. The absorptive dielectric layer is at least partially disposed between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode. A method of making the sensor element, and sensor device containing it, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method of patterning a substrate are described including a method of providing a substrate comprising a metalized surface having a self-assembled monolayer patterned region and unpatterned region; and wet etching the metalized surface in a liquid etchant agitated with bubbling gas to remove metal from the unpatterned regions to form a metal pattern. Also described are metal patterned article including an article comprising a substrate and an etched microcontact printed metal pattern disposed on the substrate wherein the pattern has a thickness of at least 100 nanometers and a pattern feature uniformity of at least 50% for an area of at least 25 cm2.