10N Analyst, January 1994, Vol. I I9 Conference Reports EIRELEC ‘93-Electrochemistry to the Year 2000, Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland, September 11-15, 1993 particles, was then discussed by Dr. Fernando Silva. This closed the section on electrochemical methodology. The session on electrochemical sensors began with Profes- sor Joseph Wang who took the audience on a guided tour of sensing technology relevant to environmental and medical applications. A battery-operated sensor for lead showed the proximity of this technology to the market-place. The theme continued with Professor Gordon Wallace, who described how conducting electroactive polymers could be used in the development of sensing systems to investigate the determination of various species such as phosphate and nitrate ions, proteins and chloramines.L to R: Professor Alan Bard, Professor David Williams and Craig Marvin The conference was held in the beautiful surroundings of Adare village, close to Limerick, in the south-west of Ireland. The subject matter was very broad and was split into three main sections: electrochemical methodology, sensors and technology. The underlying theme of the meeting was ‘Electrochemistry to the Year 2000’. Each speaker was asked to give their views on which direction electrochemistry should be taking with the approach of the 21st century. Dr. Dermot Diamond initiated the meeting with some traditional Irish fiddle music before the conference began in earnest. Dr. Allen Bard opened the methodology section with a very detailed breakdown of the scanning electrochemical microscope, which uses piezoelectric technology originally meant for scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), in the study of reaction kinetics and the probing of electrode films.Dr. Sheelagh Campbell then discussed the use of STM to image biological molecules including DNA, and specific retrovirus molecules such as HIV-1. Next, professor Andrew Hamnett showed how the constructive combination of ellipsometry and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) could be used to gain information on the mechanism of film formation and their subsequent behaviour. Dr. Maher Kalaji followed by presenting some preliminary data using SNIFTIRS to investigate structural changes during the redox switching of poly(ani1ine). Molecular modelling images were then used to rationalize the observed effects.The first evening’s entertainment took the form of a mixer, which is to say that both Murphy’s and Jameson’s Irish whiskey were mixed in large quantities by the delegates. Day two began with Dr. David Williams’ talk on electro- chemical imaging of electrode/electrolyte surfaces by means of the scanning laser microscope. Images obtained are a function of the electrode, and not of its topography or composition. Dermot Diamond showed how the use of sensor arrays in flow injection can greatly increase the precision and accuracy of experimental data compared with single electrodes. Refer- ence was made to the sensing of potassium and ammonium ions by neutral ionophores. The use of anodic stripping voltammetry in the determina- tion of metal ions at trace levels, in the presence of suspended L to R: Dr.Robert O’Neill, Dr. Dermot Diamond and Professor Joseph Wang enjoying the free Jamesons and Murphys in the Hotel bar The last presentation of the second day saw Dr. Robert O’Neill present results for the investigation of brain extracel- Mar uric acid detected using in vivo probes. The concentra- tion was shown to be related to the size of probe used. On the second evening most delegates attended the Irish gala night whereupon they were treated to the delights of traditional harp playing as an accompaniment to the magnificent Irish cuisine. This was followed by an impromptu guest appearance, in the bar of course, by Gordon Wallace who showed that not all Australians sing as badly as Jason Donovan and look like Rolf H a n i s - o r do they? The third day opened with Professor Phil Bartlett’s talk entitled ‘Enzymes, Electrons, and Electrodes 11-Biology Bites Back’.This discussion dealt with the problems associated with the incorporation of biological molecules into sensor structures. Next, a novel amperometric transducer for biosensor design, based on the IiquidAiquid interface, was presented by Dr. Hubert Girault. The enzymic reactions of urease and11N Analyst, January 1994, Vol. 11 9 ~ ~~ Professor Gordon Wallace (or is it Rolf Harris) providing the entertainment towards the end of the evening butyrylcholinesterase were studied using assisted-ion and ion transfer reactions, respectively, as the mode of sensing.The subject of electrochemical technology was first dis- cussed by the sage, Dr. David Schiffrin. In his talk, he gave a cartoon-assisted overview of potential applications for the combination of optical methods with electrochemistry, the emphasis being on the development of new types of sensors constructed by silicon etching techniques. This rounded off day three of the conference which was followed by an excursion into the Irish countryside. Some of those already much the worse for wear found the Irish roads a bit too bumpy for comfort. The final day of the meeting continued the theme of electrochemical technology. Dr. John Bockris spoke on ‘The Electrochemistry of Cleaner Environments’ in which he described the application of electrochemistry to such diverse problems as the disposal of human waste on the Space Shuttle and the removal of iron staining from soil in Silicon Valley in the USA.Dr. Frank Walsh then discussed the design of reactors for electrochemical synthesis and treatment of environmental wastes. Closing the session, and the meeting, Dr. Mike Lyons dealt with the subject of electrocatalysis using polymer-modified electrodes incorporating catalytic microparticles and electron transfer mediators. At the end of the four days, and from the various discussion sessions, the general opinion was that electrochemistry will play an increasingly prominent role in the advancement of technology towards the year 2000 and beyond. The authors look forward to Eirelec ’95, at the same venue, to see what progress has been made.P. D. Beattie M. D. Osborne International Symposium on Electroanalysis in Biomedical, Environmental and Industrial Sciences, April 20-23,1993, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK Dr. Arnold Fogg and Loughborough University of Technol- ogy again extended their hospitality and hosted the biannual conference on electroanalysis. A packed scientific and social programme awaited our morning arrival in Loughborough on Tuesday. In addition, the sports facilities were made available to those who could find time in their schedule. The varied scientific programme of 35 lectures and 35 posters included keynote lectures on: advanced electroana- lytical techniques versus AAS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS in environ- mental analysis (Dr. P. M. Bersier, Riehen, Switzerland), catalytic cathodic stripping voltammetry of elements in sea-water (Dr. C.M. G. van den Berg, Liverpool, UK), environmental applications of ion chromatography with ISE detectors (Professor A. K. Covington, Newcastle, UK) and switching kinetics of electroactive polymers (S. Briickenstein, Buffalo, USA). Professor J. D. R. Thomas (Cardiff, UK) gave an extensive tour of his work over many years in the field of ion-selective electrodes. Electrodes which utilize liquid ion exchangers, acrylic pol yether and crown ether type electrodes were briefly discussed before moving along to talk of electrodes in which the membranes are fabricated by enzyme immobilization on nylon. Professor Thomas closed by describ- ing the modelling of these electrodes in a flow system for the detection of enzyme inhibitors, which he hopes to adapt to determine pesticide residues.Along the theme of immobilized enzymes, Professor P. N. Bartlett (Southampton, UK) gave an introduction to the uses of electropolymerization, entrapped enzymes and their kinetic studies. The use of electropolymerization with enzymes grown across narrow gaps has been applied to novel responsive switching devices. Glucose sensors were reported using both this method and more conventional electropolymerized poly- (phenol) films. Professor A. R. Hillman (Leicester, UK) discussed dynamic separation of mobile species transfer processes at polymer modified electrodes using the electro- chemical quartz crystal microbalance. In the final keynote lecture Professor M. R. Smyth (Dublin, Ireland) reviewed his recent work on microelectrode flow cells which have been used in LC-EC for the determination of salbutamol and terbutaline in plasma.This detector has been subsequently developed in conjunction with Luntes’ group (Kansas Univer- sity) for CE studies of microdialysis samples. Novel work on chemically, polymer and biologically modified electrodes was also reviewed before recent research results were discussed. Finally, three electrode systems were detailed: an osmium containing redox polymer modified carbon fibre microelec- trode , a poly(pyrro1e) modified microelectrode for anion detection in ion chromatography and lastly an enzyme bilayer polymeric microelectrode for glucose determination. In addition to the keynote lectures there were a wide12N Analyst, January 1994, Vol.119 variety of other interesting contributions to the programme. Dr. B. G. D. Haggett (Luton, UK) told of the modelling of the mechanistic aspects of microbial whole cell biosensors. The micro-organisms were physically entrapped between a mem- brane and the working electrode. Dr. Haggett described work carried out using an Anotec membrane which gives a rapid response. The membrane has a cross-section capillary like structure with a high density of uniform pores, which the microbial cells are unable to penetrate. The modelling of these devices for environmental monitoring of herbicides and toxic metals was discussed. Dr. R. 0. Ansell (Glasgow, UK) described the manufacture of Pt microelectrodes and their application to the determination of oxygen, ascorbic acid and pharmaceutical products.Dr. E. J. Watt (Birkbeck, UK) described a novel microelectrode array detector which was used in conjunction with rapid scan palsed amperometric techniques to improve analysis in flowing solutions. Compari- son of dopamine detection obtained by rapid scan techniques with conventional detection techniques showed improved qualitative analysis. Dr. J. W. Paynter (Birkbeck, UK) showed us how to predict gas sensor responses using basic molecular parameters and multi-regression analysis. Anodic voltammetric determination of water in acetone at Pt micro- electrodes was presented by Dr. Z. Stojek (Warsaw, Poland). Dr. H. P. Bennett0 (Kings, UK) described how to minimize interference of endogenous electroactive compounds by placing a pre-oxidizing device before the biosensor in a flow line used for on-line monitoring of extracellular levels of glucose and glutamate in the brain. In addition to the well organized symposium dinner on Thursday evening, an extremely interesting trip to the nearby museum of science and industrial history at Coalville was laid on for those interested in the local mining history of Leicestershire. The museum, built on the site of a disused mine, housed exhibitions of local history as well as a science park for children (where most of the delegates were seen to spend a fair amount of time!). Probably the most interesting item the guide pointed out to us on our tour of the old mines was a ‘hotline’ in the control room installed by the Post Office in the provision of the event of a nuclear holocaust for rapid evacuation of the mine for safety reasons! In summary, an interesting and informative four days were well spent in Loughborough. Amiel Farrington, Birkbeck College, London, UK