Analyst, June 1996, VoE. 121 89N Sensing a Better Future Advances in chemical and physical sensor technology will hold a key to a better future particularly in meeting the needs and demands of the population in health, environmental and related areas. In 1955, and with the support of the International Fund for Ireland, sensor research groups from across Ireland joined together to establish the Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre. The BEST Centre seeks to promote the growth of a strong biomedical and environmental sensor industry within Ireland and further afield through close collaboration between the participating research groups and industry. The worldwide market for sensors is significant and growing rapidly though it is highly diverse and fragmented. It encom- passes so called ‘smart’ sensors, biosensors, temperature sensors, chemical sensors to name but a few.There is a wide range of underlying technologies involved in the production of sensors, be -they for industrial, environmental or biomedical applications. These include: thick-film (foils, laminates, dipped, screen printed, etc.), thin-film (vacuum deposited, sol-gel, etc.), optoelectronic sensing, solid-state, ceramic (bulk), chemical, biochemical and other synthesized material technologies. The development of these and other technologies and collaboration between them is enabling major advances to be made in a wide range of sensor applications. Concerns over environmental protection issues, and the increasing number of pollution control regulations are stimu- lating sensor developments particularly in the energy manage- ment and pollution control sectors.It is also a growing market for biomedical sensors fuelled by, among other things, the demands of a more affluent and health conscious population. For example, for clinical applications the biosensor market is expected to grow at over 20% per annum. These and other dramatic changes in the sensor industry present a dynamic business opportunity for forward-thinking product manufact- urers. The BEST Centre is a multidisciplinary distributed research centre which brings together established research groups from four universities across Ireland. The Centre represents a partnership between: the Medical Electrodes and Thin-Film Devices groups at the Northern Ireland Bioengineering Centre, University of Ulster; the Biosensors, Chemical and Optical Fibre Sensors groups at the Sensors Technology Centre, Dublin City University; the Pharmaceutical Devices Group at the School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University; and the Thin-Film Devices and Chemical Sensors Group at the Advanced Sensors Research Unit, University of Limerick.The various research groups have already pioneered ad- vances in many areas. These include: World leading disposable ECG electrodes Novel electrically conducting bioadhesive film for sensor adhesion in wet environments Cardiac electrophysiological mapping and monitoring har- nesses for emergency, hospital and home use Solid-state planar technology gas sensors for domestic monitoring and emission control Optical sensors for gas and liquid monitoring systems Electrochemical sensors for nitrate, nitrite and NO, gases Biosensors based on ‘recognition’ molecules such as enzy- mes and novel antibody based technologies Since the establishment of the Centre many new research programmes and projects have been started and bpportunities to develop new families of sensor devices and new exploitable sensing technologies are being created by the diverse and complementary range of physical, biological and chemical science, engineering and medical skills now available.Recent advances include: 0 The further development of specialist gels which, unlike conventional systems, can adhere in wet conditions. These are currently used to painlessly connect monitoring elec- trodes to a baby’s head during birth in order to ensure the early detection of any distress.0 Enhancements to vital signs and biosignal monitoring systems through the addition of blood pressure, body temperature, oxymetry and other features to existing ECG monitors. 0 Bioadhesive ion-selective sensors for rapid diagnostic appli- cations, e.g., in diseases such as cystic fibrosis. A variety of optical, electrochemical and solid-state sensors for water and air quality monitoring in pollution related, personal safety and comfort applications. For further information please contact: Dr. William Montgomery, BEST Centre, University of Ulster; Tel: +44 1232 368922; Fax: +44 1232 366863; Email: W.J.Montgomery@ulst.ac.ukAnalyst, June 1996, VoE. 121 89N Sensing a Better Future Advances in chemical and physical sensor technology will hold a key to a better future particularly in meeting the needs and demands of the population in health, environmental and related areas.In 1955, and with the support of the International Fund for Ireland, sensor research groups from across Ireland joined together to establish the Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre. The BEST Centre seeks to promote the growth of a strong biomedical and environmental sensor industry within Ireland and further afield through close collaboration between the participating research groups and industry. The worldwide market for sensors is significant and growing rapidly though it is highly diverse and fragmented. It encom- passes so called ‘smart’ sensors, biosensors, temperature sensors, chemical sensors to name but a few.There is a wide range of underlying technologies involved in the production of sensors, be -they for industrial, environmental or biomedical applications. These include: thick-film (foils, laminates, dipped, screen printed, etc.), thin-film (vacuum deposited, sol-gel, etc.), optoelectronic sensing, solid-state, ceramic (bulk), chemical, biochemical and other synthesized material technologies. The development of these and other technologies and collaboration between them is enabling major advances to be made in a wide range of sensor applications. Concerns over environmental protection issues, and the increasing number of pollution control regulations are stimu- lating sensor developments particularly in the energy manage- ment and pollution control sectors.It is also a growing market for biomedical sensors fuelled by, among other things, the demands of a more affluent and health conscious population. For example, for clinical applications the biosensor market is expected to grow at over 20% per annum. These and other dramatic changes in the sensor industry present a dynamic business opportunity for forward-thinking product manufact- urers. The BEST Centre is a multidisciplinary distributed research centre which brings together established research groups from four universities across Ireland. The Centre represents a partnership between: the Medical Electrodes and Thin-Film Devices groups at the Northern Ireland Bioengineering Centre, University of Ulster; the Biosensors, Chemical and Optical Fibre Sensors groups at the Sensors Technology Centre, Dublin City University; the Pharmaceutical Devices Group at the School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University; and the Thin-Film Devices and Chemical Sensors Group at the Advanced Sensors Research Unit, University of Limerick.The various research groups have already pioneered ad- vances in many areas. These include: World leading disposable ECG electrodes Novel electrically conducting bioadhesive film for sensor adhesion in wet environments Cardiac electrophysiological mapping and monitoring har- nesses for emergency, hospital and home use Solid-state planar technology gas sensors for domestic monitoring and emission control Optical sensors for gas and liquid monitoring systems Electrochemical sensors for nitrate, nitrite and NO, gases Biosensors based on ‘recognition’ molecules such as enzy- mes and novel antibody based technologies Since the establishment of the Centre many new research programmes and projects have been started and bpportunities to develop new families of sensor devices and new exploitable sensing technologies are being created by the diverse and complementary range of physical, biological and chemical science, engineering and medical skills now available.Recent advances include: 0 The further development of specialist gels which, unlike conventional systems, can adhere in wet conditions. These are currently used to painlessly connect monitoring elec- trodes to a baby’s head during birth in order to ensure the early detection of any distress. 0 Enhancements to vital signs and biosignal monitoring systems through the addition of blood pressure, body temperature, oxymetry and other features to existing ECG monitors. 0 Bioadhesive ion-selective sensors for rapid diagnostic appli- cations, e.g., in diseases such as cystic fibrosis. A variety of optical, electrochemical and solid-state sensors for water and air quality monitoring in pollution related, personal safety and comfort applications. For further information please contact: Dr. William Montgomery, BEST Centre, University of Ulster; Tel: +44 1232 368922; Fax: +44 1232 366863; Email: W.J.Montgomery@ulst.ac.uk