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Advanced sensor technology
trends in analytical chemistry, vol. 11, no. 5,1992
IV
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Advanced sensor technology New classes of sensors are emerging out of the research stage onto the marketplace. According to Frost & Sullivan’s new 193-page technology impact report, “Advanced Sensors” (#TO57), they will pose some competitive threats to established products, but will create more opportunities. None of the sensors analyzed in the study has yet been widely commercialized; but several will soon be making a market impact and will contribute significantly to the US$40 billion global sensor market forecast for the year 2000. The 1991 global market was approximately US$15-18 billion. Seven classes of sensors are examined in the study: (1) integrated optical sensors; (2) organic film gas sensors; (3) superconducting sensors; (4) smart chemical sensor arrays; (5) advanced biosensors; (6) advanced silicon sensors; (7) CHEMFET (Chemical Field-Effect Transistor) sensors. Smart chemical sensor arrays are one of the seven whose technological impact on the marketplace is imminent. These devices feature a number of different chemical (gas or liquid) sensors on a single structure, coupled with micropro cessor-based signal conditioning and software. With 20 or more sensors in some arrays, much better selectivity is possible. Toxic gas detection and pollution monitoring are among the anticipated applications. Many initial applications are new and will not dis-
Views and opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher or the Editors. No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.
place established technologies. Frost & Sullivan estimates a market of 3,000 units per annum in Western Europe by 1996. Superconducting sensors, by contrast, are still very much in the research stage. There will be some limited commercialization over the next five years, but no significant market impact for another ten years. Current sensory research mainly involves fabrication of superconducting interference devices quantum (SQUIDS), essentially high sensitivity Some conventional magnetometers. SQUIDS will certainly be replaced within the foreseeable future by devices now under development. Frost & Sullivan estimates a global biosensor market of US$350 million by 1996. Advanced biosensors (optical and silicon) will exert a market impact by 1996 and threaten some “first generation” biosensors. Advanced silicon sensors - ranging from silicon tactile sensors (useful in robotics) to silicon microphones - will also threaten some established sensors, including some conventional silicon sensors as well as electromechanical sensors. They will also present considerable opportunities, especially for companies already involved with silicon sensor technology. The global market is estimated at tens of millions of units per annum by 1996. The price of report #TO57 is $1.500.
ANABIOTEC ‘92 From September 21-23, the fourth international symposium on analytical methods, systems and strategies in Biowill be held in technology Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands. In this meeting, analysis in biotechnology is highlighted. The two main pillars of the scientific colonnade in analysis in biotechnology are: “what is the role of instrumental analysis in biotechnology” and “how is biotechnology developing
..
its own analytical tools”. This symposium aims to strengthen the bridge between analytical chemistry with its multitude of analytical tools and biotechnology with its increasing need for more insight into parameters governing bioprocesses. The first ANABIOTEC symposium was especially aimed at fermentation control. Since then this field has developed its own analytical tools and systems, leading inter alia to biosensor systems. These developments have been expressed in the symposium series. The increases in the relative contributions of the subjects biosensors (13 to 21%) and antibodies/rDNA (6 to 15%) have been at the expense of instrumental analysis (a decrease from 76 to 52%). This of course does not imply that instrumental analysis is becoming of lesser importance but only emphasises the developments as described above. Three main topics were chosen to present the ongoing developments at the forthcoming meeting: The first covers “instrumental analysis and new developments”: HPLC. in combination with sample preparation and newly developed columns, spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, IR and MS, and the rapidly developing FL4 systems will be highlighted. The second topic is “biodetection and biorecognition”. The sensitivity and selectivity of both antibodies and DNA probes, the latter in combination with the Polymerase Chain Reaction, offer great opportunities. Biosensors will also be covered, both from the applied and fundamental approaches, the latter insofar as they support the former. The third topic covers how and where the new developments can be used. As the outcome of modem biotechnology can imply a potential new type of hazard to the environment, this aspect will also be highlighted. Other important issues in analysis in biotechnology to be covered are: separation techniques (CZE and FFF), the use of kinetic methods, glycobiology, protein engineering and animal/plant cell biotechnology. CEES VAN DUK Chairman ANABIOTEC’92
IV
in the news :.::::.
.:.&:‘y,::.:.:
..
“..~.:.:.:~:~:...~ .........
:::::
:.:::::,
il :,:.
,.;y,,y
.: .,
Advanced sensor technology New classes of sensors are emerging out of the research stage onto the marketplace. According to Frost & Sullivan’s new 193-page technology impact report, “Advanced Sensors” (#TO57), they will pose some competitive threats to established products, but will create more opportunities. None of the sensors analyzed in the study has yet been widely commercialized; but several will soon be making a market impact and will contribute significantly to the US$40 billion global sensor market forecast for the year 2000. The 1991 global market was approximately US$15-18 billion. Seven classes of sensors are examined in the study: (1) integrated optical sensors; (2) organic film gas sensors; (3) superconducting sensors; (4) smart chemical sensor arrays; (5) advanced biosensors; (6) advanced silicon sensors; (7) CHEMFET (Chemical Field-Effect Transistor) sensors. Smart chemical sensor arrays are one of the seven whose technological impact on the marketplace is imminent. These devices feature a number of different chemical (gas or liquid) sensors on a single structure, coupled with micropro cessor-based signal conditioning and software. With 20 or more sensors in some arrays, much better selectivity is possible. Toxic gas detection and pollution monitoring are among the anticipated applications. Many initial applications are new and will not dis-
Views and opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher or the Editors. No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.
place established technologies. Frost & Sullivan estimates a market of 3,000 units per annum in Western Europe by 1996. Superconducting sensors, by contrast, are still very much in the research stage. There will be some limited commercialization over the next five years, but no significant market impact for another ten years. Current sensory research mainly involves fabrication of superconducting interference devices quantum (SQUIDS), essentially high sensitivity Some conventional magnetometers. SQUIDS will certainly be replaced within the foreseeable future by devices now under development. Frost & Sullivan estimates a global biosensor market of US$350 million by 1996. Advanced biosensors (optical and silicon) will exert a market impact by 1996 and threaten some “first generation” biosensors. Advanced silicon sensors - ranging from silicon tactile sensors (useful in robotics) to silicon microphones - will also threaten some established sensors, including some conventional silicon sensors as well as electromechanical sensors. They will also present considerable opportunities, especially for companies already involved with silicon sensor technology. The global market is estimated at tens of millions of units per annum by 1996. The price of report #TO57 is $1.500.
ANABIOTEC ‘92 From September 21-23, the fourth international symposium on analytical methods, systems and strategies in Biowill be held in technology Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands. In this meeting, analysis in biotechnology is highlighted. The two main pillars of the scientific colonnade in analysis in biotechnology are: “what is the role of instrumental analysis in biotechnology” and “how is biotechnology developing
..
its own analytical tools”. This symposium aims to strengthen the bridge between analytical chemistry with its multitude of analytical tools and biotechnology with its increasing need for more insight into parameters governing bioprocesses. The first ANABIOTEC symposium was especially aimed at fermentation control. Since then this field has developed its own analytical tools and systems, leading inter alia to biosensor systems. These developments have been expressed in the symposium series. The increases in the relative contributions of the subjects biosensors (13 to 21%) and antibodies/rDNA (6 to 15%) have been at the expense of instrumental analysis (a decrease from 76 to 52%). This of course does not imply that instrumental analysis is becoming of lesser importance but only emphasises the developments as described above. Three main topics were chosen to present the ongoing developments at the forthcoming meeting: The first covers “instrumental analysis and new developments”: HPLC. in combination with sample preparation and newly developed columns, spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, IR and MS, and the rapidly developing FL4 systems will be highlighted. The second topic is “biodetection and biorecognition”. The sensitivity and selectivity of both antibodies and DNA probes, the latter in combination with the Polymerase Chain Reaction, offer great opportunities. Biosensors will also be covered, both from the applied and fundamental approaches, the latter insofar as they support the former. The third topic covers how and where the new developments can be used. As the outcome of modem biotechnology can imply a potential new type of hazard to the environment, this aspect will also be highlighted. Other important issues in analysis in biotechnology to be covered are: separation techniques (CZE and FFF), the use of kinetic methods, glycobiology, protein engineering and animal/plant cell biotechnology. CEES VAN DUK Chairman ANABIOTEC’92