Chemical microsensors ‐ a new approach for the detection of hazardous agrochemicals

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Abstract
A number of novel analytical devices are being pursued at the Naval Research Laboratory for potential application as very small, inexpensive and sensitive detectors of hazardous agricultural chemicals. Techniques are being investigated for both solution and gas phase analysis. The new detectors include surface acoustic wave devices, optical waveguides and interdigital electrode arrays coated with chemically sensitive organic semiconducting thin films. The organic semiconducting films can also be used in other devices such as chemically sensitive field‐effect transistors. Low cost and small size are achieved through the use of electronic planar microfabrication technology to construct the various sensing elements. Chemical sensitivity and specificity are achieved by developing chemical coatings for the different devices that have specific reactivity to selected chemicals. By combining the various sensors and coatings with integrated electronics and microprocessors small chemical detectors can be developed that are comparable in size and cost to pocket calculators.