COURSES

Goals

Goals: - understanding the principle of operation of optical chemical sensors with an understanding of all involved components (indicators, polymers, immobilization methods, optical fibers, etc.), - interpretation of sensor characteristics (e.g. working range, limit of detection, response time, reversibility, selectivity, sensitivity) and understanding the importance of the validation of a newly prepared sensor, - knowledge of different materials for the preparation of nanosensors’ receptors, - knowledge of optical chemical sensors’ different fields of application. Competencies: - selection of appropriate components for the optical sensor used for the determination of a selected analyte, - consideration of all possible interfering signals in the determination of the analyte, - evaluation of the optical sensor with respect to sensor characteristics, and validation in comparison with the reference method, - collection and interpretation of results, preparation of reports on the experiments.

Curriculum

Chemical sensors in general and analytical aspects of sensors, the importance of using fiber optic chemical sensors and the advantages and disadvantages in comparison with electrochemical sensors and other classical analytical methods (e.g. chromatographic methods, atomic absorption, mass spectrometry). Constituent components of an optical chemical sensor (indicators, polymers, optical fibers) with emphasis on sensor’s receptor part; optical properties and measurement of analytical signals (spectroscopic methods). Use of optical sensors in different areas – environment, safety and protection, sports, medicine, smart textiles, etc., and for the determination of a variety of chemical and physical parameters. Trends in the preparation of nano-sensors and nano-size effects on the sensor’s characteristics. Individual in-depth analysis related to the issues of the student's doctoral thesis.