Dendrimers: multidimensional sensors (2009-2011)

Organic semiconducting materials have been explored primarily for electronic and optoelectronic applications such as light-emitting diodes, solar cells and plastic electronics. In this multidisciplinary program we aim to take light-emitting dendrimers into a new technology area, namely sensors and in particular the sensing of explosive analytes. We will investigate the fundamental chemical, physical, and photophysical properties required for the sensitive, selective, and rapid response to analytes. In addition, will also develop new sensing prototype structures and sensing protocols and hence the project will not only generate significant fundamental understanding of sensing processes but also have an applied outcome.