Abstract:
A sensor comprising a light source (103); a photodetector (105); a sample receptacle such as a microfluidic device (101) between the light source and the photodetector; and one or both of a first light filter (107) and a second light filter (109) wherein the first light filter is provided between the sample receptacle and the photodetector and the second light filter is provided between the sample receptacle and the light source. The first light filter may comprise tartrazine. The second light filter may comprise Coomassie violet R200, Victoria Blue B or acid fuchsin. In use, light hν1 emitted from the light source is absorbed by a luminescent indicator in the sample receptacle which then emits light hν2 detected by the photodetector.
Abstract:
A method of measuring a concentration of a target analyte (17) using an enzyme linked assay is described. The enzyme linked assay is conducted using a fluidic device (1) including one or more flow cells (2). Each flow cell (2) includes a channel (7) and at least two ports (8a, 8b) in fluid communication with the channel (7). At least one internal surface (9) of each channel (7) is functionalised with a capture molecule (10) which enables functionalising the flow cell (2) using an enzyme linked assay applied to a sample (12). The capture molecules will immobilise complexes of enzyme molecules bound to target analyte. The fluidic device (1) also includes a photodiode (3) corresponding to each flow cell (2) and arranged to receive light (11) from the corresponding flow cell (2). Each photodiode (3) is attached to the corresponding flow cell (2) or each photodiode (3) is integrally formed with the corresponding flow cell (2). The method includes, for a flow cell (2) of the fluidic device (1), functionalising the flow cell (2) using an enzyme linked assay applied to a sample (12), such that in response to the sample (12) contains the target analyte (17), the flow cell (2) will become functionalised with an immobilised concentration (21) of enzyme molecules (15) bound to the target analyte (21). The method also includes, for each flow cell (2), introducing a substrate (23) to the flow cell. The substrate (23) is convertible into a reporting substance (24) by the enzyme molecules (15). The method also includes recording, using the photodiode (3) corresponding to the flow cell (2), a time series (3) of measured values corresponding to an optical property of the flow cell (2) which depends on a concentration of the reporting substance (24). The method also includes determining a first time point (t 1 ) corresponding to the introduction of the substrate (23) to the flow cell (2). The method also includes determining a second time point (t 2 ) corresponding to an endpoint of linear kinetics for the conversion of substrate (23) into reporting substance (24). The method also includes estimating, based on the measured values obtained between the first and second time points (t 1 , t 2 ), a concentration of the target analyte (17) in the sample.
Abstract:
Fluorescence-based sensors having favourably low detection limits and high sensitivity are disclosed. The sensors comprise one or more solution processable colour filters that are used together with organic LEDs and photodiodes. The colour filters are used to narrow the wavelength range of the OLED emission and/or to reject any light from reaching the photodiode which is not from analyte fluorescence, thereby enhancing the device sensitivity.
Abstract:
A light emitting device includes an organic electroluminescent material having a glass transition temperature substantially at or below an intended normal operation temperature of the device. A method for regenerating an organic light emitting device by heating an electroluminescent layer to a temperature substantially equal to or above its glass transition temperature is also described. This provides a means and method for regenerating a degraded emitter in use.
Abstract:
Fluorescence-based sensors having favourably low detection limits and high sensitivity are disclosed. The sensors comprise one or more solution processable colour filters that are used together with organic LEDs and photodiodes. The colour filters are used to narrow the wavelength range of the OLED emission and/or to reject any light from reaching the photodiode which is not from analyte fluorescence, thereby enhancing the device sensitivity.