The use of chiral nematic thin films containing responsive dopants as time-integrating sensors
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Chiral nematic thin films containing responsive dopants have previously been
considered as sensors and dosimeters. Some systems have been developed, with
mixed results. The investigation so far has been piecemeal, with little attention
paid towards understanding the properties that govern how these sensors operate.
By carefully considering these properties, we believe that it is possible to predict
the effectiveness of a sensor, and therefore a framework can be established which
would allow only sensors with significant potential to be investigated.
The applications of a variety of chiral nematic thin films incorporating responsive
dopants is modelled and then investigated experimentally. The systems
chosen for investigation were selected using the criteria of commercial potential
and synthetic simplicity. In each case it was found that the behaviour of these
systems could be predicted well from simple experimental data.
The systems chosen for investigation were judged on the basis of two key
criteria:
They must be systems that deal with a target that is of commercial interest,
so that performance expectations for ‘real-life’ applications can be given at
the start of the research process.
They must be manufactured only using materials and processes that are
commercially available.
These limitations were chosen to highlight the conditions under which such a
model would be expected to operate.
In this work, a successful model that predicts sensors behaviour from basic
experimental information was developed and shown to match well with experimental
results. In the process, three new sensing systems were developed, all with
potential commercial significance. Additionally, some observations regarding the
methods of operation which are most likely to result in high sensitivity and low
cross-sensitivity have been made.
Authors
Cachelin, PascalCollections
- Theses [4114]