TY - CONF A1 - Rurack, Knut T1 - Functional polymeric coatings for sensory applications N2 - The growing demand for the detection of relevant chemical compounds as close as possible to their point of origin—whether in industrial processes, for (civilian or military) security, or for environmental monitoring—has increased the importance of functional polymers with molecular recognition capabilities. These materials must meet practical requirements arising from very different real-world scenarios in which simple, robust, and field-deployable approaches are needed and in which bioanalytical binders often suffer significant performance losses. Polymer recognition matrices therefore serve as an essential complement to established laboratory-based analytical technologies. The realization of rapid and reliable onsite detection places specific demands on material design: polymeric recognition layers must be produced with minimal thickness, integrated onto suitable carrier media, and designed for both selectivity and operational robustness. This presentation will introduce our work on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) that have been specifically developed for the detection of relevant contaminants such as pesticides and perfluorinated compounds. Beyond these target analytes, the presentation will show how such polymer layers can support robust, sustainable diagnostic concepts, and it will outline generalizable design principles that enable their extension to a broad spectrum of analytical challenges. T2 - Institutskolloquium des Instituts für Chemie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 28.01.2026 KW - Functional organic materials KW - Responsive polymers KW - Sensing KW - Molecularly imprinted polymers PY - 2026 AN - OPUS4-65435 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Biyikal, Mustafa T1 - Handgerät für den mobilen Einsatz zur Detektion von Sprengstoffspuren N2 - Mithilfe des EXIST-Forschungstransfers wird ein tragbares und leicht zu bedienendes Handgerät auf der Basis von chemisch-optischen Sensoren entwickelt, welches kleinste Spuren von verschiedensten Sprengstoffen und Markern (z.B. TNT, C4, ANFO, TATP, DMDNB etc.) und reine Salze (z. B. Kaliumnitrat) sicher und ohne größere Querempfindlichkeiten detektieren kann. Das Gerät wurde in den letzten 10 Jahren bei der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) entwickelt und wird von der 2024 ausgegründeten Firma Noxoon GmbH in ein kommerzielles Gerät überführt. Die Vorteile des Handgeräts sind die hohe Selektivität, die hohe Sensitivität, die schnelle Detektion in wenigen Sekunden bis zur Ergebnisanzeige sowie der schnelle und das geringe Gewicht des Gerätes von 900 g. Neben den Vorteilen findet sich auch zahlreiche Alleinstellungsmerkmale in der Benutzung des Gerätes. So können z.B. - reine Salze - Sprengstoffe in Gegenwart von Wasser - Sprengstoffe und Drogen in versiegelten Briefumschlägen detektiert werden. Ein besonderes Alleinstellungsmerkmal ist, dass eine Reinigung des Handgeräts nach Messungen von stark kontaminierten Proben nicht notwendig ist. Für den deutschsprachigen bzw. europäischen Raum existiert noch kein vergleichbares Gerät. Das kommerzielle Gerät soll ab 2025 auf den Markt gebracht werden und wird einen wichtigen Beitrag zur öffentlichen Sicherheit und zum Umweltschutz leisten. T2 - BBK Fachkongress "Forschung für den Bevölkerungsschutz" CY - Bonn, Germany DA - 05.02.2025 KW - Explosivstoffe KW - Detektion KW - Handgerät PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-65031 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Prakash, Swayam T1 - Development of a Rapid and Sensitive Fluorometric Detection Method for Urobilin Analysis for On-site Water Quality Assessment N2 - The W.H.O. estimated that globally at least 2 billion people use drinking water sources contaminated with faeces and according to UNICEF, most of these faecal contaminants detection methods are expensive, time-consuming (18–24 h time to result), and, with few exceptions, not suited for on-site analysis. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of rapid analytical methods that allow to unequivocally assess drinking water quality directly on-site. Our approach exploits the weak fluorescence of faecal biomarkers such as urobilin (UB), which is enhanced through complexation with Zn2+ in alcoholic media and is the basis of their detection/estimation, known as Schlesinger’s test.3 However, this method is associated with limitations, as the fluorescence of Zn2+ complexes of UB in water is weak, shows time dependent loss of emission intensity and has strong interference from humic substances that naturally present in surface waters. , To circumvent these issues and achieve the rapid and sensitive on-site detection of FPs, silane-functionalized glass fibre paper test strips were developed following the ‘drop-&-detect’ concept. Drop casting of water samples containing faecal contaminants like UB on specifically functionalized test strips allowed the sensitive detection with a smartphone coupled to a 3D printed optical setup. A series of silanes were used to functionalize glass fibre paper and tune its hydrophobicity, exploiting the influence of matrix tailoring to enhance binding of the Zn2+ salt used as co-reagent to bind UB for optimal fluorometric response. A detection spot was designed by the combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silanes with ZnCl2-impregnated test strips. This developed analytical method showed sensitive (nano- and sub-nanomolar concentration) response for UB detection. Furthermore, it can be successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples, allowing for the first time to test for faecal contamination in fresh water directly on-site using a smartphone in only a few minutes, instead of >10 h required for the current standard, i.e., lab-based bacterial tests. T2 - 14th International Conference on Instrumental Methods of Analysis: Modern Trends and Applications CY - Kefalonia, Greece DA - 14.09.2025 KW - Faecal contamination KW - Fluorescence KW - Metal complexes KW - Water analysis KW - Optical and chemical sensing KW - Spectroscopy KW - Onsite analysis KW - Rapid testing PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64270 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Vinot, Romane T1 - A terpyridine-based fluorescent chemosensor for the selective detection of glyphosate and AMPA in water N2 - Detection of pesticide residues, anthropogenic and persistent environmental contaminants is a public health concern due to their association with various pathologies. Studies have shown a correlation between exposure to these residues in drinking water or food and neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune conditions, and cancers. In this context, detecting organic molecules such as glyphosate and its primary degradation product: AMPA, presents a significant challenge in sensor development. This is due to factors such as the molecules’ small size, pronounced polarity, and their variable ionic charge. However, fluorescent molecular sensors offer several advantages in terms of versatility, sensitivity, selectivity, response time and low cost. Terpyridine zinc complex derivatives show promise as selective detectors of glyphosate and AMPA due to their inherent specificity towards phosphate moieties4. These complexes are designed to modulate intramolecular charge transfer processes upon interaction with the phosphate moiety of AMPA or glyphosate. A novel series of terpyridine derivatives incorporating complexing moieties for both the phosphate and amine groups of AMPA and carboxylate group of Glyphosate were synthesised to target AMPA and Glyphosate (Figure 1). The absorbance and fluorescence signatures of the probe were investigated upon complexation with the analytes in MeOH/HEPES buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4, 9/1 v/v). The fluorescent sensor displayed high selectivity and sensitivity for glyphosate and AMPA, thanks to two measurements taken a few minutes apart. The detection limit of the sensor for Glyphosate in fluorescence was calculated at 0.14 μM. T2 - Journées Annuelles 2025 de la Subdivision Photochimie, Photophysique et Photosciences (SP2P) CY - Toulouse, France DA - 19.05.2025 KW - Glyphosate KW - AMPA KW - Sensor PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63262 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Scharek, Vera T1 - A new elemental analytical approach for microplastic sum parameter analysis in environmental samples – ETV/ICP-MS with CO2 N2 - Plastics are indispensable in our daily lives. Due to their easy processability, durability, and lightweight properties, they are the base material of many consumer and industry products. However, with reported amounts of millions of tons per year, plastic pollution has become a globally emerging problem. In the environment, plastic waste undergoes degradation, leading to the formation of persistent, synthetic particles smaller than 5 mm, known as microplastics (MPs). Toxicological concerns mainly arise from MP uptake by various organisms, including humans. MPs act as transport vectors for hazardous chemicals, e.g., polymer additives, bacteria, and other environmental pollutants. Existing approaches for MP analysis focus on particle size, number, and information on the polymer types. However, there is a lack of analytical tools for a fast and comprehensive assessment of the pollution situation based on the MP mass without limitations to size and polymer types. In this context, a new mass balance approach for the MPs analysis in environmental samples via electrothermal vaporization coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ETV/ICP-MS) has been developed as a complementary screening tool to existing methods. With ETV/ICP-MS, the bulk detection of MPs via the 13C isotope as a sum parameter of common polymer types was achievable relatively unaffected by the respective size across the nano-to-micrometer scale. A new mass-based approach through an external gas calibration with carbon dioxide enabled the fast quantification of the MP content in MP-soil mixtures of different portions. By this, the analysis was achievable within a few minutes of analysis time per sample. Furthermore, the potential of polymer heteroatoms and contaminants for the sensitive detection in carbon-rich matrices was investigated. T2 - ANAKON 2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Soil KW - Electrothermal Vaporization KW - Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry KW - Sum parameter analysis PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62828 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Scharek, Vera T1 - A new elemental analytical approach for microplastic sum parameter analysis in environmental samples – ETV/ICP-MS with CO2 N2 - Plastics are indispensable in our daily lives. Due to their easy processability, durability, and lightweight properties, they are the base material of many consumer and industry products. However, with reported amounts of millions of tons per year, plastic pollution has become a globally emerging problem. In the environment, plastic waste undergoes degradation, leading to the formation of persistent, synthetic particles smaller than 5 mm, known as microplastics (MPs). Toxicological concerns mainly arise from MP uptake by various organisms, including humans. MPs act as transport vectors for hazardous chemicals, e.g., polymer additives, bacteria, and other environmental pollutants. Existing approaches for MP analysis focus on particle size, number, and information on the polymer types. However, there is a lack of analytical tools for a fast and comprehensive assessment of the pollution situation based on the MP mass without limitations to size and polymer types. In this context, a new mass balance approach for the MPs analysis in environmental samples via electrothermal vaporization coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ETV/ICP-MS) has been developed as a complementary screening tool to existing methods. With ETV/ICP-MS, the bulk detection of MPs via the 13C isotope as a sum parameter of common polymer types was achievable relatively unaffected by the respective size across the nano-to-micrometer scale. A new mass-based approach through an external gas calibration with carbon dioxide enabled the fast quantification of the MP content in MP-soil mixtures of different portions. By this, the analysis was achievable within a few minutes of analysis time per sample. Furthermore, the potential of polymer heteroatoms and contaminants for the sensitive detection in carbon-rich matrices was investigated. T2 - European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectroscopy CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 02.03.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Soil KW - Electrothermal Vaporization KW - Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry KW - Sum parameter analysis PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62824 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hernandez Garcia, Maria Amparo T1 - Optical biosensor using free form prototyped elements for targeted explosives immunodetection N2 - Ensuring the safety and security of citizens necessitates a considerable investment of resources and the development of innovative tools by national and international agencies and governments, particularly in the context of explosives detection [1]. The necessity for the detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and homemade explosives (HMEs) at the point of suspicion has increased exponentially due to the simplicity with which the precursors can be obtained, and the reagents synthesised. The restricted availability of immunoanalytical instruments for the detection of homemade explosives (HMEs) offers a valuable opportunity for the development of innovative devices that can rapidly identify and recognise the target analyte with high specificity and sensitivity [2]. In this study, we present the development of an optical biosensor for highly specific and sensitive HME detection. The immunoassay system is situated within a matrix that is permeable to the target analyte and transparent to light, which enables the interrogation via fluorescence. The immunoanalytical system's readout is achieved through the utilisation of supercritical angle fluorescence (SAF), an advanced microscopy technique. To this end, we employed recent, commercially available high-resolution (less than 22 μm) liquid crystal display SLA printers to fabricate a free-form parabolic optical element with a high refractive index (RI greater than 1.5) and transmission values exceeding 90% from commercial photo-resins. The objective is to develop a new generation of sensors that can not only meet the requirements of trace detection but also be used for substance identification. The combination of immunoanalytical recognition with SAF detection offers a modular and versatile solution that is particularly well suited to the measurement of target analytes at trace levels. T2 - ANAKON 2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Biosensor KW - SAF KW - Free-form optics KW - 3D printing KW - Security PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62802 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Prakash, Swayam T1 - Fluorescence Spectroscopy as an Analytical Tool for Rapid and Sensitive Faecal Pigments Detection: From Fundamentals to Onsite Applications N2 - W.H.O estimated that globally at least 2 billion people use drinking water sources contaminated with faeces [1] and according to UNICEF, most of these faecal detection methods are expensive, time-consuming (18–24 h time to result),[2] and, with few exceptions, not suited for on-site analysis.[3] Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of analytical methods that allow to unequivocally test for drinking water quality directly on-site. Today, microbial detection methods primarily targeting E. coli, the major faecal indicator bacteria, are still the prevalent methods for detecting faecal contamination of drinking and recreational waters. As an alternative, Schlesinger proposed the detection of urobilin (UB), a metabolic degradation product of haemoglobin occurring in all mammals, as faecal indicator pigment (FIP) through enhancement of its weak fluorescence by complexation with Zn2+ in alcoholic media already 120 years ago.[4] However, the major limitation of this method is the only weak enhancement of the intrinsically very weak UB fluorescence in aqueous media, requiring either the use of organic solvents or very sensitive instrumentation to reach the relevant detection limits, hampering the method’s use outside of a laboratory environment.[3] In the present work, we addressed the shortcomings relying on interfacial and supramolecular chemistry as well as materials functionalization, transforming Schlesinger’s approach into a fluorometric ‘drop and detect’ assay using a smartphone coupled to a 3D-printed optical setup as a simple and portable device. A series of silanes were used to functionalize glass fibre paper and tune its hydrophobicity, exploiting the influence of matrix tailoring to enhance binding of the Zn salt used as co-reagent to UB for optimal fluorescence response. Combination of bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and N-octyltrimethoxysilane with ZnCl2-impregnated test strips showed the best response for sensitive (nano- and sub-nanomolar concentration) smartphone-based FIP detection. The obtained fluorescence sensing results were validated with a benchtop fluorometer. Furthermore, the developed analytical method was successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples, allowing for the first time to test for faecal water contamination directly on site in a very short time of few minutes. T2 - Anakon 2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Faecal contamination KW - Fluorescence KW - Metal complexes KW - Water analysis KW - Optical and chemical sensing PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62795 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bell, Jérémy T1 - Embedded sensor for the detection of TNT in surface and marine waters N2 - In 1945, the Potsdam Conference led to the decision to destroy a significant amount of ammunition from the warring parties of WWII. Dumping was considered the cheapest, quickest, and safest solution to dispose of unused ammunition. However, thin barrels or containers often leak after 50 years, allowing explosives to escape into the marine environment. As the effects of weapons chemicals on ecosystems are well-documented, it is becoming increasingly important to detect, recover and dispose of old ammunition. Physical techniques such as magnetometry and sonar are used to detect ammunition in the sea, but they do not provide chemical information. Detecting leaking organic contaminants like TNT or other explosives in water or soil requires high-end laboratory equipment like HPLC or GC-MS, making remote water testing virtually impossible. As an alternative, a miniaturized method for the selective and sensitive indication of TNT using fluorescence light-up sensing was developed. The visual identification of TNT with a nucleophile that forms a strongly absorbing charge transfer complex (CTC) is a well-known method. This CTC is formed by the attraction of an electron from the donor molecule by the electron-deficient aromatic ring. In this work, a TNT-based CTC was selectively formed by the addition of tetraoctylammonium acetate in N,N-diethylformamide and, as expected, showed strong absorption. Surprisingly, at room temperature, the CTC can be converted into a fluorescent product with an emission band centred at 577 nm. For the detection of TNT in water, a microfluidic chip made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used for both the extraction and reaction steps. In addition to miniaturising the experimental steps, the optical system (fluorometer) has been integrated into an autonomous smartphone assembly capable of catalysing the photoreaction and analysing the fluorescence response. Taking advantage of the light-up response, TNT was still easily detectable down to 9.4 ng with the CMOS camera. Further evaluation of this analytical tool consisted of analyses of unfiltered and untreated surface water samples spiked directly with increasing concentrations of TNT to reflect different levels of contamination. LODs of 21 and 40 ng were found for samples from the Teltow Canal in Berlin (DEU) and the Baltic Sea near Greifswald (DEU). Such an analytical tool could be used to monitor water quality in the field, as the release of organic pollutants from munitions into surface and marine waters will become increasingly problematic and concentrations will continue to rise over the coming decades. T2 - ANAKON 2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Explosives KW - Microfluidics KW - Smartphone KW - Sprengstoffe KW - Mikrofluidik KW - Sensor PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62767 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Gawlitza, Kornelia T1 - Using Dual Fluorescent Molecularly Imprinted Particles Coupled with a Miniaturized Opto-Microfluidic Platform for On-Site Detection of Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids N2 - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic organofluorine chemicals widely used in the production of various materials, including firefighting foams, adhesives, and coatings that resist stains and oil. In recent years, PFAS have gained attention as emerging environmental contaminants, with particular emphasis on perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), the most common type of PFAS. PFCAs are defined by a fully fluorinated carbon chain and a charged carboxylic acid group. They have been classified as Substances of Very High Concern and included in the REACH Candidate List due to their persistence, resistance to biodegradation, and toxicological impacts. Traditional methods for analyzing PFCAs, like GC-MS, HRMS, and HPLC-based techniques, are time-consuming, non-portable, expensive, and require specialized expertise. On the other hand, fluorescence assays offer a user-friendly, portable, and cost-effective alternative with high sensitivity and quick results, particularly when the binding of the analyte causes a specific increase in the probe’s fluorescence. Combining these probes with a carrier platform and a miniaturized optofluidic device presents a promising approach for PFCA monitoring. In this study, a new guanidine BODIPY fluorescent indicator monomer was synthesized, characterized, and incorporated into a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) designed for the specific detection of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The MIP layer was formed on silica core nanoparticles doped with tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chloride, serving as an optical internal reference for calibration-free assays. In combination with an extraction step prior to sample analysis, this system enables selective and reliable detection of PFCAs in surface water samples, minimizing interference from competing substances, matrix effects, and other factors. When integrated into an opto-microfluidic setup, the assay provided a compact, user-friendly detection system capable of detecting micromolar levels of PFOA in under 15 minutes from surface water samples. T2 - ANAKON2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) KW - On-site detection KW - Fluorescence KW - Microfluidics KW - Molecularly Imprinted Polymers PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62712 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -