Sensors for Chemical Weapons Detection Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

(This project has been supported through the new NATO Security Through Science Programme) 

Chemical sensors are further devices in the armory of detection of chemical warfare agents. Four research teams from Greece, Poland, the UK and the USA have been awarded a grant to collaborate on developing such a sensor using the technique of molecular imprinting. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology may overcome limitations of biologic receptors such as intolerance to extreme conditions, the need for animal experiments, and high cost. MIPs are robust, inexpensive and provide long shelf-life. Additionally the polymerization step may be combined with the construction of the sensor, hence MIPs may be ideally combined with sensors for rapid detection of biological-chemical warfare agents even under harsh conditions. The collaboration brings together team with multidisciplinary expertise, know-how, facilities and resources to bring to bear on the problems still to be resolved.

Project Coordinators: 

Georgios Theodoridis (Greece) 

Pawel Koscielniak (Poland) 

Peter Fielden (UK) 

George Murray (USA)