Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensors for Chemical Warfare Agents

o protect personnel from hazardous materials, substances must be unambiguously detected in real time. This goal is being pursued with the application of a wide range of technologies. Most chemical sensors must strike a compromise between sensitivity and selectivity to meet the real-time goal. The sensor platform described in this article is designed to eliminate any such compromise. Thus far, we have successfully synthesized the complexes that will form a foundation for molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The demonstration allows us to pursue incorporation of our MIP into the waveguide sensor system. The platform can also be adapted to many other hazardous substances, such as nerve gases or pesticides, by the preparation and substitution of other MIPs.