The Development of New Microsensor Coatings and a Short Survey of Microsensor Technology

This review covers various aspects of microsensor technology with which we have been associated in our research program. Current work deals with the development of new coatings for use on surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices for both resistance and frequency-based measurements. The microsensor area is currently a small but rapidly expanding field that involves diverse disciplines, including synthetic and polymer chemistry, analytical chemistry, surface science, computer science, and electronic engineering. We have attempted to assist the reader by describing various other facets while highlighting the development of new microsensor coatings. These facets include the way in which the synthetic chemistry is guided by requirements of coating technology and surface science and notes on the use of sophisticated electronic devices and data manipulation techniques to evaluate the compounds synthesized.