Chemical Sensing Technologies

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

The course provides fundamental knowledge in the multidisciplinary world of chemical sensors.

Chemical sensors are devices that transform chemical information, ranging from the concentration of a specific sample component to overall composition analysis, into an analytical signal. The main components of the chemical sensors are the sensing material and the transducer. The sensing material is in charge to interact with the target analyte, and the result of this binding interaction is the change of a material property, such as electrical conductivity or emission intensity. This course will provide basic knowledge on the working principle of the chemical sensors (mainly impendance, electrochemical, triboelectric and optical) which is necessary for understanding specificity of chemical sensing. It will be shown how different types of materials such as polymers, self-assembled layers, and nanomaterials can be used to enhance sensitivity and promote selectivity between analytes for different applications. Most relevant sensors will be illustrated by the most recent scientific literature in the fields of environmental and air pollution control, process engineering and monitoring, and waste management. Real-time monitoring data analysis will also be covered.

During the course, students will work in groups to analyse, from a technological point of view, the main challenge(s) associate with a specific chemical sensor device, and they will propose a development to achieve improved device performance using class assignments and literature reports.

Objectives

• To describe the relevance of chemical sensors from the perspective of society and sustainable development.
• To describe the working principles of impendance, electrochemical, triboelectrical and optical sensors.
• To explain the signal transduction in chemical sensors.
• To demonstrate how to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of chemical sensors using different types of sensing materials.
• To explain the different technique used for the integration on the sensing materials, e.g. methods of films deposition, sol-gel processing, deposition from solutions, techniques used for deposition of coating on fibres.
• To exemplify the application of chemical sensors in environmental analysis, process monitoring and waste management.
• To evaluate the performance of different chemical sensors and assess their sensitivity and specificity for a specific application and motivate how their use impacts the daily life.
• To analyse, from a technological point of view, the main challenges of a specific chemical sensor device, and to propose a development to achieve improved device performance.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Self-study
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Seminar
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

Learning activities

Attendance

This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (TER part B).

Assessment

There is a written exam at the end of the course. The final mark is composed of:  exam mark (50 %), presentation sensor design (30 %) and weekly assignments (20 %). A minimum of 5.5 is required for all assignments.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

The course involves lectures, weekly class assignments, group assignment, and a presentation. Students will give a presentation of 15 min (and 10 min discussions) to present a solution for the technological challenge of a specific sensor device.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Stefania Grecea