Advances in Artificial and Biological Membranes: Mechanisms of Ionic Sensitivity, Ion-Sensor Designs and Applications for Ions Measurement

Dear Colleagues,

Ion-sensors, conventionally known as ion-selective membrane electrodes, were founded a hundred years ago by the invention of a pH electrode with a glass membrane (in 1906 Cremer, in 1909 Haber and Klemensiewicz). That electrode type had a symmetric design with an internal contact made by a solution.

Today there are many membranes made of glass, solid-state, plastics, and composites, as well numerous internal contacts made of conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, conducting clays, and composites. For this reason, the sensors can be miniaturized; made service-free; and produced by a mass fabrication technique, such as 3D printing. Responses are now treated by models that are able to the access time-and-space domains of the sensors. Supported by advanced modeling, the ion-sensors are now deliberately calibration-free, and they may undergo automatic quality check. The sensors can act in ad hoc and routine applications theaters, hospitals, sports, water control, etc.

The heart of the ion-sensors is always the same: a membrane that is able to develop the ion-response due to selective, fast, and reversible ion-exchange at the sample–membrane interface. The membrane can be artificial or biological. 

The aim of this Special Issue is to present novel waves and to show the progress that has been made recently in ion-sensor technology. All aspects that contribute to successful advancements of the design, understanding, and application of ion-sensors are of interest. I look forward to receiving your contributions. The submission site is ready to receive your contributions to sensors science.

Prof. Andrzej Lewenstam
Prof. Krzysztof Dołowy
Guest Editors

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