Sensors in China - ACS Sensors (ACS Publications)

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Editorial Cite This: ACS Sens. 2017, 2, 1753−1754

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Sensors in China

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the incredible strength of Chinese science in materials chemistry. The nanoscale dimensions of nanomaterials make it possible to study and control the number of atoms or molecules in ways not possible with bulk systems. For example, Prof. Tang has reported new “materials” that fluoresce when confined to nanoscale dimensions. This emerged aggregationinduced emission fluorogens (AIEgens) present wide-ranging applications for cellular process monitoring and environmental pathogen detection. A review paper from Tang’s research group, about the latest advances of this promising field, is currently one of the most read articles in ACS sensors (DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00551). A research article contributed by Pei and co-workers employed a thermoresponsive chitosan nanofiber substrate to selectivity capture, purify, and release circulating tumor cells from whole blood samples (DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00048). Another article reporting on the advantages of nanomaterials was about a ratiometric sensor based on black phosphorus quantum dots. This sensing assay shows high sensitivity and selectivity for monitoring of Hg2+ in environmental water samples (DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00102). To enhance the resolution of the sensor platform, higher order sensors that integrate more than one transduction principle were used. An interesting attempt using the defined space of solid-state nanopores shows the electrochemical and optical detection of single nanoparticles simultaneously (DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.6b00408). Based on the demand of sustainable development, and the requirement for chemical precision, we expect that more sensing methods and devices for precision medicine, and precise environmental treatment and control will arise from China. At ACS Sensors, we are really interested to see more of the exciting sensor science coming from China. To our Chinese authors, we hope to see you in April 2018 when the ACS Sensors editorial team will visit China.

eing a new broad-scoped sensing journaldevoted to all aspects of chemical and biological sensorsthe editorial team is delighted that ACS Sensors has received outstanding submissions from across the globe. Over the past 23 issues, almost one-third of the papers were contributed by Chinese authors. In acknowledgment of the contributions from this part of the world, in this editorial, we offer insight into the current trends and the future directions of the sensing field in China. As the largest developing country in the world, China has been undergoing rapid economic growth, which is leading to an urgent need to monitor and improve the quality of the environment and personal health. With growing demand for various environmental, healthcare, and medical engineering applications, there is a corresponding increase in requirement for the development and implementation of such sensors in China. Recent years have seen the advent of a myriad of sensing methods and devices developed to meet these requirements. Numerous gas sensors and biosensors have been designed for environmental monitoring, air quality assurance, medical diagnosis, and food-safety applications. The recent Sensor China Expo and Conference in Shanghai this September really highlighted the commercial interest in the sensing field in China. Organized by the China Sensors & IoT Industry Association, Sensor China is the only sensor-oriented professional industry expo event in China. There were over 10,000 visitors to the three-day event, with more than 200 companies exhibiting their products. Of the main application areas for chemical sensors, the market interest of the attendees was two times greater for environmental sensors than for biomedical sensors. This emphasis on environmental sensors may be a consequence of the incredible rate of development in China, and the associated impact on the environment. The market interest of the attendees was greater still for sensors related to smart homes, reflecting both the needs of the growing middle class in China as well as the global financial opportunities in sensing. The academic environment and funding landscape in China also reflect these interests. The construction of robust sensors with great sensitivity and selectivity is the first critical goal of researchers. The funding agency National Natural Science Funds of China just re-identified its priority field to precision of chemistry, also representing a requirement for higher sensitivity and selectivity for analytical methods. By precisely controlling the chemical synthesis, process, and function, this could lead to better understanding of sensing processes, and better performing sensors for a wide variety of applications. The push for higher sensitivity and selectivity has resulted in sensor researchers in China being encouraged to extend their research toward the monitoring of individual molecules or atoms, and to develop sensing devices with high spatial and temporal resolution. That is, with China being one of the dominant countries in sensor research, the emerging areas of research interest are naturally aligned with global trends. Serious efforts have been made in relation to this target by employing different kinds of nanomaterials, thus drawing on © 2017 American Chemical Society

Yitao Long, Associate Editor East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

J. Justin Gooding, Editor-in-Chief The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Received: December 6, 2017 Published: December 22, 2017 1753

DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00908 ACS Sens. 2017, 2, 1753−1754

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Views expressed in this editorial are those of the authors and not necessarily the views of the ACS.

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DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00908 ACS Sens. 2017, 2, 1753−1754