Sensors and analytical chemistry
Sensitivity versus quality†
Abstract
Instrumental analytical chemistry and chemical sensors, especially biosensors have made remarkable progress in the last decade. With respect to the analytical chemical performance characteristics the sensitivities could be increased drastically. However, the very important comparability of trace and ultra-trace analytical data produced in different laboratories has not been improved to the same degree. The analytical chemical performance characteristics of chemical and biochemical sensors must be judged with those facts in mind when they are validated using such traditional instrumental reference methods. Biosensors based on immune-chemical principles are more versatile in allowing nearly every