MICROELECTRONICS IN ANALYTICAL-CHEMISTRY

Although small computer systems have impacted the practice of analytical chemistry by their ability to help capture and electronically manipulate data in traditional ways, even greater effects of this microelectronic revolution are becoming apparent. First, microelectronic fabrication techniques are being used to make new classes of transducers. Second, new integrated circuits are being developed that allow the chemist to correlate, convolve, and domain convert data both before and after capture by the computer. These front-end and back-end processing elements open up the world of small computers to techniques usually requiring large mainframe processors. Third, arrays of nonspecific sensors are being used that are based on solid-state detectors and chemimetric techniques. Finally, new classes of self-optimizing instruments are being created. Typical examples from each of these areas are presented.