The detection of specific proteins, as biomarkers of disease, health status, environmental monitoring, food quality, control of fermenters and civil defence purposes means that biosensors for these targets will become increasing more important. Among the technologies used for building specific recognition properties, molecularly imprinted polymers, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are attracting much attention. In this critical review we describe many of methods used for imprinting recognition for protein targets in polymers and their incorporation with a number of transducer platforms with the aim of identifying the most promising approaches for the preparation of MIP-based protein sensors.2

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Spectroscopic analysis of optical emission during rf plasma etching of semiconductor materials has been used to gain a better understanding of the plasma chemistry involved in these systems. The emission was studied principally in CF4-O2 gas mixtures, but other gases were observed as well. It is known that the addition of a relatively small percentage of O2 to CF4 yields a much faster etching rate for silicon and silicon nitride. With the addition of 02 to CF4 discharges we have studied emission from atomic O and molecular CO with a large increase in the emission of atomic F. When the plasma is actively etching silicon or silicon nitride, the emission intensities of both F and O atoms are significantly lower. The etching process can be monitored by observing the intensities of these lines. Analysis of the emission features has also been used to determine abnormal conditions which can adversely affect the etching process.