Polymer Microarrays for the Discovery and Optimization of Robust Optical-Fiber-Based pH Sensors

Polymer microarrays were utilized for the high-throughput screening and discovery of optimal polymeric substrates capable of trapping functional ratiometric fluorescence-based pH sensors. This led to the identification of poly­(methyl methacrylate-co-2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate) (PA101), which allowed, via dip coating, the attachment of fluorescent pH sensors onto the tips of optical fibers, resulting in robust, rapid, and reproducible sensing of physiological pHs.