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A literature survey of volatiles from human breath and bodily fluids: The human volatilome and its potential use in forensic science (2022)
Conference Proceeding
Ratcliffe, N., & Honeychurch, K. (2022). A literature survey of volatiles from human breath and bodily fluids: The human volatilome and its potential use in forensic science. In S. Urban, V. Skerikova, P. Pouzarova, & T. Uhlikova (Eds.), Book of abstracts of the First International workshop on Chemical Analysis of Human Scent for Forensic Purposes (29)

The measurement of volatile compounds, or indeed semi-volatile compounds from a crime scene, or from a person could have applications in forensics science, these volatiles could arise from the body or by being adorned e.g. by use of perfumes etc. Rec... Read More about A literature survey of volatiles from human breath and bodily fluids: The human volatilome and its potential use in forensic science.

Urinary Volatile Organic Compound Testing in Fast-Track Patients with Suspected Colorectal Cancer (2022)
Journal Article
Boulind, C. E., Gould, O., Costello, B. D. L., Allison, J., White, P., Ewings, P., …Francis, N. K. (2022). Urinary Volatile Organic Compound Testing in Fast-Track Patients with Suspected Colorectal Cancer. Cancers, 14(9), 2127. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14092127

Colorectal symptoms are common but only infrequently represent serious pathology, including colorectal cancer (CRC). A large number of invasive tests are presently performed for reassurance. We investigated the feasibility of urinary volatile organic... Read More about Urinary Volatile Organic Compound Testing in Fast-Track Patients with Suspected Colorectal Cancer.

Investigation of urinary volatile organic compounds as novel diagnostic and surveillance biomarkers of bladder cancer (2022)
Journal Article
Lett, L., George, M., Slater, R., De Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N., García-Fiñana, M., …Probert, C. (2022). Investigation of urinary volatile organic compounds as novel diagnostic and surveillance biomarkers of bladder cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 127(2), 329-336. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-022-01785-8

Background: The diagnosis and surveillance of urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) require cystoscopy. There is a need for biomarkers to reduce the frequency of cystoscopy in surveillance; urinary volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis could fulfil this... Read More about Investigation of urinary volatile organic compounds as novel diagnostic and surveillance biomarkers of bladder cancer.

Hyphenated mass spectrometry versus real‐time mass spectrometry techniques for the detection of volatile compounds from the human body (2021)
Journal Article
Gould, O., Drabińska, N., Ratcliffe, N., & de Lacy Costello, B. (2021). Hyphenated mass spectrometry versus real‐time mass spectrometry techniques for the detection of volatile compounds from the human body. Molecules, 26(23), Article 7185. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237185

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that can be used for various applications in a number of scientific areas including environmental, security, forensic science, space exploration, agri‐food, and numerous others. MS is also continuing... Read More about Hyphenated mass spectrometry versus real‐time mass spectrometry techniques for the detection of volatile compounds from the human body.

Application of a solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/metal oxide sensor system for detection of antibiotic susceptibility in urinary tract infection-causing Escherichia coli – A proof of principle study (2021)
Journal Article
Drabińska, N., Hewett, K., White, P., Avison, M., Persad, R., Ratcliffe, N., & de Lacy Costello, B. (2021). Application of a solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/metal oxide sensor system for detection of antibiotic susceptibility in urinary tract infection-causing Escherichia coli – A proof of principle study. Advances in Medical Sciences, 67(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advms.2021.09.001

Purpose: Antibiotic resistance is widespread throughout the world and represents a serious health concern. There is an urgent need for the development of novel tools for rapidly distinguishing antibiotic resistant bacteria from susceptible strains. P... Read More about Application of a solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/metal oxide sensor system for detection of antibiotic susceptibility in urinary tract infection-causing Escherichia coli – A proof of principle study.

A literature survey of all volatiles from healthy human breath and bodily fluids: The human volatilome (2021)
Journal Article
Drabińska, N., Flynn, C., Ratcliffe, N., Belluomo, I., Myridakis, A., Gould, O., …Costello, B. D. L. (2021). A literature survey of all volatiles from healthy human breath and bodily fluids: The human volatilome. Journal of Breath Research, 15(3), 034001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/abf1d0

This paper comprises an updated version of the 2014 review which reported 1846 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified from healthy humans. In total over 900 additional VOCs have been reported since the 2014 review and the VOCs from semen have b... Read More about A literature survey of all volatiles from healthy human breath and bodily fluids: The human volatilome.

Rare earth doped metal oxide sensor for the multimodal detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (2020)
Journal Article
Fois, M., Cox, T., Ratcliffe, N., & de Lacy Costello, B. (2021). Rare earth doped metal oxide sensor for the multimodal detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 330, Article 129264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2020.129264

Heated metal oxide sensors have been widely studied for their ability to give a reversible change in the electrical resistance following the interaction with a volatile compound. Another feature is their inherent cataluminescence (CTL) properties whe... Read More about Rare earth doped metal oxide sensor for the multimodal detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Towards the identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing urinary tract infections using volatile organic compounds analysis—a pilot study (2020)
Journal Article
Hewett, K., Drabinska, N., White, P., Avison, M., Persad, R., Ratcliffe, N., & de Lacy Costello, B. (2020). Towards the identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing urinary tract infections using volatile organic compounds analysis—a pilot study. Antibiotics, 9(11), 797. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9110797

Antibiotic resistance is an unprecedented threat to modern medicine. The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from bacteria potentially offers a rapid way to determine antibiotic susceptibility in bacteria. This study aimed to find the optim... Read More about Towards the identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing urinary tract infections using volatile organic compounds analysis—a pilot study.

Breath analysis for detection of viral infection, the current position of the field (2020)
Journal Article
Gould, O., Ratcliffe, N., Król, E., & de Lacy Costello, B. (2020). Breath analysis for detection of viral infection, the current position of the field. Journal of Breath Research, 14(4), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/ab9c32

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of rapid, cost effective, accurate, and non-invasive testing for viral infections. Volatile compounds (VCs) have been suggested for several decades as fulfilling these criteria. However currently v... Read More about Breath analysis for detection of viral infection, the current position of the field.

Sensors for determining volatile compounds based on electrical conductivity and cataluminescence measurements of metal oxide films (2019)
Patent
Cox, T., Kiely, J., Ratcliffe, N., deLacy Costello, B., & Luxton, R. (2019). Sensors for determining volatile compounds based on electrical conductivity and cataluminescence measurements of metal oxide films

The invention relates to the field of sensors for detecting volatile compounds. The sensor of the present invention for detecting volatile compounds comprises: a film of metal oxide; a heater configured to provide heat energy to the film of metal oxi... Read More about Sensors for determining volatile compounds based on electrical conductivity and cataluminescence measurements of metal oxide films.

From fast identification to resistance testing: Volatile compound profiling as a novel diagnostic tool for detection of antibiotic susceptibility (2019)
Journal Article
Smart, A., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N., Drabinksa, N., & Hewett, K. (2019). From fast identification to resistance testing: Volatile compound profiling as a novel diagnostic tool for detection of antibiotic susceptibility. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 115, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2019.03.019

Widespread use of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance in many pathogenic bacteria. If effective methods of alleviating this crisis are not applied, a return to high mortality and morbidity of the pre-antibiotic era could o... Read More about From fast identification to resistance testing: Volatile compound profiling as a novel diagnostic tool for detection of antibiotic susceptibility.

Sniffing out resistance – Rapid identification of urinary tract infection-causing bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility using volatile metabolite profiles (2019)
Journal Article
Smart, A., de Lacy Costello, B., White, P., Avison, M., Batty, C., Turner, C., …Ratcliffe, N. (2019). Sniffing out resistance – Rapid identification of urinary tract infection-causing bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility using volatile metabolite profiles. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 167, 59-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2019.01.044

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. Antibiotic resistance is set to be an unprecedented threat to modern medicine. ‘Sniffing’ bacteria potentially offers a rapid way to determine susceptibility. A successful proof-of-principle study is described, using thermal deso... Read More about Sniffing out resistance – Rapid identification of urinary tract infection-causing bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility using volatile metabolite profiles.

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) quantification of metabolites in stool using13 C labelled compounds (2018)
Journal Article
Gould, O., Costello, B. D. L., Smart, A., Jones, P., Macmaster, A., Ransley, K., & Ratcliffe, N. (2018). Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) quantification of metabolites in stool using13 C labelled compounds. Metabolites, 8(4), 75. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo8040075

© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. It has become increasingly important to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the volatile metabolites in a range of bodily fluids for use in monitoring health. There has been relatively lit... Read More about Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) quantification of metabolites in stool using13 C labelled compounds.

Assessment of a combined gas chromatography mass spectrometer sensor system for detecting biologically relevant volatile compounds (2017)
Journal Article
Gould, O., Ratcliffe, N. M., De Lacy Costello, B., Wieczorek, T., & Persad, R. (2018). Assessment of a combined gas chromatography mass spectrometer sensor system for detecting biologically relevant volatile compounds. Journal of Breath Research, 12(1), 016009. https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/aa8efe

© 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd. There have been a number of studies in which metal oxide sensors (MOS) have replaced conventional analytical detectors in gas chromatography systems. However, despite the use of these instruments in a range of applications... Read More about Assessment of a combined gas chromatography mass spectrometer sensor system for detecting biologically relevant volatile compounds.

Irritable bowel syndrome and active inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed by faecal gas analysis (2016)
Journal Article
Aggio, R. B., White, P., Jayasena, H., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Probert, C. S. (2017). Irritable bowel syndrome and active inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed by faecal gas analysis. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 45(1), 82-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13822

© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Background: Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome may present in a similar manner. Measuring faecal calprotectin concentration is often recommended to rule out inflammatory bowel disease, however, ther... Read More about Irritable bowel syndrome and active inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed by faecal gas analysis.

The hydrolysis of geminal ethers: A kinetic appraisal of orthoesters and ketals (2016)
Journal Article
Lam, J. K., Repetto, S. L., Repetto, S., Costello, J. F., Butts, C. P., Lam, J. K. W., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2016). The hydrolysis of geminal ethers: A kinetic appraisal of orthoesters and ketals. Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry, 12, 1467-1475. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.12.143

© 2016 Repetto et al. A novel approach to protecting jet fuel against the effects of water contamination is predicated upon the coupling of the rapid hydrolysis reactions of lipophilic cyclic geminal ethers, with the concomitant production of a hydro... Read More about The hydrolysis of geminal ethers: A kinetic appraisal of orthoesters and ketals.

Letter: Faecal volatile organic metabolites, promising biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease and Letter: Faecal volatile organic metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. Authors' reply (2016)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N., Ahmed, I., Greenwood, R., Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Probert, C. (2016). Letter: Faecal volatile organic metabolites, promising biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease and Letter: Faecal volatile organic metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. Authors' reply. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 43(11), 1241-1242. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13617

The aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests an important role of gut microbial dysbiosis in IBD, and this may be associated with changes in faecal volatile organic metabolites (VOMs).To descri... Read More about Letter: Faecal volatile organic metabolites, promising biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease and Letter: Faecal volatile organic metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. Authors' reply.

The use of a gas chromatography-sensor system combined with advanced statistical methods, towards the diagnosis of urological malignancies (2016)
Journal Article
Aggio, R. B. M., De Lacy Costello, B., White, P., Khalid, T., Ratcliffe, N. M., Persad, R., & Probert, C. S. J. (2016). The use of a gas chromatography-sensor system combined with advanced statistical methods, towards the diagnosis of urological malignancies. Journal of Breath Research, 10(1), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/10/1/017106

© 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is used to aid the selection of men undergoing biopsies. Its use remains controversial. We propose a GC-sensor algorithm system for cl... Read More about The use of a gas chromatography-sensor system combined with advanced statistical methods, towards the diagnosis of urological malignancies.

Investigation of faecal volatile organic metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease (2016)
Journal Article
Ahmed, I., Greenwood, R., Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N., & Probert, C. S. (2016). Investigation of faecal volatile organic metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 43(5), 596-611. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13522

© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Background The aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests an important role of gut microbial dysbiosis in IBD, and this may be associated with changes in faecal vo... Read More about Investigation of faecal volatile organic metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease.

Urinary volatile organic compounds for the detection of prostate cancer (2015)
Journal Article
Khalid, T., Aggio, R., White, P., De Lacy Costello, B., Persad, R., Al-Kateb, H., …Ratcliffe, N. (2015). Urinary volatile organic compounds for the detection of prostate cancer. PLoS ONE, 10(11), e0143283. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0143283

© 2015 Khalid et al.This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are cred... Read More about Urinary volatile organic compounds for the detection of prostate cancer.

A stereospecific one-pot synthesis of β-chloro esters via the BiCl<inf>3</inf> catalysed O-acylative cleavage of crowded epoxides (2015)
Journal Article
Repetto, S. L., Costello, J. F., Lam, J., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Repetto, S. (2015). A stereospecific one-pot synthesis of β-chloro esters via the BiCl<inf>3</inf> catalysed O-acylative cleavage of crowded epoxides. Journal of Chemical Research, 39(6), 324-325. https://doi.org/10.3184/174751915X14322191328257

© 2015, Science Reviews 2000 Ltd. All rights reserved. A simple, one-pot procedure is described for the stereospecific preparation of β-chloro esters from the corresponding crowded epoxide.

Cyclic ortho ester fuel additive (2014)
Patent
Lam, J., Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., Repetto, S., Costello, J. F., & Parmenter, D. (2014). Cyclic ortho ester fuel additive. WO/2014/174290

A review of the volatiles from the healthy human body (2014)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M., Al-Kateb, H., De Lacy Costello, B., de Lacy Costello, B., Amann, A., Al-Kateb, H., …Ratcliffe, N. M. (2014). A review of the volatiles from the healthy human body. Journal of Breath Research, 8(1), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/8/1/014001

A compendium of all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from the human body (the volatolome) is for the first time reported. 1840 VOCs have been assigned from breath (872), saliva (359), blood (154), milk (256), skin secretions (532) urin... Read More about A review of the volatiles from the healthy human body.

The use of a gas chromatograph coupled to a metal oxide sensor for rapid assessment of stool samples from irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease patients (2014)
Journal Article
Vaughan, K., Shepherd, S. F., McGuire, N. D., de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R. J., Jayasena, D. H., …Ratcliffe, N. M. (2014). The use of a gas chromatograph coupled to a metal oxide sensor for rapid assessment of stool samples from irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease patients. Journal of Breath Research, 8(2), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/8/2/026001

There is much clinical interest in the development of a low-cost and reliable test for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), two very distinct diseases that can present with similar symptoms. The assessment o... Read More about The use of a gas chromatograph coupled to a metal oxide sensor for rapid assessment of stool samples from irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Towards point of care testing for C. difficile infection by volatile profiling, using the combination of a short multi-capillary gas chromatography column with metal oxide sensor detection (2014)
Journal Article
Vaughan, K., Probert, C. S., Garner, C. E., McGuire, N. D., Ewen, R. J., de Lacy Costello, B., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2014). Towards point of care testing for C. difficile infection by volatile profiling, using the combination of a short multi-capillary gas chromatography column with metal oxide sensor detection. Measurement Science and Technology, 25(6), https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/25/6/065108

Rapid volatile profiling of stool sample headspace was achieved using a combination of short multi-capillary chromatography column (SMCC), highly sensitive heated metal oxide semiconductor sensor and artificial neural network software. For direct ana... Read More about Towards point of care testing for C. difficile infection by volatile profiling, using the combination of a short multi-capillary gas chromatography column with metal oxide sensor detection.

Breath volatile analysis from patients diagnosed with harmful drinking, cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy: A pilot study (2013)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M., Costello, B. D. L., Khalid, T. Y., de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., White, P., …Probert, C. S. (2013). Breath volatile analysis from patients diagnosed with harmful drinking, cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy: A pilot study. Metabolomics, 9(5), 938-948. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-013-0510-4

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric state potentially complicating cirrhosis following the accumulation of toxic compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier and affect brain function; the compounds may undergo alveolar gas exchange and... Read More about Breath volatile analysis from patients diagnosed with harmful drinking, cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy: A pilot study.

An investigation of volatile organic compounds from the saliva of healthy individuals using headspace-trap/GC-MS (2013)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N., De Lacy Costello, B., Al-Kateb, H., de Lacy Costello, B., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2013). An investigation of volatile organic compounds from the saliva of healthy individuals using headspace-trap/GC-MS. Journal of Breath Research, 7(3), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/7/3/036004

Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from saliva, to aid disease diagnoses, has received little attention. This work aims to address the paucity of information on saliva volatiles and includes a database of newly identified compounds whilst... Read More about An investigation of volatile organic compounds from the saliva of healthy individuals using headspace-trap/GC-MS.

The Development of Novel Fuel Dehydrating Icing Inhibitors (2013)
Journal Article
Lam, J. K., de Lacy Costello, B., Repetto, S. L., Repetto, S., Costello, J. F., de Lacy Costello, B., …Lam, J. (2013). The Development of Novel Fuel Dehydrating Icing Inhibitors. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 6(3), 553-563. https://doi.org/10.4271/2013-01-2169

Dissolved water is a normal component of jet fuel which is vapourised during combustion; however, free water is a contaminant that can starve engines, freeze to form ice crystals capable of blocking fuel feeds, support microbial growth, and contribut... Read More about The Development of Novel Fuel Dehydrating Icing Inhibitors.

A Pilot Study Combining a GC-Sensor Device with a Statistical Model for the Identification of Bladder Cancer from Urine Headspace (2013)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N., Probert, C. S., Ewen, R., Khalid, T., White, P., De Lacy Costello, B., …Ratcliffe, N. M. (2013). A Pilot Study Combining a GC-Sensor Device with a Statistical Model for the Identification of Bladder Cancer from Urine Headspace. PLoS ONE, 8(7), https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069602

There is a need to reduce the number of cystoscopies on patients with haematuria. Presently there are no reliable biomarkers to screen for bladder cancer. In this paper, we evaluate a new simple in-house fabricated, GC-sensor device in the diagnosis... Read More about A Pilot Study Combining a GC-Sensor Device with a Statistical Model for the Identification of Bladder Cancer from Urine Headspace.

The importance of methane breath testing: A review (2013)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M., De Lacy Costello, B. P., de Lacy Costello, B., Ledochowski, M., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2013). The importance of methane breath testing: A review. Journal of Breath Research, 7(2), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/7/2/024001

Sugar malabsorption in the bowel can lead to bloating, cramps, diarrhea and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well as affecting absorption of other nutrients. The hydrogen breath test is now a well established noninvasive test for assessi... Read More about The importance of methane breath testing: A review.

The use of MS for the investigation of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (2013)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., & Shepherd, S. (2013). The use of MS for the investigation of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Clinical laboratory international, 37, 18-20

Currently, the diagnosis of bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) relies on invasive and expensive procedures. Identification of biomarker-based tests to aid diagnosis is an important area of resea... Read More about The use of MS for the investigation of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in urine and stool (2013)
Book Chapter
de Lacy Costello, B., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2013). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in urine and stool. In A. Amann, & D. Smith (Eds.), Volatile Biomarkers: Non-Invasive Diagnosis in Physiology and Medicine (405-462). Elsevier

An Investigation of Fecal Volatile Organic Metabolites in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (2013)
Journal Article
Probert, C. S., de Costello, B. L., Ahmed, I., Greenwood, R., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Probert, C. (2013). An Investigation of Fecal Volatile Organic Metabolites in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. PLoS ONE, 8(3), https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058204

Diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be a challenge; many clinicians resort to invasive investigations in order to rule out other diseases and reassure their patients. Volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) are emitted from feces; understanding... Read More about An Investigation of Fecal Volatile Organic Metabolites in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Volatiles from oral anaerobes confounding breath biomarker discovery (2013)
Journal Article
De Lacy Costello, B., Khalid, T. Y., Ratcliffe, N. M., Khalid, T., Saad, S., Greenman, J., …Ratcliffe, N. M. (2013). Volatiles from oral anaerobes confounding breath biomarker discovery. Journal of Breath Research, 7(1), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/7/1/017114

The levels of compounds in exhaled mouth air do not necessarily reflect levels in the systemic circulation as bacteria can bio-transform substrates to produce compounds within the mouth. This should be of concern to researchers measuring breath volat... Read More about Volatiles from oral anaerobes confounding breath biomarker discovery.

Fecal microbiome and volatile organic compound metabolome in obese humans with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (2013)
Journal Article
Probert, C. S., Raman, M., Ahmed, I., Gillevet, P. M., Probert, C., Ratcliffe, N. M., …Rioux, K. P. (2013). Fecal microbiome and volatile organic compound metabolome in obese humans with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 11(7), 868-875.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.02.015

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The histopathology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is similar to that of alcoholic liver disease. Colonic bacteria are a source of many metabolic products, including ethanol and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) th... Read More about Fecal microbiome and volatile organic compound metabolome in obese humans with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

A diagnostic apparatus for analysing a sample to diagnose disease (2012)
Patent
Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., & Probert, C. (2012). A diagnostic apparatus for analysing a sample to diagnose disease. EP2502065 A2 (text from WO2011061308A2)

A diagnostic apparatus (10) for analysing a sample to diagnose disease, the apparatus (10) comprising: a separating element (16) for separating gas derived from the sample into component parts; a sensor arrangement (18) coupled to the separating elem... Read More about A diagnostic apparatus for analysing a sample to diagnose disease.

Tackling ageing continence through theory, tools & technology (TACT3) (2012)
Journal Article
Bichard, J., van den Heuvel, E., Jowitt, F., Gilhooly, M., Parker, S., Long, A., …Gaydecki, P. (2012). Tackling ageing continence through theory, tools & technology (TACT3). International Journal of Aging and Society, 1(2), 83-96

After dementia, nothing is more feared by older people than the loss of continence. It is often the reason many people enter care facilities and can contribute to the breakdown of caring relationships. This paper reports on a three-year research proj... Read More about Tackling ageing continence through theory, tools & technology (TACT3).

Method and apparatus for monitoring gas concentration in a fluid (2011)
Patent
Lam, J., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Smith, S. (2011). Method and apparatus for monitoring gas concentration in a fluid. US8081313 B2

A monitor for monitoring gas concentration in an aerospace application is described, one such application being measuring the concentration of oxygen in or next to aviation fuel. The monitor comprises: a substance, the spectroscopic properties of whi... Read More about Method and apparatus for monitoring gas concentration in a fluid.

Dimensional modelling of the fuel outgassing phenomenon: Improving flammability assessment of aircraft fuel tanks (2011)
Journal Article
Harris, A. P., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2011). Dimensional modelling of the fuel outgassing phenomenon: Improving flammability assessment of aircraft fuel tanks

Fuel outgassing (oxygen evolution) within aircraft fuel tanks presents a serious flammability hazard. Time constants representing oxygen transfer rate, from the fuel into a tank’s ullage, are used to model the effect of outgassing on tank flammabilit... Read More about Dimensional modelling of the fuel outgassing phenomenon: Improving flammability assessment of aircraft fuel tanks.

A diagnostic apparatus for analysing a sample to diagnose disease (2011)
Patent
Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., & Probert, C. (2011). A diagnostic apparatus for analysing a sample to diagnose disease. WO/2011/061308

A diagnostic apparatus (10) for analysing a sample to diagnose disease, the apparatus (10) comprising: a separating element (16) for separating gas derived from the sample into component parts; a sensor arrangement (18) coupled to the separating elem... Read More about A diagnostic apparatus for analysing a sample to diagnose disease.

Functionalized paramagnetic nanoparticles for waste water treatment (2010)
Journal Article
Elder, G. R., Duffield, J. R., Urban, I., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Patton, D. (2010). Functionalized paramagnetic nanoparticles for waste water treatment. Chemical Communications, 46(25), 4583-4585. https://doi.org/10.1039/b925933c

An approach to the design, development and implementation of a new separation technology for use in the decontamination of radioactive waste streams is reported here. Calixarene-crown-6 derivatives with terminal carboxyl groups were synthesised and a... Read More about Functionalized paramagnetic nanoparticles for waste water treatment.

Investigation of the semiochemicals of confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val and grain weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.) in stored wheat grain and flour (2010)
Presentation / Conference
Abuelnnor, N., Jones, P., Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2010, June). Investigation of the semiochemicals of confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val and grain weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.) in stored wheat grain and flour. Paper presented at 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, Estoril Congress Center, Portugal

This investigation sets out to identify specific volatile compounds from both flour infested with the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum and wheat grain infested with the grain weevil, Sitophilus granarius. These volatiles could help to aid th... Read More about Investigation of the semiochemicals of confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val and grain weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.) in stored wheat grain and flour.

Gas sensor (2010)
Patent
Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., & Richards, W. (2010). Gas sensor. EP20080804338

A method of detection of a volatile compound in a gaseous atmosphere comprises irradiating a semiconducting metal oxide material with ultraviolet light, exposing the irradiated material to the gaseous atmosphere and determining the presence of any vo... Read More about Gas sensor.

W1908 diagnostic potential of volatile organic compounds in inflammatory bowel disease (2010)
Journal Article
Ahmed, I., Probert, C., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Greenwood, R. (2010). W1908 diagnostic potential of volatile organic compounds in inflammatory bowel disease

Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are diagnosed using invasive investigations which patients find unpleasant. Non-invasive modalities to asses the clinical course of the disease are yet to be adopted. Volatile organic com... Read More about W1908 diagnostic potential of volatile organic compounds in inflammatory bowel disease.

Application of Similarity Coefficients to Predict Disease Using Volatile Organic Compounds (2010)
Journal Article
Probert, C. S., Smith, S., White, P., Redding, J., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2010). Application of Similarity Coefficients to Predict Disease Using Volatile Organic Compounds. IEEE Sensors Journal, 10(1), 92-96. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2009.2035771

Measures of similarity are used to provide evidence in support of the conjecture that the presence and absence profile of a subset of volatile organic compounds found in urine differ between healthy (non-prostate cancer) male donors and prostate canc... Read More about Application of Similarity Coefficients to Predict Disease Using Volatile Organic Compounds.

Analysis of faecal volatile organic compounds in preterm infants who develop necrotising enterocolitis: A pilot study (2009)
Journal Article
Garner, C. E., Ewer, A. K., Elasouad, K., Power, F., Greenwood, R., Ratcliffe, N. M., …Probert, C. S. (2009). Analysis of faecal volatile organic compounds in preterm infants who develop necrotising enterocolitis: A pilot study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 49(5), 559-565. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0b013e3181a3bfbc

OBJECTIVE:: To determine differences in the profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in faecal samples from preterm infants who develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) compared with non-NEC controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Daily faecal samples... Read More about Analysis of faecal volatile organic compounds in preterm infants who develop necrotising enterocolitis: A pilot study.

A pilot study of faecal volatile organic compounds in faeces from cholera patients in Bangladesh to determine their utility in disease diagnosis (2009)
Journal Article
Probert, C. S., Garner, C. E., Smith, S., Bardhan, P. K., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2009). A pilot study of faecal volatile organic compounds in faeces from cholera patients in Bangladesh to determine their utility in disease diagnosis. Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 103(11), 1171-1173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.02.004

The aim of this pilot study was to analyse the volatile organic compounds in faecal samples collected from cholera patients in Bangladesh to determine biomarkers that could be used for disease diagnosis. Samples were collected from patients at the In... Read More about A pilot study of faecal volatile organic compounds in faeces from cholera patients in Bangladesh to determine their utility in disease diagnosis.

Volatile organic compounds as diagnostic biomarkers in gastrointestinal and liver diseases (2009)
Journal Article
Probert, C. S. J., Khalid, T., Ahmed, I., Johnson, E., Smith, S., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2009). Volatile organic compounds as diagnostic biomarkers in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, 18(3), 337-343

The assessment of disease activity in various conditions may be performed using a range of different techniques. These include the use of non-invasive tests, such as acute phase inflammatory markers and simple radiological techniques, to more advance... Read More about Volatile organic compounds as diagnostic biomarkers in gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

Analysis of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath from liver cirrhotics (2009)
Presentation / Conference
Khalid, T., Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., White, P., Shenoy, A., & Probert, C. (2009, April). Analysis of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath from liver cirrhotics. Paper presented at BREATH 2009 International Conference on Breath and Breath Odor Research, Dortmund, Germany

Volatiles from oral anaerobes (2009)
Presentation / Conference
Khalid, T., Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., Greenman, J., & Saad, S. (2009, April). Volatiles from oral anaerobes. Paper presented at BREATH 2009 International Conference on Breath and Breath Odor Research, Dortmund Germany

A Low-Cost Portable Device for Monitoring Oxygen Concentration in Breath (2009)
Presentation / Conference
Osborne, A., Osborne, D., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Smith, S. (2009, April). A Low-Cost Portable Device for Monitoring Oxygen Concentration in Breath. Paper presented at BREATH 2009 International Conference on Breath and Breath Odor Research, Dortmund, Germany

The measurement of breath volatiles for correlation with blood glucose levels and an assessment of their usefulness in diagnosing and managing diabetes (2009)
Presentation / Conference
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., Garner, K., Probert, C., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Stevens, S. (2009, April). The measurement of breath volatiles for correlation with blood glucose levels and an assessment of their usefulness in diagnosing and managing diabetes. Paper presented at BREATH 2009 International Conference on Breath and Breath Odor Research, Dortmund, Germany

Chemical tessellations (2009)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Jahan, I., Adamatzky, A., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2009). Chemical tessellations. International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 19(2), 619-622. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218127409023238

We report a simple set of chemical reactions based on the reaction of a range of metal salts with potassium ferricyanide loaded gels that spontaneously produce complex and colorful tessellations of the plane. These reactions provide a great resource... Read More about Chemical tessellations.

Fine control and selection of travelling waves in Inorganic Pattern Forming Reactions (2009)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Jahan, I., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Armstrong, J. (2009). Fine control and selection of travelling waves in Inorganic Pattern Forming Reactions. International Journal of Nanotechnology and Molecular Computation, 1(3), 26-36. https://doi.org/10.4018/jnmc.2009070103

Under normal reaction conditions [AlCl3 0.28-0.34M and NaOH 2.5M A.Volford et al.] spontaneous spiral and circular travelling precipitate waves were observed. We constructed a phase diagram for the reaction and identified a large controllable region... Read More about Fine control and selection of travelling waves in Inorganic Pattern Forming Reactions.

Highly sensitive room temperature sensors based on the UV-LED activation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (2008)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R. J., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Richardson, M. (2008). Highly sensitive room temperature sensors based on the UV-LED activation of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 134(2), 945-952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2008.06.055

This study describes novel work on the use of UV-light emitting diodes (LEDs) to enhance the room temperature gas sensitivity of thick film zinc oxide sensors. Sensors based on nanoparticulates of zinc oxide activated with a UV-LED of peak wavelength... Read More about Highly sensitive room temperature sensors based on the UV-LED activation of zinc oxide nanoparticles.

The characteristics of novel low-cost sensors for volatile biomarker detection (2008)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R. J., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Richards, M. (2008). The characteristics of novel low-cost sensors for volatile biomarker detection. Journal of Breath Research, 2(3), 037017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/2/3/037017

For breath analyses, volatile detectors capable of sensing extremely low concentrations in the sub-ppm range are required. Novel room temperature sensors were fabricated based on ultraviolet light activation of nanoparticulate metal oxide surfaces us... Read More about The characteristics of novel low-cost sensors for volatile biomarker detection.

A comparative study of the analysis of human urine headspace using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (2008)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Burden, H., Persad, R., Whittington, K., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Probert, C. S. (2008). A comparative study of the analysis of human urine headspace using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Breath Research, 2(3), 037022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/2/3/037022

First-void urine samples were obtained from 24 elderly, asymptomatic men (median age 62.9 years). The headspace above pH adjusted urine samples were extracted using a carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane solid phase micro-extraction fibre and the volatile o... Read More about A comparative study of the analysis of human urine headspace using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

An analysis of volatiles in the headspace of the faeces of neonates (2008)
Journal Article
Ewen, R., de Lacy Costello, B., Ewer, A. K., Garner, C. E., Probert, C. S., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Smith, S. (2008). An analysis of volatiles in the headspace of the faeces of neonates. Journal of Breath Research, 2(3), 037023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/2/3/037023

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the headspace from the faeces of neonates was undertaken to record the volatiles associated with preterm babies on a neonatal unit. The compounds ethanol, acetone, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 3-methylb... Read More about An analysis of volatiles in the headspace of the faeces of neonates.

A sensor system for monitoring the simple gases hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and ethanol in exhaled breath (2008)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R. J., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2008). A sensor system for monitoring the simple gases hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and ethanol in exhaled breath. Journal of Breath Research, 2(3), https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7155/2/3/037011

A sensor array system was constructed incorporating electrochemical sensors for hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and ethanol, a ceramic sensor for total volatiles and a dye-based optical ammonia sensor. The system was calibrated using stan... Read More about A sensor system for monitoring the simple gases hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and ethanol in exhaled breath.

Detection of disease by analysis of emissions (2008)
Patent
Probert, C. S. J., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2008). Detection of disease by analysis of emissions. 1949852

A method of determining the cause of disease is described, which method uses the detection of "signature" or "fingerprint" volatile compounds in an emission, especially flatus, from a patient.

Identification of Campylobacter infection in chickens from volatile faecal emissions (2008)
Journal Article
Garner, C. E., Smith, S., Elviss, N. C., Humphrey, T. J., White, P., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Probert, C. S. (2008). Identification of Campylobacter infection in chickens from volatile faecal emissions. Biomarkers, 13(4), 413-421. https://doi.org/10.1080/13547500801966443

Volatile organic compounds from chicken faeces were investigated as biomarkers for Campylobacter infection. Campylobacter are major poultry-borne zoonotic pathogens, colonizing the avian intestinal tract. Chicken faeces are the principal source of co... Read More about Identification of Campylobacter infection in chickens from volatile faecal emissions.

A study of methods for evaluating the integrity of plate type heat exchangers used in the dairy industry (2007)
Journal Article
Dowman, A. A., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2007). A study of methods for evaluating the integrity of plate type heat exchangers used in the dairy industry. International Journal of Dairy Technology, 53(1), 30-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0307.2000.tb02650.x

An overview of leak testing methods for heat exchangers is presented. The problems associated with the presence of residual liquid during testing were assessed as it was shown experimentally that complete drainage of plate type heat exchangers is ver... Read More about A study of methods for evaluating the integrity of plate type heat exchangers used in the dairy industry.

Volatile organic compounds from feces and their potential for diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease (2007)
Journal Article
Garner, C. E., Smith, S., De Lacy Costello, B., White, P., Spencer, R., Probert, C. S., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2007). Volatile organic compounds from feces and their potential for diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease. FASEB Journal, 21(8), 1675-1688. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.06-6927com

Little is known about the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in feces and their potential health consequences. Patients and healthcare professionals have observed that feces often smell abnormal during gastrointestinal disease. The aim of this work wa... Read More about Volatile organic compounds from feces and their potential for diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease.

Post-harvest spoilage of wheat grains: Malodour formation and the infection process (2006)
Book Chapter
Spencer-Phillips, P. T., Wallington, A., Kockenberger, W., Gunson, H., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2006). Post-harvest spoilage of wheat grains: Malodour formation and the infection process. In M. Bailey, A. Lilley, T. Timms-Wilson, & P. T. Spencer-Phillips (Eds.), Microbial Ecology of Aerial Plant Surfaces (287-303). Wallingford: CAB International

Rapid diagnosis of gastro-intestinal infections using faecal odour (2005)
Book Chapter
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., Garner, K., Probert, C., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Smith, S. (2005). Rapid diagnosis of gastro-intestinal infections using faecal odour. In A. Amann, & D. Smith (Eds.), Breath Analysis For Clinical Diagnosis And Therapeutic Monitoring (429-436). World Scientific Publishing Company

This book describes how the analysis of the trace gases in exhaled breath can be used for non-invasive clinical diagnosis of disease and for monitoring the effectiveness of therapy. This approach offers an important addition to the diagnostic techniq... Read More about Rapid diagnosis of gastro-intestinal infections using faecal odour.

Voronoi diagrams generated by regressing edges of precipitation fronts (2004)
Journal Article
Hantz, P., de Lacy Costello, B., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2004). Voronoi diagrams generated by regressing edges of precipitation fronts. Journal of Chemical Physics, 120(5), 2413-2416. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1635358

The Voronoi diagram generated by regression edges of precipitation fronts was analyzed. In the reaction-diffusion system, one of the reagents penetrates into a gel by diffusion and forms a precipitate with the other reagent homogenized in the gel. It... Read More about Voronoi diagrams generated by regressing edges of precipitation fronts.

The formation of voronoi diagrams in chemical and physical systems: Experimental findings and theoretical models (2004)
Journal Article
Purwins, H. G., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., Adamatzky, A., Zanin, A. L., & Liehr, A. W. (2004). The formation of voronoi diagrams in chemical and physical systems: Experimental findings and theoretical models. International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 14(7), 2187-2210. https://doi.org/10.1142/S021812740401059X

The work discusses the formation of Voronoi diagrams in spatially extended nonlinear systems taking experimental and theoretical results into account. Concerning experimental systems a number of chemical systems used previously as prototype chemical... Read More about The formation of voronoi diagrams in chemical and physical systems: Experimental findings and theoretical models.

Identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the volatile organic compounds emitted from the wood-rotting fungi Serpula lacrymans and Coniophora puteana, and from Pinus sylvestris timber (2004)
Journal Article
Ewen, R. J., Jones, P. R., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2004). Identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the volatile organic compounds emitted from the wood-rotting fungi Serpula lacrymans and Coniophora puteana, and from Pinus sylvestris timber. Mycological Research, 108(7), 806-814. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095375620400022X

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by two wood-rotting basidiomycete fungi, Serpula lacrymans (dry rot fungus) and Coniophora puteana (cellar fungus), and the timber of Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine), were identified. Several volatile collectio... Read More about Identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the volatile organic compounds emitted from the wood-rotting fungi Serpula lacrymans and Coniophora puteana, and from Pinus sylvestris timber.

A novel method for rapidly diagnosing the causes of diarrhoea (2004)
Journal Article
Jones, P. R. H., Probert, C. S. J., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2004). A novel method for rapidly diagnosing the causes of diarrhoea. Gut, 53(1), 58-61. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.53.1.58

Background: The microbiological diagnosis of infectious diarrhoea may take several days using conventional techniques. In order to determine whether flatus can be used to make a rapid diagnosis, the volatile organic compounds associated with diarrhoe... Read More about A novel method for rapidly diagnosing the causes of diarrhoea.

The synthesis of novel 3-substituted pyrrole monomers possessing chiral side groups: A study of their chemical polymerisation and the assessment of their chiral discrimination properties (2003)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Sivanand, P. S. (2003). The synthesis of novel 3-substituted pyrrole monomers possessing chiral side groups: A study of their chemical polymerisation and the assessment of their chiral discrimination properties. Synthetic Metals, 139(1), 43-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-6779%2802%2901247-X

Novel 3-substituted pyrrole monomers possessing chiral side groups were synthesised. These compounds were successfully polymerised with ferric salts and the polymer materials fabricated into sensors. The sensors were found to elicit differential chan... Read More about The synthesis of novel 3-substituted pyrrole monomers possessing chiral side groups: A study of their chemical polymerisation and the assessment of their chiral discrimination properties.

Experimental reaction-diffusion chemical processors for robot path planning (2003)
Journal Article
Adamatzky, A., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Melhuish, C. (2003). Experimental reaction-diffusion chemical processors for robot path planning. Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems, 37(3), 233-249. https://doi.org/10.1023/A%3A1025414424756

In this paper we discuss the experimental implementation of a chemical reaction-diffusion processor for robot motion planning in terms of finding the shortest collision-free path for a robot moving in an arena with obstacles. These reaction-diffusion... Read More about Experimental reaction-diffusion chemical processors for robot path planning.

Thick film organic vapour sensors based on binary mixtures of metal oxides (2003)
Journal Article
Ewen, R. J., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Sivanand, P. S. (2003). Thick film organic vapour sensors based on binary mixtures of metal oxides. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 92(1-2), 159-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-4005%2803%2900258-2

Previously, composite sensors incorporating differing proportions of tin dioxide and zinc oxide were reported which exhibited high sensitivity to a range of organic vapours under dry conditions (0% relative humidity, RH). Most importantly, the compos... Read More about Thick film organic vapour sensors based on binary mixtures of metal oxides.

A prototype sensor system for the early detection of microbially linked spoilage in stored wheat grain (2003)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., Gunson, H., Ratcliffe, N. M., Sivanand, P., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2003). A prototype sensor system for the early detection of microbially linked spoilage in stored wheat grain. Measurement Science and Technology, 14(4), 397-409. https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/14/4/301

Spencer-Phillips was Co-Investigator, the lead biologist in this HGCA-funded multi-disciplinary work, and co-wrote the paper. The grant was based on his expertise in the microbiology of post-harvest spoilage.

Syntheses and polymerizations of (E)-2-styrylfurans and an investigation of their electrorheological properties (2003)
Journal Article
Ewen, R. J., Teare, G. C., Campbell, S. A., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Smith, J. R. (2003). Syntheses and polymerizations of (E)-2-styrylfurans and an investigation of their electrorheological properties. Smart Materials and Structures, 12(1), 129-138. https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/12/1/315

Novel furan compounds, which incorporate phenyl rings separated by alkene spacers, have been synthesized. Chemical polymerization of these compounds yielded black brittle powders, suspensions of which were found to exhibit significant electrorheologi... Read More about Syntheses and polymerizations of (E)-2-styrylfurans and an investigation of their electrorheological properties.

Detection of helicobacter pylori (2003)
Patent
Ratcliffe, N. M., Teare, C., Dunn, C., Cowell, D., Penault, C., Chambers, P., & Black, M. (2003). Detection of helicobacter pylori. US6509169 B2

A method for detecting Helicobacter pylori in a subject's gastroenteral tract involves measuring a change in resistance of an electronic or electrochemical sensor, notably a polypyrrole film, on exposure to gas from the subject's lungs and/or stomach... Read More about Detection of helicobacter pylori.

A prototype sensor system for the early detection of microbially linked spoilage in stored wheat grain (2003)
Journal Article
Gunson, H., de Lacy Costello, B., Ratcliffe, N. M., Ewen, R. J., Sivanand, P. S., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2003). A prototype sensor system for the early detection of microbially linked spoilage in stored wheat grain. Measurement Science and Technology, 14(4), 397-409. https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/14/4/301

Sensors based on composites of metal oxides were fabricated and tested extensively under high-humidity and high-flow conditions with exposure to vapours reported to increase in the headspace of wheat grain (Triticum aestivum cv Hereward) colonized by... Read More about A prototype sensor system for the early detection of microbially linked spoilage in stored wheat grain.

Sensors for early warning of post-harvest spoilage in potato tubers (2002)
Presentation / Conference
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., Gunson, H., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2002, November). Sensors for early warning of post-harvest spoilage in potato tubers. Presented at BCPC Conference 2002 - Pests and Diseases, Brighton, UK

Post-harvest spoilage of potato tubers results in approximately 9 million annual loss in the UK alone. In this paper, we report work completed with funding from the British Potato Council to develop an electronic sensor system (e-nose) to enable the... Read More about Sensors for early warning of post-harvest spoilage in potato tubers.

Highly sensitive mixed oxide sensors for the detection of ethanol (2002)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., Guernion, N., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2002). Highly sensitive mixed oxide sensors for the detection of ethanol. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 87(1), 207-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-4005%2802%2900220-4

Sensors consisting of mixtures of tin dioxide and zinc oxide powders in a range of proportions were constructed. Each mixture was applied to an electrode-bearing alumina substrate either as a paste, or by screen printing. The responses of these senso... Read More about Highly sensitive mixed oxide sensors for the detection of ethanol.

Experimental reaction-diffusion pre-processor for shape recognition (2002)
Journal Article
Adamatzky, A., de Lacy Costello, B., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2002). Experimental reaction-diffusion pre-processor for shape recognition. Physics Letters A, 297(5-6), 344-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0375-9601%2802%2900289-X

We have produced an experimental implementation of a massively-parallel reaction-diffusion processor which performs one of the most essential parts of shape recognition - construction of a skeleton. A skeleton is a unique, stable and invariant repres... Read More about Experimental reaction-diffusion pre-processor for shape recognition.

The fabrication and characterisation of a highly sensitive polypyrrole sensor and its electrical responses to amines of differing basicity at high humidities (2002)
Journal Article
Guernion, N., Ewen, R. J., Pihlainen, K., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Teare, G. C. (2002). The fabrication and characterisation of a highly sensitive polypyrrole sensor and its electrical responses to amines of differing basicity at high humidities. Synthetic Metals, 126(2-3), 301-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-6779%2801%2900572-0

Ammonia is a common feedstock for many chemical processes involving nitrogen compounds. It is a poisonous, colourless gas with a pungent smell and a fairly low odour threshold of approximately 5 ppm. The recommended threshold limit value for human ex... Read More about The fabrication and characterisation of a highly sensitive polypyrrole sensor and its electrical responses to amines of differing basicity at high humidities.

Deposition and characterization by surface plasmon resonance of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of three macrocyclic conjugated tetrapyrrole compounds exposed to chlorine gas (2002)
Journal Article
Honeybourne, C. L., Portus, D., Ratcliffe, N. M., Richardson, T., & Ashwell, G. (2002). Deposition and characterization by surface plasmon resonance of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of three macrocyclic conjugated tetrapyrrole compounds exposed to chlorine gas. Polish Journal of Chemistry, 76(2-3), 367-376

Conducting polymers as coatings: Electrochemical and density functional theory investigations of the polymerisation (2002)
Journal Article
Smith, J., Cox, P., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Campbell, S. (2002). Conducting polymers as coatings: Electrochemical and density functional theory investigations of the polymerisation. Transactions of the Institute of Metal Finishing, 80(2), 52-55

Electroactive materials such as polypyrrole and polythiophene have many applications including their use as coatings in the metal finishing industry. Electrochemical and density functional theory (DFT) studies of a series of derivatised thiophene mol... Read More about Conducting polymers as coatings: Electrochemical and density functional theory investigations of the polymerisation.

Identifying bacteria in human urine: Current practice and the potential for rapid, near-patient diagnosis by sensing volatile organic compounds (2001)
Journal Article
Howe, R. A., Spencer-Phillips, P. T., Ratcliffe, N. M., Guernion, N., Ratcliffe, N. M., Spencer-Phillips, P. T., & Howe, R. (2001). Identifying bacteria in human urine: Current practice and the potential for rapid, near-patient diagnosis by sensing volatile organic compounds. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 39(10), 893-906. https://doi.org/10.1515/CCLM.2001.146

Urinary tract infection (UTI) represents a significant burden for the National Health Service. Extensive research has been directed towards rapid detection of UTI in the last thirty years. A wide range of microbiological and chemical techniques are n... Read More about Identifying bacteria in human urine: Current practice and the potential for rapid, near-patient diagnosis by sensing volatile organic compounds.

The use of a minimal number of vapour sensors for the assessment of food quality (2001)
Book Chapter
de Lacy Costello, B., Ewen, R., Gunson, H., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2001). The use of a minimal number of vapour sensors for the assessment of food quality. In S. Clark, K. Thompson, C. Keevil, & M. Smith (Eds.), Rapid Detection Assays (148-152). Royal Society of Chemistry

The detection of harmful chemicals and microbial pathogens in food and water destined for consumers is of paramount importance the world over and it is vital that new techniques and discoveries are widely disseminated. Bringing together international... Read More about The use of a minimal number of vapour sensors for the assessment of food quality.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of volatile organic compounds from potato tubers inoculated with Phytophthora infestans or Fusarium coeruleum (2001)
Journal Article
Spencer-Phillips, P. T., Ratcliffe, N. M., Jones, P. R., De Lacy Costello, B. P., de Lacy Costello, B., Evans, P., …Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2001). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of volatile organic compounds from potato tubers inoculated with Phytophthora infestans or Fusarium coeruleum. Plant Pathology, 50(4), 489-496. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3059.2001.00594.x

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected from potato tubers inoculated with Phytophthora infestans (late blight), Fusarium coeruleum (dry rot) or sterilized distilled water (as a control) were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (G... Read More about Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of volatile organic compounds from potato tubers inoculated with Phytophthora infestans or Fusarium coeruleum.

Ammonia vapour in the oral cavity as a diagnostic marker for infection with Helicobacter pylori: Preliminary 'proof of principle' pharmacological investigations (2001)
Journal Article
Dun, C., Blac, M., Cowell, D., Penaul, C., Ratcliffe, N. M., Spence, R., & Teare, C. (2001). Ammonia vapour in the oral cavity as a diagnostic marker for infection with Helicobacter pylori: Preliminary 'proof of principle' pharmacological investigations. British Journal of Biomedical Science, 58(2), 66-75

Most current non-invasive tests for Helicobacter pylori depend on the conversion of labelled (13C or 14C) urea to labelled carbon dioxide (13CO2 or 14CO2) and ammonium (NH4+) by the enzyme urease, with the labelled CO2 detected in exhaled air. Despit... Read More about Ammonia vapour in the oral cavity as a diagnostic marker for infection with Helicobacter pylori: Preliminary 'proof of principle' pharmacological investigations.

Development of a sensor system for the early detection of soft rot in stored potato tubers (2000)
Journal Article
Spencer-Phillips, P. T., Ratcliffe, N. M., Gunson, H. E., Ewen, R. J., De Lacy Costello, B. P., de Lacy Costello, B., …Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2000). Development of a sensor system for the early detection of soft rot in stored potato tubers. Measurement Science and Technology, 11(12), 1685-1691. https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/11/12/305

A number of sensor types were fabricated and tested for their electrical resistance changes to compounds known to be evolved by potato tubers with soft rot caused by the bacterium Erwinia carotovora. On the basis of these tests, three sensors were se... Read More about Development of a sensor system for the early detection of soft rot in stored potato tubers.

A study of the effects of acid on the polymerisation of pyrrole, on the oxidative polymerisation of pyrrole and on polypyrrole (2000)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M., Hawkins, S. J., Hawkins, S., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (2000). A study of the effects of acid on the polymerisation of pyrrole, on the oxidative polymerisation of pyrrole and on polypyrrole. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 10(9), 2057-2062. https://doi.org/10.1039/b001912g

The polymer products arising from the hydrochloric acid treatment of aqueous pyrrole were shown to have spectroscopic data consistent with alternating pyrrole and pyrrolidine units with varying degrees of ring opening of the pyrrole units. The acid c... Read More about A study of the effects of acid on the polymerisation of pyrrole, on the oxidative polymerisation of pyrrole and on polypyrrole.

A study of methods for evaluating the integrity of plate type heat exchangers used in the dairy industry (2000)
Journal Article
type heat exchangers used in the dairy industry. International Journal of Dairy Technology, 53(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0307.2000.tb02650.x

An overview of leak testing methods for heat exchangers is presented. The problems associated with the presence of residual liquid during testing were assessed as it was shown experimentally that complete drainage of plate type heat exchangers is ver... Read More about A study of methods for evaluating the integrity of plate type heat exchangers used in the dairy industry.

A pilot-plant study of an automated quality control electronic nose for the monitoring of dry cured hams (1999)
Book Chapter
Abbass, A., de Lacy Costello, B., Cooper, L., Evans, P., Ewen, R., Hart, J. P., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1999). A pilot-plant study of an automated quality control electronic nose for the monitoring of dry cured hams. In W. Hurst (Ed.), Electronic Noses & Sensor Array Based Systems - Design & Applications, Fifth International Symposium Proceedings (211-224). Pennsylvania, USA: CRC Press

Identification of volatiles generated by potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum CV: Maris piper) infected by Erwinia carotovora, Bacillus polymyxa and Arthrobacter sp. (1999)
Journal Article
Spencer-Phillips, P. T., Ratcliffe, N. M., Ewen, R. J., De Lacy Costello, B. P., de Lacy Costello, B., Evans, P., …Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (1999). Identification of volatiles generated by potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum CV: Maris piper) infected by Erwinia carotovora, Bacillus polymyxa and Arthrobacter sp. Plant Pathology, 48(3), 345-351. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3059.1999.00357.x

Bacteria were isolated from internal tissues of surface sterilized healthy tubers of Solanum tuberosum cv. Maris Piper (8 different isolates) and from tubers inoculated with Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora showing soft-rot symptoms (3 different is... Read More about Identification of volatiles generated by potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum CV: Maris piper) infected by Erwinia carotovora, Bacillus polymyxa and Arthrobacter sp..

Identification of volatiles generated by potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum CV : Maris Piper) infected by erwinia carotovora, bacillus polymyxa and arthrobacter sp (1999)
Journal Article
de Lacy Costello, B., Evans, P., Ewen, R., Gunson, H., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (1999). Identification of volatiles generated by potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum CV : Maris Piper) infected by erwinia carotovora, bacillus polymyxa and arthrobacter sp. Plant Pathology, 48(3), 345-351

Bacteria were isolated from internal tissues of surface sterilized healthy tubers of Solanum tuberosum cv. Maris Piper (8 different isolates) and from tubers inoculated with Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora showing soft-rot symptoms (3 different is... Read More about Identification of volatiles generated by potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum CV : Maris Piper) infected by erwinia carotovora, bacillus polymyxa and arthrobacter sp.

Simple Methods for the Extraction and Identification of Amine Malodurs from Spoiled Foodstuffs (1998)
Journal Article
Jones, P., Ewen, R., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1998). Simple Methods for the Extraction and Identification of Amine Malodurs from Spoiled Foodstuffs. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 11(3), 274-279. https://doi.org/10.1006/jfca.1998.0584

Headspace GC-MS analysis was performed on potato tubers infected withErwinia carotovorabacteria and on Iberian cured ham infected withMicroccusandLactobacillusbacteria strains, which cause extensive losses in stored foodstuffs. Headspace samples of i... Read More about Simple Methods for the Extraction and Identification of Amine Malodurs from Spoiled Foodstuffs.

The use of thin silver films for the detection of low concentrations of hydrogen sulphide (1998)
Journal Article
Hawkins, S. J., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Sagastizabal, A. (1998). The use of thin silver films for the detection of low concentrations of hydrogen sulphide. Analytica Chimica Acta, 359(1-2), 125-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670%2897%2900633-8

This work describes the facile fabrication of a sensor for the visual detection of hydrogen sulphide at concentrations of ≤0.1 ppm. Colloidal silver films were prepared on PVC by a dip-coating method which, on exposure to hydrogen sulphide, underwent... Read More about The use of thin silver films for the detection of low concentrations of hydrogen sulphide.

Synthesis and gas sensing properties of poly[tetra(pyrrol-1-yl)silane] (1996)
Journal Article
Campbell, S. A., Smith, J. R., Evans, P., Smith, J., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Campbell, S. (1996). Synthesis and gas sensing properties of poly[tetra(pyrrol-1-yl)silane]. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 6(3), 295-299. https://doi.org/10.1039/jm9960600295

Conducting polymers such as polypyrrole and polythiophene offer a new approach to the design of modified electrodes and sensors. In the current work, the electrochemical and chemical polymerisation of tetra(pyrrol-1-yl)silane is described. Resultant... Read More about Synthesis and gas sensing properties of poly[tetra(pyrrol-1-yl)silane].

Electrorheological properties of polypyrrole prepared by the action of mineral acids on pyrrole (1996)
Journal Article
Teare, G. C., Teare, G. C., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1996). Electrorheological properties of polypyrrole prepared by the action of mineral acids on pyrrole. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 6(3), 301-304. https://doi.org/10.1039/jm9960600301

Polypyrrole was prepared in high yield by the polymerisation of pyrrole in strongly acidic conditions using hydrofluoric, hydrochloric (at 20°C and 100°C), hydrobromic, nitric and orthophosphoric acids. The polymer products incorporated significant a... Read More about Electrorheological properties of polypyrrole prepared by the action of mineral acids on pyrrole.

Novel composite organic-inorganic semiconductor sensors for the quantitative detection of target organic vapours (1996)
Journal Article
Honeybourne, C. L., Ewen, R. J., De Lacy Costello, B. P., de Lacy Costello, B., Evans, P., Ewen, R., …Ratcliffe, N. M. (1996). Novel composite organic-inorganic semiconductor sensors for the quantitative detection of target organic vapours. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 6(3), 289-294. https://doi.org/10.1039/JM9960600289

Composites of tin dioxide (an n-type semiconductor) and derivatives of the conducting polymer polypyrrole (a p-type semiconductor) gave reversible changes in electrical resistance at room temperature when exposed to a range of organic vapours. The op... Read More about Novel composite organic-inorganic semiconductor sensors for the quantitative detection of target organic vapours.

Application of density functional theory in the synthesis of electroactive polymers (1995)
Journal Article
Campbell, S. A., Cox, P. A., Smith, J. R., Smith, J., Cox, P., Campbell, S., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1995). Application of density functional theory in the synthesis of electroactive polymers. Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions, 91(15), 2331-2338. https://doi.org/10.1039/FT9959102331

A wide range of conjugated organic compounds undergo anodic electropolymerisation to produce polymers of high conductivity. However, electrooxidation does not always result in the formation of electroactive materials, since some reactions produce ins... Read More about Application of density functional theory in the synthesis of electroactive polymers.

Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part II. Synthesis and polymerization of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole (1995)
Journal Article
Smith, J., Campbell, S., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1995). Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part II. Synthesis and polymerization of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole. Synthetic Metals, 73(2), 171-182

A number of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes, exhibiting a range of electronic effects, and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole were synthesized and their electrochemical behaviour investigated. The films, produced by anodic electropolymerization, were redox inactive and exhi... Read More about Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part II. Synthesis and polymerization of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole.

Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part II. Synthesis and polymerization of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole (1995)
Journal Article
Campbell, S. A., Ratcliffe, N. M., Smith, J. R., Smith, J., Ratcliffe, N. M., & Campbell, S. (1995). Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part II. Synthesis and polymerization of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole. Synthetic Metals, 73(2), 171-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0379-6779%2895%2903318-1

A number of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes, exhibiting a range of electronic effects, and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole were synthesized and their electrochemical behaviour investigated. The films, produced by anodic electropolymerization, were redox inactive and exhi... Read More about Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part II. Synthesis and polymerization of (E)-2-styrylthiophenes and (E)-2-styrylpyrrole.

Application of density functional theory in the synthesis of electroactive polymers (1995)
Journal Article
Smith, J. R., Cox, P. A., Campbell, S., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1995). Application of density functional theory in the synthesis of electroactive polymers. Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions, 91(15), 2331-2338

A wide range of conjugated organic compounds undergo anodic electropolymerisation to produce polymers of high conductivity. However, electrooxidation does not always result in the formation of electroactive materials, since some reactions produce ins... Read More about Application of density functional theory in the synthesis of electroactive polymers.

Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part I. Synthesis and electropolymerization of 3-styrylthiophenes (1994)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M., Campbell, S. A., Smith, J. R., Smith, J., Campbell, S., Dunleavy, M., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1994). Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part I. Synthesis and electropolymerization of 3-styrylthiophenes. Synthetic Metals, 63(3), 233-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/0379-6779%2894%2990234-8

The synthesis and electrochemical behaviour of novel thiophene compounds containing a substituted phenyl group separated by an alkene spacer are described. In such systems, it was proposed that the molecular geometry should allow the π-electron densi... Read More about Polyheterocycles containing alkene spacer linkages Part I. Synthesis and electropolymerization of 3-styrylthiophenes.

Preparation of conductive films (1992)
Patent
Ratcliffe, N. M. (1992). Preparation of conductive films. US5089294 A

An electrically-conductive polypyrrole film is formed, on a non-conducting substrate, by contacting the substrate with pyrrole and an oxidising agent in a solvent, or with the colloidal polypyrrole that is the reaction product thereof, and removing t... Read More about Preparation of conductive films.

Preparation of conductive films and their use as gas sensors (1991)
Patent
Ratcliffe, N. M. (1991). Preparation of conductive films and their use as gas sensors. EP0411793 A2

An electrically-conductive polypyrrole film is formed, on a non-conducting substrate, by contacting the substrate with pyrrole and an oxidising agent in a solvent, or with the colloidal polypyrrole that is the reaction product thereof, and removing t... Read More about Preparation of conductive films and their use as gas sensors.

The simple preparation of a conducting and transparent polypyrrole film (1990)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1990). The simple preparation of a conducting and transparent polypyrrole film. Synthetic Metals, 38(1), 87-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/0379-6779%2890%2990070-2

The preparation of transparent, c. 50 nm thick, conducting (c. 5.0 S cm-1) films of polypyrrole onto non-conducting substrates, e.g. acrylic, polyester, glass is described. The coating was produced by a dip process into a colloidal dispersion of poly... Read More about The simple preparation of a conducting and transparent polypyrrole film.

Polypyrrole-based sensor for hydrazine and ammonia (1990)
Journal Article
Ratcliffe, N. M. (1990). Polypyrrole-based sensor for hydrazine and ammonia. Analytica Chimica Acta, 239(C), 257-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670%2800%2983859-3

An ultra-thin layer of polypyrrole can be coated on non-conducting substrates, e.g., acrylic, by dip coating into a colloidal suspension of polypyrrole. This thin coating reversibly combines with low concentrations of ammonia or hydrazine with a conc... Read More about Polypyrrole-based sensor for hydrazine and ammonia.

A promising material for non-linear optics: Observation of second harmonic generation from 4-[N-(4-carboxypentyl)-N-methylamino]-4′-nitrostilbene- coated substrates (1988)
Journal Article
Barton, J. W., Barton, J., Buhaenko, M., Moyle, B., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1988). A promising material for non-linear optics: Observation of second harmonic generation from 4-[N-(4-carboxypentyl)-N-methylamino]-4′-nitrostilbene- coated substrates. Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications, 488-489. https://doi.org/10.1039/C39880000488

Glass coated with a nitro amino stilbene carboxylic acid using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique gave a non-centrosymmetric material exhibiting second harmonic generation, 1.06 to 0.53 μm.

IR studies of pyroelectric Langmuir-Blodgett films (1987)
Journal Article
Barton, J. W., Ratcliffe, N. M., Roberts, G. G., Petty, M. C., Jones, C. A., Jones, C., …Barton, J. (1987). IR studies of pyroelectric Langmuir-Blodgett films. Thin Solid Films, 155(2), 187-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-6090%2887%2990064-2

Alternate-layer Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) assemblies, consisting of 22-tricosenoic acid with three different amine derivatives, have been fabricated. The pyroelectric activity in the films has been assessed and correlated with their structures determine... Read More about IR studies of pyroelectric Langmuir-Blodgett films.

Pyroelectric behaviour of Langmuir-Blodgett films containing polar chromophores (1987)
Journal Article
Daniel, M. F., Roser, S. J., Ratcliffe, N., Smith, G. W., Smith, G., Ratcliffe, N. M., …Daniel, M. (1987). Pyroelectric behaviour of Langmuir-Blodgett films containing polar chromophores. Thin Solid Films, 151(1), 9-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-6090%2887%2990003-4

The pyroelectric behaviour of Langmuir-Blodgett films containing several different polar chromophores was studied. Two distinct levels of activity are seen. By comparison with films containing no chromophores it is shown that the lower level of activ... Read More about Pyroelectric behaviour of Langmuir-Blodgett films containing polar chromophores.

Langmuir blodgett films (1987)
Patent
Smith, G., Daniel, M., Barton, J., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1987). Langmuir blodgett films. WO/1987/000347

Novel Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of ABAB structure in which the compounds A and B are different and contain complementary groups which result in non-centrosymmetry of the layer plane. Three types of structure are described (i) in which A and B have... Read More about Langmuir blodgett films.

Pyroelectric activity in non-centrosymmetric Langmuir-Blodgett multilayer films (1985)
Journal Article
Smith, G., Daniel, M., Barton, J., & Ratcliffe, N. M. (1985). Pyroelectric activity in non-centrosymmetric Langmuir-Blodgett multilayer films. Thin Solid Films, 132(1-4), 125-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-6090%2885%2990464-X

We report the detection of pyroelectric activity in non-centrosymmetric Langmuir-Blodgett multilayer films of structure ABAB ... where A and B are monolayers of different materials. Films consisting of alternating fatty amine and fatty acid layers gi... Read More about Pyroelectric activity in non-centrosymmetric Langmuir-Blodgett multilayer films.