Optode i.e. planar transparent optode, for measuring concentration of e.g. ammonium in region of root environment of plants, has polymer immobilized with fluorophore, where optode is transparent after application of fluorophore on material

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This patent describes a planar, transparent optode—a special optical sensor—for measuring concentrations of various chemical or physical parameters such as ammonium, pH, oxygen, and CO2, particularly focusing on applications like the root environment of plants. The optode consists of a transparent carrier (e.g., cellulose acetate film) coated with a polymer (like ethyl cellulose) that contains a fluorophore. Importantly, after applying the fluorophore, the optode remains highly transparent, enabling simultaneous optical measurement and direct visual or photographic observation through the sensor. This high transparency is maintained even after the sensor is prepared, making it possible to perform chemical analysis and high-quality imaging (such as tracking plant root growth) at the same time.

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• Monitoring the chemical environment (e.g., ammonium, pH, O2, CO2) of plant roots in soil without disturbing the roots, for agricultural or plant physiology research.
• Combined imaging and chemical analysis in rhizotrons, allowing for the direct and high-resolution observation of root growth and dynamics while measuring their surrounding chemical environment.
• Screening plant varieties for nutrient uptake, stress response, or resistance to toxins based on simultaneous measurement of root growth and environmental parameters.
• Studying effects of pollutants such as heavy metals in environmental or soil science by tracking chemical gradients near biological samples while imaging them.
• Use in microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental science for non-invasive, high-resolution mapping of chemical parameters around living tissues, biofilms, or organisms while being able to observe growth and reactions visually.
• Manufacturing transparent chemical/physical sensors for biomedical and environmental monitors that require minimal optical interference.

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• Enables simultaneous high-resolution imaging and measurement through the sensor, so growth processes and chemical environments can be analyzed together in real time.
• Extremely high optical transparency (>90% light transmission from 280 nm upward), maintaining image contrast and sharpness nearly as well as plain glass or plastic—critical for photographic analysis.
• Strong immobilization of the fluorophore in the polymer prevents sensor leaching and ensures durability and long-term measurements.
• Versatile detection: can measure a range of chemical/physical parameters by choosing suitable fluorophores (e.g., for pH, ammonium, O2, CO2).
• Non-invasive monitoring, as the transparent optode does not disturb the specimen being monitored and allows observation through closed systems.
• Robust and mechanically stable, with coatings resistant to water and abrasion, suitable for long-term or field use.
• Enables high spatial and temporal resolution for dynamic studies of environmental or biological processes.
• Facilitates advanced plant phenotyping, stress/tolerance screening, and metabolic studies, supporting both research and breeding programs.

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Patent Abstract

The optode has a carrier material i.e. transparent cellulose acetate folic/cellulose diacetate film, and a polymer i.e. ethyl cellulose polymer, comprising a fluorophore, where the polymer is immobilized with the fluorophore on a substrate, the optode is transparent after the application of the fluorophore on the carrier material, and the optode incorporates immobilized fluorphor from a group of 8-Hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, 2',7'-dihexyl-5(6)-N-octadecyl-carboxamidofluorescein ethyl ester, platin(II)octaethyl porphine, platinum and rhutenium (II). An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing an optode.