In this work, a concept of highly efficient solar–hydrogen generation by direct coupling of III–V multijunction solar cells with proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cells is presented. III–V solar cells under concentrated illumination feature voltages above 2 V enabling the generation of hydrogen by water electrolysis. The resulting “hydrogen concentrator” is called HyCon. The temperature‐dependent electrochemical behavior of a PEM electrolysis cell is analyzed and its current–voltage characteristics are presented. The distribution of the velocity of the water flow and pressure for different flow fields is simulated by fluidic simulation. An electrolysis cell featuring a porous fiber as a current collector without any flow‐field pattern shows no visible difference in performance compared to a cell with a flow field pattern. Outdoor measurements of a HyCon module with 6 cells show a maximum efficiency of 16.8 % for one of the HyCon cells. Higher currents at lower voltages are desirable. In this respect the III–V multijunction solar cells can be optimized to obtain a higher current by adapting the indium content of each sub cell. This will lead to an increase of the system efficiency. The improvements, which will be applied in the near future, are discussed.

This review is focused on methods for detecting small molecules and, in particular, the characterisation of their interaction with natural proteins (e.g. receptors, ion channels). Because there are intrinsic advantages to using label-free methods over labelled methods (e.g. fluorescence, radioactivity), this review only covers label-free techniques. We briefly discuss available techniques and their advantages and disadvantages, especially as related to investigating the interaction between small molecules and proteins. The reviewed techniques include well-known and widely used standard analytical methods (e.g. HPLC-MS, NMR, calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction), newer and more specialised analytical methods (e.g. biosensors), biological systems (e.g. cell lines and animal models), and in-silico approaches.

Measurements in complex matrices like milk still present a challenge in biosensor development. This is especially important when using a label-free detection method or when measuring low analyte concentrations. The direct optical method reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) was used for investigating matrix effects in immunoassay development. Furthermore, approaches to reduce these effects have been established. As a model system, the hormone testosterone has been chosen because this immunoassay has been well characterized in buffer. In a first step, the immunoassay for the detection of testosterone in buffer was improved beyond former published results. Therefore, the sensor surface was optimized, resulting in a fivefold lower limit of detection (70.2 ng L(-1)) and limit of quantification (130.0 ng L(-1)). Additionally, the assay time could be reduced to 15 min. Consequently, we used this improved assay to investigate matrix effects of whole pasteurized bovine milk. To minimize these effects, the surface chemistry was adapted and a suitable evaluation method was established, reducing the effects of Tyndall scattering and nonspecific binding to the sensor surface. These improvements allow for very reliable quantitative measurements in milk. The assay developed required no sample pretreatment and allowed for the regeneration of the sensor surface so that calibration could be performed on one chip. The calibration in milk (3.5% fat) resulted in a limit of detection of 94.4 ng L(-1) and a limit of quantification of 229.3 ng L(-1). Furthermore, recovery rates between 70% and 120% could be obtained. Thus, for the first time, an analyte in the matrix milk was successfully quantified with RIfS at low concentrations.

A label-free optical biosensor for detection and quantification of diclofenac in bovine milk has been developed. This was achieved by using reflectometric interference spectroscopy as detection method. In a first step, the immunosensor was developed and optimised in buffer concerning sensitivity, selectivity, stability and reproducibility. By comparing recovery rates—not only the good intra- but also the good inter-chip—reproducibility could be proven. Consequently, the assay was transferred in the more complex matrix milk. By utilising an optimised surface modification and evaluation method, matrix effects could successfully be prevented or circumvented. As a result, the developed immunosensor does not need sample pretreatment at all. By obtaining a limit of detection of 0.112 μg L(−1) (0.108 μg kg(−1)), the capability of the developed biosensor is comparable or better than those of standard detection methods. Moreover, the presented biosensor reaches the range of the maximum residue limit (0.1 μg kg(−1)) set by the European Union. Thus, for the first time, diclofenac was successfully quantified at relevant levels in milk by using an optical biosensor.