meso-2,6-Dichlorophenyltripyrrinone (TPN-Cl2)是一種對鋅離子具有高度選擇性的感測分子，以2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)或其聚合物Poly-HEMA做為載體搭配上TPN-Cl2可以不同製程方式製作出鋅離子感測元件，此固態感測元件屬非侵入式、可即時偵測以及對於鋅離子具有高靈敏度等優點。除了能在去離子水中針對鋅離子進行量測，於生物緩衝溶液Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium (DMEM)中亦能進行感測，利於進行生物醫學方面的研究。
根據研究發現，當腦部受到創傷時，受傷部位滲出的組織液中鋅離子濃度高於正常值；且腦中鋅離子的平衡狀態與阿茲海默氏症有著密切的關聯，故發展鋅離子感測元件有其必要性。以實際應用為考量，發展「感測元件微小化」，於感測膜製程中嵌入光纖，透過光纖傳遞光訊號以即時讀取溶液中鋅離子濃度，目前可以感測到去離子水中鋅離子濃度10-4體積莫耳濃度(Molar, M)，元件微小化有利於對生物體進行探測之動作，也為將來的生物模型實驗做準備。

meso-2,6-Dichlorophenyltripyrrinone (TPN-Cl2) is a probe molecule with high selectivity for Zn2+. Using 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate or Poly-HEMA as TPN-Cl2’s host can fabricate zinc ion sensors with different processes. This solid-state zinc ion sensor is non-invasive, able to real-time detect Zn2+ and with high sensitivity. It can work both in deionized water (DI water) and in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium (DMEM), it’s an advantage for biomedical study.
According to studies, brain trauma can cause higher Zn2+ concentration than normal from brain tissue exudate. Homeostasis of Zn2+ in the brain also plays an important role in Alzheimer’s Disease so development of zinc ion sensors is necessary. For practical use, miniaturization of sensor is the main goal of this thesis. Optical fibers are embedded in the sensing films in fabrication processes. Optical signals transmitted by optical fibers can real-time detect Zn2+ concentration. Miniaturized zinc ion sensor detects Zn2+ with concentration 10-4 M in DI water so far. Miniaturization of sensor is good for probing organisms and it is also a preparation for the animal model experiments.

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