Logical sensing with fluorescent molecular logic gates based on photoinduced electron transfer

The evolution of fluorescence sensing at the University of Malta is critically reviewed in the context of molecular logic-based computation. Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) is the showcased design principle. Redox-driven switching is highlighted alongside traditional acid-base and ion-binding phenomena. Cross-pollination with internal charge transfer (ICT) further affords intelligent molecules with interesting and enhanced properties. These are classified according to the sophistication of the logic function from one-, two- and three-input systems including the concepts of Pourbaix sensors, lab-on-a-molecules and polymer tagged logic beads. © 2020 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.