Boosting the advantages of biosensors: Niche applicability and fitness for environmental purpose

Environmental assessments rely on data derived from metrological schemes in order to draw in due detail the state of the ecosystems. The reliability of the data and the cost-effectiveness of the scheme become critical, especially if the ultimate goal involves decision making and policy development. Biosensor platforms provide the versatility required for integrating environmental, metrological and operational parameters at the design phase. The pertinency and the opportunity for environmental biosensing is apparent, although not seized appropriately with only a few environmental biosensors in the market. This study is based on a technology forecasting approach using bibliometric data to trace the dynamics of the science base and content analysis to identify the drawbacks of the technology base. The results are compared with market forecasts in an effort to align research dynamics with market opportunities. A number of key findings emerged, such as the increase in networking and the establishment of a multi-disciplinarity trend, as well as a shifting of research scope towards ready-to-market designing. Notwithstanding, a renewed interest of the physical chemistry sector has been identified herein, indicating necessary revisions of the science-base, adding a critical parameter in the uncertainty of trajectories.