Carbon has long been applied as an electrochemical sensing interface owing to its unique electrochemical properties. Moreover, recent advances in material design and synthesis, particularly nanomaterials, has produced robust electrochemical sensing systems that display superior analytical performance. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most extensively studied nanostructures because of their unique properties. In terms of electroanalysis, the ability of CNTs to augment the electrochemical reactivity of important biomolecules and promote electron transfer reactions of proteins is of particular interest. The remarkable sensitivity of CNTs to changes in surface conductivity due to the presence of adsorbates permits their application as highly sensitive nanoscale sensors. CNT-modified electrodes have also demonstrated their utility as anchors for biomolecules such as nucleic acids, and their ability to diminish surface fouling effects. Consequently, CNTs are highly attractive to researchers as a basis for many electrochemical sensors. Similarly, synthetic diamonds electrochemical properties, such as superior chemical inertness and biocompatibility, make it desirable both for (bio) chemical sensing and as the electrochemical interface for biological systems. This is highlighted by the recent development of multiple electrochemical diamond-based biosensors and bio interfaces.

The availability of safe water has a significant impact on all parts of society, its growth and sustainability, both politically and socioeconomically.

Rapid and accurate analysis of food produce is essential to screen for species that may cause significant health risks like bacteria, pesticides and other toxins. Considerable developments in analytical techniques and instrumentation, for example chromatography, have enabled the analyses and quantitation of these contaminants. However, these traditional technologies are constrained by high cost, delayed analysis times, expensive and laborious sample preparation stages and the need for highly-trained personnel. Therefore, emerging, alternative technologies, for example biosensors may provide viable alternatives. Rapid advances in electrochemical biosensors have enabled significant gains in quantitative detection and screening and show incredible potential as a means of countering such limitations. Apart from demonstrating high specificity towards the analyte, these biosensors also address the challenge of the multifactorial food industry of providing high analytical accuracy amidst complex food matrices, while also overcoming differing densities, pH and temperatures. This (public and Industry) demand for faster, reliable and cost-efficient analysis of food samples, has driven investment into biosensor design. Here, we discuss some of the recent work in this area and critique the role and contributions biosensors play in the food industry. We also appraise the challenges we believe biosensors need to overcome to become the industry standard.

Food authenticity, traceability and provenance are emerging issues of major concern for consumers, industries and regulatory bodies worldwide. In addition, both food safety and security are an intrinsic component of food quality where the above issues are key in modern traceability and management systems. It has been reported that substitution of a high-quality species by less expensive ones might be a frequent practice in seafood products such as fish and shellfish. In this type of products, the source (e.g., origin) and identification of the species are complex. Although different countries have implemented strict regulations and labelling protocols, these issues still are of concern. This article briefly reviews some of the most recent applications of vibrational spectroscopy (near and mid infrared, Raman) combined with chemometrics to target some of these issues in the seafood and fish industries.

Despite progress in characterising natural surfaces, the applied use of the natural architecture is still lacking in use. We present superhydrophobic replicated surfaces as alternative approaches to antifouling paints.