The reversible blockage of synthetic pores formed by rigid-rod β barrels, either by substrates or products, was used to sense a variety of enzymatic reactions in high-throughput format with “naked-eye” fluorescent detection. Improvement of sensor sensitivity beyond three orders of magnitude by straightforward internal mutations underscores the functional plasticity of rigid-rod β barrels. Such detectors of enzyme activity with the aforementioned characteristics are needed in areas as diverse as proteomics and environmentally benign organic synthesis.

A rationally designed aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active probe acts as a turn-on fluorescent sensor for Zn²⁺and Al³⁺besides a colorimetric sensor for Cu²⁺and F⁻ions.