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We describe the bioluminescence of a genetically engineered Escherichia coliharboring a recombined plasmid with a catalase gene promoter fused luxgene cluster, responsible for the generation of photons closely associated with respiratory inhibition, with the aim of applying it for cyanide sensing. This E. coliconstruct was favorably utilized for the microplate assay of cyanide by leveraging the microenvironment of the biocompatible alginate. The brightness of the bioluminescence, induced by cyanide stimulation of the respiration causative of the production of hydrogen peroxide, positively correlates with its concentration. Moreover, visualization of cyanide with a consumer digital camera, ranging in concentration from about 0.01 mg CN·L−1in the alginate sol to around 100 mg CN·L−1in its gel, was attained.

The basal spacings of complexes of saponite with five cationic dyes, 1,1′-diethyl-2,2′-cyanine, crystal violet, methylene blue, 1,1′-diethyl-2,2′-carbocyanine, and 1,1′-diethyl-2,2′-dicarbocyanine, varied with degree of saturation of each dye. At low loading of dye to saponite, each cationic dye showed nearly the same absorption spectrum in the UV-visible region as that of its dilute aqueous solution, whereas the spectrum changed distinctly at high loading. With increasing degree of dye loading, the absorption band shifted to longer wavelength for 1,1′-diethyl-2,2′-cyanine (Jband) and to shorter wavelength for the others (D, Hbands). On the basis of the basal spacing of each respective dye-clay complex, the orientation of the intercalated dye molecules is proposed as follows: the major plane of the cationic dye lies horizontal to the 2:1 layer surface at low loading. With increasing loading, the dye molecules interact with adjacent dye molecules and orient vertically to the 2:1 layer at high loading near the cation-exchange capacity.

The construction and use of simple holograms, and their use in performing experiments, is an excellent way to introduce students to the study of optics.