sensitiser
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A substance that makes something sensitive or more sensitive: In chemistry, a sensitiser is a substance that, when added to a system, increases its sensitivity to a specific stimulus, such as light or another chemical agent. Crucially, it facilitates the start of a reaction but is not itself a catalyst that is regenerated at the end of the process.
Usage
The term is primarily used in technical and scientific contexts, especially in chemistry, photography, and materials science. It describes an agent that primes a system to react. * In a photographic emulsion, a chemical sensitiser makes the film sensitive to specific colors of light. * The researcher added a sensitiser to the mixture to initiate the polymerization reaction more readily.
Advanced Usage
- In Immunology: While less common, "sensitiser" can refer to an allergen or antigen that sensitizes the immune system, leading to an allergic response upon subsequent exposure.
- In Industrial Hygiene: A substance can be labeled a skin if it is likely to cause an allergic skin reaction.
Variants and Related Words
- Sensitizer: The preferred spelling in American English.
- Sensitize (verb): To make sensitive or more sensitive.
- The treatment will sensitize the material to ultraviolet light.
- Sensitization (noun): The process of making something sensitive.
- The sensitization of the film is a crucial step.
Synonyms
- Primer
- Activator (in specific contexts)
- Photosensitiser (when referring specifically to light sensitivity)
Antonyms
- Desensitiser
- Inhibitor
- Stabilizer (in some contexts)
Related Phrases/Compounds
- Chemical sensitiser: Specifies its use in a chemical reaction.
- Photosensitiser: A sensitiser that induces sensitivity to light.
- Skin sensitiser: A substance that can cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Noun
- (chemistry) a substance other than a catalyst that facilitates the start of a catalytic reaction