The molecularly imprinted materials are used in molecular recognition. In the case of this project, the material is a polymer. 

The polymer is prepared by cross-linking a monomer around a "template molecule". This template molecule is removed after the polymerisation of the monomer and its size, shape and chemical functions are recorded in the polymer. The sites of the removed template molecule are named "imprint sites". These sites allow the recognition of the template molecule or close structural molecules.