Abstract: There is disclosed a nanopore support structure comprising a wall layer comprising walls defining a plurality of wells, and overhangs extending from the walls across each of the wells, the overhang defining an aperture configured to support a membrane suitable for insertion of a nanopore. There is further disclosed a nanopore sensing device comprising a nanopore support structure, and methods of manufacturing the nanopore support structure and the nanopore sensing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a sensing device for supporting a plurality of nanopores upon an array of wells. The method involves providing a substrate, said substrate having a surface having an array of electrodes located thereon for connecting to or for configuring upon an electronic circuit. Separately, a well array structure is provided, which has an array of walls defining through-holes for defining wells. The substrate and well array structures are aligning said array of electrodes define, at least in part, a portion of the bases of respective wells at the bottom of the through holes. The resulting sensing device overcomes problems with known sensing devices by employing a substrate and/or well array structure, or hybrid thereof, that employs alternative materials or manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A method for improving the precision of electrochemical measurements made using an electrochemical cell is provided. The method comprises preconditioning a working electrode of the cell by (i) baking the working electrode; and/or (ii) incubating the working electrode; and/or (iii) applying a preconditioning potential across the cell; and/or (iv) treating the working electrode with a UV laser.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensing method that includes (a) providing an electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a pseudo reference electrode; (b) providing a sample comprising a metal, the sample being in contact with the working electrode and the metal being capable of being oxidized or reduced at the working electrode when the metal is bound to the working electrode; (c) preconditioning the working electrode by (i) applying a time varying preconditioning potential between the working and pseudo reference electrodes; and/or (ii) baking the working electrode; and/or (iii) air-ageing the working electrode; and (d) applying a measuring potential between the working and pseudo reference electrodes and, during application of said measuring potential, measuring the current generated by oxidation/reduction of the metal at the working electrode.

Abstract: A scaling factor for scaling an output of a first electrochemical cell, is determined in order to compensate for the effect on the output caused by an variation in value of a property of a working electrode of the first cell from a reference value of that property. A measured value for the property is obtained from a portion of material formed so as to have substantially the same value of the property as does the working electrode and the measured value is processed to generate the scaling factor.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrochemical cell which, either alone or together which a substrate onto which it is placed, is in the form of a receptacle. The electrochemical cell contains a working electrode and a counter electrode, the working electrode being in a wall of the receptacle. At least one of the electrodes has at least one dimension of less than 50 ?m. The electrochemical cell is principally intended for use as a micro-electrode suitable for screening water, blood, urine or other biological or non-biological fluids.

Abstract: A channel is provided for conveying fluid by capillary action between a first end of the channel and a second end of the channel, in which the channel is fully enclosed within an object and the cross-section of the channel has a concave shape, encouraging capillary flow.

Abstract: A method for improving the precision of electrochemical measurements made using an electrochemical cell is provided. The method comprises preconditioning a working electrode of the cell by (i) baking the working electrode; and/or (ii) incubating the working electrode; and/or (iii) applying a preconditioning potential across the cell; and/or (iv) treating the working electrode with a UV laser.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use in an electrochemical detection of ischeamia via albumin cobalt finding test (ACB), said composition comprising (i) a transition metal salt eg. Cobalt; (ii) an electrode area normalising agent having a current which is dependent on electrode area eg. RU (NH3)6; and (iii) a wetting agent eg. PVP. Also provided is a device comprising—an electrochemical cell having a working electrode (5) and a pseudo reference electrode (6); a composition according to the invention (7); —means for applying a voltage across the cell; and —means for measuring the resulting current across the cell. The device can be used in the electrochemical diagnosis of ischemia.

Abstract: A method is provided for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensing method comprising: (a) providing an electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a pseudo reference electrode; (b) providing a sample comprising a metal, the sample being in contact with the working electrode and the metal being capable of being oxidised or reduced at the working electrode when the metal is bound to the working electrode; (c) preconditioning the working electrode by (i) applying a time varying preconditioning potential between the working and pseudo reference electrodes; and/or (ii) baking the working electrode; and/or (iii) air-ageing the working electrode; and (d) applying a measuring potential between the working and pseudo reference electrodes and, during application of said measuring potential, measuring the current generated by oxidation/reduction of the metal at the working electrode.

Abstract: In an electrochemical sensor, the potential difference applied to the electrochemical cell is raised to a measuring value at a rate determined to reduce the transient current. The maximum rate of change of the voltage is set to prevent saturation of an IE converter. The electrochemical cell may contain micro-electrodes as working and reference electrodes. The method may be applied to a battery powered, handheld device.

Abstract: A scaling factor for scaling an output of a first electrochemical cell, is determined in order to compensate for the effect on the output caused by an variation in value of a property of a working electrode of the first cell from a reference value of that property. A measured value for the property is obtained from a portion of material formed so as to have substantially the same value of the property as does the working electrode and the measured value is processed to generate the scaling factor.

Abstract: In an electrochemical sensor, a peak is detected by grouping data points in windows and detecting two or three windows between which the slope of the data changes sign. The peak can be more precisely detected by detecting the highest data point in the two or three windows.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic structure such as a bio-sensor device has a dispensing element for fluid and a destination zone in communication with, and downstream of, the dispensing element. A bridge structure extends to the dispensing element and promotes fluid passage across the bridge structure from the dispensing element toward the destination zone.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising an electrochemical cell. The device comprises a strip having a receptacle or partial receptacle formed therein. The working electrode of the electrochemical cell is in a wall of the receptacle or partial receptacle, and a pseudo reference electrode of the electrochemical cell is present as a layer on top of the surface of the strip. The device of the invention is useful in electrochemical sensing techniques.

Abstract: A process for producing a device comprising an electrochemical cell, said device comprising a strip having a receptacle or partial receptacle formed therein, a working electrode of the electrochemical cell being located in a wall of the receptacle or partial receptacle, wherein the process comprises the steps of—forming a laminate comprising a working electrode layer between two insulating layers; —creating a hole or well in the laminate, the hole or well passing through the working electrode layer; and optionally—attaching the laminate to a base, to form a receptacle; wherein said step of creating a hole or well comprises laser drilling the laminate.

Abstract: In an electrochemical sensor, the potential difference applied to the electrochemical cell is raised to a measuring value at a rate determined to reduce the transient current.

Abstract: In an electrochemical sensor, a peak is detected by grouping data points in windows and detecting two or three windows between which the slope of the data changes sign. the peak can be more precisely detected by detecting the highest data point in the two or three windows.

Abstract: A method of confining an electroactive substance within an electrochemical cell in the form of a receptacle, said method that includes (a) providing an electrochemical cell in the form of a receptacle, the receptacle having a first open part to allow entry of a sample into the receptacle, and a second open part to allow escape of air displaced by the entering sample, the electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a counter electrode; (b) providing an electroactive substance, which substance is contained within the receptacle; (c) providing a permeable or semi-permeable membrane, including one or more layers, covering the first open part of the receptacle; and (d) inserting the sample into the receptacle through the membrane, such that (1) the electroactive substance and (2) the sample, are in contact with each other and with said working electrode; wherein the electroactive substance is confined within the receptacle during step (d).