Abstract: A method and device for the quantitative determination of an ion in a fluid which comprises subjecting the fluid to voltammetry using a sensing electrode which comprises an electrically conducting support having a surface which is coated with a support matrix, the support matrix containing an electroactive species capable of being oxidised or reduced to form a charged species, and an ionophore.

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: 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: A target substance (8) is subject to a freeze drying process in which the substance is first passed into a freeze chamber (31) to reduce the temperature of the substance, and then passed into a separate vacuum chamber (32) in which a vacuum is applied to promote drying of the target substance. Because the carrier (10) and target substance (8) is moved from a freeze chamber (31) to a separate vacuum chamber (32) the environment can be more closely controlled and the cycling of freezing to drying can be more rapid. In this way the carrier (10) and target substance (8) is subject to the full temperature cycling without the surrounding chamber and apparatus being subject to the full cycle. This reduces time and energy costs. The technique is particularly suited to manufacturing biosensors using freeze dried reagents.

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.