Abstract: A sensor for detecting hydrogen peroxide, comprising an element exhibiting piezoelectric properties having a metal-oxide-containing coating, the metal-oxide having a divalent or tetravalent state.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting hydrogen peroxide, comprising an element exhibiting piezoelectric properties having a metal-oxide-containing coating, the metal-oxide having a divalent or tetravalent state.

Abstract: A thick film electrochemical microsensor device for measuring or regulating chlorine and bromine in water, comprising a substrate to which is applied an optimum arrangement of at least two electrodes. The device is especially useful for measuring or regulating chlorine and bromine levels in swimming pool or spa water. A method of measuring or regulating ions of at least one of chlorine and bromine in water is also described, which comprises contacting the water with the microsensor of the present invention; measuring the current output of the microsensor; determining the level of at least one of chlorine and bromine indicated by the current output; and generating a signal.

Abstract: A thick film electrochemical microsensor device for measuring or regulating chlorine and bromine in water, comprising a substrate to which is applied an optimum arrangement of at least two electrodes. The device is especially useful for measuring or regulating chlorine and bromine levels in swimming pool or spa water. A method of measuring or regulating ions of at least one of chlorine and bromine in water is also described, which comprises contacting the water with the microsensor of the present invention; measuring the current output of the microsensor; determining the level of at least one of chlorine and bromine indicated by the current output; and generating a signal.

Abstract: A thick film electrochemical micro-sensor device for detecting or monitoring sulfur dioxide, comprising a substrate to which is applied a working electrode, a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and optionally a heater and a temperature detector, wherein a portion of the electrodes is covered with an insulator, and a portion of the electrodes is covered with an electrolyte. The device is especially useful for detecting or monitoring sulfur dioxide in emission gases. A method of detecting or monitoring sulfur dioxide emissions using the electrochemical micro-sensor device includes contacting the emission gas with the sensor of the present invention, measuring the current output of the sensor, determining if the current output indicates the presence of sulfur dioxide, and generating a signal, that can be used to actuate a scrubber system when a pre-determined level of sulfur dioxide is detected.

Abstract: A thick film electrochemical micro-sensor device for detecting or monitoring sulfur dioxide, comprising a substrate to which is applied a working electrode, a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and optionally a heater and a temperature detector, wherein a portion of the electrodes is covered with an insulator, and a portion of the electrodes is covered with an electrolyte. The device is especially useful for detecting or monitoring sulfur dioxide in emission gases. A method of detecting or monitoring sulfur dioxide emissions using the electrochemical micro-sensor device includes contacting the emission gas with the sensor of the present invention, measuring the current output of the sensor, determining if the current output indicates the presence of sulfur dioxide, and generating a signal, that can be used to actuate a scrubber system when a pre-determined level of sulfur dioxide is detected.

Abstract: An electrolysis unit (10, 210, 310) has an anode (16, 216,316) and a gas diffusion cathode (18, 218, 318). Air is fed to the cathode (18, 218) to generate peroxide species, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxide ions, or peroxide radicals by electrolysis of oxygenated water. A peracetic acid precursor, such as acetyl salicylic acid, reacts with the peroxide to form peracetic acid. An ion selective barrier (20, 220) optionally separates the unit into two chambers, an anodic chamber (12, 212) and a cathodic chamber (14, 214). By selecting either a proton permeable membrane or an anion exchange membrane for the barrier, the peracetic acid may be formed in either an alkaline electrolyte in the cathodic chamber or in an acid electrolyte in the anode chamber, respectively.

Abstract: A thick film electrochemical microsensor device for measuring or regulating chlorine and bromine in water, comprising a substrate to which is applied an optimum arrangement of at least two electrodes. The device is especially useful for measuring or regulating chlorine and bromine levels in swimming pool or spa water. A method of measuring or regulating ions of at least one of chlorine and bromine in water is also described, which comprises contacting the water with the microsensor of the present invention; measuring the current output of the microsensor; determining the level of at least one of chlorine and bromine indicated by the current output; and generating a signal.

Abstract: A thick film electrochemical micro-sensor apparatus for detection and quantification of trace metal ions in water, comprising a substrate to which is applied an arrangement of electrodes comprising at least one of a first type of working electrode, at least one of a second type of working electrode, a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and optionally pH and temperature detectors. The apparatus is especially useful for detection and quantification of trace metal ions in water and effluent. A method of detecting and quantifying trace metal ions using the electrochemical micro-sensor apparatus is also described comprising contacting the water or effluent with the sensor of the present invention, applying a voltage selected for the trace metal ion to be detected, measuring the current output of the micro-sensor, determining if the current output indicates the presence of the trace metal ion, and generating a signal.

Abstract: An electrolysis unit (10) has an ion selective barrier (20) for separating an anodic chamber (12) from a cathodic chamber (14). An electrolyte within the unit includes a precursor, such as potassium acetate, or acetic acid. A positive potential is applied to an anode (16) within the anodic chamber, resulting in the generation of a variety of shorter and longer lived oxidizing species, such as peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ozone. In one preferred embodiment, a solution containing the oxidizing species is transported to a site where articles, such as medical instruments, are to be decontaminated. The oxidizing species are generated as needed, avoiding the need to store hazardous decontaminants.

Abstract: A tin oxide sol is deposited on platinum electrodes (12) of a sensor (10). The sol is calcined at a temperature of 500 to 800.degree. C. to produce a thin film of tin oxide with a thickness of about 150 nm to 2 .mu. and having a nano-crystalline structure with good stability. The sensor rapidly detects reducing gases, such as carbon monoxide, or hydrocarbons and organic vapors. Sensors using films calcined at around 700.degree. C. have high carbon monoxide selectivity with a response time of around 4 minutes and a recovery time of 1 minute, and therefore provide good detection systems for detection of trace amounts of pollutants such as toxic and flammable gases in homes, industrial settings, and hospitals.

Abstract: A micro-viscosity sensor for measuring the viscosity of a lubricant. The micro-viscosity sensor including at least one finger-like element or an array of finger-like elements vertically extending from the surface of a semiconductor base, the at least one finger-like element being oscillated at a desired frequency. The power required to oscillate the at least one-finger-like element is monitored because the power required is a function of the viscosity of the lubricant. The sensor also includes a temperature detector, wherein the thermal conductivity of the temperature detector varies in correspondence with the temperature of the lubricant. A first set of electrical contacts provides for electrical connection to the at least one finger-like element; and a second set of electrical contacts provides for electrical connection to the temperature detector.

Abstract: A process for forming different types of sensors, including metal oxide (10), calorimetric (44), and heterojunction (48), on the same semiconductor chip includes the steps of doping a top surface of a silicon substrate (16) with boron to form a diffusion region (18) for a resistive heater, forming a first silicon nitride layer (24) on the diffusion region, forming a first metal layer (26) on the first silicon nitride layer to provide a resistive temperature detector, forming a second silicon nitride layer (28) on the first metal layer, forming a second metal layer (34) on the second silicon nitride layer, and etching a sensing cavity (40) underneath and adjacent to the diffusion region using an anisotropic wet etchant and the diffusion region as an etch-stop. A metal oxide layer (36) is formed over the second metal layer for a metal oxide or heterojunction sensor. The sensor can optionally be suspended by tethers (38) within the sensing cavity.

Abstract: A hybrid redox-halogen energy storage device and system has a housing divided into two chambers by a microporous separator. Each chamber can contain an electrolyte such as CrCl.sub.3. The microporous separator keeps the C.sub.r.sup.+2 ion in the chamber containing the negative electrode and also keeps chlorine gas (Cl.sub.2) in the positive electrode chamber.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is disclosed for sensing substances, species, substrates, etc. using oxidase. The apparatus includes a pair of potentiostat operating electrode systems. In one embodiment each electrode system includes respective working, counter and reference electrodes, and in another embodiment each electrode system includes a respective working electrode and the counter and reference electrodes are shared by both electrode systems. The oxidase material is immobilized on the working electrode of one of the electrode systems. A method also is disclosed for concentration sensing using oxidases.

Abstract: A sensor for an electrochemically active species, such as oxygen, uses more than two electrodes, namely, at least a working electrode, counter electrode and reference electrode. The sensor preferably is substantially planar, is made using thick film or thin film technique and accordingly may be very small. With the sensor in an electrolyte balanced reverse reactions occur, respectively, at the working and counter electrodes while no reaction occurs at the reference electrode, which is maintained in equilibrium with the electrolyte, and voltage between the working the reference electrodes is maintained constant. Current flow between the working and counter electrodes, then, provides an accurate, stable representation of species concentration.

Abstract: A hybrid redox-halogen energy storage device and system has a housing divided into two chambers by an anionic membrane. One chamber has an inert negative electrode in an electrolyte solution containing chromium ions. The remaining chamber has an inert positive electrode containing chlorine gas dissolved therein. Each electrolyte is circulated to a separate storage tank after passing through its respective chamber.

Abstract: A method for potentiometric detection of hydrogen peroxide including providing an electrolytic cell having a working electrode and a reference electrode. The working electrode is composed of a hydrogen peroxide sensitive material and also is employed as a support for an oxidase enzyme. Introducing a hydrogen peroxide releasing substance into the cell and releasing the hydrogen peroxide by effecting interaction with the enzyme. Developing in said cell an electrical potential which is a function of the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide and measuring the electrical potential of the cell. The method may be employed as a quantitative glucose detector by employing as the enzyme or enzymes glucose oxidase with or without catalase.Apparatus for potentiometric determination of hydrogen peroxide includes a cell containing an electrolyte, a working electrode and a reference electrode. An electrometer is operatively associated with the electrodes.