Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a thin film three dimensional microelectrode of an electrically conductive polymer having an organized array of identical microprotrusions, which method comprises:(a) depositing at least one conductive metal thin film on an essentially smooth substrate,(b) depositing a thin film of a micropositive photoresist on the surface of the at least one conductive metal thin film,(c) subjecting the combination of step (b) to photolithographic or electron beam lithographic conditions with a mask capable of producing a metallic microwell,(d) electrochemically polymerizing an electrically conductive polymer onto the conducting metal,(e) removing the photoresist to produce the three dimensional microelectrode array of the electrically conductive polymer. Preferred electrically conductive polymers of step (d) are selected from polypyrrole or polyaniline.

Abstract: A micromachined valve and valve array having one or more pores which are electrochemically opened and closed by dissolving and redepositing a barrier layer across a tiny opening or pore in substrate. The pore is spanned by two electrodes which apply a voltage to an electrolytic barrier layer material which dissolves in an electrolyte. Each open pore has a distinct flow rate related to its minimal cross-sectional area which together can form a binary sized array with each subsequent member in the array having a flow rate twice as large as the preceding member in the array. Any integral multiple of the smallest flow rate may be achieved by opening an appropriate combination of the pores with addressing logic. In a preferred embodiment, each bit in a binary representation of the desired flow rate acts as a switch for a pore having a flow rate corresponding to the bit position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a three dimensional conductive organic polymer covered micro structure having improved current carrying capacity as compared to a substantially smooth surface. More specifically, it relates to a three-dimensional poly(aniline) or poly(pyrrole)-substrate micro structure for use as a battery electrode, having improved properties as compared to a substantially smooth surface, which structure comprises: a thin surface layer of poly(aniline) or poly(pyrrole) film on a substrate surface, wherein the polyaniline or poly(pyrrole) film has a thickness of between about 0.1 and 10 microns and the substrate surface is irregular or patterned having a protruding surface, wherein representative protrusions amount to between about 40 to 90 percent of the surface of the electrode. The processes to produce the three-dimensional microstructure are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically conducting polymer, the water-insoluble polymer having essentially permanent self-doping properties, and the polynmer comprises:(a) electrically polymerized polyaniline in covalent combination with(b) an organic dopant having at least one sulfonic acid functional group. The electrically conducting polymer-dopant is preferred wherein the organic dopant is selected from benzenesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonyl chloride, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, poly(vinylsulfonic) acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, 1-butanesulfonic acid, modified NAFION, 2,3,5-trichlorobenzenesulfonic acid, vinylphenylsulfonic acid, or the alkali metal salts thereof. In another aspect, the present invention discloses a method to produce a water-insoluble polyaniline in which an aromatic organic dopant is covalently bonded to the polyaniline, which method comprises (a) electropolymerizing aniline in an aqueous solvent which contains the organic dopant.

Abstract: An electrolytic sensor is set forth for measuring the amounts of an ionic and of a vaporous species in a liquid. The system has an electrode sensitive to an ionic species and another electrode sensitive to a vaporous species. A unitary membrane covers the electrodes and the requisite electrolyte with the membrane being permeable to the vaporous species, impermeable to the liquid and having dispersed in it an ionophore which senses the ionic species via selective transfer into the membrane of a quantity of the ionic species determined by the concentration of the ionic species in the liquid. Such quantities as hydrogen ion concentration, carbon dioxide concentration and oxygen concentration can be determined by a single electrolytic cell structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of manufacture of an essentially smooth texture-free conductive polymer comprising poly(dithiophene) which is subsequently doped with a dopant comprising an organometallic compound, preferably an optionally substituted metal phthalocyanine. Specifically, the process relates to a process to produce a smooth, texture-free conductive polymer comprising poly(dithiophene) and an organometallic compound which process comprises:A. contacting a solution itself comprising:(a) dithiophene is present in between about 0.01 and 0.001 M concentration;(b) a water-soluble salt of an optionally substituted organometallic wherein the metal is selected from iron, copper, cobalt or nickel, at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 10 mM;(c) in a solution of acetonitrile/water in a ratio of between about 30:70 and 10:90 percent by volume with a cycling potential of between about 0.1 volts and 10 volts at between about 0.degree. and 95.degree. C. for between about (0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid materials for use as electrolyte for a fuel cell, or for a sensor, or as a catalyst. Representative structures include lanthanum fluoride, lead potassium fluoride, lead bismuth fluoride, lanthanum strontium fluoride, lanthan strontium lithium fluoride, calcium uranium, cesium fluoride, PbSnFy, KSn.sub.2 F.sub.4, SrCl.sub.2.KCl, LaOF.sub.2, PbSnF.sub.8.PbSnO, lanthanum oxyfluoride, oxide, calcium fluoride, SmNdFO, and the like. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composite and a process to obtain it of the formula:A.sub.1-y ByQO.sub.3having a perovskite or a perovskite-type structure as an electrode catalyst in combination with:A.sub.y B.sub.1-y F.sub.

Abstract: A solder interconnection for forming vias between first and second substrates comprises a plurality of solder containing wells extending into a flat surface of the first substrate, the solder in each well being soldered to one of a corresponding plurality of conductor posts extending outwardly from a flat surface of the second substrate. The plurality of the wells are created in a pattern, an aliquot of solder is deposited in each well, with the aliquots being of substantially no greater volume than that of the well it occupies, the posts are provided in aligned array with the pattern, the solder is melted, the posts are inserted and the solder solidifies. Very closely placed vias can be formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically conducting polymer, the water-insoluble polymer having essentially permanent self-doping properties, and the polymer comprises:(a) electrically polymerized polyaniline in covalent combination with(b) an organic dopant having at least one sulfonic acid functional group. The electrically conducting polymer-dopant is preferred wherein the organic dopant is selected from benzenesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonyl chloride, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, poly(vinylsulfonic) acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, 1-butanesulfonic acid, modified NAFION, 2,3,5-trichlorobenzenesulfonic acid, vinylphenylsulfonic acid, or the alkali metal salts thereof. In another aspect, the present invention discloses a method to produce a water-insoluble polyaniline in which an aromatic organic dopant is covalently bonded to the polyaniline, which method comprises (a) electropolymerizing aniline in an aqueous solvent which contains the organic dopant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an electrochromic electrically conductive composite membrane, which process comprises:(a) combining aniline and metal phthalocyanine in dilute hydrochloric acid; and(b) applying to the solution of step (a) a constant current density of between about 0.05 and 0.2 milliamperes/cm.sup.2 for between about 1 to 10 minutes on an electrode selected from a transparent platinum electrode or an ITO electrode to produce the improved electrically conductive electrochromic membrane. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of an electrically conductive composite membrane which comprises:(a) combining aniline, organic sulfonic acid and NAFION.RTM. all in the acid form and electropolymerizing the aqueous solution to obtain the polyaniline thin film. The electrochromic electrically conductive composite membrane produced by the process is described which is colorless when subjected to between about -0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid materials for use as solid electrolytes for a fuel cell. Specifically, the invention relates to a solid O.sup.2- conducting material for use as an electrolyte for a fuel cell, comprising:a monocrystal or polycrystal structure of the formula: A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z, whereinA is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof;B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium or magnesium, andx is between about 0 and 0.9999,Z is selected from the group consisting of F.sub.3-x and O.sub.c F.sub.d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x,wherein c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.0001 and less than or equal to 3, with the proviso when A is lanthanum, Z is F.sub.3-x and x is 0, the solid material is only a monocrystal.

Abstract: Electrochemical biosensor systems or apparatus, components thereof, and methods for quantitatively measuring or assaying concentrations of selective substrates or metabolites in aqueous media as a function of electrochemical response to hydrogen peroxide concentration, using immobilized enzyme electrode means selective for the substrate or metabolite being measured.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with electrode structures and microsensors having fast response times and high sensitivity and to methods using such structures and/or microsensors. This is accomplished in any one of several ways. In one, the sensing and counter electrodes are positioned close enough together on an active area so that ion migration therebetween is fast. The thickness of the electrolytic medium on the active area is restricted to be no more than about 10 microns so that diffusion therethrough between the electrodes is at least as fast as the ion migration. In another, the sensing electrode may have outwardly extending portions extending beyond the electrolytic medium and not being covered thereby. Or, conductive particles can be distributed in the electrolytic medium. Or the medium can be very thin. Or, the electrodes can be interdigited. Combinations of the above structural features are also set forth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectrochemical electrode structure comprising a monolithic substrate having a front surface and a back surface facing generally away from one another, a first well extending into the substrate from the surface towards the back surface and ending in a first well bottom, and a first passage extending into the substrate from the back surface to the first well bottom. A first electrode is located wholly within the first well. A first conductor in the first passage serves for electrically communicating the first electrode to adjacent the back surface. A plurality of such electrode structures can be provided on a single substrate. The use of semiconductor processing technology allows the entire sensor to be extremely small. If desired, an integrated circuit can be provided on the back surface of the substrate for amplifying or otherwise processing signals from the first electrode. Analysis can be carried out for vapors or dissolved species (ionic or non-ionic).

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid materials for use as electrolyte for a fuel cell, or for a sensor, or as a catalyst. Representative structures include lanthanum fluoride, lead potassium fluoride, lead bismuth fluoride, lanthanum strontium fluoride, lanthan strontium lithium fluoride, calcium uranium, cesium fluoride, PbSnFy, KSn.sub.2 F.sub.4, SrCl.sub.2.KCl, LaOF.sub.2, PbSnF.sub.8.PbSnO, lanthanum oxyfluoride, oxide, calcium fluoride, SmNdFO, and the like. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composite and a process to obtain it of the formula:A.sub.1-y ByQO.sub.3having a perovskite or a perovskite-type structure as an electrode catalyst in combination with:A.sub.y B.sub.1-y F.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for gaseous and vaporous species. The sensor comprises a substrate having a surface having an opening therein. A gas and vapor permeable sensing electrode having front and back sides is located across the opening with the front side facing generally the same direction as does the surface. A gas flow path leads to the back side of the sensing electrode. An electrolytic medium is in contact with the front side of the electrode. An additional electrode is in contact with the electrolytic medium and is electronically isolated from the sensing electrode other than via the electrolytic medium. A gas sensor as described has a very fast response time and an extended lifetime and can be made selective for any of a number of different gaseous species.

Abstract: Electrochemical biosensor systems or apparatus, components thereof, and methods for quantitatively measuring or assaying concentrations of selective substrates or metabolites in aqueous media as a function of electrochemical response to hydrogen peroxide concentration, using immobilized enzyme electrode means selective for the substrate or metabolite being measured.

Abstract: A method is set forth of constructing an electrochemical cell from a crystalline slab having front and back sides facing generally away from one another. Masking layers are provided covering the front and back sides of the slab and a back resist layer is provided covering the front masking layer, the front and resist layer having at least one opening therethrough exposing a portion of the masking layer therebehind. A passage is etched through the exposed part of the back masking layer and extending into the slab to terminate at the front masking layer. A conductor is deposited in the passage. A second front masking layer is formed covering the front side other than where the passage terminates. The masking layers are etched away opposite the passage sufficiently to expose the conductor. The technology provides electrochemical cells either on or completely below the surface of a slab, for example a silicon slab. Integrated circuitry can be provided on the side of the slab removed from the electrochemistry.