Abstract: Additives for energy storage devices comprising crown ethers are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, where at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte composition. Crown ether compounds may serve as additives to the first electrode and/or the second electrode, as well as the separator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes, sensors, systems and process for the detection of magnesium ions in protein-containing samples. The novel membranes, sensors, systems, and processes are based upon the discovery that the lipophilicity of the plasticizer (or blend of plasticizers) utilized in the formulation of magnesium ion selective membranes for clinical use is inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the plasticizer(s) and directly proportional to the use life thereof.

Abstract: A seal enhancer for improving the patch clamp seal in a patch clamp method or apparatus is provided. The internal solution comprises particular anions and the external solution comprises one or more metal ions at low concentration.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is disclosed. The semiconductor device structure includes a mesa extending above a substrate. The mesa has a channel region between a first side and second side of the mesa. A first gate is on a first side of the mesa, the first gate comprising a first gate insulator and a first gate conductor comprising graphene overlying the first gate insulator. The gate conductor may comprise graphene in one or more monolayers. Also disclosed are a method for fabricating the semiconductor device structure; an array of vertical transistor devices, including semiconductor devices having the structure disclosed; and a method for fabricating the array of vertical transistor devices.

Abstract: Described herein are biosensor microarrays comprising detector polypeptide monolayers substantially free of contaminants. Also provided are methods for generation of such biosensor microarrays by capture of polypeptides by arrays comprising capture moieties and associated sensors.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluid ejection device is described. The fluid ejection device includes a number of nozzles to eject fluid. Each nozzle includes a firing chamber to hold fluid, a nozzle orifice through which to dispense fluid, and an ejector disposed in the firing chamber to eject fluid through the nozzle orifice. The fluid ejection device also includes a particle detector to detect the presence of foreign particles within the fluid in the firing chamber.

Abstract: A liquid analyzer is one that performs analysis in a state of being immersed in a flowing analysis target liquid, and in order to simply make a good/bad determination and increase reliability, includes: a sensor adapted to, in a state where a responsive membrane is immersed in the flowing analysis target liquid, sense a predetermined component contained in the analysis target liquid; an analysis mechanism adapted to analyze the analysis target liquid with use of voltage generated in the sensor; and a resistance measurement mechanism adapted to, in the state where the responsive membrane is immersed in the flowing analysis target liquid, apply DC voltage to the responsive membrane to measure the resistance of the responsive membrane.

Abstract: A soil measurement system is provided, comprising a soil surveying device, a radio receiver, a plurality of subterranean antennas, and a processor. The soil surveying device comprises a wireless radio transmitter configured to emit a wireless signal at a predetermined bandwidth in a predetermined spectrum. The plurality of subterranean antennas are in an array electronically connected to the radio receiver and configured to be mounted in a subterranean environment at different depths in the subterranean environment. Each of the plurality of subterranean antennas is configured to receive the wireless signal at a respective point in time. The processor is configured to determine a relative time of flight of the received wireless signal between the plurality of antennas at the respective point in time, and estimate a soil permittivity based on the determined relative time of flight. The measurement system may be applied to materials other than soil, in some examples.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: A solid state electrolyte and method of preparation is provided. The solid state electrolyte includes a plasticized polymer matrix with non-dissolved salt crystals embedded in the polymer matrix and wherein the non-dissolved crystals are suitable for dissolving ions in the plasticized polymer. The method of preparation includes dissolving a plasticizer and a polymer matrix in an organic solvent to obtain a plasticized polymer matrix; and mixing the salt crystals with the plasticized polymer matrix, wherein the weight ratio of salt crystals versus plasticizer and polymer matrix and organic solvent is above saturation concentration such that non-dissolved salt crystals are embedded in the plasticized polymer matrix.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for the label free detection of analytes in solution, including analytes suspended in a biological fluid. A field effect transistor (FET) is positioned in close proximity to a paired set of reference electrodes and the reference electrodes electrically biased to provide desalting and a stable gate voltage to the FET. In this manner, charged ions are depleted in the sensing region of the sensor and device sensitivity to analyte detection improved by the removal of charge that otherwise interferes with measurement. Also provided are methods and systems providing increased in reference electrode surface area and/or decrease in droplet volume to further improve label-free detection of analytes.

Abstract: A biological device includes a substrate, a gate electrode, and a sensing well. The substrate includes a source region, a drain region, a channel region, a body region, and a sensing region. The channel region is disposed between the source region and the drain region. The sensing region is at least disposed between the channel region and the body region. The gate electrode is at least disposed on or above the channel region of the substrate. The sensing well is at least disposed adjacent to the sensing region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to planar electrochemical sensors with membrane coatings used to perform chemical analyses. The object of this invention is to provide unit-use disposable sensors of very simple and inexpensive construction, preferably with only a single membrane coating on an electrode. The invented devices are potentiometric salt-bridge reference electrodes and dissolved gas sensors constructed with a heterogeneous membrane coating of a conductor. The heterogeneous membrane, which is an intimate admixture of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic compartment, concurrently supports constrained transport of non-volatile species through its hydrophilic compartment and rapid gas and water vapor transport through its hydrophobic compartment.

Abstract: A portable device for detecting the nutrition level of a plant includes an outer casing and a detection circuit. The outer casing includes belt pulleys, a cam, upper and lower clamping plates. The detection circuit is arranged in the outer casing and realizes an electric signal processing function and a display function. The portable device for detecting the nutrition level of the plant has the following beneficial effects: the device can be used for analyzing whether nutrient elements in crops are deficient or excessive, which is taken as the basis for accurate fertilization, and the device has low detection cost, high real-time capability, small size and is portable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the controlled delivery of a drug as a function of bioavailable drug concentration, a sensor device for detecting bioavailable drug concentration, and a delivery device that controls delivery of the drug based on the real-time detection of bioavailable drug concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrode chip (EChip) cartridge devices which are used in hot electron-induced electro-chemiluminescence (HECL) and electroluminescence (EL) methods and instrumentation based on the electrical excitation of label molecules with subsequent measurement of the luminescence in order to quantitate analyte concentrations in bioaffinity assays, especially outside of central laboratories, but also in rapid screening tests.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to sulfur sensors that utilize sensing materials that can be used to detect a wide range of concentrations including ultra low concentrations of sulfur in liquids, such as below even 15 ppm. The sulfur sensors comprise a sensing electrode having a material that contributes an electronic output to the analysis and a material that contributes an ionic output to the analysis.

Abstract: A microfluidic sensor device includes a substrate having patterned thereon at least one Ag/AgCl electrode (working electrode) and an inner chamber overlying the at least one Ag/AgCl electrode. The device includes an ion selective permeable membrane permeable to TPP+ disposed on one side of the first chamber and a sensing chamber overlying the ion selective permeable membrane. A separate reference electrode is inserted into the sensing chamber. The working electrode and reference electrode are coupled to a voltmeter to measure voltage. This voltage can then be translated into a TPP+ concentration which is used to determine the mitochondrial membrane potential (??m).

Abstract: A cathodic material for use in an electrochemical sensor comprising: a carbonaceous material and an oxygen reduction catalyst associated with the carbonaceous material; and wherein the cathodic material does not materially exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Associated electrochemical sensors may include an anode and cathode that are disposed upon the same or opposite sides of an ion exchange membrane and/or exposed to the same or different gaseous environments.

Abstract: A cathodic material for use in an electrochemical sensor comprising: a carbonaceous material and an oxygen reduction catalyst associated with the carbonaceous material; and wherein the cathodic material does not materially exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Associated electrochemical sensors may include an anode and cathode that are disposed upon the same or opposite sides of an ion exchange membrane and/or exposed to the same or different gaseous environments.

Abstract: A liquid analyzer may include a reference electrode provided with internal liquid containing a halide ion; and an ion electrode of which a measurable concentration range for a measuring target ion is lower than the concentration of the halide ion in the internal liquid of the reference electrode, The internal liquid of the ion electrode contains the measuring target ion and a halide ion; and the internal liquid of the ion electrode is liquid in which the concentration of the measuring target ion and the halide ion are regulated such that an osmotic pressure and an isothermal point of the internal liquid of the ion electrode respectively have desired values, and the isothermal point is included in the measurable concentration range, and the concentration of the halide ion is different from the concentration of the halide ion in the internal liquid S33 of the reference electrode.

Abstract: Compositions containing vinyl polymers and ionophores selective for lead ions (e.g., aniline copolymers), and methods for making these compositions are disclosed herein. The compositions can, for example, be used for detecting lead ions in a sample.

Abstract: Compositions containing vinyl polymers and ionophores selective for lead ions (e.g., polypyrrole copolymers), and methods for making these compositions are disclosed herein. The compositions can, for example, be used for detecting lead ions in a sample.

Abstract: An electrode for active oxygen species comprising a conductive component with a polymer membrane of a metal porphyrin complex formed on the surface is disclosed. The electrode for active oxygen species can detect active oxygen species such as superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and .OH and other active radical species (NO, ONOO—, etc.) in any environment including in vivo environment as well as in vitro environment. The electrode thus can be used for specifying various diseases and examining active oxygen species in food or in water such as tap water and sewage water.

Abstract: A cathodic material for use in an electrochemical sensor comprising: a carbonaceous material and an oxygen reduction catalyst associated with the carbonaceous material; and wherein the cathodic material does not materially exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Associated electrochemical sensors may include an anode and cathode that are disposed upon the same or opposite sides of an ion exchange membrane and/or exposed to the same or different gaseous environments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a process for the detection and/or quantification of cesium ions Cs+ in solution in a liquid medium. The apparatus of the invention comprises: a) an electrical device comprising two electrodes and a substrate comprising at least one portion made of a semiconductor material, the electrodes being in electrical contact with said semiconductor material; and b) a device for measuring the variation of the conduction current between the two electrodes, and at least one ligand comprising at least one calix[n]arene group bonded by grafting to the semiconductor material of the substrate of the electrical device or to one of the electrodes of the electrical device. The invention finds an application in the field of the detection of cesium ions in particular.

Abstract: A construction concept for high-pressure sensors is provided, which enables simple and economical production of reliable high-pressure sensors even for pressure ranges above 2200 bar. A high-pressure sensor of this kind encompasses a sensor element for pressure sensing and a connector piece for coupling the sensor element to a system to be measured. A diaphragm is embodied in the base element of the sensor element, and a pressure conduit is embodied in the base element of the connector piece. The sensor element is mounted on the connector piece so that the pressure to be measured is able to act upon the diaphragm via the pressure conduit. Firstly the base element of the sensor element is mounted on the base element of the connector piece, a full-area connection being generated between the mounting surfaces of the two base elements. Only thereafter is the pressure conduit configured in the connector piece, and the diaphragm of the sensor element exposed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing the shift in EMF bias in a magnesium ion selective electrode, comprising the step of: contacting the electrode with a composition comprising a polyoxyalkylene nonionic surfactant; wherein the polyoxyalkylene nonionic surfactant has an HLB greater than about 18. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to methods, comprising the steps of: contacting a magnesium ion selective electrode with a composition comprising a polyoxyalkylene nonionic surfactant, wherein the polyoxyalkylene nonionic surfactant has an HLB greater than about 18; and measuring a biologically relevant level of a blood electrolyte in a blood composition with the electrode. In certain embodiments, the polyoxyalkylene nonionic surfactant is polyoxy ethylene (100) stearyl ether and the blood electrolyte is magnesium ion.

Abstract: This invention provides a reference electrode that can be downsized and stable in voltage. The reference electrode in accordance with this invention is a reference electrode that does not require an internal aqueous solution such as a KCl aqueous solution and comprises a metal body, a slightly soluble salt film that comprises a slightly soluble salt of the metal body and that coats the metal body and a hydrophobic ionic liquid that is arranged to make contact with both the slightly soluble salt film and a sample to be measured.

Abstract: A wellbore tool has an electrochemical sensor for measuring the amount of hydrogen sulphide or thiols in a fluid downhole in a wellbore. The sensor comprises a temperature- and pressure-resistant housing containing a flow path for the fluids. The fluids flow over one side of a gas permeable membrane the other side of the membrane being exposed to a chamber containing at least two electrodes and containing a reaction solution which together with the hydrogen sulphide or thiols create a redox reaction resulting in an electrical current dependent upon the amount of hydrogen sulphide or thiols in the fluid. Measurement is made by passing formation fluid along the flow path and repeatedly applying varying potential to one electrode and measuring the peak current flowing between that electrode and a second electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for detecting and/or quantifying mercuric ions, Hg2+. The apparatus of the invention is of the type comprising an electrical device comprising two electrodes and a substrate comprising at least one surface made of an organic or inorganic semiconductor material, the electrodes being in electrical contact with said organic or inorganic semiconductor material, and a device for measuring the variation in the conduction current between the two electrodes, and wherein at least one compound which complexes mercuric ions Hg2+, selected from a dithia-dioxa-monoaza crown ether compound, an N,N-di(hydroxyethyl)amine, an N,N-di(carboxyethyl)amine, and mixtures of two at least of these compounds, is bonded to said semiconductor material or to an electrode of said electrical device. The invention finds application in the field of the detection of mercuric ions, in particular.

Abstract: An electro-chemical sensor is described having one or more redox species sensitive to a certain analyte and one or more redox species that are insensitive to that analyte, for the purpose of making measurements in a downhole environment in aquifers or oilfield reservoirs.

Abstract: A chloride ion-selective electrode comprises: a reference electrode in contact with a reference solution; and a chloride ion-selective membrane as the interface of a sample and the reference solution, wherein the chloride-ion selective membrane comprises a chloride ion ionophore, a chloride ion-exchange resin, a plasticizer, and a polymer matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reversible electrochemical sensor for polyions. The sensor uses active extraction and ion stripping, which are controlled electrochemically. Spontaneous polyion extraction is suppressed by using membranes containing highly lipophilic electrolytes that possess no ion-exchange properties. Reversible extraction of polyions is induced by constant current pulse of fixed duration applied across the membrane. Subsequently, polyions are removed by applying a constant stripping potential. The sensors provide excellent stability and reversibility and allow for measurements of heparin concentration in whole blood samples via protamine titration. The sensors can also monitor a polyion concentration and an enzyme activity, wherein the polyion decomposition is directly proportional to the enzyme activity in a sample. Additionally, the sensors can monitor an enzyme inhibitor activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel electropolymerisable monomers which are to be polymerised in an aqueous solution and comprise: an electropolymerisable pattern selected from acetylene, pyrrols, thiophenes, indols, anilines, azines, p-phenylene vinylenes, p-phenylenes, pyrenes, furanes, selenophenes, pyrridazines, carbazoles, acrylates, methacrylates and the derivatives thereof, and a metalloporphyrine which is substituted by at least two ionised or ionizable entities in an aqueous solution. The invention also relates to a method for the polymerization of such monomers, to the electroactive probe that can be obtained by the polymerization of such monomers, and to a method for detecting a target ligand in a biological sample using one such electroactive probe.

Abstract: Potentiometric sensor comprising an ion selective electrode and the latter, on its part, containing a membrane characterized in that it comprises: a thermoplastic material; an electroactive substance based on a salt wherein the cation is the protonated form of the analyte to be determined and the anion is a cluster which comprises boron atoms; and a plasticizing agent. In addition, the invention further relates to the use of said sensor for the detection and/or quantification of a compound containing at least one nitrogen atom.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a complex material in which an ion conduction film is curved and deformed when a potential difference is applied, which is operated at small electric power, has a large deformation amount, quick response performances, large degree of freedom in shape, and is easy in control of deformation, while having strength and durability necessary for practical use and being excellent in an economical aspect. A conductive cloth (preferably having stretchability), which is made conductive through plating of metal on a cloth or metal complex implantation, is joined as an electrode to both surfaces of the ion conduction film (the film in which an ion exchange film or ion liquid is immersed) made of a fluororesin and the like. When the potential difference is applied, the ion conduction film is deformed.

Abstract: A wastewater analysis sensor cartridge (10) according to the invention is intended to be used only once. It has a liquid-tight housing (20), which contains at least one electrochemical sensor element (30, 32) and at least one reference element (56). Furthermore, the housing (20) contains a sensor element electrolyte tank (40,42) and a reference element electrolyte tank (44). The ion-sensitive membranes (31, 33) of the sensor elements (30, 32) and the housing (20) consist of plastic.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: A microfabricated liquid junction reference electrode that can be integrated with microfabricated chemical or electrical sensors, which electrode is an M/MX type reference electrode comprised of a metal and a metal salt, as well as a X? Containing Ionic Liquid having a constant activity of X? and a porous thin-film membrane impregnated with a Hydrophobic Ionic Liquid.

Abstract: An electro-chemical sensor is described having two molecular redox systems sensitive to the same species and having an detector to detect relative shifts in the voltammograms of the two redox systems.

Abstract: A membrane for use in an implantable glucose sensor including at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophobic polymer and at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophilic polymer; wherein the first and second polymers are different polymers and substantially form an interpenetrating polymer network, semi-interpenetrating polymer network, polymer blend, or copolymer. The membranes are generally characterized by providing a permeability ratio of oxygen to glucose of about 1 to about 1000 in units of (mg/dl glucose) per (mmHg oxygen). Three methods of making membranes from hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers formed into polymer networks are provided, wherein according to at least two of the methods, the monomers may be substantially immiscible with one another.

Abstract: Provided are fabrication, characterization and application of a nanodisk electrode, a nanopore electrode and a nanopore membrane. These three nanostructures share common fabrication steps. In one embodiment, the fabrication of a disk electrode involves sealing a sharpened internal signal transduction element (“ISTE”) into a substrate, followed by polishing of the substrate until a nanometer-sized disk of the ISTE is exposed. The fabrication of a nanopore electrode is accomplished by etching the nanodisk electrode to create a pore in the substrate, with the remaining ISTE comprising the pore base. Complete removal of the ISTE yields a nanopore membrane, in which a conical shaped pore is embedded in a thin membrane of the substrate.

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: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for measuring the amount of hydrogen sulphide or thiols in a fluid in a wellbore comprises a temperature- and pressure-resistant housing containing a flow path for the fluids. The fluids flow over one side of a gas permeable membrane made of zeolite or a suitable ceramic material, the other side of the membrane being exposed to a chamber containing a reaction solution which together with the hydrogen sulphide or thiols create a redox reaction resulting in an electrical current dependent upon the amount of hydrogen sulphide or thiols in the fluid.

Abstract: An ion solution concentration-detecting device includes a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a link element. The working electrode and the reference electrode are inserted into the link element. The working electrode, inserted into the link element, is replaceable, for the better sensitivity to the different ion solution. The working electrode being a contact-detecting electrode can be replaced by another contact-detecting electrode with different sensing membrane. The reference electrode includes a polymeric membrane with ion material covering silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrode to provide a fixed and stable electrical potential. The working electrode may be a contact-detecting electrode having a sensing membrane. The sensing membrane may be a metal oxide or a polymer with ion material for measuring different ion solution effectively.

Abstract: A graft copolymer having metalloporphyrin ionophores covalently attached in a manner that prevents dimer formation is provided. A method of making the graft copolymer comprises polymerizing a functionalized metalloporphyrin monomer, which includes a polymerizable group, with a co-monomer. Methods for synthesizing the polymerizable metalloporphyrin monomers are provided. The graft copolymer can be incorporated into anion-selective membranes for use in anion-detecting sensors, which have improved longevity and response times.