A portable electrochemical detection platform based on mobile phone near field communication power supply

Abstract

The application discloses a portable electrochemical detection platform based on mobile phone near field communication power supply and belongs to the technical field of electrochemical detection. The platform comprises a mobile phone, a mobile phone shell, a near field communication power supply mainboard, an electrochemical sensor and a mobile phone application program. The mobile phone shell is arranged as a hollow structure matched with the mobile phone, a mainboard groove is arranged at a corresponding mobile phone near field communication area, a mainboard coil and a mobile phone near field communication antenna maintain a stable relative position, the near field communication power supply mainboard is not provided with a battery, energy is obtained from a mobile phone near field communication module and power supply is provided for a potentiometer module, and the electrochemical sensor is detachably installed on the mobile phone shell and electrically connected with a mainboard sensor interface. The application solves the problem of unstable near field communication coupling through an integrated positioning structure of the mobile phone shell, realizes multi-scene expansion through replaceable sensors and automatic protocol matching, has the characteristics of portability, passivity and easy operation, and is suitable for on-site rapid detection in the fields of food safety, agricultural breeding, personal health and environmental protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrochemical detection technology, specifically to a portable electrochemical detection platform powered by near-field communication from a mobile phone, suitable for rapid on-site detection in scenarios such as food safety, agricultural breeding, personal health, and environmental protection. Background Technology

[0002] There are currently numerous business scenarios requiring rapid on-site testing. For example, food processing or storage sites need to quickly screen for nitrites, histamine, and food spoilage-related indicators; agriculture and aquaculture scenarios require testing for nitrogen and water quality risk indicators in soil extracts, crop juices, and aquaculture water; and personal health and household scenarios require trend monitoring of metabolites or ions in samples such as sweat, saliva, and urine. These scenarios share common requirements: miniaturized equipment, low cost, portability, no need for charging, few operating steps, usability by non-professionals, and the ability to display, save, and interpret test results intuitively on a mobile phone.

[0003] While traditional benchtop electrochemical workstations offer powerful performance, they are expensive, bulky, and require professional operation, making them unsuitable for everyday life and field applications. Ordinary portable potentiometers, though smaller, typically still require batteries, charging, Bluetooth or wired connections, and necessitate carrying an additional detection instrument.

[0004] In recent years, research has explored the use of near-field communication (NFC) in mobile phones to achieve wireless power supply and data transmission for electrochemical detection devices. For example, Laura Gonzalez-Macia et al. (Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2024) disclosed a prototype of an NFC potentiometer and a nitrocellulose-based metal electrode for electrochemical lateral chromatography detection; Hong Seok Lee et al. (Materials Today Bio, 2026) disclosed an NFC-powered electrochemical chip for the on-site detection of free asparagine in food; and K. Krorakai et al. (Applied Sciences, 2021) disclosed a smartphone-based NFC potentiometer for wireless ammeter sensing. However, existing near-field communication electrochemical detection schemes still have the following problems:

[0005] First, the near-field communication antenna of the mobile phone needs to maintain close coupling with the external circuit. In actual use, hand shaking, sample processing, waiting for reaction, or sensor plugging and unplugging can easily cause power supply or communication interruption, affecting the detection stability and repeatability.

[0006] Second, most existing solutions are laboratory verification prototypes, lacking a structural design that integrates mobile phones, near-field communication power supply motherboards, sensors, and sample processing structures into a single stable testing platform, making it difficult for ordinary users to reliably use them in non-laboratory environments.

[0007] Third, existing solutions are usually geared towards a single sensor or a single object under test, lacking a general platform structure that can be extended to multiple scenarios such as personal health, food safety, agriculture, and aquaculture.

[0008] Fourth, the mechanical connection, plug-in positioning, and anti-contamination structure between the sensor and the motherboard are not perfect, which can easily lead to poor contact, sample contamination of the motherboard, or decreased repeatability.

[0009] Fifth, existing mobile applications typically only provide parameter settings and data reading, lacking functions such as automatic sensor identification, real-time prompts for near-field communication contact quality, guidance on detection steps, anomaly alerts, and scenario-based suggestions. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This invention aims to solve the technical problems of unstable near-field communication coupling, lack of integrated positioning structure, difficulty in sensor expansion, and unfriendly user interaction in existing near-field communication electrochemical detection schemes, and provides a portable electrochemical detection platform powered by near-field communication from a mobile phone.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a portable electrochemical detection platform powered by near-field communication from a mobile phone, comprising:

[0012] A mobile phone, the mobile phone including a near-field communication module for providing wireless power and conducting data interaction;

[0013] The phone case is designed as a hollow structure that matches the shape of the phone and can be fitted or fixed to the back of the phone. The phone case is provided with a motherboard slot to accommodate the near-field communication power supply motherboard and to keep the motherboard coil and the near-field communication antenna of the phone at a preset distance and relative position.

[0014] The near-field communication power supply motherboard is disposed in the motherboard slot of the mobile phone shell and includes a near-field communication power harvesting / communication module, a power management module, a control unit and a potentiometer module. It is used to obtain energy from the mobile phone's near-field communication module and power itself, and at the same time to exchange bidirectional data with the mobile phone through near-field communication.

[0015] An electrochemical sensor is detachably mounted on the phone case and electrically connected to the sensor interface of the near-field communication power supply motherboard, for contacting the sample to be tested and generating an electrochemical response signal;

[0016] A mobile application, which runs on the mobile phone, is used to write detection parameters to the motherboard via near-field communication, receive detection data, display detection results, and provide operation guidance.

[0017] Furthermore, the near-field communication power supply motherboard does not have a battery and relies entirely on the electromagnetic field coupling of the mobile phone's near-field communication module to obtain working energy.

[0018] Furthermore, the potentiometer module includes a digital-to-analog converter, an analog-to-digital converter, a transimpedance amplifier, a reference electrode buffer circuit, a working electrode drive circuit, a counter electrode drive circuit, and a filter circuit, for performing one or more of the following: chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, open-circuit potential measurement, or electrochemical impedance measurement.

[0019] Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor is equipped with a sensor identification code, which can be a resistance code, a contact arrangement code, a QR code, or a memory chip. The mobile application automatically identifies the sensor type based on the identification code and loads the corresponding detection protocol and calibration curve.

[0020] Furthermore, the phone case is also provided with a sensor mounting slot, which includes one or more of the following: a limiting step, a buckle, a sliding groove, a magnetic suction element, an elastic clamping element, or a locking structure, for detachably fixing the electrochemical sensor to the phone case and maintaining electrical connection with the motherboard sensor interface.

[0021] Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor is a three-electrode sensor, including a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode. The surface of the working electrode is provided with at least one modification layer selected from enzyme layer, antibody, aptamer, ion-selective membrane, or nanocatalytic material, for the specific identification of target analytes.

[0022] Furthermore, the phone case is also provided with a sample pool, which is one of the following: a dropper, an anti-overflow edge, a gas diffusion chamber, a liquid separator, or a microfluidic channel, used to contain liquid samples, gas samples, or solid sample extracts.

[0023] Furthermore, the mobile application includes a near-field communication contact quality detection module, which is used to determine the near-field communication coupling quality based on the near-field communication power supply voltage, communication error rate, or load modulation strength, and prompt the user to adjust the relative position of the mobile phone and the phone case when the coupling quality is lower than a preset threshold.

[0024] Furthermore, the mobile application also includes a sensor recognition interface, a detection process wizard, an automatic parameter configuration module, an anomaly alert module, a result interpretation module, and a data management module.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0026] 1. By utilizing the mobile phone's near-field communication module to simultaneously complete power supply and data interaction, the near-field communication power supply motherboard does not need to be equipped with a battery, reducing the burden of charging and maintenance, and realizing truly portable passive detection.

[0027] 2. By using the hollow structure of the phone case, the motherboard slot, and the limiting structure, the near-field communication antenna of the phone and the motherboard coil are kept in a stable relative position, which solves the problem of power supply or communication interruption caused by hand shaking, sample handling, or sensor plugging and unplugging, and improves the stability and repeatability of detection.

[0028] 3. The use of a reusable near-field communication power supply motherboard and replaceable electrochemical sensors reduces long-term usage costs and facilitates adaptation to different analytes, enabling the same platform to be used in multiple scenarios such as personal health, food safety, agricultural planting, aquaculture water quality and environmental monitoring.

[0029] 4. By using sensor identification codes and mobile applications to automatically match detection protocols, the difficulty for ordinary users to set electrochemical parameters is reduced, enabling non-professionals to complete rapid on-site testing.

[0030] 5. The system determines the contact quality by assessing the power supply or communication status of near-field communication and prompts the user in the mobile application to realign, maintain contact, or pause the measurement, thus improving the user experience and detection success rate. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the platform of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mobile phone case structure and motherboard / sensor assembly of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a timing diagram for the detection of the power supply motherboard for the mobile phone and near-field communication in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1: Overall Platform Structure and Assembly

[0037] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a portable electrochemical detection platform powered by near-field communication from a mobile phone.

[0038] The platform includes a mobile phone 110, a mobile phone case 120, a near-field communication power supply motherboard 130, an electrochemical sensor 140, and a mobile application 160.

[0039] Mobile phone 110 includes a near-field communication module 111, which is located in a specific area on the back of the phone and is used to provide wireless power and conduct data interaction. Phone case 120 is a hollow structure that matches the shape of mobile phone 110 and can be fitted or fixed to the back of the phone. Phone case 120 has a motherboard slot in the area corresponding to the near-field communication antenna of the phone. The motherboard slot is used to accommodate the near-field communication power supply motherboard 130, ensuring that the motherboard coil and the near-field communication antenna of the phone maintain a preset distance and relative position. The motherboard slot can be located on the back, side, or a partially protruding area of ​​the phone case and may include limiting steps, clips, sliding grooves, magnetic components, screw holes, elastic clamping components, or adjustable pads.

[0040] The near-field communication power supply motherboard 130 is located in the motherboard slot of the phone case 120, and includes a near-field communication power harvesting / communication module 131, a power management module, a control unit, and a potentiometer module 132. The near-field communication power supply motherboard 130 does not have a battery and relies entirely on the electromagnetic field coupling of the phone's near-field communication module 111 to obtain working energy.

[0041] The phone case 120 also has a sensor mounting slot for accommodating the electrochemical sensor 140. The sensor mounting slot includes a limiting step, a snap-fit, or a sliding groove for detachably securing the electrochemical sensor 140 to the phone case 120 while maintaining electrical connection to the motherboard sensor interface. The phone case 120 also has a sample cell 150 for accommodating the liquid sample to be tested.

[0042] Example 2: Circuit Structure of Near Field Communication Power Supply Mainboard

[0043] This embodiment describes in detail the circuit structure of the near-field communication power supply motherboard 130.

[0044] The near-field communication power supply motherboard 130 includes a near-field communication antenna, an energy harvesting and communication circuit, a rectifier circuit, an energy storage capacitor, a voltage regulator circuit, a control unit, a potentiometer module 132, a storage unit, and a sensor interface. When the mobile phone is brought close to or placed in a phone case, the electromagnetic field generated by the mobile phone's near-field communication module 111 is coupled by the motherboard antenna. The motherboard converts the coupled energy into stable DC power to power the control unit and the potentiometer module 132.

[0045] The potentiometer module 132 includes a digital-to-analog converter, an analog-to-digital converter, a transimpedance amplifier, a reference electrode buffer circuit, a working electrode drive circuit, a counter electrode drive circuit, a filter circuit, and an analog switch. The potentiometer module 132 can perform one or more of the following methods: chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, open-circuit potential measurement, or electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

[0046] For a three-electrode sensor, the motherboard controls the potential of the working electrode relative to the reference electrode and collects the current of the working electrode; for a two-electrode sensor, the motherboard can apply a preset potential or disturbance signal between the two electrodes and collect the response.

[0047] The motherboard can also detect near-field communication power supply voltage, communication error rate, load modulation strength, self-test signal stability, or sensor baseline status, and return these statuses to the mobile application 160.

[0048] Example 3: Structure of an electrochemical sensor

[0049] This embodiment describes the specific structure of the electrochemical sensor 140.

[0050] The electrochemical sensor 140 is a detachable three-electrode sensor, including a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode. The sensor substrate can be PET, PI, glass, or ceramic. The electrode material can be carbon, gold, platinum, silver / silver chloride, conductive polymer, metal nanomaterials, or carbon nanomaterials. The working electrode surface is provided with at least one modification layer selected from enzyme layer, antibody, aptamer, ion-selective membrane, or nanocatalytic material for specific recognition of the target analyte.

[0051] The sensor is equipped with a sensor identification code, which can be a resistance code, contact arrangement code, QR code, or memory chip. The mobile application 160 automatically identifies the sensor type based on the identification code and loads the corresponding detection protocol and calibration curve.

[0052] The sensor can be a insert, cartridge, test strip, lateral chromatography strip, water quality probe, gas detection strip, or disposable sensing module with sample cell.

[0053] Example 4: Mobile Application Interaction Flow

[0054] This embodiment describes the interaction flow of mobile application 160.

[0055] The mobile application 160 includes a sensor identification interface, a near-field communication contact quality interface, a detection process wizard, an automatic parameter configuration module, an anomaly prompt module, a result interpretation module, and a data management module.

[0056] The typical testing process is as follows:

[0057] The user inserts the mobile phone 110 into the matching phone case 120, and the near-field communication module 111 of the mobile phone is coupled to the coil of the near-field communication power supply motherboard 130. The user inserts the electrochemical sensor 140 into the sensor mounting slot, and the mobile application 160 reads the sensor code, automatically identifies the sensor type, and loads the corresponding detection protocol and calibration curve.

[0058] The mobile phone near-field communication module 111 supplies power to the near-field communication power supply motherboard 130 and writes detection parameters, including operating potential, scanning range, scanning rate, sampling frequency, measurement duration and calibration curve number.

[0059] The near-field communication power supply motherboard 130 completes power-on, self-test, sensor contact detection, baseline detection, and near-field communication coupling quality assessment. The mobile application 160 prompts the user to add a sample, wait for the reaction, keep the phone case stable, or start the measurement.

[0060] The potentiometer module 132 performs potential control and current acquisition on the sensor according to the detection protocol, and temporarily stores or transmits the raw data back in real time. The mobile application 160 calculates the detection result based on the raw data, calibration curve, temperature compensation, blank subtraction, or threshold rules.

[0061] The mobile application 160 displays concentration, negative / positive results, risk level, or trend graphs, and provides suggestions for retesting, sending samples for testing, adjusting procedures, or other scenario-based advice.

[0062] Example 5: Application of food safety testing

[0063] This embodiment provides an application example for a food safety testing scenario.

[0064] The user inserts the mobile phone 110 into the matching phone case 120 and inserts the electrochemical sensor 140 for nitrite detection into the sensor mounting slot of the phone case 120. The mobile application 160 automatically identifies the sensor type as "nitrite detection" and loads the nitrite detection protocol and calibration curve.

[0065] The mobile phone near-field communication module 111 supplies power to the near-field communication power supply motherboard 130 and writes the detection parameters: operating potential -0.8V, sampling frequency 10Hz, measurement duration 120 seconds. The mobile phone application 160 prompts the user to add the extract of the food sample to be tested to the sample cell 150.

[0066] The potentiometer module 132 performs chronoamperometry testing on the sensor and acquires the current-time curve. The test data is returned to the mobile application 160 via near-field communication. The mobile application 160 calculates the nitrite concentration based on the calibration curve, displays the test results, and provides suggestions such as "meets the standard" or "exceeds the standard, retesting or sending for testing is recommended."

[0067] Example 6: Application of Water Quality Testing in Agricultural Aquaculture

[0068] This embodiment provides an application example in an agricultural aquaculture scenario.

[0069] The user inserts the mobile phone 110 into the matching phone case 120, and inserts the electrochemical sensor 140 for ammonia nitrogen detection into the sensor mounting slot of the phone case 120. The mobile application 160 automatically recognizes the sensor type as "ammonia nitrogen detection" and loads the ammonia nitrogen detection protocol.

[0070] The mobile application 160 prompts the user to add the aquaculture water sample to the sample tank 150. The potentiometer module 132 performs open-circuit potential method or square wave voltammetry detection. The mobile application 160 calculates the ammonia nitrogen concentration, records the detection time, location and aquaculture tank number, and generates a historical trend graph.

[0071] Example 7: Near-field communication contact quality detection

[0072] This embodiment describes the specific implementation of near-field communication contact quality detection.

[0073] The near-field communication contact quality detection module of mobile application 160 monitors the near-field communication power supply voltage, communication error rate, and load modulation strength in real time. When the near-field communication coupling quality is lower than a preset threshold, mobile application 160 displays a prompt message on the interface, guiding the user to adjust the relative position of the phone and the phone case or to keep them in contact.

[0074] When the near-field communication coupling quality recovers to above the threshold, the mobile application 160 automatically resumes the detection process, ensuring that the detection process is not affected by power supply or communication interruptions.

[0075] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable electrochemical detection platform powered by near-field communication from a mobile phone, characterized in that, include: A mobile phone (110) includes a near-field communication module (111) for providing wireless power and performing data interaction; The phone case (120) is configured as a hollow structure that matches the shape of the phone (110) and can be fitted or fixed to the back of the phone. The phone case (120) is provided with a motherboard slot for accommodating the near-field communication power supply motherboard (130) and keeping the motherboard coil and the near-field communication antenna of the phone at a preset distance and relative position. The near-field communication power supply motherboard (130) is disposed in the motherboard slot of the mobile phone case (120), and includes a near-field communication energy harvesting / communication module (131), a power management module, a control unit and a potentiometer module (132), which is used to obtain energy from the mobile phone near-field communication module (111) and power itself, and at the same time exchange bidirectional data with the mobile phone through near-field communication; An electrochemical sensor (140) is detachably mounted on the phone case (120) and electrically connected to the sensor interface of the near-field communication power supply motherboard (130) for contacting the sample to be tested and generating an electrochemical response signal. A mobile application (160) runs on the mobile phone (110) and is used to write detection parameters to the motherboard, receive detection data, display detection results and provide operation guidance via near-field communication.

2. The portable electrochemical detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The near-field communication power supply motherboard (130) does not have a battery and relies entirely on the electromagnetic field coupling of the mobile phone near-field communication module (111) to obtain working energy.

3. The portable electrochemical detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The potentiometer module (132) includes a digital-to-analog converter, an analog-to-digital converter, a transimpedance amplifier, a reference electrode buffer circuit, a working electrode drive circuit, a counter electrode drive circuit, and a filter circuit, and is used to perform one or more of the following: chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, open-circuit potential measurement, or electrochemical impedance measurement.

4. The portable electrochemical detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrochemical sensor (140) is equipped with a sensor identification code, which is one of resistance code, contact arrangement code, QR code or storage chip. The mobile application (160) automatically identifies the sensor type and loads the corresponding detection protocol and calibration curve according to the identification code.

5. The portable electrochemical detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The phone case (120) is also provided with a sensor mounting slot, which includes one or more of the following: a limiting step, a buckle, a sliding groove, a magnetic suction element, an elastic clamping element, or a locking structure, for detachably fixing the electrochemical sensor (140) to the phone case (120) and maintaining electrical connection with the motherboard sensor interface.

6. The portable electrochemical detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrochemical sensor (140) is a three-electrode sensor, including a working electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode. The working electrode surface is provided with at least one modified layer selected from enzyme layer, antibody, aptamer, ion-selective membrane or nanocatalytic material, for the specific identification of target analytes.

7. The portable electrochemical detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The phone case (120) is also provided with a sample pool (150), which is one of a drip groove, an anti-overflow edge, a gas diffusion cavity, a liquid separator or a microfluidic channel, used to contain liquid samples, gas samples or solid sample extracts.

8. The portable electrochemical detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mobile application (160) includes a near-field communication contact quality detection module, which is used to determine the near-field communication coupling quality based on the near-field communication power supply voltage, communication error rate or load modulation intensity, and prompt the user to adjust the relative position of the mobile phone and the mobile phone case when the coupling quality is lower than a preset threshold.

9. A portable electrochemical detection method based on near-field communication power supply from a mobile phone, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1: Install the mobile phone (110) into the matching mobile phone case (120) so that the near field communication module (111) of the mobile phone is coupled to the coil of the near field communication power supply motherboard (130) inside the mobile phone case; Step S2: Install the electrochemical sensor (140) in the sensor mounting slot of the mobile phone case (120) so that the sensor electrode is electrically connected to the sensor interface of the motherboard; Step S3: The mobile application (160) reads the sensor identification code, automatically identifies the sensor type, and loads the corresponding detection protocol and calibration curve; Step S4: The mobile phone near-field communication module (111) wirelessly supplies power to the near-field communication power supply motherboard (130) and writes the detection parameters; Step S5: The potentiometer module (132) of the near-field communication power supply motherboard (130) performs potential control and current acquisition on the electrochemical sensor (140) to obtain the electrochemical response signal; Step S6: The near-field communication power supply motherboard (130) returns the collected detection data to the mobile application (160) via near-field communication. Step S7: The mobile application (160) calculates the test results based on the test data and calibration curve, and displays the test results and operation suggestions.

10. The detection method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The detection parameters mentioned in step S4 include at least one of the following: operating potential, scanning range, scanning rate, sampling frequency, measurement duration, and calibration curve number.

Images