Capacitively Coupled Buried Electrode for Electrochemical Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrochemical devices, such as chemFET and electrochemical systems, are limited in controlling electrochemical processes due to reliance on potential differences between electrodes, which restricts the dynamics and control over chemical sensing and reactions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a buried electrode capacitively coupled to an electrically-thin conductive layer and a liquid gate electrode, allowing for electrostatic interaction without direct electrical contact, enables modulation of electrical transport and chemical dynamics in the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electrochemical devices use potential difference between electrodes to control electrochemical processes, then the device structure is simple, but the control dynamics and operational freedom are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple functional electrodes: a working electrode for electrochemical reactions, a reference electrode for potential measurement, and a separate gate electrode for independent control of the electric double layer. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each electrode's function, enabling dynamic control without complicating the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
An ionic liquid layer is introduced as an intermediary between the gate electrode and the working electrode. This ionic liquid acts as a mediator that transmits electrical signals from the gate electrode to modulate the electric double layer at the working electrode surface, enabling indirect control of electrochemical processes without direct electrical contact between the gate and working electrodes.
2Measurement precision
If the redox potential is coupled to the electric double layer in traditional devices, then the device operation is straightforward, but the sensing sensitivity and reaction control are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into independent potential control (via reference electrode) and double layer modulation (via gate electrode). This allows the redox potential to be precisely controlled for accurate sensing while the electric double layer is independently modulated to enhance sensitivity, without requiring complex coupled control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate electrode enables dynamic changes in the electric double layer parameters (capacitance, thickness, ion distribution) without altering the redox potential. By changing these parameters independently, the sensing sensitivity and reaction control are enhanced while maintaining straightforward device operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional electrodes are added to modulate electrical transport properties, then the control capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate electrode is designed with multi-functionality: it can modulate the electric double layer, control ion transport, adjust capacitance, and influence reaction kinetics. By consolidating these multiple control functions into a single electrode, the device achieves enhanced adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid serves as a universal intermediary that mediates the interaction between the gate electrode and the electrochemical system. This single intermediary enables multiple control mechanisms (electrostatic field effect, ion transport control, capacitance modulation) through one additional component, avoiding the need for multiple separate control elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the ability to control and decouple the redox potential from the electric double layer, allowing for improved sensing and reaction dynamics, particularly in systems like chemFET and electrochemical-FET devices, by modulating the Fermi level and Debye layer, thereby increasing sensitivity and operational freedom.
Implementation Method 1
a buried electrode disposed on the second surface of the substrate, the buried electrode being capacitively coupled with the electrically-thin conductive layer
Implementation Method 2
The additional electrodes can be out of direct electrical contact with the liquid phase but interact electrostatically with the components of the electrical device system
Implementation Method 3
allowing for improved sensing and reaction dynamics, particularly in systems like chemFET and electrochemical-FET devices, by modulating the Fermi level and Debye layer
Implementation Method 4
decouple the redox potential from the electric double layer
Data Source
AI summary
A device for interacting with a quantity of a sample, the device, comprising: a substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is opposite to the second surface; an electrically-thin conductive layer disposed on the first surface of the substrate and configured to contact a first portion of the sample; a buried electrode disposed on the second surface of the substrate, the buried electrode being capacitively coupled with the electrically-thin conductive layer; and at least one electrode in contact with a second portion of the sample, wherein the second portion of the sample is remote from the first portion of the sample, and further wherein the at least one electrode and the electrically-thin conductive layer electrically interact via the sample; wherein the substrate is configured such that the substrate does not substantially conduct the flow of electric current through the electrically-thin conductive layer.