Miniaturized Electrochemical Cell with Sealing Ring for Millimeter-Scale Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical cells, such as capillaries and theta capillaries, are fragile, difficult to position, and prone to solution leakage, leading to distorted voltage measurements due to concentration polarizations and ohmic effects, and are limited in size, making them unsuitable for accurate electrochemical measurements on larger areas like one square millimeter.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized electrochemical cell with a main body featuring a tip and separate inlet and outlet conduits, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, along with a sealing ring that creates a millimeter-size chamber for redox reactions, reducing ohmic effects and allowing for constant electrolyte solution flow, thus avoiding solution leakage and concentration polarizations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If glass capillaries are used to define investigating surfaces, then the area of analysis can be reduced to a few square micrometers, but the capillaries become fragile and break easily
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the contact tip into functional segments: a sealing element for creating the measurement chamber, a body for housing components, and integrated conduits for electrolyte flow. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, with the sealing element providing reliable sealing without requiring fragile glass capillaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the glass capillary structure with a solid-state sealing element that replicates the sealing function. The sealing element with its sealing surface and opening creates the necessary confined space without using brittle glass materials, thus achieving the same analytical area definition with improved mechanical reliability.
2Area of stationary object
If glass capillaries are used, then small regions can be studied, but liquid replacement near the area of analysis is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the electrolyte storage and delivery function from the sealed capillary structure. External reservoirs connected via flexible tubes allow the electrolyte to be supplied to the measurement chamber, enabling liquid replacement without compromising the sealing of the measurement area. This separates the functions of confinement and fluid supply.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible tubes act as intermediaries between the external electrolyte reservoirs and the measurement chamber. These tubes allow electrolyte flow and replacement while maintaining the integrity of the sealed measurement space, solving the contradiction between confined area definition and liquid replacement capability.
3Reliability
If theta capillaries with glass conduits are used, then solution circulation is enabled, but the conduits are difficult to position and subject to breakages
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element integrates multiple functions: it seals the measurement chamber, defines the opening for electrochemical contact, and provides mounting points for electrolyte conduits. This merging eliminates the need for separate, precisely positioned glass conduits, reducing device complexity while maintaining solution circulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element provides localized sealing at the measurement chamber without requiring extensive glass conduit structures. The sealing surface is positioned precisely where needed to create the measurement chamber, while electrolyte flow paths are established through integrated channels or external connections, avoiding the positioning difficulties of theta capillary conduits.
4Area of stationary object
If electrolytic solution-soaked pads are used for larger surface analysis, then square millimeter areas can be measured, but the electrolyte solution becomes stagnant causing concentration polarizations
Solution Approach 1:
The device establishes continuous electrolyte flow through the measurement chamber via inlet and outlet conduits. This continuous flow prevents stagnation and concentration polarizations while covering square millimeter areas, maintaining measurement accuracy across larger surfaces by ensuring constant electrolyte renewal at the electrode interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static electrolyte-soaked pads to a dynamic flow system. The measurement chamber is designed to accommodate flowing electrolyte, with inlet and outlet ports enabling continuous circulation. This dynamic approach prevents concentration buildup and maintains measurement reliability over larger areas.
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
The solution enables accurate electrochemical measurements on one square millimeter areas with reduced ohmic effects, avoiding solution leakage and concentration polarizations, and simplifies electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, while being more robust and easier to use than traditional glass capillaries.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inlet hollow conduit for an electrolytic liquid solution and at least one outlet hollow conduit for said electrolytic liquid solution, said electrolytic liquid solution flowing from said at least one inlet hollow conduit to said at least one outlet hollow conduit
Implementation Method 2
a millimeter-size chamber for redox reactions is identified which communicates with said at least one inlet hollow conduit of millimeter-size diameter and with said at least one outlet hollow conduit of millimeter-size diameter
Implementation Method 3
the miniaturized electrochemical cell comprising a counter electrode, said miniaturized electrochemical cell mounting a reference electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A miniaturized electrochemical cell (2) comprising a main body (20) comprising a tip (21) wherein inlet (41) and outlet (51) hollow conduits of millimeter-size diameter are hollowed out separated by a partition wall (200) integral with the main body (20) in which an electrolytic liquid solution (10) flows, in a space between the tip (21) and a surface (90) of a conductor material to be analyzed (9) is identified a millimeter-size chamber for redox reactions (6), the tip (21) of the main body (20) comprises a millimeter-size opening (210) of millimetric dimension in communication with said millimeter-size chamber for redox reactions (6).