Electrode Chip Shared Reference Electrode Bipolar Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode chips require multiple reference electrodes for each measurement cell, making it difficult to perform multiple electrochemical measurements efficiently and accurately in a short time, and they have limitations in measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An electrode chip design with one auxiliary cell and multiple measurement cells, where the auxiliary cell includes a reference electrode, counter electrode, and working electrode, and the measurement cell includes a driving electrode and working electrode, with the working electrodes being electrically connected, allowing for multiple measurements with a single reference electrode and improved accuracy by optimizing the surface areas and configurations of the electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If one reference electrode is used for multiple measurement cells, then device complexity is reduced and productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reference electrode contamination and electrical interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement throughputVSAvoidelectrochemical measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bipolar electrode is divided into multiple measurement cell-side working electrodes that are electrically connected in series, allowing each measurement cell to share a common reference electrode while maintaining electrical isolation through the series connection configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary cell-side working electrode acts as an intermediary that electrically connects the reference electrode to multiple measurement cells through the bipolar electrode configuration, enabling signal transmission while isolating contamination between cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple reference electrodes are used for each measurement cell, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectrode configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple measurement cells are merged into a single integrated chip structure with a shared reference electrode and auxiliary cell, reducing the total number of electrodes from multiple reference electrodes to one while maintaining measurement capability through the bipolar electrode configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single reference electrode serves multiple measurement cells simultaneously through the electrically connected bipolar electrode system, making the reference electrode universal for all measurements on the chip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple reference electrodes are used for each measurement cell, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electrically connected bipolar electrode system enables continuous measurement across multiple cells without requiring sequential replacement or reconfiguration of reference electrodes, allowing simultaneous or rapid sequential measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables accurate and efficient performance of multiple electrochemical measurements using a single reference electrode, reducing measurement time and improving accuracy, while minimizing the risk of reference electrode contamination and enhancing reproducibility.

Implementation Method 1

Bipolar electrochemistry is a field dealing with phenomena where an electric conductor functions as a bipolar electrode when being immersed in a solution to which a voltage is applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

the auxiliary cell includes a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and an auxiliary cell-side working electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10620146B2Electrode chip

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 TOHOKU UNIV

AI summary

An electrode chip including one auxiliary cell and a plurality of measurement cells on a substrate, where the auxiliary cell includes a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and an auxiliary cell-side working electrode, the measurement cell includes a driving electrode and a measurement cell-side working electrode, and the auxiliary cell-side working electrode and the measurement cell-side working electrode are electrically connected.