Fluid-Activated Battery Conductivity Sensing Without Reference Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conductometric biosensors are limited in their applicability to portable and wearable devices due to the complexity and bulkiness of the instrumentation required for impedance measurements, and they are not suitable for disposable devices, as they rely on stable reference electrodes and are sensitive to heavy metals and high ionic backgrounds.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-activated battery device is used as a conductivity sensor, where the fluid acts as the electrolyte, and the battery's performance is sensitive to the ionic conductivity of the fluid, allowing for the determination of electrolytic conductivity without the need for additional power sources or reference electrodes, using a simple and cost-effective design that can be integrated into portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional conductometric biosensors are used, then measurement precision of electrolytic conductivity is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery and conductivity sensor into a single integrated device. The battery electrodes serve dual purposes: generating electrical energy and functioning as conductivity sensing electrodes. This merging eliminates the need for separate instrumentation, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through direct measurement of current flow through the fluid between electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery electrodes perform multiple functions simultaneously: they act as both power generation components (through electrochemical reactions) and sensing components (by measuring current flow). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated reference electrodes and complex impedance measurement instrumentation, simplifying the overall device while preserving conductivity measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional conductometric biosensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and portability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the battery as a disposable device that can be discarded after use. The battery electrodes and housing are constructed from inexpensive materials suitable for single-use applications. This eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures, reference electrode maintenance, and cleaning protocols associated with conventional sensors, greatly simplifying operation and enabling portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is self-powered, generating its own electrical energy through electrochemical reactions without requiring external power sources or complex instrumentation. The device automatically performs conductivity measurements by utilizing the current flow generated by its own battery reactions, eliminating the need for external impedance analyzers or complex measurement circuits.
3Measurement precision
If conventional conductometric biosensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity to harmful factors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vulnerable reference electrode component from conventional biosensor designs. By using only working electrodes that function as both power sources and sensors, the device removes the component most sensitive to heavy metal contamination and high ionic backgrounds. The measurement is performed by monitoring current flow through the fluid, which is less susceptible to interference from these harmful factors.
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 device enables self-powered, portable, and disposable electrolytic conductivity sensing, suitable for various applications, including medical and environmental monitoring, by directly relating the battery's performance to the fluid's ionic content, eliminating the need for complex instrumentation and enhancing sensitivity and specificity.
Implementation Method 1
a battery including an oxidizing electrode (i.e. an anode) and a reducing electrode (i.e. a cathode) separated at a distance and connected by a hydrophilic and/or porous material or an empty receptacle providing a microfluidic cavity
Implementation Method 2
the fluid acts as the electrolyte, and the battery's performance is sensitive to the ionic conductivity of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
connected by a hydrophilic and/or porous material or an empty receptacle providing a microfluidic cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for sensing the electrolytic conductivity of a fluid are disclosed. The device comprises a battery (1) having an oxidizing electrode (2) and a reducing electrode (3) connected by a hydrophilic and/or a porous material or an empty receptacle (4) providing a microfluidic cavity for a fluid (10), said battery (1) being activated upon the addition of said fluid (10) therein and providing electrical energy while the fluid (10) impregnates by capillarity said microfluidic cavity; and at least one instrument (5) connected to the battery (1). The instrument (5) has an equivalent impedance that makes the battery (1) work at a specific operating point allowing determining or discriminating among values of electrolytic conductivity of the fluid (10) and includes means for quantifying the electrolytic conductivity of the fluid (10), thereby inferring the conductivity of the fluid (10) from the performance of the battery (1).