Gel Microemulsion Electrode for Miniaturized Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical analysis devices face limitations in downsizing and handling due to the need for containing liquid bicontinuous-phase microemulsions, which are inconvenient and restrict device miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
An electrode device with a bicontinuous microemulsion ion-conducting medium where at least one of the water or oil phases is a gel, allowing ionic conduction between electrodes without the need for external electrolyte solutions, enabling miniaturization and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid bicontinuous-phase microemulsion is used as ion-conducting medium, then ionic conduction is achieved, but device downsizing is limited and handling becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the microemulsion from liquid to gel by incorporating gel-forming components (such as gelatin, agar, or synthetic polymers). This parameter change allows the medium to maintain ionic conduction capability while eliminating the need for containment, thereby improving handling convenience and enabling device downsizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ion-conducting medium by combining gel-forming materials with bicontinuous-phase microemulsion components (surfactants, oil phases, and water phases). This composite structure maintains the dual-continuous-phase architecture necessary for ionic conduction while the gel network provides structural integrity and eliminates free liquid flow.
2Reliability
If liquid bicontinuous-phase microemulsion is used as ion-conducting medium, then ionic conduction is achieved, but device downsizing is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By transforming the microemulsion from liquid to gel state, the patent enables the ion-conducting medium to be integrated directly into the electrode structure without requiring separate containment vessels. This parameter change allows for significant device downsizing while preserving ionic conduction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ion-conducting medium with the electrode assembly by having the gel microemulsion extend over and contact both electrodes directly. This integration eliminates the need for separate electrolyte containment structures, enabling device miniaturization.
3Ease of operation
If gel phase is introduced to suppress flux, then handling is improved, but diffusion of analyte may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different gel concentrations or mesh sizes within the microemulsion. Areas closer to electrodes may have lower gel concentration to facilitate ion and analyte transport, while other regions have higher gel concentration to suppress flux and improve handling. This spatial variation in gel properties optimizes both handling and analyte diffusion.
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 electrode device allows for accurate electrochemical analysis of both hydrophilic and lipophilic analytes without external electrolytes, facilitating device miniaturization and improved handling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the ion-conducting medium is made of a bicontinuous microemulsion containing a water phase being a continuous phase and an oil phase being a continuous phase
Implementation Method 2
a bicontinuous microemulsion containing a water phase being a continuous phase and an oil phase being a continuous phase
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the water phase and the oil phase is a gel. Thus, the gel phase includes the liquid phase or both of the phases are gels, thereby suppressing the flux of the ion-conducting medium
Implementation Method 4
the electron transfer from the working electrode allows the oxidation-reduction reaction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electrode device 1 includes a first electrode 2, a second electrode 3, and an ion-conducting medium 7 extending over and in contact with the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3. The ion-conducting medium 7 is made of a bicontinuous microemulsion including a water phase as a continuous phase and an oil phase as a continuous phase. At least one of the water phase and the oil phase is a gel.