Implantable Biochemical Test Chip With Redox-Active Counter Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biochemical test chips face challenges with reduced electrode size leading to low electrochemical signals and a bottleneck effect when measuring high concentrations, necessitating additional conductive media that increase manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The biochemical test chip features a counter electrode with a higher current density than the working electrode, utilizing an active material for a self-secondary redox reaction to balance electron flow without increasing area, and optionally includes a protective layer to stabilize the active material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electrode size is reduced to decrease sampling volume, then the sampling volume is reduced, but the electrochemical signal becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the counter electrode from conventional inert materials to active materials (such as metal oxides like MnO2, NiO, Co3O4, or transition metal sulfides) that can undergo redox reactions. This material parameter change enables the counter electrode to actively participate in electron transfer, compensating for the reduced electrode area and maintaining sufficient electrochemical signal strength despite the smaller sampling volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the electrode size is reduced to decrease sampling volume, then the sampling volume is reduced, but a bottleneck effect occurs when measuring high concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrochemical parameter of the counter electrode by using active materials with appropriate redox potentials and electron transfer kinetics. These materials can facilitate high-rate electron transfer reactions, removing the bottleneck that limited measurement of high-concentration samples. The active material's ability to undergo multiple redox states enables the electrode to handle higher current densities without saturation.
3Measurement precision
If conductive medium is added to enhance measurement signal, then the measurement signal is enhanced, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the counter electrode to be self-active, capable of undergoing redox reactions without requiring external conductive additives. The active material (such as metal oxides or sulfides) inherently provides the necessary electron transfer capability, eliminating the need to add separate conductive media to the electrolyte. This integrates the conductive function directly into the electrode structure, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining signal strength.
4Measurement precision
If conductive medium is added to enhance measurement signal, then the measurement signal is enhanced, but the difficulty in dissolving and drying increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for conductive additives by making the counter electrode itself actively participate in electron transfer through redox reactions. The active material (metal oxides, sulfides, etc.) provides inherent conductive pathways and electron transfer mechanisms, removing the requirement to add separate conductive media to the electrolyte solution. This simplifies the manufacturing process, particularly the dissolving and drying steps, as no additional conductive additives need to be incorporated into the electrolyte.
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 design addresses the bottleneck effect by maintaining electron balance and stabilizing the electrochemical circuit, allowing for accurate measurements with reduced sampling volume without increasing the counter electrode's area or adding conductive media.
Implementation Method 1
the counter electrode is configured to undergo a secondary reaction, wherein the secondary reaction does not interfere with the primary reaction, and the secondary reaction allows the counter electrode to have the capability to receive or release additional electrons
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an electrochemical system, including an electrode unit and a reactive unit electrically coupled to the electrode unit. The electrode unit includes a working electrode and a counter electrode, wherein a current density of the counter electrode is greater than a current density of the working electrode. An implantable biochemical test chip is also provided.