Ion Sensor Gate Grounding Simplifies Driving Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ion sensors with a three-terminal configuration have complex driving circuits and methods, leading to a complicated configuration that is difficult to simplify and maintain, and are prone to contamination and deterioration due to the use of separate reference electrodes.

Innovation Solution

An ion sensor with a field effect transistor where the gate electrode is fixed, eliminating the need for a separate reference electrode, allowing for a simplified configuration and driving method by electrochemically connecting the gate area to a metal container, enabling stable current measurement between the source and drain based on voltage control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate reference electrode is used in conventional ion sensors, then the ion concentration measurement can be performed, but the configuration becomes complicated and the driving circuit becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion concentration measurementVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reference electrode function with the metal container that holds the measurement target liquid. The metal container serves dual purposes: as the physical container for the liquid and as the reference electrode. This eliminates the need for a separate reference electrode component, thereby simplifying the overall device configuration and reducing circuit complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If a separate reference electrode is used in conventional ion sensors, then the ion concentration measurement can be performed, but the driving circuit becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion concentration measurementVSAvoiddriving circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reference electrode function with the metal container that holds the measurement target liquid. The metal container serves dual purposes: as the physical container for the liquid and as the reference electrode. This eliminates the need for a separate reference electrode component, thereby simplifying the overall device configuration and reducing circuit complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If a separate reference electrode is used in conventional ion sensors, then the ion concentration measurement can be performed, but the sensor is prone to contamination and deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion concentration measurementVSAvoidcontamination and deterioration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reference electrode function with the metal container that holds the measurement target liquid. The metal container serves dual purposes: as the physical container for the liquid and as the reference electrode. This eliminates the need for a separate reference electrode component, thereby simplifying the overall device configuration and reducing circuit complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach simplifies the ion sensor configuration and driving circuit, avoids contamination and deterioration, and allows for accurate ion concentration measurement by grounding the gate and drain electrodes, while preventing the application of gate voltage that can damage the transistor.

Implementation Method 1

there is a sensor device provided with a field effect transistor in which a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on a diamond thin film, and a surface of the diamond thin film that is between the source electrode and the drain electrode and that is in contact with the solution functions as a channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectField effect transistor operation: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

the gate area of the working electrode is electrochemically connected to the metal container via the measurement target liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical interaction: Electrolyte

Implementation Method 3

a surface of a diamond thin film that functions as a channel is applied with hydrogen termination treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen termination: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 4

a portion thereof is oxygen-terminated or fluorine-terminated to control the ion sensitivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen termination: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3425381B1Ion sensor and ion concentration measurement method
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3425381B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3425381B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3425381B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An electronic component that is characterized by comprising: an electric field effect transistor that constitutes a working electrode for an ion sensor; and a drive circuit that generates a potential difference between a source electrode and a drain electrode of the electric field effect transistor. The electronic component is also characterized in that the electric field effect transistor has a fixed reference electrode potential.