Non-porous Enclosure Reference Electrode for Soil Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic and electronic-chemical sensors are unable to directly measure analytes in situ from solid mediums like soil due to clogging and leakage issues with traditional reference electrodes, which are prone to clogging and require preparing a diluted solution for analysis.
Innovation Solution
The development of a sensor system with a non-porous enclosure for a reference electrode, containing a buffer solution and a metallic plug that extends externally, allowing direct measurement of analytes in solid mediums without clogging or leakage, using a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or field effect transistor (FET) to generate calibration curves for unknown analyte concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional porous reference electrode is used, then the sensor can measure analytes in liquid solutions, but the electrode becomes clogged when measuring solid mediums like soil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a non-porous enclosure with controlled openings instead of a porous membrane. The reference electrode is housed in a sealed non-porous enclosure that prevents clogging while allowing ionic contact through controlled pathways, enabling reliable operation in both liquid and solid mediums without the clogging issues of traditional porous electrodes.
2Reliability
If a traditional reference electrode with porous membrane is used, then buffer solution can be contained, but leakage occurs over time compromising measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the porous membrane containment approach with a non-porous sealed enclosure. The buffer solution is contained within a hermetically sealed non-porous enclosure, eliminating the leakage pathway that exists in traditional porous membrane designs. This sealed approach prevents buffer solution loss while maintaining ionic contact through alternative pathways, ensuring long-term measurement accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If traditional reference electrodes are used, then standard pH measurement can be performed, but direct in-situ measurement in solid mediums requires solution preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reference electrode into a self-contained modular unit with a non-porous enclosure that can be directly inserted into solid mediums. This modular design allows the reference electrode to function independently without requiring external solution preparation, enabling direct in-situ measurements while maintaining standard pH measurement capabilities through the sealed buffer containment system.
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 direct, accurate measurement of analytes such as pH and ion concentrations in soil and other solid substances without clogging or preparing a diluted solution, providing reliable and continuous monitoring of analyte concentrations over time.
Implementation Method 1
a metallic plug partially enclosed within the non-porous enclosure wherein said metallic plug partially extends exterior to the non-porous enclosure
Implementation Method 2
measuring an electrical current outputted from a collector (Ic) of the BJT as a function of a change in a difference between a voltage applied to the reference electrode (VB) and a voltage applied to an emitter (VE) of the BJT
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, methods and products for measuring concentrations of analytes in-situ, including concentrations of ions, proteins, DNA, and, RNA in a variety of mediums including solutions, suspensions, soils, slurries, biological fluids and living organic material such as agricultural crops. Embodiments of the disclosed inventions measure analyte concentration in-situ without clogging reference electrodes, leaking reference solution or having to dilute a medium prior to taking the analyte measurements. In-situ analyte measurements are made without clogging reference electrodes using a combination of solid-state sensors connected to a transducer, a reference electrode enclosed by a non-porous enclosure and a metallic plug extending from the interior cavity of the non-porous enclosure outwardly exterior to the non-porous enclosure, contacting the medium being measured. Automation of analyte measurements are implemented by combining computer systems, computer networks to remotely measure and monitor the analyte present in multiple mediums using sensors placed in a variable number of locations.