Sensor Chip Microbattery Electrochemical Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor chips used for detecting target substances in analytes face challenges with reduced electric power supply due to small antenna coil cross-sections and increased manufacturing costs as planar dimensions increase, especially when distant from the reader device.
Innovation Solution
A sensor chip design featuring first and second electrodes made from different materials, generating a potential difference through oxidation and reduction reactions, driving a detection circuit without the need for an antenna coil, allowing for reduced planar dimensions and lower manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an antenna coil with greater cross-section is provided to supply sufficient electric power to the sensor chip, then the electric power supply is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the antenna coil from the sensor chip structure. Instead of using electromagnetic induction through an antenna coil, the patent employs a microbattery comprising first and second electrodes with different electrode potentials that directly generate electrical power through electrochemical reactions in the electrolyte-containing analyte. This removal of the antenna coil component resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient power without requiring increased chip area that would raise manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the electromagnetic induction system (antenna coil-based wireless power transfer) with an electrochemical energy generation system (microbattery). The microbattery uses oxidation-reduction reactions between different electrodes in contact with the electrolyte to generate electrical potential difference, replacing the need for electromagnetic coupling and antenna structures. This substitution enables compact sensor chip design with adequate power supply while maintaining low manufacturing costs.
2Power
If the planar dimensions of the sensor chip are increased to accommodate larger antenna coil, then the electric power supply is improved, but the area of the sensor chip increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the antenna coil from the sensor chip structure. Instead of using electromagnetic induction through an antenna coil, the patent employs a microbattery comprising first and second electrodes with different electrode potentials that directly generate electrical power through electrochemical reactions in the electrolyte-containing analyte. This removal of the antenna coil component resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient power without requiring increased chip area that would raise manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor chip is located distant from the reader device, then the detection capability is maintained, but the electric power supply decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes the electromagnetic induction system (antenna coil-based wireless power transfer) with an electrochemical energy generation system (microbattery). The microbattery uses oxidation-reduction reactions between different electrodes in contact with the electrolyte to generate electrical potential difference, replacing the need for electromagnetic coupling and antenna structures. This substitution enables compact sensor chip design with adequate power supply while maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The microbattery is designed to utilize the analyte itself (urine or other biological fluids containing electrolytes) as the electrolyte medium for electrochemical power generation. The first and second electrodes directly interact with ions in the analyte to generate electrical energy, enabling the sensor chip to be self-powered without external power sources or wireless power transfer infrastructure. This self-service capability allows the sensor to function independently at any location.
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 sensor chip effectively detects target substances with stable electric power generation and reduced manufacturing costs, enabling precise detection of antigens in analytes without the need for an antenna coil, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a detection circuit that detects a target substance included in an analyte, the detection circuit being driven by a potential difference between the first and second electrodes, the potential difference being generated by an oxidation at the first electrode and a reduction at the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
a detection circuit that detects a target substance included in an analyte, the detection circuit being driven by a potential difference between the first and second electrodes, the potential difference being generated by an oxidation at the first electrode and a reduction at the second electrode
Implementation Method 3
the potential difference being generated by an oxidation at the first electrode and a reduction at the second electrode while the analyte contacts the first and second electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor chip includes first and second electrodes that are exposed from the sensor chip and are made from materials different from each other. The sensor chip further includes a detection circuit that detects a target substance included in an analyte, the detection circuit being driven by a potential difference between the first and second electrodes, the potential difference being generated by an oxidation at the first electrode and a reduction at the second electrode while the analyte contacts the first and second electrodes, the analyte including an electrolyte.