Electrochemical Sensor With Solid-Element Openings for Ionic Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical sensors for sensing analytes are slow, fragile, bulky, flow-dependent, unstable, and difficult to manufacture, with high baseline drift and low sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical sensor design featuring a first and second solid element with a chamber containing an electrolyte, a working electrode, and analyte-permeable openings between them, using an ion-impermeable membrane to isolate the chamber and facilitate analyte diffusion, allowing for simple manufacturing and robust design with microfabrication techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional electrochemical sensor designs are used, then the sensor structure is simple, but the response time is slow and sensitivity is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidsensor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into separate solid elements (first solid element, second solid element) with a chamber positioned between them. This segmentation allows for optimized analyte transport paths and electrode positioning, improving response time while maintaining structural organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The analyte permeable openings are positioned at least partially between the first and second solid elements, creating a three-dimensional analyte transport path through the chamber. This dimensional arrangement reduces diffusion distance and improves response time compared to traditional planar designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the chamber is placed between solid elements with analyte permeable openings, then sensitivity and response time improve, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte detection sensitivityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Analyte permeable openings are incorporated into the solid elements to enable controlled analyte diffusion into the chamber while maintaining structural integrity. This approach improves sensitivity by facilitating efficient analyte transport without requiring complex porous membrane assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor combines different solid elements (which may be made of different materials optimized for specific functions) with electrolyte solution and membrane components to create a composite structure that achieves high sensitivity while remaining manufacturable through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If an ion-impermeable membrane is used in the analyte permeable openings, then ionic composition stability is maintained, but analyte diffusion may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte ionic composition stabilityVSAvoidanalyte diffusion rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane is selectively placed only in the analyte permeable openings rather than covering the entire chamber interface. This local placement maintains ionic composition stability where needed (in the openings) while leaving other areas open for efficient analyte diffusion and electrolyte access to electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A thin membrane is used in the analyte permeable openings to provide ion impermeability while maintaining analyte permeability. The thin film structure minimizes diffusion resistance for analytes while effectively blocking ion transport, balancing composition stability with diffusion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides fast response times, mechanical robustness, and high sensitivity while maintaining ionic composition stability, capable of withstanding mechanical shocks and high pressures, and enabling precise analyte detection.

Implementation Method 1

an analyte permeable membrane in said one or more analyte permeable openings, such as a silicone membrane, such as a membrane which enables separating liquids (such as aqueous solutions) on either side of the one or more analyte permeable openings, wherein the membrane is not permeable to ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

said one or more analyte permeable openings forming a diffusion barrier between the associated volume and the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3485269B1Electrochemical sensor with opening between solid elements

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 XSENSR AS

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AI summary

There is presented an electrochemical sensor (100) for sensing an analyte in an associated volume (106), the sensor comprising a first solid element (126), a second solid element (128) being joined to the first solid element, a chamber (110) being placed at least partially between the first solid element and the second solid element, a working electrode (104) in the chamber (110), a reference electrode (108), and wherein one or more analyte permeable openings (122) connect the chamber (110) with the associated volume (106), and wherein the electrochemical sensor (100) further comprises an analyte permeable membrane (124) in said one or more analyte permeable openings, wherein the one or more analyte permeable openings are placed at least partially between the first solid element and the second solid element.