Voltammetry Sensor Circuit with Dynamic Reference Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available potentiostats for voltammetric analysis are too expensive and use complex electronics with a large voltage range (e.g., 6 V) that cannot be readily provided by modern standard CMOS components, which is a barrier for cost-effective biochemical sensors in the consumer goods market.

Innovation Solution

A circuit arrangement and method for operating an electrochemical cell with a control unit that sets a predetermined cell voltage between electrodes and adjusts a reference voltage based on the electrical state of the cell, utilizing a bipolar or unipolar supply voltage to optimize the available voltage range for voltammetric analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If commercially available potentiostats with large voltage range (6 V) are used, then voltammetric analysis can be performed, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltammetric analysis capabilityVSAvoidelectronics complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from a fixed large range (6V) to a dynamically adjustable range that adapts to the electrochemical window requirements. By implementing variable voltage rails that can be programmed to match specific measurement needs, the system achieves reliable voltammetric analysis while reducing the overall voltage range requirement, thereby lowering device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic voltage supply rails that can be adjusted in real-time based on the specific electrochemical measurement requirements. Instead of a static high-voltage system, the voltage range dynamically adapts to match the electrochemical window of the materials being analyzed, reducing unnecessary voltage headroom and simplifying the electronics while maintaining analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If commercially available potentiostats with large voltage range (6 V) are used, then voltammetric analysis can be performed, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltammetric analysis capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If standard CMOS components with limited voltage range (3 V) are used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the available voltage range for electrochemical analysis is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidvoltage range adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal voltage supply system that can adapt to different electrochemical measurement requirements through programmable voltage rails. The same CMOS-based circuit can serve multiple electrochemical analysis applications by dynamically adjusting its voltage output to match the specific electrochemical window required, providing versatility without requiring multiple dedicated high-voltage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If a fixed reference voltage is used, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy decreases when electrochemical window varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoidconcentration determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reference voltage is dynamically adjusted based on the detected electrochemical window of the materials being analyzed. The system continuously monitors the electrochemical characteristics and automatically adapts the reference voltage to optimize the measurement range, ensuring high measurement precision across different analytical conditions while maintaining relatively simple circuit architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11320398B2Sensor arrangement for voltammetry

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

In some examples, a circuit arrangement has a first output node for connection to a first electrode of the electrochemical cell, a second output node for connection to a second electrode of the electrochemical cell and a third output node for connection to a third electrode of the electrochemical cell. The circuit arrangement further has an interface circuit designed to output a first voltage at the first output node and further designed to output a third voltage at the third output node, which third voltage is set such that a second voltage at the second output node corresponds to a reference voltage. A control unit is designed to set the first voltage such that a predetermined cell voltage is applied between the first and the second output node. The control circuit is further designed to adjust the reference voltage depending on the electrical state of the electrochemical cell.