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Flexible sensor detects multiple ions in fluids

Flexible sensor detects multiple ions in fluids

Technology News |
By eeNews Europe



The generic platform consists of conductive inks, hydrogels and ion-selective membranes that can be tailored towards specific applications. Depending on the amount of sensors integrated, the chips can span across an area roughly 10x10mm.

The ion-selective membranes can be tuned based on the ionophores they contain, which selectively bind the ion of interest and creates a potential which is then measured by the sensor chip. The researchers have been able to miniaturize the concept and integrate multiple membranes on a single sensor, hence broadening the ions detection capabilities of the sensor.

The new sensor chip could enable efficient and low-cost monitoring, such as monitoring of nutrient concentrations in surface and waste water, both for agricultural applications and water quality. In the healthcare and lifestyle applications, it could provide disposable point-of-care solutions, or conformable solutions for integration into patches.

Depending on the application and the form factor, it can be mass produced through microfabrication or through screen-printing on inexpensive substrates such as glass or plastic foils, making this solution very cost competitive and very small compared to today’s ions sensors.
Currently,

The prototype demonstrated today is a handheld device that integrates a single-chip sensor with different electrodes that detect pH levels in a range from 2 to 10 at a 0.1 pH accuracy. For the chemical elements chloride (Cl-), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and nitrate () -ranging from 10-4 M to 1 M ions- the sensor detects at a 10 percent accuracy. It was benchmarked against other available single-ion sensors, and the researchers found comparable sensitivity and accuracy for their multiple-ion solution.

All illustrations from imec/Holst Centre.

 

The flexible solution could join the ranks of the ever expanding IoT legion and imec invites the industry to join its R&D program.

Visit imec at www.imec.be

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