A sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes a base material comprising metal, metalized polymer, or a combination thereof; a first coating layer over the base material, the first coating layer comprising polystyrene; and a second coating layer over the first coating layer, the second coating layer comprising a fluorinated silane-modified polystyrene. Also provided are a method of making the sensing device and a method of electrochemical detection of an analyte in a liquid using the sensing device.

A measuring device includes: a first electrode and a second electrode immersed in sample water stored in a measuring tank; a motor that rotates the first electrode; and a controller that operates, based on measurement results of current flowing through the sample water, in a measuring mode. In the measuring mode, the controller calculates a concentration of a measurement target in the sample water. The motor changes a rotational velocity of the motor.

A measuring device includes: a first electrode and a second electrode immersed in sample water stored in a measuring tank; a motor that rotates the first electrode; and a controller that operates, based on measurement results of current flowing through the sample water, in a measuring mode. In the measuring mode, the controller calculates a concentration of a measurement target in the sample water. The motor changes a rotational velocity of the motor.

A measuring device includes: a first electrode immersed in sample water stored in a measuring tank; a second electrode immersed in the sample water; and a controller that: causes a power source to flow a current through the sample water between the first electrode and the second electrode; detects, based on a first digital signal, an interruption whereby an analog signal fluctuates by no less than a predetermined value; and calculates, based on a second digital signal, a concentration of a measurement target in the sample water. The first digital signal is acquired by sampling the analog signal with a first sampling period. The analog signal is based on the current flowing through the sample water. The second digital signal is acquired by sampling the analog signal with a second sampling period that is longer than the first sampling period.

A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.

A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.

Methods and systems for identifying contamination of an electrochemical sensor (10) and cleaning the electrochemical sensor (10) are provided. A method may comprise scanning the sensor (10) for the first time using CV to generate a reference set of readings; scanning the sensor (10) for the second time after the sensor (10) has been employed; comparing a second set of readings from the second CV scan to the reference set of readings; when the second set of readings is different from the reference set of readings, determining that the sensor (10) potential has shifted; scanning the sensor (10) for the third time to clean one or more elements of the sensor (10); scanning the sensor (10) for the fourth time; comparing a fourth set of readings from the fourth CV scan to the second set of readings; and determining that the potential of the sensor (10) has shifted due to pollution of the sensor (10), and/or that the sensor (10) can be further cleaned.

Methods and systems for identifying contamination of an electrochemical sensor (10) and cleaning the electrochemical sensor (10) are provided. A method may comprise scanning the sensor (10) for the first time using CV to generate a reference set of readings; scanning the sensor (10) for the second time after the sensor (10) has been employed; comparing a second set of readings from the second CV scan to the reference set of readings; when the second set of readings is different from the reference set of readings, determining that the sensor (10) potential has shifted; scanning the sensor (10) for the third time to clean one or more elements of the sensor (10); scanning the sensor (10) for the fourth time; comparing a fourth set of readings from the fourth CV scan to the second set of readings; and determining that the potential of the sensor (10) has shifted due to pollution of the sensor (10), and/or that the sensor (10) can be further cleaned.

This disclosure provides techniques for extending useful life of a reference electrode, as well as a novel voltametric system and measurement cell design and related chemistries. An automated, repeatable-use system features a reference electrode that directly immerses a metallic conductor into an analyte, with electrolytes (e.g., chlorides) used for measurement being separately added and removed for each measurement cycles; the metallic conductor can optionally be left exposed to clean dry air in between measurements. In one implementation, the system can be restricted to application with specific analytes (e.g., ground water) that are known in advance to be free of substances that could degrade reference electrode use or lifetime. Cleaning solutions can optionally be used that would not be practical with conventional (insulated) reference electrode designs. In another embodiment, a measurement cell can be configured to receive separated electrode modules, permitting independent cleaning/removal of the working electrode (or other electrodes).

This disclosure provides techniques for extending useful life of a reference electrode, as well as a novel voltametric system and measurement cell design and related chemistries. An automated, repeatable-use system features a reference electrode that directly immerses a metallic conductor into an analyte, with electrolytes (e.g., chlorides) used for measurement being separately added and removed for each measurement cycles; the metallic conductor can optionally be left exposed to clean dry air in between measurements. In one implementation, the system can be restricted to application with specific analytes (e.g., ground water) that are known in advance to be free of substances that could degrade reference electrode use or lifetime. Cleaning solutions can optionally be used that would not be practical with conventional (insulated) reference electrode designs. In another embodiment, a measurement cell can be configured to receive separated electrode modules, permitting independent cleaning/removal of the working electrode (or other electrodes).