A single-use electrochemical analytical sensor is provided. The sensor includes a sensing electrode configured to contact process fluid and a reference chamber containing an electrolyte. A reference electrode is disposed in the electrolyte. A reference junction is configured to contact the process fluid and is further configured to generate a flow of electrolyte into the process fluid. The reference chamber is configured to be stored in a depressurized state and then pressurized prior to operation. A method of operating a single-use electrochemical sensor is also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a potentiometric probe for measuring a measured variable that represents an ion concentration in a measuring medium, including a probe base including a sensor circuit, and two electrochemical half-cells arranged such that one of the half-cells surrounds at least one portion of the other half-cell, wherein at least one of the half-cells is configured as a module which is connected to the probe base via a mechanical and electrical interface. In another embodiment, one of the half-cells is a measuring half-cell including an ion-selective membrane and a terminal lead which electrically contacts the ion-selective membrane. The other half-cell is a reference half-cell, wherein the measuring half-cell and/or the reference half-cell are each configured as a module which is connected to the probe base via a mechanical and electrical interface.

A system for biological assay includes a first plate having a plurality of protrusions, a second plate configured for mating with said first plate, the second plate including a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being configured to receive at least a portion of a corresponding one of said protrusions upon mating of the first plate with the second plate, wherein each protrusion includes a gate electrode configured for facing the respective receptacle upon mating of the first plate with the second plate, and wherein each receptacle further includes at least one source-drain channel operatively associated to a gate electrode carried by a respective protrusion upon mating of the first plate with the second plate.

A system for biological assay includes a first plate having a plurality of protrusions, a second plate configured for mating with said first plate, the second plate including a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being configured to receive at least a portion of a corresponding one of said protrusions upon mating of the first plate with the second plate, wherein each protrusion includes a gate electrode configured for facing the respective receptacle upon mating of the first plate with the second plate, and wherein each receptacle further includes at least one source-drain channel operatively associated to a gate electrode carried by a respective protrusion upon mating of the first plate with the second plate.

A composite thread includes first and second segments joined to each other. The first segment comprises a functional segment that interacts with an environment of the thread. The second segment communicates information between the first segment and a point external to said composite thread.

A composite thread includes first and second segments joined to each other. The first segment comprises a functional segment that interacts with an environment of the thread. The second segment communicates information between the first segment and a point external to said composite thread.

Sensors having an advantageous design and methods for fabricating such sensors are generally provided. Some sensors described herein comprise pairs of electrodes having radial symmetry, pairs of nested electrodes, and/or nanowires. Some embodiments relate to fabricating electrodes by methods in which nanowires are deposited from a fluid contacted with a substrate in a manner such that it evaporates and is replenished.

Sensors having an advantageous design and methods for fabricating such sensors are generally provided. Some sensors described herein comprise pairs of electrodes having radial symmetry, pairs of nested electrodes, and/or nanowires. Some embodiments relate to fabricating electrodes by methods in which nanowires are deposited from a fluid contacted with a substrate in a manner such that it evaporates and is replenished.

Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring phosphate in water. The methods can involve electrically pre-treating a potentiometric sensor and using the electrically pre-treated potentiometric sensor in a water sample to obtain a phosphate measurement. The potentiometric sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode. The working electrode includes a metal/metal oxide electrode having a detection surface. The electrical pre-treatment generates a metal phosphate on the detection surface of the metal/metal oxide electrode. The phosphate measurement results in a fresh layer of mixed oxide on the detection surface of the metal/metal oxide electrode. The electrically pre-treatment can be performed in situ in the water sample, allowing for field monitoring of water bodies. In some embodiments, the method can also involve cleaning the sensor prior to electrically pre-treating the sensor or after obtaining the phosphate measurement.

A microbial sensor, system, and method that can be used to determine a chemical environment and/or substrate concentrations in anaerobic or aerobic environments, such as soils, sediments and ground waters, are disclosed. An exemplary system uses one or more (e.g., inert) measurement electrodes and a reference electrode. The reference electrode can include an electrode exposed to atmospheric oxygen (e.g., a cathode) or an electrode exposed to stable anaerobic or aerobic conditions. The exemplary microbial sensor system measures open-circuit voltage to characterize the chemical (oxidizing or reducing) environment and/or recovery voltage to measure substrate concentrations in the subsurface.