Perkinelmer Las, Inc.

Perkinelmer Instruments LLC

Perkinelmer Health Sciences, Inc.

The Perkin-elmer Corporation

Otto J Prohaska

Avinash Dalmia

Anthony B LaConti

Jose D Giner

Mourad Manoukian

David J Clark

Andrew Tipler

Paul G Saviano

Gitesh Kumar

A miniaturized gas sensor including film type electrodes, and a solid ionomer electrolyte, for the detection of toxic gases, i.e., carbon monoxide, and other oxidizable or reducible gases and vapors is described. The all-solid planar sensor cell has two or more film type electrodes arranged on a non-conductive planar surface of a supportive material. The electrodes are discrete and in intimate contact with the same solid polymer ionomer membrane. The sensor cell contains no liquid electrolyte and is operated in a potentiostatic or potentiodynamic mode. The unique feature of the sensor cell is that high sensitivity to a select gas or vapor is achieved by a novel three-phase contact area design for a sensing electrode which is easily accessible to the gas sample via small diffusion openings or holes that penetrate through the solid polymer ionomer membrane layer above the sensing electrode. A significant signal to background noise enhancement is achieved for these film type sensor cells by processes that increase the three-phase contact area.

Film-type solid polymer ionomer sensor and sensor cell

The invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor having both a reference sensor and an active sensor, whereby each reference and active sensor includes a substrate, a counter electrode deposited on a surface of the substrate, a sensing electrode also deposited on the surface, and a solid electrolytic material in electrical contact with both electrodes for carrying a flow of ions between them, which measures a concentration of a gas and compensates for relative humidity differences between sample gas and surrounding atmosphere. The sensor also includes a layer of solid electrolytic material on the sensing electrode of the reference sensor and a film of solid electrolytic material on the sensing electrode of the active sensor, whereby the layer is thicker than the film. The invention may further include a reference electrode in both the reference and active sensors for improving sensor accuracy and/or repeatability.

Electrochemical sensor compensated for relative humidity

The invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor having a substrate, substrate surface for depositing electrodes thereon, counter and sensing electrodes for measuring current flow, an electrolyte for providing an electrical connection between the electrodes, and an electrode surface having minimal porosity, pore size, and thickness for deterring flooding.

Electrochemical sensor having nonporous working electrode

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a reactor having a heater, a passage for transporting a reactant, and a chamber containing a gas sample and being coupled to the passage for receiving the reactant and mixing the reactant with the gas sample. The reactor further includes a connector leading from the chamber to the heater for transporting a mixture of the reactant and gas sample, and wherein the heater heats the mixture of the reactant and gas sample.

Method and apparatus for improved gas detection

The invention relates to an electrochemical gas generator including a substrate for providing a surface for electrode deposition, a first electrode deposited on the surface for providing an electrical connection with a conducting medium, a second electrode deposited on the substrate for generating a gas, and a plurality of members extending from at least one side of the first electrode placed alternately with a plurality of extensions protruding from at least one side of the second electrode for improving generator efficiency.

Interdigitated electrochemical gas generator

The invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor having improved response time and sensitivity. The electrochemical gas sensor includes a substrate for providing a surface upon which a film of conductive material may be deposited, a pair of electrodes deposited on the substrate for permitting a measurement of current, and an electrolytic material for providing an electrical connection between the electrodes. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a passage in the surface for holding or transporting gas received from a gas source, whereby sensing occurs at a three way interface where the gas, electrolytic material, and electrodes come in direct contact with one another.

Electrochemical gas sensor with passage for receiving gas

A miniaturized gas sensor comprised of thick- or thin-film type electrodes, on a non-conductive supportive substrate, and in contact with a solid ionomer electrolyte, for the detection of toxic gases, i.e., carbon monoxide, and other oxidizable or reducible gases and vapors is described. The all-solid planar sensor cell has two or more film type electrodes arranged on a non-conductive planar surface of a supportive substrate. The electrodes are discrete and in intimate contact with the same solid polymer ionomer membrane. The sensor cell contains no liquid electrolyte and is operated in a constant-voltage, potentiostatic or potentiodynamic mode. A high sensitivity to a select gas or vapor is achieved by a novel three-phase contact area design for a sensing electrode which provides contact with the solid ionomer electrolyte, as well as the gas sample via diffusion openings or holes that penetrate through the supportive substrate.

Hybrid film type sensor

A miniaturized gas sensor comprised of film type electrodes, on a non-conductive supportive substrate, and in contact with a dry ionomer electrolyte, for detection of toxic gases, i.e., carbon monoxide, and other oxidizable or reducible gases and vapors and method of making same is described. The all-solid planar sensor cell has two or more film type electrodes arranged on a non-conductive planar surface of a supportive substrate. Manufacturing the electrochemical sensor with dry ionomer prevents electrode flooding and allows for improved response time upon assembly. The sensor cell contains no liquid electrolyte and is operated in a constant-voltage, potentiostatic or potentiodynamic mode. A high sensitivity to a select gas or vapor is achieved by a three-phase contact area design for a sensing electrode, which provides contact with the solid ionomer electrolyte, as well as the gas sample via diffusion openings or holes that penetrate through the supportive substrate.

Electrochemical sensor with dry ionomer membrane and methodfor making the same

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a total concentration of a component in a sample, including a reactor for oxidizing or reducing the sample, a chromatographic column coupled to the reactor for separating the component in the sample, and an electrochemical gas sensor coupled to the chromatographic column for detecting the component. In further embodiments, a filter may be used instead of or in addition to the column. Moreover, multiple sensors may be used instead of or in addition to the column for simultaneously detecting multiple components.

Method and apparatus for determining a total concentration of a component in a mixture of components

The invention includes a method and apparatus for a chromatography system having a chromatographic column for separating gases in a mixture from one another and an electrochemical gas sensor coupled to the chromatographic column for detecting a gas being emitted from the column. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a substrate having a surface for depositing electrodes thereon, an ionomer membrane in contact with the surface, an electrode in contact with the surface, and an opening in the ionomer membrane in a location proximate to the electrode for permitting a gas to diffuse through the opening to simultaneously contact the electrode and the ionomer membrane within the opening.

Method and apparatus for enhanced detection of a specie using a gas chromatograph

The invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor having both a reference sensor and an active sensor, whereby each reference and active sensor includes a substrate, a counter electrode deposited on a surface of the substrate, a sensing electrode also deposited on the surface, and an electrolytic material in electrical contact with both electrodes for carrying a flow of ions between them, which measures a concentration of a gas and compensates for relative humidity differences between sample gas and surrounding atmosphere. The sensor also includes a layer of electrolytic material on the sensing electrode of the reference sensor and a film of electrolytic material on the sensing electrode of the active sensor, whereby the layer is thicker than the film. The invention may further include a reference electrode in both the reference and active sensors for improving sensor accuracy and/or repeatability.

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Seymour, CT, United States of America

Otto J Prohaska