Broadley Technologies Corporation

Broadley-james Corporation

Steven R Ragsdale

Scott T Broadley

Herbert P Silverman

Ta-Yung Chen

A flowing junction reference electrode comprising a liquid junction member matched with a filter. The junction member and the filter are situated between a reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. An array of nanochannels spans the junction member and provides fluid communication between the electrolyte solution and the sample solution. The filter is configured to allow a greater flux of electrolyte than that associated with the junction member. Preferably, the number of pores is greater than the number of nanochannels. The filter is preferably configured to have pores with an inner diameter that is the same or less than the inner diameter of the nanochannels. In some embodiment, the resistance of the filter is made lower relative to the resistance of the junction member by selecting suitable length, number, and inner diameter size for the pores of the filter relative to the nanochannels of the junction member.

Reference electrode having a flowing liquid junction and filter members

A flowing junction reference electrode comprises a microfluidic liquid junction member situated between a pressurized reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. The liquid junction member has an array of nanochannels spanning the member and physically connecting the electrolyte and the sample. The number of nanochannels in the array can be between 10 and 10. Preferably, the nanochannels are substantially straight and parallel to one another. The nanochannels can be coated to facilitate the flow of the electrolyte solution through the junction member. The nanochannels can have widths of between 1 and 500 nanometers, and the width of any one nanochannel is substantially equal to the width of any other nanochannel. The member can be manufactured out a polymer such as polycarbonate and polyimide, and may also be made of silicon, glass, or ceramic. In one embodiment, the reference electrode includes means for pressurizing the electrolyte solution.

Reference electrode having a microfluidic flowing liquid junction

A flowing junction reference electrode exhibiting heretofore unattainable potentiometric characteristics is described, comprising a microfluidic liquid junction member that is situated between a reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. This microfluidic liquid junction member has an array of nanochannels spanning the member and physically connecting the reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution, but while the electrolyte solution flows through the array of nanochannels and into the sample solution at a linear velocity, the sample solution does not substantially enter the array of nanochannels via the mechanisms of diffusion, migration, convection or other known mechanisms. The number of nanochannels in the array is preferably between approximately 10and approximately 100. Also preferably, the nanochannels are substantially straight and are substantially parallel to one another; such an array of nanochannels is herein described as anisotropic. The nanochannels are also preferably coated. The widths of any nanochannels in the array of nanochannels are preferably uniform, in that the width of any nanochannel is substantially equal to the width of any other nanochannels in the array. The nanochannels preferably have widths of greater than approximately 1 nanometer and less than approximately 500 nanometers, and most preferably of 70 nanometers. The electrode may be constructed out of any suitable material, and is preferably is constructed of a polymer, most preferably a polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate and polyimide, and may also preferably be constructed of silicon, glass, or ceramic.

A flowing junction reference electrode comprises a microfluidic liquid junction member situated between a pressurized reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. This liquid junction member has an array of nanochannels spanning the member and physically connecting the electrolyte and the sample. While the electrolyte flows through the nanochannels and into the sample, the sample does not substantially enter the nanochannels via diffusion, migration, convection or other mechanisms. The number of nanochannels in the array can be between 10 and 10. Preferably, the nanochannels are substantially straight and parallel to one another. The nanochannels can have widths of between 1 and 500 nanometers, and the width of any one nanochannel is substantially equal to the width of any other nanochannel. The member can be manufactured out a polymer such as polycarbonate and polyimide, and may also be made of silicon, glass, or ceramic.

A flowing junction reference electrode exhibiting heretofore unattainable potentiometric characteristics is described, comprising a microfluidic liquid junction member that is situated between a reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. This microfluidic liquid junction member has an array of nanochannels spanning the member and physically connecting the reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution, but while the electrolyte solution flows through the array of nanochannels and into the sample solution at a linear velocity, the sample solution does not substantially enter the array of nanochannels via the mechanisms of diffusion, migration, convection or other known mechanisms. The number of nanochannels in the array is preferably between approximately 10 and approximately 10. Also preferably, the nanochannels are substantially straight and are substantially parallel to one another; such an array of nanochannels is herein described as anisotropic. The nanochannels are also preferably coated. The widths of any nanochannels in the array of nanochannels are preferably uniform, in that the width of any nanochannel is substantially equal to the width of any other nanochannels in the array. The nanochannels preferably have widths of greater than approximately 1 nanometer and less than approximately 500 nanometers, and most preferably of 70 nanometers. The electrode may be constructed out of any suitable material, and is preferably is constructed of a polymer, most preferably a polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate and polyimide, and may also preferably be constructed of silicon, glass, or ceramic.

A flowing junction reference electrode exhibiting heretofore unattainable potentiometric characteristics is described, comprising a microfluidic liquid junction member that is situated between a reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. This microfluidic liquid junction member has an array of nanochannels spanning the member and physically connecting the reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution, but while the electrolyte solution flows through the array of nanochannels and into the sample solution at a linear velocity, the sample solution does not substantially enter the array of nanochannels via the mechanisms of diffusion, migration, convection or other known mechanisms. The number of nanochannels in the array is preferably between approximately 10 and approximately 100. Also preferably, the nanochannels are substantially straight and are substantially parallel to one another; such an array of nanochannels is herein described as anisotropic. The nanochannels are also preferably coated. The widths of any nanochannels in the array of nanochannels are preferably uniform, in that the width of any nanochannel is substantially equal to the width of any other nanochannels in the array. The nanochannels preferably have widths of greater than approximately 1 nanometer and less than approximately 500 nanometers, and most preferably of 70 nanometers. The electrode may be constructed out of any suitable material, and is preferably is constructed of a polymer, most preferably a polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate and polyimide, and may also preferably be constructed of silicon, glass, or ceramic.

Growing community of inventors

Mukilteo, WA, United States of America

Steven R Ragsdale