Patent US3879200A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5334303A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrochemical measurement system
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-16
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Granted: 1994-08-02
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Expires: 2012-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A quartz crystal resonator is utilized to effect evaluation of the viscoelastic characteristic of a film deposited on an electrode by an electrochemical reaction. The quartz crystal resonator is connected to a resonator characteristic measurement unit comprised of an oscillating circuit, a frequency counter, and an amplitude level meter. An electrochemical measurement unit in the form of a potentiostat is connected to a working electrode which comprises one of the electrodes of the resonator, to a reference electrode and to a counter electrode. The frequency counter, the amplitude level meter and the potentiostat are connected to a CPU. The resonator, reference electrode and counter electrode are all immersed in an electrolyte solution in an electrochemical cell. In another embodiment, the system utilizes a quartz crystal resonator precoated with a macromolecule sensitive film for analyzing diffusion and viscosity variation in the film due to migration of electrochemically active substances relative to the film during the course of the electrochemical reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Muramatsu
- 👤 Xuanjing Ye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/036; G01N11/00; G01N11/10; G01N11/16; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/42; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/025; G01N2291/0256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for effecting analysis of an electrochemical reaction conducted within a cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode disposed in an electrolyte solution, the system comprising: an electrochemical measurement unit composed of a potentiostat connected to the working electrode, the counter electrode and the reference electrode for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode; a quartz crystal resonator having an electrode which functions as the working electrode; a characteristic measurement unit comprising an oscillating circuit operative to apply a drive signal to the working electrode for oscillating the resonator, a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonator, and a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonator in terms of an amplitude level variation of the drive signal; and means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation, and the resonant resistance variation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for effecting analysis of an electrochemical reaction conducted within a cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode disposed in an electrolyte solution, the system comprising: an electrochemical measurement unit composed of a potentiostat connected to the working electrode, the counter electrode and the reference electrode for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode; a quartz crystal resonator having an electrode which functions as the working electrode; a characteristic measurement unit comprising an oscillating circuit operative to apply a drive signal to the working electrode for oscillating the resonator, a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonator, and a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonator in terms of an amplitude level variation of the drive signal; and means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation, and the resonant resistance variation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 1; wherein the resonator comprises an AT cut quartz crystal resonator having one electrode disposed in contact with the electrolyte solution to function as the working electrode and another electrode electrically isolated from the electrolyte solution.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for effecting analysis of an electrochemical reaction conducted within a cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode disposed in an electrolyte solution, the system comprising: an electrochemical measurement unit comprising a potentiostat connected to the working electrode, the counter electrode and the reference electrode for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode; a quartz crystal resonator having an electrode which is precoated with a sensitive film and which functions as the working electrode; a characteristic measurement unit comprising an oscillating circuit operative to apply a drive signal to the working electrode for oscillating the resonator, a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonator, and a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonator in terms of an amplitude level variation of the drive signal; and means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction on and in the sensitive film based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation, and the resonant resistance variation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for effecting analysis of an electrochemical reaction conducted within a cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode disposed in an electrolyte solution, the system comprising: an electrochemical measurement unit comprising a potentiostat connected to the working electrode, the counter electrode and the reference electrode for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode; a quartz crystal resonator having an electrode which is precoated with a sensitive film and which functions as the working electrode; a characteristic measurement unit comprising an oscillating circuit operative to apply a drive signal to the working electrode for oscillating the resonator, a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonator, and a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonator in terms of an amplitude level variation of the drive signal; and means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction on and in the sensitive film based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation, and the resonant resistance variation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 3; wherein the resonator comprises an AT cut quartz crystal resonator having one electrode disposed in contact with the electrolyte solution to function as the working electrode and another electrode electrically isolated from the electrolyte solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 3; wherein the sensitive film is a macromolecule film selected from the group consisting of an ion exchange resin film, a solid polymer electrolyte film and an electroconductive macromolecule film.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
195 words
A system for measuring and analyzing an electrochemical reaction, comprising: a cell within which an electrochemical reaction is conducted, the cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode all disposed in an electrolyte solution contained in the cell during use of the system; an electrochemical measurement unit connected to each of the electrodes for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode; resonating means operative when excited by a drive signal to undergo oscillation and having an electrode which functions as the working electrode for exciting the resonating means; an oscillating circuit for applying a drive signal having a varying characteristic to the working electrode to oscillate the resonating means; a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonating means; a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonating means in accordance with a variation of the varying characteristic of the drive signal; and means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation and the resonant resistance variation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
195 words
A system for measuring and analyzing an electrochemical reaction, comprising: a cell within which an electrochemical reaction is conducted, the cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode all disposed in an electrolyte solution contained in the cell during use of the system; an electrochemical measurement unit connected to each of the electrodes for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode; resonating means operative when excited by a drive signal to undergo oscillation and having an electrode which functions as the working electrode for exciting the resonating means; an oscillating circuit for applying a drive signal having a varying characteristic to the working electrode to oscillate the resonating means; a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonating means; a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonating means in accordance with a variation of the varying characteristic of the drive signal; and means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation and the resonant resistance variation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 6; wherein the electrochemical measurement unit comprises a potentiostat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 6; wherein the resonating means comprises a quartz crystal resonator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 8; wherein the quartz crystal resonator has a first electrode disposed in contact with the electrolyte solution to function as the working electrode and a second electrode electrically isolated from the electrolyte solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 9; wherein the quartz crystal resonator has a resonant frequency of 9 MHz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 6; wherein the first measurement circuit comprises a frequency counter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 6; wherein the second measurement circuit comprises an amplitude level meter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 6; wherein the means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction comprises a CPU.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 6; wherein the resonating means comprises a quartz crystal resonator precoated with a sensitive film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 14; wherein the sensitive film is a macromolecule film selected from the group consisting of an ion exchange resin film, a solid polymer electrolyte film and an electroconductive macromolecule film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 14; including means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction on and in the sensitive film based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation and the resonant resistance variation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 6; wherein the varying characteristic of the drive signal comprises amplitude.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |