SBIR Phase I: Nanofluidic Reference Electrode with an Invariant Liquid Junction Potential

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将展示纳米流体流动液体结（NFLJ）参比电极的技术可行性。这些电极，由于它们的低流量和稳定的电位，可以在没有人注意的情况下工作多年。目的是开发一种具有恒定电位的参比电极，流速为100纳升/小时，容量为5毫升，足以连续运行5年。1 .与目前正在开发的微流控液结参考电极相比，该纳米流控装置的流量将降低两个数量级。由于电解液消耗极低，尺寸减小，寿命超长，这将使手持式pH和电位传感器具有长达五年的保质期和使用寿命，而无需重新校准或重新填充。这些微型参考电极正在开发中，用于现有的便携式、手持式商业仪器。它们将在实验室研究、环境监测以及化学和生物制剂的检测中得到应用。商业上，具有NFLJ参考电极的pH传感器比市场上任何其他pH传感器在更长的时间内提供更高的测量精度。精密pH传感器市场涉及法规遵从性测量和工艺验证事宜。该细分市场支付溢价，以获得最精确的pH传感器，可用于必须承受联邦，州和地方监管机构审查的应用。精密pH传感器的年市场为20万台，销售额为4500万美元。这个细分市场将很容易对任何新的传感器技术做出反应，这些技术可以在更长的时间内实现更精确的测量。NFLJ pH传感器有潜力成为这种精密pH测量应用的新标准。此外，新的传感器将需要更少的校准和维护，这将大大降低拥有和操作成本。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the technicalfeasibility of a nanofluidic flowing liquid junction (NFLJ) reference electrode. These electrodes, becauseof their low flow and stable potential, can operate for years without human attention. The objective is todevelop a reference electrode with an invariant potential, a flow rate of 100 nanoliters per hour, and areservoir of 5 ml sufficient for 5 years of continuous operation. I. This nanofluidic device will operate at two orders of magnitude lower flow rate than the microfluidic liquid junction reference electrodes currently under development. The reduced size, and extraordinary long lifetimes due to exceedingly small electrolyte consumption, will make possible handheld pH and potentiometric sensors with a combined shelf life and operating life of up to five years without recalibration or refilling. These miniature reference electrodes are being developed for use with existing portable, handheld, commercial instruments. They will find application in laboratory research, environmental monitoring, and detection of chemical and biological agents.Commercially, a pH sensor with an NFLJ reference electrode offers significantly greater measurement precision over a longer time than any other pH sensor on the market. The precision pH sensor market is involved in measurements for regulatory compliance and for matters of process validation. This market segment pays a premium to obtain the most precise pH sensors available for applications that must withstand the scrutiny of Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies. The annual market for precision pH sensors is200,000 units and $45 million in sales. This market segment will readily respond to any new sensortechnology that results in more precise measurements over longer periods. The NFLJ pH sensor has thepotential to become the new standard for such precision pH measurement applications. In addition, thenew sensor will require less calibration and maintenance, which will significantly lower the cost ofownership and operation.