Low-Cost Sensor Electronics - Isis Project No 3675

Easy to use, compact and low cost electronics bring complex analytical procedures into everyday use for sensing a variety of materials.

Marketing Opportunity

The new electronics work with a range of amperometric gas and chemical sensors, i.e. those that operate by ramping the voltage and reading the current response, and offer the following benefits:

• Simplified operation
• Low manufactuing cost
• Factory programmability
• Customisable and user friendly
• Compact battery operated design

The systems may be programmed to operate with a range of sensors with results that indicate its suitability for applications where product cost will be a key driver.

The Oxford Invention

Chemicals respond differently when electrical potentials are applied, and the developed electrical currents are proportional to the amount of target material present.  As a result several exciting sensing opportunities have been created to determine pH, the presence and concentrations of certain gases and heavy metals and even the heat of curries. This electrochemical sensing involves a combination of a responsive electrode material, electronics to interrogate the electrode and the know-how to make these work together. 

Several of the Oxford sensors are now being used in complex industrial applications, but their use in lower value applications has been precluded by the cost and complexity of the electronic systems necessary. Simple and cheaper alternatives will broaden the market penetration into everyday use.

Patent Status

Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity. Please contact the Isis Project Manager to discuss this further.

Request Further Information: Project Number 3675 - Low Cost Sensor Electronics