Metal ion specific capacity affinity sensor

US6933153B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek NV (VITO) · BE
• School Biological Sciences at the University of Birmingham · GB

Inventors

• Bo Mattiasson · Hjärup, SE
• Elisabeth Csoregi · Lund, SE
• Ibolya Bontidean · Bistrița, RO
• Gillis Johansson · Lund, SE
• Christine Berggren · Lund, SE
• Nigel Willis Brown · Stoke-on-Trent, GB
• Jonathan Lloyd · Amherst, US
• Kenneth Jakeman · Dudley, GB
• Jonathan Hobman · Worcester, GB
• Jonathan Wilson · Cincinnati, US
• Daniel Van Der Leile · Mol, BE
• Philippe Corbisier · Mol, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 15, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2005
• Expiry date: Sep 15, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/84
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

This invention relates to a metal ion specific capacitance sensor with exceptional sensitivity and wide operating range. It is versatile because different kinds of recognition elements can be immobilized directly in a self-assembling monolayer substantially completely covering the surface of the measuring noble metal electrode. The electrode then becomes selective to those metal ions in the solution that show affinity to the recognition element on the surface. Compared to previously described electrochemical sensors, the sensor according to the present invention shows many orders of magnitude better sensitivity because of the unique measuring principle.