Electrochemical microbial sensor system and method of using same
AssigneeBurge Environmental, Inc.
InventorsScott R. Burge, David A. Hoffman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microbial sensor, system and method that can be used to determine the chemical environment and/or substrate concentrations in saturated and unsaturated natural and environments, such as soils, aquifers and sediments are disclosed. The system may be used for monitoring municipal and industrial treatment facilities and sites where chemicals or contaminants were released to natural environments. The electrochemical microbial sensor system can be referenced using either a cathode exposed to oxygen or a reference cell (silver/silver chloride or calomel) for monitoring natural or man-made environments.
Claims10
A sensor system comprising:
- a plurality of first electrodes in a first environment to be monitored;
- a biofilm formed overlying a surface of each of the first electrodes;
- a reference cell;
- and
- a measurement device electrically coupled to each of the first electrodes and the reference cell,
- wherein the measurement device measures an open circuit voltage between each of the first electrodes and the reference cell to characterize microbial activity in the first environment, wherein the first environment interacts with the biofilm on each of the first electrodes to create the open circuit voltage, and
- wherein the reference cell comprises a silver/silver chloride standard reference cell or a calomel standard reference cell.
A method of measuring microbial activity, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of first electrodes in a first environment to be monitored;
- populating each or the first electrodes with a biofilm;
- providing a reference cell;
- and
- measuring an open circuit voltage between each of the first electrodes and the reference cell to characterize microbial activity in the first environment,
- wherein the first environment interacts with the biofilm to create the open circuit voltage, and
- wherein the reference cell comprises a silver/silver chloride standard reference cell or a calomel standard reference cell.
A sensor system comprising:
- a first electrode in a first environment and having a biofilm formed thereon;
- a second electrode in a second environment having a biofilm formed thereon;
- a reference cell;
- and
- a measurement device electrically coupled to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the reference cell,
- wherein the measurement device measures an open circuit voltage between the first electrode and the reference cell to characterize microbial activity in the first environment and between the second electrode and the reference cell to characterize microbial activity in the second environment,
- wherein the first environment interacts with the biofilm formed on the first electrode to create the open circuit voltage between the first electrode and the reference cell and wherein the second environment interacts with the biofilm formed on the second electrode to create the open circuit voltage between the second electrode and the reference cell, and
- wherein the reference cell comprises a silver/silver chloride standard reference cell or a calomel standard reference cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.