Systems and methods for multi-modal and multiplexed electrochemical detection and reporting of environmental contaminants

A system, comprising:

• an electrode strip, including:
• a plurality of sensors at one end and contact pads at an opposing other end, each sensor in the plurality of sensors comprising a first electrode and a second electrode configured to detect analytes in a sample derived from environmental sources;
• and
• a cartridge covering the plurality of sensors, the cartridge providing an enclosed space over the plurality of sensors for enclosing the sample;
• an electronic reader comprising:
• a sensor interface configured to conductively and physically couple with the contact pads of the electrode strip;
• a memory configured to store data;
• a processor;
• a microcontroller;
• a voltage adjustor;
• a sensing circuitry comprising a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculator, a presence detector, a concentration calculator, an analog to digital converter, a digital logic circuit, and a multiplexer, the sensing circuitry configured to analyze electrical impedance and capacitance signals by concurrently analyzing a set of Nyquist plots obtained via a modified electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique and a set of Mott-Schottky plots obtained via a Mott-Schottky technique, wherein the modified EIS technique comprises sectioning an interfacial charge layer into a plurality of spatial dielectric planes along a direction orthogonal to an interface between the sample and the sensors and probing each of the plurality of spatial dielectric planes with a specific frequency selected from a range of frequencies;
• and
• a communication circuitry, wherein the processor executes instructions associated with the data, the processor is coupled to the communication circuitry and the memory, and the processor and the memory cooperate, such that the system is configured for:
• applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode of one or more sensors in the plurality of sensors, the voltage being controlled by the microcontroller;
• measuring a response to the voltage, the response comprising the electrical impedance and capacitance signals;
• comparing the response to stored calibration data;
• and
• responsive to comparing the response, determining at least one of:
• (i) a presence of an analyte and (ii) a concentration of the analyte in the sample.

A method, comprising:

• providing an electrode strip comprising:
• a plurality of sensors at one end and contact pads at an opposing other end, each sensor in the plurality of sensors comprising a first electrode and a second electrode configured to detect analytes in a sample derived from environmental sources;
• and
• a cartridge covering the plurality of sensors, the cartridge including a fluid inlet and providing an enclosed space over the plurality of sensors for enclosing the sample;
• introducing the sample into the enclosed space through the fluid inlet;
• applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode of one or more sensors in the plurality of sensors;
• measuring a response to the voltage, the response comprising electrical impedance and capacitance signals;
• analyzing the electrical impedance and capacitance signals by concurrently analyzing a set of Nyquist plots obtained via a modified electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique and a set of Mott-Schottky plots obtained via a Mott-Schottky technique, wherein the modified EIS technique comprises sectioning an interfacial charge layer into a plurality of spatial dielectric planes along a direction orthogonal to an interface between the sample and the sensors and probing each of the plurality of spatial dielectric planes with a specific frequency selected from a range of frequencies;
• comparing the analyzed response to stored calibration data;
• and
• responsive to comparing the analyzed response, determining at least one of:
• (i) a presence of an analyte and (ii) a concentration of the analyte in the sample.