# US 2015/0177181 A1 · Electrochemical sensors and methods of using

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2015/0177181 A1
- Document ID: US20150177181A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/563,145
- Filed: 2014-12-08
- Published: 2015-06-25
- Earliest claimed: 2013-12-06
- Assignees: NUtech Ventures
- Applicants: NUtech Ventures
- Inventors: Rebecca Y. Lai
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150177181A1

## CPC

- G01N 27/3277: {being a redox reaction, e.g. detection by cyclic voltammetry (voltammetry per se G01N27/42, G01N27/48)}
- G01N 27/48: using polarography, i.e. measuring changes in current under a slowly-varying voltage
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

Electrochemical sensors are provided, as are methods of using such electrochemical sensors for detecting ions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrochemical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of ions, wherein the sensor comprises a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises:
at least one working electrode comprising an ion sensing probe, wherein the ion sensing probe comprises a redox indicator;
a reference electrode; and
a counter electrode.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the ion is selected from the group consisting of Hg2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Cr6+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Mo6+, Au3+, Pt2+, Se4+, As3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Al3+ or Ag+.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the ion sensing probe is selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids, aptamers, and polypeptides.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the redox indicator is methylene blue.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the at least one working electrode comprises gold.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the reference electrode comprises silver.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the counter electrode comprises platinum.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the substrate is paper.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A method of detecting the presence or absence of an ion in a sample, comprising:
contacting the electrochemical sensor of claim 1 with a sample; and
obtaining electrochemical measurements to determine whether or not a change in redox potential occurs.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the electrochemical measurements utilize a technique selected from the group consisting of alternating current voltammetry (ACV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV).

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor is a signal-on sensor, wherein a change in the redox potential is indicative of the presence of the ion, and wherein no change in the redox potential is indicative of the absence of the ion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor is a signal-off sensor, wherein no change in the redox potential is indicative of the presence of the ion, and wherein a change in the redox potential is indicative of the absence of the ion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more electrodes are screen-printed onto the substrate.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of an environmental sample, a food sample, and a biological sample.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the environmental sample is a soil sample.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the food sample is fish.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the biological sample is a blood sample.