Device for receiving a fluid sample and applications thereof

A process for sampling and transporting a fluid sample using an electrochemical cell, the process comprising:

• providing a receiving device for receiving a fluid sample, which is configured so as to form an electrode that is accessible to be electrically connected to an electrical generator, the receiving device comprising, an end part having at least one cavity which opens to an exterior via an opening, said cavity being equipped with a base, wherein said end part exhibits a first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone which is adjacent to the cavity opening and a second electrically conducting hydrophilic zone which is adjacent to the first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone and which at least partially covers the base of the cavity such that, when said end part is immersed in a fluid and then emerges from the fluid, said cavity retains part of said fluid by means of capillary action, a cavity depth/opening diameter ratio varying in a range from 0.01 to 1;
• immersing the end part comprising said cavity in a container containing the fluid to be sampled, and then removing the end part from the container;
• and
• bringing said end part into contact with a solid substrate.

A process for forming an electrochemical cell, the process comprising the following steps:

• providing a receiving device which comprises an end part having at least one cavity which opens to an exterior via an opening, said cavity being equipped with a base, the end part exhibiting a first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone which is adjacent to the cavity opening and a second electrically conducting hydrophilic zone which is adjacent to the first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone and which at least partially covers the base of the cavity, a cavity depth/opening diameter ratio varying in a range from 0.01 to 1;
• providing a receiving surface having at least one conducting zone;
• sampling a fluid sample by means of the receiving device;
• and
• bringing the end part of the receiving device into contact with the at least one conducting zone of the receiving surface, the first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone being configured so as to electrically insulate the second electrically conducting hydrophilic zone from the at least one conducting zone of the receiving surface.

A process for forming an electrochemical cell, the process comprising the following steps:

• providing a receiving device which comprises an end part having at least one cavity which opens to an exterior via an opening, said cavity being equipped with a base, the end part exhibiting a first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone which is adjacent to the cavity opening and a second electrically conducting hydrophilic zone which is adjacent to the first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone and which at least partially covers the base of the cavity, a cavity depth/opening diameter ratio varying in a range from 0.01 to 1,
• providing a receiving surface having at least one conducting zone,
• sampling a fluid sample by means of the receiving device,
• bringing the end part of the receiving device into contact with the at least one conducting zone of the receiving surface, the first electrically insulating hydrophobic zone being configured so as to electrically insulate the second electrically conducting hydrophilic zone from the at least one conducting zone of the receiving surface,
• establishing an electric current between the second electrically conducting hydrophilic zone of the receiving device and the at least one conducting zone of the receiving surface or measuring an electrical parameter between the second electrically conducting hydrophilic zone of the receiving device and the at least one conducting zone of the receiving surface.