# US 8,177,949 B2 · Diamond microelectrodes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,177,949 B2 - Document ID: US8177949B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/567,028 - Filed: 2004-07-27 - Published: 2007-03-08 - Granted: 2012-05-15 - Earliest claimed: 2003-08-04 - Assignees: Element Six Limited - Inventors: Charles Simon James Pickles; Clive Edward Hall; Li Jiang; Neil Perkins; Richard Antonius Kleijhorst - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8177949B2 ## CPC - G01N 27/308: {at least partially made of carbon} - 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 A microelectrode comprising a diamond layer formed from electrically non-conducting diamond and containing one or more pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond extending at least partially through the layer of non-conducting diamond and presenting areas of electrically conducting diamond. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microelectrode comprising: an electrically conducting diamond layer; a non-conducting diamond layer formed from electrically non-conducting diamond presenting a planar surface; one or more pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond extending at least partially through the non-conducting diamond layer, the pins or projections presenting planar areas of electrically conducting diamond; the pins or projections which extend to the planar surface of the non-conducting diamond layer, presenting one or more planar areas of electrically conducting diamond co-planar with the planar surface of the electrically non-conducting diamond; and an electrical contact positioned directly on a back side surface of the electrically conducting diamond layer for connection to an external circuit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein areas of the electrically conducting diamond layer are in electrical connection with a surface of the electrically conducting diamond layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) A microelectrode according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond comprise circular areas of the electrically conducting diamond. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein areas of the electrically conducting diamond layer are externally electrically connected into one or more groups of electrodes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the diamond is synthetic single crystal or polycrystalline diamond. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the diamond is CVD synthetic single crystal or polycrystalline diamond. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting diamond is boron doped diamond. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the pins or projections extend to a surface of the non-conducting diamond layer, presenting one or more areas of electrically conducting diamond co-planar with that surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the pins or projections extend to a surface of the non-conducting diamond layer, presenting one or more areas of electrically conducting diamond co-planar with that surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A microelectrode according to claim 8, wherein areas of the electrically conducting diamond layer are co-planar surfaces and smooth. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A microelectrode according to claim 8, wherein areas of the electrically conducting diamond layer are co-planar surfaces and have surface roughnesses of less than 100 nmRa. ### Claim 12 A microelectrode comprising: an electrically conducting diamond layer; a non-conducting diamond layer formed from electrically non-conducting diamond presenting a planar surface; one or more pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond extending at least partially through the non-conducting diamond layer, the pins or projections presenting planar areas of electrically conducting diamond; the pins or projections which extend to the planar surface of the non-conducting diamond layer, presenting one or more planar areas of electrically conducting diamond recessed relative to a surface of the electrically non-conducting diamond layer creating a well or reservoir in that surface; and a contact surface or surfaces on a back side of the electrically conducting diamond layer for connection to an external circuit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A microelectrode according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the non-conducting diamond or the conducting diamond is synthetic single crystal or polycrystalline diamond. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A microelectrode according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the non-conducting diamond or the conducting diamond is CVD synthetic single crystal or polycrystalline diamond. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A microelectrode according to claim 12, wherein the electrically conducting diamond is boron doped diamond. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) A microelectrode according to claim 12, wherein areas of the electrically conducting diamond layer are co-planar surfaces and smooth. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A microelectrode according to claim 12, wherein areas of the electrically conducting diamond layer are co-planar surfaces and have surface roughness of less than 100 nmRa. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A microelectrode according to claim 12, wherein the pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond comprise circular areas of the electrically conducting diamond. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) A microelectrode according to claim 12, wherein the well or reservoir contains an additive which presents a surface co-planar with the surface in which the well or reservoir is created. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A microelectrode according to claim 15, wherein the additive modifies the sensitivity or selectivity of the electrode behaviour. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15, 20) A microelectrode according to claim 15 or claim 20, wherein the additive is an electrochemical (bio-)chemical.