Use of an array of polymeric sensors of varying thickness for detecting analytes in fluids

• US 20020197390A1
• Filed: 07/20/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adam J. Matzger, Erik J. Severin, Michael Freund, Nathan S. Lewis
• Original Assignee: Adam J. Matzger, Erik J. Severin, Michael Freund, Nathan S. Lewis
• Inventors: Matzger, Adam J., Severin, Erik J., Lewis, Nathan S., Freund, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,610,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/2.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0826 and measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. permeation rate or pressure change
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0217 Smoke, combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0256 Adsorption, desorption, surface mass change, e.g. on biosensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02863 Electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0423 Surface waves, e.g. Rayleigh waves, Love waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0426 Bulk waves, e.g. quartz crystal microbalance, torsional waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/126 comprising organic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/022 Fluid sensors based on microsensors, e.g. quartz crystal-microbalance [QCM], surface acoustic wave [SAW] devices, tuning forks, cantilevers, flexural plate wave [FPW] devices microdevices per se B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/449 Statistical methods not provided for in G01N29/4409, e.g. averaging, smoothing and interpolation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0031 comprising two or more sensors, e.g. a sensor array electrochemical electrode arrays G01N27/27

Abstract

Chemical sensors for detecting the activity of a molecule or analyte of interest is provided. The chemical sensors comprise and array or plurality of sensors that are capable of interacting with a molecule of interest, wherein the interaction provides a response fingerprint. The fingerprint can be associated with a library of similar molecules of interest to determine the molecule'"'"'s activity and diffusion coefficient.

Claims

1. A method of forming an electrically conductive polymer sensor, said method comprising,

providing a polymer solution comprising at least a first conductive material and at least a second material, compositionally different than the first material in a solvent;

providing a substrate; and

applying the polymer solution to the substrate using a spray apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second material is a conductive organic material.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the conductive organic material is selected from the group consisting of polyanilines, an emeraldine salt of polyanilines, polypyrroles, polythiophenes, polyEDOTs, and derivatives thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first conductive material is carbon black.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second material is a non-conductive material.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer solution is continuously stirred prior to application

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the spray apparatus is an airbrush.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer solution is applied using an airbrush fitted with a nozzle capable of applying a stream of polymer solution in a desired geometry.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer solution is a polymer suspension.