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Module 1 Sensors and Energy Systems (1)
Module 1 Sensors and Energy Systems (1)
Module 1 Sensors and Energy Systems (1)
MODULE – 1
SYLLABUS:
Terminologies:
Transducer: A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one form to
another. The process of converting energy from one form to another is known as
transduction.
Types of transducers:
1) Input Transducer
2) Output Transducer
1) An input transducer or a sensor : It takes in physical energy and converts it into an
electrical signal that can be read.
Eg: A microphone, converts physical sound waves into an electrical signal that can be
transferred through wires.
Sensing element
Transduction element
Sensing Element or receptor: It is the part of a transducer that responds to the physical
sensation. The response of the sensing element depends on the physical phenomenon.
Transduction Element: The transduction element of the transducer converts the output of
the sensing element into an electrical signal. The transduction element is also called the
secondary transducer.
A Sensor or input transducer is a device that detects and measures physical input like light,
heat, moisture, pressure or any other environmental phenomena. The output produced by a
sensor is generally a signal that is transmitted electronically over a network for reading or
further processing.
A chemical sensor or input transducer is a device that is capable of giving real time
analytical information about the test sample. It interacts with the analyte, detects it and
produces measurable signal that is proportional to the analyte concentration or quantity.
Electrochemical sensors:
Working principle:
1 Electrochemical sensors convert the information associated with electrochemical
reactions (the reaction between an electrode and analyte) into measurable signal.
Electrochemical sensors are made up of three essential components: the analyte, the
sensing element or receptor that responds to the analyte, and a transduction element
that converts the output of the sensing element into an electrical signal.
Conductometric sensors:
Working Principle:
1 Conductometric sensor is considered a type of electrochemical sensor.
2 In conductometric sensor determination of the concentration of analyte is based on the
measurement of changes in the electrolytic conductance of solution.
3 Conductance of the solution is based on
Concentrations (number) of ions in the solutions
Mobility of each type of ions in solution. Mobility of ions depends on its size.
Smaller the size higher is the mobility and hence higher is the conductance.
4 An electrode used in conductometric sensor is called as conductivity cell.
5 It is made of two platinum electrodes with area of cross section 1cm2 and distance
between two electrodes is 1 cm apart. Volume of the solution between the two
electrodes is 1 cm3.
6 Conductance of unit volume of the solution is called specific conductance.
7 There will be change in specific conductance of solution when there is change in
number of ions or type of ions.
8 This change is measured using conductivity cell.
9 The conductivity cell is dipped in the electrolytic solution taken in a beaker and it is
connected to a conductance measuring device called conductivity meter.
Thermometric Sensors:
Working Principle:
Optical Sensors:
Working Principle:
1. Optical sensor is used to convert the light rays into electronic signals by photoelectric
effect. Optical sensors help in measuring the incident light’s intensity & changing it
into a readable form through an integrated instrument.
2. The working of an optical sensor is based on the interaction of incident light with
analyte sample.
3. In optical sensor, the incident radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, infrared domain is
used for analytical purpose.
4. When light falls on a analyte, it can be absorbed, reflected, scatterd or transmitted.
5. The amount of light absorbed or reflected depends on the structure of the molecule in
the analyte and the wavelength of the penetrating light.
Optical sensors are made up of following components:
1) light source: To pass light on material.
2) Monochromator: To select a light of particular wavelength.
3) Photocell: The light source emits light, which falls on the analyte to be measured. The
photodetector then detects the amount of light that is absorbed, reflected, or
transmitted. This information is then converted into an electrical signal.
4) Recorder: electrical signal is recorded by the recorder that can be used to measure
the properties of the material or concentration of particular component in a
material.
Dissolved oxygen : The concentration of dissolved oxygen in water can be measured using
a) Polarographic sensors
b) Optical sensors
c) Electrochemical sensors
Electrochemical Sensor for the measurement of Dissolved Oxygen (DO):
1. The dissolved oxygen diffuses from the sample across an oxygen permeable
membrane like polyvinyl chloride, into the sensor.
2. The electrochemical DO sensor consists of two electrodes.
3. Zinc or lead is used as anode and silver metal is used as inert cathode.
4. The difference in potential between anode and cathode should be more than 0.5V to
reduce dissolved oxygen without an external applied potential.
5. The electrolytic solution used is sodium chloride or any other inert electrolyte.
6. The reactions
The electrodes are dipped in water to measure its DO.
Anode: 2Zn 2 Z n+2 + 4 e-
Cathode: O2 + 2 H2O+ 4 e- 4 OH-
Over all reaction: 2 Z n + O2 + 2 H2O 2 Zn(OH)2
electrode is graphite carbon coated with multi walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNT)
6) In the detection, along with sensing electrode, counter electrode and reference
7) when the sample containing diclofenac is put in the sensor, the following oxidation
O
OH
1-Hydroxypyrene
Disposable sensors (DS): Portable sensor used for on-the –spot analysis of bioanalyte using
disposable strip with receptor and electrode printed on it, is called disposable sensor.
2) In the disposable strip, active materials of the sensing electrode, counter electrode and
reference electrode are printed on the disposable paper strip using screen printing
technology.
3) Active material coating on sensing electrode must be capable of oxidising ascorbic
acid on its surface.
4) The ascorbate oxidase enzyme immobilised on a screen printed carbon electrode with
poly(ethylene glycol) and diglycidyl ether as a cross linking agent can be used as
sensing electrode in ascorbic acid disposable biosensors.
5) It oxidizes ascorbic acid into dehydroascorbic acid.
6) Concentration of ascorbic acid is determined from the change in potential of the
oxidation process.
Battery is a energy storage system consisting of two or more galvanic cells connected in
series or parallel or both to obtain higher potential.
In Lithium-ion battery anode and cathodes are able to insert lithium atoms into their layered
structure reversibly.
Separator: Polypropylene
During charging of battery, Li atoms present in layered structure of cobalt oxide are
oxidized, liberating electrons and Li+. Electrons flow through external circuit and Li+ flow
through the organic electrolyte towards graphite carbon electrode. At graphite electrode, Li+
are reduced to Li atoms and are inserted into the layered structure of graphite.
In Sodium-ion battery anode and cathodes are able to insert sodium atoms into their layered
structure reversibly.
a) Photo anode: It is the working electrode in the cell. It is a conducting glass, over which a
large band gap semiconductor like TiO2 is coated. This is further coated with Quantum
dots(QD’s) such as PbS(lead sulphide),PbSe,CdSe, CdS which acts as photosensitizer.
c) Cathode: Cathode is made up of inert metal which is used to complete the circuit.
Working
3. The electrons from QDs are transferred to the conduction band of wide band gap
TiO2semiconductor, leaving holes on the surface of QD’s.
4. Electrolyte takes up holes from the surface of QD’s and gets oxidised.
S2- + 2h+ S
5. Electrons flow from photo anode to cathode through external circuit generating an
electric current.
6. At, cathode electrolyte is regenerated taking up electrons from the cathode.
S + 2e- S2-
Disadvantages of QDSC.
Cadmium selenide-based quantum dot solar cells are highly toxic in nature
and require a very stable polymer shell.
Quantum dots solar cell applications
It is used as light-emitting Diodes.
It is used as Photo conductors and photo detectors.
It is used in Drug delivery.
Biosensors
QUESTION BANK
BTL L 1 Questions
1) What is a transducer?
2) What is an actuator?
3) Define a sensor.
4) What is an electrochemical sensor?
5) What are disposable sensors?
6) Define a energy system?
7) What is a battery?
8) What are quantum dot sensitized solar cells?
BTL L 2 Questions
9) Discuss the working principle of electrochemical sensors and write any four
applications of electrochemical sensors.
10) Discuss the working principle of conductometric sensors and write any four
applications of conductometric sensors.
11) Discuss the working principle of thermometric sensors and write any four applications
of thermometric sensors.
12) Discuss the working principle of optical sensors and write any four applications of optical
sensors
13) Discuss the electrochemical sensor for the measurement of dissolved oxygen (DO).
14) Discuss the electrochemical sensor for pharmaceuticals taking diclofenac as an
example.
15) Discuss the electrochemical sensor for hydrocarbons, taking 1-hydroxypyrene as an
example.
16) Discuss the electrochemical gas sensors for SOx and NOx.
17) Write a note on advantages of disposable sensor over classical sensors.
18) Discuss the disposable sensor for the detection of biomolecules taking ascorbic acid
as an example.
19) Discuss the disposable sensor for the detection of pesticides taking glyphosate as an
example.
20) Discuss the construction, working and applications of Li ion battery.
21) Discuss the construction, working and applications of Na ion battery.
22) Write a note on quantum dot sensitized solar cells and mention any four applications.