Apparatus for electrically measuring individual particles flowing in a liquid

• Main Authors: Morgan, Hywel, Spencer, Daniel Christopher
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.04.2019
• Subjects: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; TESTING

Apparatus (3) for electrically measuring individual particles (4) flowing in a liquid (6), which apparatus (3) comprises: (i) a fluidic channel (5) for receiving a liquid (6) having the individual particles (4) in suspension in the liquid (6); (ii) a first electrode arrangement (8) having at least one measurement electrode (16) and at least one signal electrode (11); (iii) at least one other electrode arrangement (9) having at least one measurement electrode and at least one signal electrode (13); (iv) at least one signal conditioning electrode (10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19) positioned adjacent to at least one of the measurement electrodes (16, 18) or at least one of the signal electrode (9); and (v) measuring means (20, 21) for measuring electrical signal changes; and the apparatus (3) being such that: (vi) the first and the other electrode arrangements (8, 9) are connected to the measuring means (20, 21) whereby individual particles passing between the first and other electrode arrangements (8, 9) cause a change in electrical signal which is measured; and (vii) the electrical potential of the signal conditioning electrode (10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19) is controlled to substantially prevent current flow between the first electrode arrangement (8) and the other electrode arrangement (9).