Electronic tongue amperometric sensors

Preliminary results are presented for the use of cyclic voltammetiy as a method for pattern recognition. The current at eight potentials of a cyclic voltammgramm was analyzed and these values served as a simulation of eight amperometric sensors. It is shown that on the basis of this procedure, different explosives and apple juices are easily distinguished by the use of one electrode alone These results clearly show that cyclic voltammetry could easily be used for a so called electronic tongue. In the future it is planned to use cyclic voltammetry as a method in combination with different sensor methods and also for the vapour detection. 

Similarly, electronic noses were developed in order to take a picture of the complex gaseous mixtures, typically on the basis to their effect on the electrical conductivity of semiconducting metal oxides. A similar approach is followed in the so-called electronic tongues, which are stUl much less established than noses. In particular, potentiometric and amperometric sensors for blind analysis of liquid samples have been proposed. The more easily controlled environment consisting of a solution could constitute a favorable element with respect to gaseous mixtures, even tested in natural environment, with so many uncontrolled variables. 

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