Random assemblies of microelectrodes

Fletcher S and Horne M D 1999 Random assemblies of microelectrodes (RAM electrodes) for electrochemical studies Electrochem. Common. 1 502... 

Instead of employing a single electrode, an array of electrodes [67] or an inter-digitated electrode [68] may be used to study electrochemical systems. Similar to advantages achieved by variations in electrode geometry, the use of several communicating electrodes poised at the same or different potentials opens up new possibilities for the study of the properties or the kinetics of chemical systems. An interesting development is the random assemblies of microelectrodes (RAM) (see Fig. II. 1.14), which promises the experimental timescale of microelectrodes but with considerably improved current-to-noise levels [69]. 

Fletoher S 1991 Random assemblies of miorodisk eleotrodes (RAM eleotrodes) for nuoleation studies—a tutorial review Microelectrodes Theory and Applications (Nato ASI Series) ed M I Montenegro, M A Queirds and J L Dasohbaoh (Dordreoht Kluwer)... 

Alternatively, an assembly of microelectrodes can alleviate some of the problems associated with the individual microelectrodes. Such a random array of microelectrodes (RAM) comprises about 1000 carbon fibres (each of diameter 5-7 pm) which are embedded randomly within an inert adhesive such as an epoxy resin. (The ends of the fibres need to be widely spaced.) The net result is to generate an electrode system with a superior response time and a current which is IfKK) times that of a single microelectrode. By increasing the current in this way, the sensitivity of measurement is further increased. 

Figure 10.1 Classification of microelectrodes (A) random array, (B) ordered array, (C) paired electrode, schematic representation of a double band assembly, (D) interdigitated array, schematic presentation of IDA electrodes vertically arranged (E) linear array, (F) three-dimensional array, Utah electrode array (reprints from reference (28)). (for colour version see colour section at the end of the book).

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