New Portable Liquid Phase Ammonium Ion Sensor

Electrochemical Sensor Technology (EST) Ltd (UK) has announced the launch of a portable liquid phase ammonium ion sensor system.
The device, which goes by the acronym ‘ESTAPAS’ is an electrochemical system configured into a very simple to use hand-held unit. The sensor comprises a control unit that facilitates the measurement process, as
well as providing a data storage facility. Simple, and included software provides for data download at a convenient time, thus allowing hard copy of data of measurements that can bemade ‘in the field’, as easily as in a laboratory environment. The sensor system provides for direct reading of ammonium concentration on a large illuminated LCD. The system works by quickly and effectively converting ammonium to free
ammonia, which can be measured electrochemically. The measurement process is achieved in as little as 2 min using a convenient disposable sensor, which allows a low unit cost per measurement.
Dr Neil Marshall, MD of EST said that ‘the advantages offered by the sensor unit were significant’. He continued, ‘that the manufacturing specifications of the electrode sensor units had realised a system that did not need any calibration requirements. Importantly the solid-state electrochemical processes used in the sensor system meant that the measurement is free from turbidity effects, making it ideal for
cloudy or heavily soiled samples. The unit may also, by virtue of its design considerations, be used in chloride bearing solutions without any special considerations or sample treatments’.