Patent ID: 7354770
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: B82Y,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting the presence and concentration of a target substance in a solution through differences in photo-induced charge movements between a control solution and a target solution containing the target substance, wherein a dye is utilized which produces photo-induced charge movements upon illumination and which produces a different amount of photo-induced charge movements upon illumination when in contact with said target substance, the apparatus comprising: a light source for illumination; a container to receive a target solution containing a target substance; a membrane disposed within said container; a dye adsorbed onto said membrane which produces photo-induced charge movements upon illumination and which produces a different amount of photo-induced charge movements upon illumination when in contact with said target substance, said dye being in contact with said target solution; an electrometer in electrical communication with said membrane to detect said photoinduced charge movements relative to said membrane and to generate a signal for analysis; means to analyze said signal to determine the presence and concentration of said target substance.