Patent ID: 8097148

Claim:
A method for regenerating a working electrode in an electrochemical cell, said electrochemical cell being housed in an assembly comprising an ultrasonic device in sonic communication with a working electrode, said ultrasonic device comprising an ultrasound generator for generating ultrasonic energy, and an ultrasonic window configured to couple the ultrasonic energy into a flow cell: the electrochemical cell comprising: the flow cell having a sample volume for receiving a liquid sample, the sample volume in communication with a sample inlet and sample outlet, wherein the sample volume is defined by the flow cell and the ultrasonic window; and a working electrode in liquid communication with the sample volume; the method comprising the steps of: (a) applying ultrasonic energy to a working electrode in an electrochemical cell, wherein the electrode has a surface comprising a metal film plated thereon, wherein the metal film is fouled by accumulated material thereby reducing the electrode's effectiveness, wherein the applied ultrasonic energy is sufficient to remove at least a portion of the fouled metal film to provide to an electrode surface for receiving a metal; and (b) plating a metal on the electrode surface for receiving a metal to provide a metal film on the electrode surface, thereby regenerating the working electrode.