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  • Home
  • Buy
    • Products >
      • pH measurement
      • ISE Measurement
      • Redox Measurement
      • Dissolved Oxygen Measurement
      • Accessories
    • Global Distributors
  • Try the App
  • Info
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Brochures
    • Manuals
    • Guides
    • MSDS
    • Tablet Compatibility
    • FAQ's
  • About Us
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    • News
    • Technology
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  • Contact Us
    • Feedback & Suggestions
  • Distributors Portal
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How do I maintain my ammonia electrode?

16/9/2019

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The tip of the electrode should be rinsed with deionised water between measurements. To maintain electrode health strongly acidic samples, strong detergents or organic solvents should be avoided.

To take a reading ammonia electrodes require the end cap to be filled with ammonium chloride solution. This solution should be removed after each usage, so that the electrode is stored dry, in order to prevent the solution from damaging the membrane. If this is done the membrane will last 3-6 months depending on usage. 2 caps are initially included with the TRUEscience Ammonia ion selective electrode.
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Testing Dissolved Oxygen in Wine

16/9/2019

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Dissolved oxygen in wine can be beneficial to some varieties in small amounts, but otherwise is known for reducing the quality and lifetime of the wine. It is therefore important to be able to measure and control dissolved oxygen throughout the production and bottling stages. 

Flint Vineyard measure both pH and dissolved oxygen throughout their wine production in Norfolk, taking measurements with the TRUEscience system. The portable, wireless SMART Cap allows them to move the unit freely around the winery or lab and have the results be transmitted wirelessly via bluetooth. Using the TRUEscience app you can leave the electrode in solution logging results or set it to alert you if the dissolved oxygen or pH readings go above or below a set value. See the below video where Ben from Flint Vineyard explains the requirement for measuring dissolved oxygen in wine production.
If you're looking to measure parameters such as temperature, pH or dissolved oxygen throughout wine production get in touch with our technical team on info@truescience.co.uk or phone +44 (0)1954 233 144 and we can offer you advice and further information. 
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How can I improve the performance of my crystalline ion selective electrode (ISE)?

16/9/2019

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Crystalline ion selective electrodes (ISEs), such as the TRUEscience chloride, bromide and copper, tend to develop an oxidised layer on the crystal sensing tip after a period of time. This may lead to the electrode having a slower response.  

To improve performance first make sure the cyrstal surface is dry, then use a very fine emery cloth or sand paper to rub off the oxidised layer. Be very gentle and rinse thoroughly afterwards to remove any loose particles. This should return the electrode performance. 

​Ensure you do not use this process to clean other types of ISE such as PVC electrodes. If you are unsure what type of electrode you have please get in touch with one of our technical team on +44 (0)1954233 144 or email us info@truescience.co.uk

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Will temperature effect my Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) measurements?

16/9/2019

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The answer is yes, temperature is an important factor when making any type of electrochemistry measurement.  

A rise in temperature of a solution will increase the kinetic energy and accelerate the speed of which the ions move around. This will higher the chance the ion you are measuring will hit the sensing tip of the electrode, and therefore increase the mili Vault read out on your meter. It is vital therefore that the temperature of your sample and standards are the same.

​The TRUEscience app will show and record the temperature of the calibration standards and samples automatically. This is good practice, although the best solution is make sure your standards and samples are same temperature, it is possible to make a manual correction estimate after measurement via the Nernst equation. Take a look at our video of ISE calibration on the TRUEscience app.
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Calibration of a fluoride ISE in the TRUEscience app - stores temperature of each calibration standard and sample

​For more information please get in touch with our technical team via info@truescience.co.uk or give us a ring +44 (0)1954 233 144 
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What is an ionic strength adjustment buffer (ISAB)?

16/9/2019

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 Ionic strength adjustment buffers are required to make accurate ion measurements using ion selective electrodes (ISEs). ISEs can be used to test a wide range of ions and for many applications such as potassium in soil or chloride in water.
 
When you have a solution with a large number of ions the individual ions move less freely and with have an increased number of interactions with each other. As the ion concentration increases, it decreases the chance that the specific ion you are measuring will come into contact with the ion sensing electrode. This can mean that even if there is a large amount of the ion in your sample, if your sample is highly concentrated with ions, your electrode won't be read as a high concentration, as if your solution has a low overall ion concentration.  

ISABs are used to counteract this issue. They are made from a high ionic strength solution, and is added in equal amounts (normally 2ml to every 50ml) to all the of the standards and samples. Once the ISAB is added it equalises the ionic strength for the standards you care calibrating your meter with and the standards you are measuring.
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TRUEscience ISAB

These extra stages required for ion selective measurement does mean that it's not as straight forward as a pH electrochemistry reading, but is vital for accurate measurement. For help making your own Ion measurements please get in touch with our technical team info@truescience.co.uk or give us a ring on +441954233114. Alternatively leave a comment down below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. 

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    Posts by the TRUEscience team! We want to explore questions around pH testing in the real world, as well as impart our favourite tips and tricks to make your testing SMART!

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