Sterilizable Potentiometric Sensors for Single-Use Applications

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a thin-film potentiometric sensor for single-use biomanufacturing applications. The technology can withstand sterilizing radiation without sacrificing function or accuracy following a pre-calibration process. While certain pH sensors can be sterilized for in-line sensing, they are too expensive for integration into single-use equipment. This novel potentiometric sensor is a flexible, cost-efficient alternative to traditional sterilizable pH strips. It has been vetted for accurate performance over multiple weeks and can be easily integrated into pre-existing plug-and-play bioprocessing technologies.

Technology Validation:

Thin-film potentiometric pH electrodes were fabricated on disposable substrates and have been shown to be compatible with γ-irradiation from a 60Co source (25‒40 kGy). The stable performance of these γ-irradiated pH electrodes extends over many weeks with an accuracy withing o.o5 pH units or less versus ground-truth reading of performance relative to untreated controls. The sensors have also been vetted in sterile cell culture media for at least 3 weeks and demonstrated a shelf life of at least 9 months post-irradiation.

Advantages:

-Can be sterilized without impacting performance

-Designed for compatibility with plug-and-play bioprocessing equipment

-Inexpensive design support single-use pH sensing applications

-Scalable via semi-automated fabrication process

Applications:

-Biomanufacturing systems

-Bioreactors

-Bioprocessing

-Biopharmaceuticals

-Cell culture techniques, which often require single-use or disposable pH sensors

Publications:

-Zhao, B.; Wei, A. Radiation-tolerant thin-film reference electrodes and potentiometric sensors. Sens. Actuat. B 2024, 416, 136058.

-Yermembetova, A.; Oduncu, M. R.; Wei, A. Radiation-tolerant thin-film electrodes for pH monitoring in sterile media. Anal. Chem. 2022, 94, 15535–40.

TRL: 4

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: thin-film potentiometric sensor, single-use biomanufacturing, sterilizing radiation, pH sensor, flexible sensor, cost-efficient pH sensor, disposable pH sensor, bioprocessing equipment, cell culture monitoring, radiation-tolerant electrode, Biotechnology, Chemical Analysis, Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Analysis, Disposable, low-cost, pH sensor, potentiometry, radiation-resistant, Sterilization, thin-film sensor