IP Library Granted Patent US 12713530
Granted Patent B2
US 12713530 · App. 18/571,984 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Fully printed sensor with internal ion reservoirs

Inventors: Elliot J. Strand (Boulder, CO); Eloise Bihar (Boulder, CO); Gregory L. Whiting (Boulder, CO)
Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
H05K1/092C09D11/037C09D11/102C09D11/52H05K1/111H05K3/12G01N33/0098
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12713530
App. No.
18/571,984
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A printed electric circuit comprises a printed planar substrate. The printed planar surface comprises one or more traces integrated into the printed planar structure. The one or more traces comprise a hydrophilic additive to create ion reservoirs within an organic semiconductor layer.

Claims (29)

1 . A printed electric circuit, the printed electric circuit comprising:

a printed planar substrate, the printed planar substrate comprising one or more traces integrated into the printed electric circuit;

wherein the one or more traces comprise a hydrophilic additive to create ion reservoirs within an organic semiconductor layer; and

a printed PEDOT:PSS ink layer forming the organic semiconductor layer, wherein the printed PEDOT:PSS ink layer has a thickness between 1 μm and 2.5 μm.

2 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more contact pads configured to communicate with a source measure unit (SMU).

3 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic additive comprises a sugar alcohol additive.

4 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 3 , wherein the sugar alcohol additive comprises sorbitol.

5 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 3 , wherein the sugar alcohol additive is mixed with the PEDOT:PSS ink layer.

6 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 3 , wherein the sugar alcohol additive comprises at least one of the following: mannitol, xylitol, glycerol, lactitol, erythritol, isomalt, maltitol, arabitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH).

7 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic additive further comprises at least one of the following: methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylchitosan.

8 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the printed electric circuit further comprises an ion selective organic electrochemical transistor (OECT).

9 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 8 , wherein the OECT comprises:

a first layer comprising an Ag ink,

a second layer comprising an Ag/AgCl ink,

a third layer comprising a PEDOT:PSS ink, and

a fourth layer comprising dielectric ink.

10 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the printed electric circuit further comprises one or more of the following: a transistor, an electrode, a sensor, or a capacitor.

11 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an ion selective membrane.

12 . The printed electric circuit as recited in claim 11 , wherein the ion selective membrane comprises a potassium ionophore.

13 . A method for printing an electric circuit, the method comprising:

printing onto a substrate a first layer comprising an Ag ink,

printing onto the substrate a second layer comprising an Ag/AgCl ink,

printing onto the substrate a third layer comprising a PEDOT:PSS ink,

wherein the third layer further comprises a hydrophilic additive to create ion reservoirs within the third layer, wherein printing the third layer comprises forming an organic semiconducting channel with a thickness between 1 μm and 2.5 μm, and

printing onto the substrate a fourth layer comprising dielectric ink.

14 . The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the hydrophilic additive comprises a sugar alcohol.

15 . The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:

placing an ion selective membrane onto the fourth layer.