Automated self-compensation apparatus and methods for providing electrochemical sensors

1. A method for automated self-compensation, comprising:

measuring, by a processor, a signal from an electrochemical sensor device, wherein the signal relates to the presence of a predetermined gas, and wherein the electrochemical sensor device includes a potentiostat;

measuring, by the processor, an internal property of the electrochemical sensor device by electronically pinging the potentiostat;

receiving, by the processor, a response from the potentiostat;

interpreting, by the processor, the response through an associative relationship between the electrochemical sensor device and a data acquisition and calculation module;

determining, by the processor, an amount of drift resulting from an environmental factor from the response, wherein determining an amount of drift comprises determining a compensation algorithm that utilizes sensor response parameters from the electrochemical sensor device, including initial magnitude, time constant of decay, and integration area;

compensating, by the processor, for effects of the environmental factor by adjusting the signal from the electrochemical sensor device; and

utilizing, by the processor, the adjusted signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the environmental factor includes at least one of the following: relative humidity, temperature, and pressure.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing an electrolyte for utilization by the electrochemical sensor.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the electrolyte includes H 2 SO 4 .

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined gas includes at least one of the following: CO, H 2 S, O 3 , NO 2 , NO, SO 2 , and ethanol.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating at least one of the following that relates to dry-out and an effect of relative humidity on drift of the electrochemical sensor: an area, a height, and a capacitive signal.

7. A system for automated self-compensation, comprising:

a device that includes a processor and a memory component, wherein the memory component stores logic is programmed for performing at least the following, when executed by the processor:

measure a signal from an electrochemical sensor device, wherein the signal relates to the presence of a predetermined gas, and wherein the electrochemical sensor device includes a potentiostat;

measure an internal property of the electrochemical sensor device by electronically pinging the potentiostat;

receive a response from the potentiostat;

interpret the response through an associative relationship between the electrochemical sensor device and a data acquisition and calculation module;

determine an amount of drift resulting from an environmental factor from the response, wherein determining an amount of drift comprises determining a compensation algorithm that utilizes sensor response parameters from the electrochemical sensor device, including initial magnitude, time constant of decay, and integration area;

compensate for effects of the environmental factor by adjusting the signal from the electrochemical sensor device; and

utilize the adjusted signal.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the environmental factor includes at least one of the following: relative humidity, temperature, and pressure.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the logic is further programmed for storing an electrolyte for utilization by the electrochemical sensor.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the electrolyte includes H 2 SO 4 .

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined gas includes at least one of the following: CO, H 2 S, O 3 , NO 2 , NO, SO 2 , and ethanol.

12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the logic is further programmed for calculating at least one of the following that relates to dry-out and an effect of relative humidity on drift of the electrochemical sensor: an area, a height, and a capacitive signal.

13. An electrochemical sensor apparatus, comprising:

an electrochemical sensor; and

a computer that includes a memory component and a processor, wherein the memory component stores logic that is programmed for performing the following, when executed by the processor:

measure a signal from an electrochemical sensor device, wherein the signal relates to the presence of a predetermined gas, and wherein the electrochemical sensor device includes a potentiostat;

measure an internal property of the electrochemical sensor device by electronically pinging the potentiostat;

receive a response from the potentiostat;

interpret the response through an associative relationship between the electrochemical sensor device and a data acquisition and calculation module;

determine an amount of drift resulting from an environmental factor from the response, wherein determining an amount of drift comprises determining a compensation algorithm that utilizes sensor response parameters from the electrochemical sensor device, including initial magnitude, time constant of decay, and integration area;

compensate for effects of the environmental factor by adjusting the signal from the electrochemical sensor device; and

utilize the adjusted signal.

14. The electrochemical sensor apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the environmental factor includes at least one of the following: relative humidity, temperature, and pressure.

15. The electrochemical sensor apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the logic is further programmed for storing an electrolyte for utilization by the electrochemical sensor.

16. The electrochemical sensor apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the electrolyte includes H 2 SO 4 .

17. The electrochemical sensor apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the predetermined gas includes at least one of the following: CO, H 2 S, O 3 , NO 2 , NO, SO 2 , and ethanol.

18. The electrochemical sensor apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the logic is further programmed for calculating at least one of the following that relates to dry-out and an effect of relative humidity on drift of the electrochemical sensor: an area, a height, and a capacitive signal.