CheapStat: An Open-Source, “Do-It-Yourself” Potentiostat for Analytical and Educational Applications
2011

CheapStat: An Inexpensive Potentiostat for Education and Analysis

Sample size: 4 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Rowe Aaron A., Bonham Andrew J., White Ryan J., Zimmer Michael P., Yadgar Ramsin J., Hobza Tony M., Honea Jim W., Ben-Yaacov Ilan, Plaxco Kevin W.

Primary Institution: University of California Santa Barbara

Hypothesis

Can a low-cost, open-source potentiostat be effectively used in educational and analytical applications?

Conclusion

The CheapStat is a low-cost potentiostat that can be easily constructed and is suitable for various educational and analytical applications.

Supporting Evidence

  • The CheapStat can be built for under $80.
  • It supports various voltammetry techniques including cyclic and linear sweep.
  • The device is suitable for educational labs and resource-limited settings.
  • It has been successfully used to measure vitamin C in orange juice and arsenic in lake water.

Takeaway

The CheapStat is a simple and cheap device that helps students and researchers measure things like vitamin C in orange juice or arsenic in water without needing expensive equipment.

Methodology

The CheapStat was constructed using readily available components and was tested in various experiments including measuring ascorbic acid in orange juice and arsenic in lake water.

Limitations

The CheapStat cannot match the quality and capabilities of high-end research-grade potentiostats.

Participant Demographics

Undergraduate students and high school students.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0023783

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