LAQUA Electrode Technology
Born from the fusion of our expertise and state-of-the-art technology
As a leading pH electrode manufacturer, HORIBA uses the latest technology for all your measurement needs
Since developing Japan's first glass electrode pH meter, HORIBA has focused on continually improving our electrode technology, especially in materials and manufacturing. HORIBA is committed to continually providing groundbreaking and next-generation electrodes so that we always provide you with the newest and best solutions.
Expertise in Manufacturing
Sophisticated processing technology
Various shapes of glass electrodes are available to fit different containers and samples, as well as for use in particular applications. The unique structure of our glass electrodes is achieved through HORIBA's second-to-none manufacturing technology, which we are continually improving.
Thick membrane technology
HORIBA’s glass membrane molding technology achieves strengths of more than 10 times the Japanese Industrial Standards (strength tests)
Applicable electrodes: 9615-10D/9618-10D/9680-10D/9681-10D
The surface-enlarging structure and unique processing technology means the response membrane can be thick and strong, with minimized resistance and high sensitivity. Samples can now be mixed in a beaker using the electrode, without breakage in normal use. The electrodes can be easily cleaned by wiping, helping to ensure reliable measurements.
Miniaturization
The 3 mm diameter double glass tube contains a temperature sensor inside
(US Patent No. 7314541/China Patent No. ZL0315796)
Applicable electrode: 9618-10D
(winner of the "Invention Award", 2011 National Invention Awards in Japan)
Combination electrodes have a double thin structure that generally makes manufacturing more difficult due to the tendency to cause variations in the inner tubes during the miniaturization process. However, our proprietary technique to coil the filament around the inner tube has enabled a double glass tube with a diameter of only 3 mm. This pH electrode with temperature sensor enables measurements from samples as small as 50 μL. Not only can it be used for trace measurements of precious limited samples, it can also be used for temperature-sensitive samples owing to quick temperature response.
Flat electrode
All components are integrated in a flat glass electrode which is less than 1 mm thick
Glass electrode components contained in a flat body of less than 1 mm thickness allows measurement by directly applying a drop of the sample onto the flat electrode instead of dipping the electrode into a beaker. Thus, the LAQUAtwin can measure minute volumes down to just 0.1 mL, and various sample types including solid materials containing moisture, powders, and sheet materials.
Material Technology
Embodying accumulated experiments, research and know-how
The pH-responsive glass membrane is the most important factor in determining responsiveness and durability. That's why its composition has been improved through our know-how accumulated over many years.
Long life and high durability
Special glass enables longer life in harsh samples
Applicable electrode: 9631-10D (Hydrofluoric acid resistant) / 9632-10D (Alkali resistant)
Hydrofluoric acid resistant (US Patent No. 8262877)
Our special glass membranes meet the Measurement Act (Japan) certification by keeping the membrane resistance to 300 MΩ or less while improving resistance to hydrofluoric acid. Their long life capable of measuring about 1000 times* and easily maintainable glass tube structure provides stable measurements for a long time.
*When the measurement is conducted for 1 minute with 1 wt% hydrofluoric acid solution (at 25°C).
Alkali resistant (US Patent No. 8262877)
The new glass membrane with a strong alkali resistance has achieved about five times* longer stability than our conventional products. It is suitable for plating solutions or other strong alkaline samples.
*With 0.1 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution (about pH 13 at 60℃).
Fast and highly accurate
A unique glass composition including rare earth has improved responsiveness and durability
(US Patent No. 8262877)
Applicable electrode: 9615-10D/9618-10D/9680-10D/9681-10D
Fast-response glass membrane
The membrane contains HORIBA's unique rare earth elements to halve the response time and increase durability against chemical substances. It can also enhance stability whilst minimizing the drift of measurement values.
Our proprietary glass purification technology ensures high speed and stable measurements with low-conductivity samples
Applicable electrode: 9630-10D
High-purity glass
The ideal response membrane, made of high-purity lithium multicomponent glass, it enables an excellent response even when measuring samples with low conductivity or low buffering ability, such as tap water or other difficult-to-measure materials.
Next-Generation Electrode Technology
Semiconductor technology without glass
HORIBA started researching ISFET (Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor) using semiconductor technology many years ago and continued to improve its quality. This has provided a new solution for environments where glass material cannot be used.
Applicable electrode: 0030-10D/0040-10D
What is an ISFET (semiconductor sensor) ?
ISFET is the abbreviation of Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor. The response part uses a semiconductor based sensor.
Special features of the ISFET
- Will not crack or break like conventional glass electrodes
- The sensor is flat and very small enabling the measurement of extremely small samples
- Easy handling and maintenance - simply clean with a toothbrush
- Can be stored dry
The flat electrode has a distance of less than 100 μm between the housing and sensor
The unique structure allows measurements to be taken from the smallest amount of moisture on solid objects and prevents bubbles being trapped on the sensor when measuring samples in a beaker.
Reduction of static electricity effect
The combination of HORIBA's unique semiconductor device structure together with the improved electrostatic protection circuit results in a significant reduction of the static electricity effect that had previously been the weak point of a semiconductor sensor.