Frequently Asked Questions
Ion Selective Electrodes
Can Imacimus results be compared with laboratories results?
Imacimus is a lab equipment, based on electrochemistry, so the results are comparable to any laboratory measurements. Electrochemical instruments offer quantitative determination on the ionic species (parameters), with high accuracy. It also depends on how the user takes care/manages the equipment.
If the sample is in within the same conditions, the Imacimus results are within the same basis as any other lab report. I’ve attached a technical report showing related comparative information of Imacimus vs other labs, that was held a few years ago by an independent party.
What’s the error margin of the electrodes?
The best precision in ideal conditions is 4%. In usual conditions it’s accepted the comparative with other thechniques of up to 15% for monovalents and 20% for divalents. The ammonium, chloride, nitrate, potassium and sodium have a +/-10% margin error. Magnesium and calcium have a +/-20%.
What are the accuracy and repeatability of these electrodes?
How is a sensor replaced?
It’s done individually and it only requires tweezers. Please refer to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkmbfXaY8Fo
Do I need to replace all sensor if one has run out?
Is it needed a specific product to clean electrodes to avoid possible contamination?
Are your sensors range able to test other kind of micro elements in the soils other than the 7 in the Imacimus 10?
What do References Electrodes measure?
What is the life expectancy of ISE sensors?
We use the equipment for seasons...
Can two or more of the electrodes be use in the same sample solution for simultaneous measurements?
Yes, of course. They share a common reference electrode for all electrodes. Please review the Imacimus Series, that uses our innovative multi ion probe for measurement up to seven different electrodes to be handled as just one handy probe.
What are the advantages of your sensors compared to other sensors?
Advantages of our sensors:
– NT Sensors electrodes are made with our patented technology
– All-solid-state selective electrodes are based on Carbon Nanotube Technology
– Miniaturized Ion Probe
– Single Ion & Multi Ion Probe options
– Allow to work in all positions (horizontal/inverse)
– No light or ORP sensitivity
– Affordable
– Easy replaceable tips
How should I store the electrodes between use sessions?
Where can the sensors be connected?
Is it compatible with other mV meters?
Our electrodes are compatibles with commercially available meters or equipment using a BNC termination. Our Single Probe can be connected to any mV/Ion meter that has a BNC connection.
Be aware that the Single Probe is a half cell electrode, so it’s necessary to connect a reference electrode as well away from the meter to be able to work.
Any compatible meter requires a reference input + BNC (for half cell ions-Single ION) either banana plug or BNC for the reference + 1 BNC for ISE/pH.
Does the pH carbon nanotube probe need to be conditioned before calibration at pH 4 and pH 7?
Yes, a few minutes at pH 4.
This probe needs a Reference to work with, and is only used in particular cases where normal ones cannot be used.
IMACIMUS Series
What’s IMACIMUS for?
Imacimus is a tool that provides information about macronutrients in an easy and reliable way to be able to better manage cultivation and lowering costs of precision agriculture. (feritirrigation system, hydroponic recirculation system, sap analysis, soil extract, foliage, water, drainage and so forth). Calibrates, measures and shows simultaneously up to 10 parameters (7 ions + pH + conductivity + water hardness) in real time and you just need a minute per sample.
Measurements are saved directly in an Excel (.csv) file.
The meter is portable and requires a Windows System (pc or laptop) to run the software. Doesn’t need power supply, only a USB port.
What’s the technique based on?
The IMACIMUS is a MultiION meter based on electrochemistry technique, Nernst Law, with the innovation of a patented technology of carbon nanotubes inside.
It is a quantitative instrument with lab accuracy, and like any other laboratory technique, it depends on the user. Each electrode has got detection limits. For more info related to that please take a look on the specifications datasheets.
The electrodes are fungible, and they are spare parts that must be replaced by the user time to time.
How do I start using the equipment?
Is it necessary a periodic maintenance for the equipment?
Can I read the Single Ion probe simultaneously with Imacimus?
EC on imacimus
Conductivity is related to the ionic composition/quantity and mobility on the ionic species therein. Commonly, it is measured through a specific conductivity probe (a physical sensor).
But Imacimus 10 provides the reading of the major part of the ions in the solution. Our R&D team obtained a direct relationship from Imacimus 10 overall ions, and came up with a theoretical calculation for the expected EC in the samples.
Therefore, Imacimus 10 determines the ions’ concentration and shows up a theoretical value calculated from a reading. There’s no specific EC sensor for it, as it is calculated through a formula. Generally, Imacimus has a similar correlation with other EC market sensors.
Conditioning
Does the sample need to be isolated at the bottom in any way to facilitate the measurement?
Conditioning solutions for use in seawater?
Water quality monitoring should be constant to prevent disease in organisms.
Which of the conditioning solutions is recommended to use in the multi ion probe for use in marine water?
In marine or salt water, if it exceeds 10 PPT, it is a specific solution. Below it, you can use mid-range.
Conditioning pH, lithium, fluoride, nitrite, bromide and perchlorate?
These sensors work individually, each sensor is conditioned in a 1000 ppm solution of the primary ion.
Is it necessary a periodic maintenance for the equipment?
Calibration
How do I know the calibration is finished?
When the results in the screen show the symbol v. If calibration and mesurement has been done correctly, the value read must be 10mg/L. You must pay attention to a) do not cross standard solutions with others with higher values b) must leave the sensor immersed for a minute to obtain the electrode value.
When do I need to calibrate?
How many samples can I measure with one calibration?
When to rinse and dry?
During calibration only the pH electrode should be rinsed with DI water, not the multi ion probe, it is not necessary, since we always calibrate from lower to higher concentration. Always rinse with DI water after measuring a sample.
I get some parameters with "X!
If I left conditioning the 8h probe and when doing the first calibration I get some parameters with “X” to what is it?
Empty and clean the bottles in the case, dry them and refill them with new calibration liquid. If it persists, check sensor connectivity, and/or replace the sensor.
If an electrode fails constantly in calibration, can it be related to any other sensor? Which one?
No. Sensors are and work independently.
In how many electrode calibrations is it exhausted?
Do waves, electromagnetism and static affect readings and/or calibration?
There are many sensors that are not calibrating, what can I do?
What is the percentage or margin of error when calibrating?
How do I reclaibrate?
SAP Calibration
Measure
Can two or more of the electrodes be use in the same sample solution for simultaneous measurements?
Is Imacimus suitable for continous detection?
Can probes be submerged for a long time?
What’s the range of measurement?
Depending on your goal, we have calibration solutions of low, medium and high range (mor information at the available calibration solutions PDF). If needed, we can also create specific solutions adjusted to your needs. Medium range is usually coming with the equipment, and it works for wide range of samples.
If probes can’t be continuously monitoring a sample, how can I do it then?
There are 3 different options to continuos monitoring available:
1) Collect all the measurements of the day (or per week), and try to get the measurements all together (it takes around a 1 minute per sample when calibrated)
2) Use the probes in a measurement cell/ recipient. Just make sure the probes are left in the air between measurements, and use a small pumping system to fill in the sample.
3) Move on to an automatic system (see our catalogue and contact us for more information).
Can I leave the probe waiting in the last analysed sample?
No. Sensors are and work independently.
In how many electrode calibrations is it exhausted?
Can I leave the probe waiting in the last analysed sample?
Does the sample need to be isolated at the bottom in any way to facilitate the measurement?
What is the minimum non volume of the non-diluted solution to be measured?
What is the maximum temperature range of the sample ?
Can I read the Single Ion probe simultaneously with Imacimus?
Is your equipment useful for heavy metal parameter detection?
Standards
How are the standards?
What’s the necessary liquids volume to calibrate?
What’s the useful life of a calibration solution?
15 ml / change every 3 calibrations
125mL bottle -> a minimum of 25 calibrations –> 625 samples
250mL bottle -> a minimum of 50 calibrations –> 1250 samples
Software
Can I upload data directly to the cloud?
Is your equipment useful for heavy metal parameter detection?
I transfer the data from one pc to another?
Is it possible to use the meter in different computers simultaneously?
Can the data automatically be extracted from the software (is it open)?
Can graphs automatically be made?
Is the meter compatible with Mac/Apple?
Amic 7
What’s the technique based on?
The IMACIMUS is a MultiION meter based on electrochemistry technique, Nernst Law, with the innovation of a patented technology of carbon nanotubes inside.
It is a quantitative instrument with lab accuracy, and like any other laboratory technique, it depends on the user. Each electrode has got detection limits. For more info related to that please take a look on the specifications datasheets.
The electrodes are fungible, and they are spare parts that must be replaced by the user time to time.
Can I integrate the device on our PLC/PCB board?
Yes it can be integrated in your own PCB, although the output for the sensors is analogic, mV data. You need a high impedance input (similar to the pH electrodes) to readout the signal of the ISE.
Digital: USB/UART
Analogic: Signal 4-20mA
How to transfer data from sensors to PLC device via USB?
Output from AMIC system is done physically through an USB connector.
Its must have the first configuration be made through the provided Windows software. Once initiated, the communication can be established through the following communication protocol.
Partners
Develop Partners
Our company manufactures electrodes and meters. Our meters process the analogic signal from the sensors, to a digital output.
We have a research model that is directly connected to an OPEN SOURCE PLATAFORM in order to read the mV output from the sensor. Our meters are multiparametric, up to 7 different parameters simultaneously.
The NTx DEVELOP series equipment are based on an internal programming that allows to obtain the raw signal data from the sensors in digital format (mV), through Rx, Tx, GND communication. One of the typical applications is to couple Arduino equipment, which interrogates the meter when you want to get the reading of the sensors.
