MicroC™ Picoammeter/ Potentiostat Low-noise carbon fiber potentiostat
Measures oxidizable compounds such as catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine), indolamines (serotonin, melatonin), ascorbic acid and Fe (II) with exquisite sensitivity, low noise and site specificity

MicroC, WPI's low cost and elegant instrument for electrochemical detection using carbon microelectrodes, will record the presence and concentration of oxidizable biological compounds in vivo and in vitro. Featuring inherently low noise and a sensitivity of 1 millivolt per picoampere of oxidation current. Response time to quantal catecholamine release is less than 1 millisecond. When used with carbon fiber microelectrodes, redox current can be recorded over a range of 1 picoampere to 2 microamperes. The built-in carbon electrode activation feature allows the easy renewal of electrode sensitivity. In addition, MicroC features a low-pass filter and the option of applying DC potential externally. A wide range of compounds can be detected: dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, ascorbic acid, etc. Other compounds, such as glutamate, glucose, acetylcholine and alcohol, can also be detected with MicroC using enzyme-modified biosensors.

The MicroC Potentiostat is supplied with a carbon electrode probe, with 5 feet triax cable, which accepts 0.79 mm connector pin, and a reference electrode with a 4 mm Ag/AgCl half cell. For applications where smaller half cells are needed, please call WPI for more information.

MICRO C SPECIFICATIONS
Method 2 electrode, DC potentiostat
APPLIED POTENTIAL 0.65 V, variable -2.5 to 2.5 V)
Current Ranges 2000 pA, 20 nA, 200 nA, 2 µA
Noise < 1 pA
Display 31/2-digit LCD display, ±2 V
Recorder Output ± 4.5 volts
Rise Time < 1 millisecond
Electrode Probe/Cable Length Triax shielded, 5 feet
Power Six 1.5 volt alkaline batteries (included)
Battery Life > 1000 hours, est.
Shipping Weight 4 lb (1.8 kg)
MICROC Potentiostat
MICROCP Replacement probe for MicroC
300305 ATP Adapter (0.031" pin to 1 mm socket)
Carbon Microelectrodes

Micro C can be used successfully with your own microelectrode or one of WPI's carbon fiber (8 or 30 microns) microelectrodes (see below)
References

Gerhardt, G. A. "Nafion-coated electrodes with high selectivity for CNS electrochemistry": Brain Research, 290: 390-395, 1984.

Wightman, R. M. et al. "Temporally resolved catecholamine spikes correspond to single vesicle release from individual chromaffin cells." Pro. Nat'l Acad. of Sci. 88: 10754-58, 1991.

Zhou, Z. and Misler, S. "Action Potential-induced Quantal Secretion of Catecholamines from Rat Adrenal Chromaffin Cells", J. Biol. Chem. 270; 3498-3505, 1995.