Technology & Innovation

Electrode Materials: Carbon Paste vs. Sputtered Gold

The construction of diabetic test strip electrodes is divided between Screen Printed Carbon (Thick-Film) and Sputtered Gold (Thin-Film) technologies.

Carbon Paste dominates the low-cost, generic market due to the economic efficiency of roll-to-roll screen printing. However, it suffers from higher electrical resistance and surface variability, which can impact precision.

Sputtered Gold, used by premium manufacturers (e.g., LifeScan, Ascensia), utilizes vacuum deposition and laser ablation to create highly conductive, chemically inert electrodes with precise geometries. While more expensive to manufacture, Gold electrodes enable sub-microliter sample volumes, faster electron transfer kinetics, and lower Coefficients of Variation (CV), resulting in higher clinical accuracy compared to carbon counterparts.

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Unlock the Power of Electrode Materials

Revolutionizing [Diabetic Test Strips](/sell-diabetic-supplies)

Diabetic test strips are getting a boost from two game-changing electrode technologies: Screen Printed Carbon (Thick-Film) and Sputtered Gold (Thin-Film).

Carbon Paste: The Budget-Friendly Option

Carbon Paste is the go-to choice for low-cost production, thanks to its efficient roll-to-roll screen printing. But it has limitations - higher electrical resistance and surface variability affect precision.

Sputtered Gold: The Premium Powerhouse

Sputtered Gold, used by top brands like LifeScan and Ascensia, uses cutting-edge vacuum deposition and laser ablation to create ultra-conductive, inert electrodes with precise geometries. This means higher clinical accuracy and better results.

What Makes Sputtered Gold a Winner

  • Handles tiny sample volumes with ease
  • Speeds up electron transfer kinetics
  • Delivers lower Coefficients of Variation (CV)

These advantages make Sputtered Gold the top choice for high-accuracy testing. Get ready to experience the future of diabetic test strips!

References

  1. Electrochemical Glucose Biosensors: Screen-Printed vs. Sputtered ElectrodesSource

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