Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge Transfer

Underwater ionic current signal sensing shows great potential for electric-field-sensing-based target detection, information transmission and communication. Nevertheless, it is still a challenging task. Herein, a self-powered underwater ionic current signal sensing system using contact-induced charg...

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Main Authors: Boru Su, Junyan Zhang, Yunfei Deng, Lin Chi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2846
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author Boru Su
Junyan Zhang
Yunfei Deng
Lin Chi
author_facet Boru Su
Junyan Zhang
Yunfei Deng
Lin Chi
author_sort Boru Su
collection DOAJ
description Underwater ionic current signal sensing shows great potential for electric-field-sensing-based target detection, information transmission and communication. Nevertheless, it is still a challenging task. Herein, a self-powered underwater ionic current signal sensing system using contact-induced charge transfer is presented. The system mainly consists of a working electrode, a metal sheet and a sensing electrode that is immersed in electrolyte solution. Upon touching the working electrode with a metal sheet with a different work function, charge transfer occurs on the interface, and a corresponding ionic current is induced. The generated ionic current can be detected with the sensing electrode far away from the working electrode. It was found that the magnitude and direction of the generated ionic current are determined by the contact potential difference (CPD) between the working electrode and the contacting metal sheet. Additionally, the effects of water temperature, the ionic concentration of the electrolyte solution, electrode surface area and hydrostatic pressure are systematically investigated. The detected signal magnitude decreased with an increase in the distance between the working electrode and the sensing electrode. A proof-of-concept demonstration of underwater information transmission via Morse code with this method was successfully achieved.
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spelling doaj-art-77949b7eb4bc4e088c9146e7f7a5f5892025-08-20T02:57:41ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01155284610.3390/app15052846Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge TransferBoru Su0Junyan Zhang1Yunfei Deng2Lin Chi3Information Science and Technology College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaMarine Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaMarine Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaInner Mongolia Company, State Power Investment Corporation Ltd., Tongliao 028000, ChinaUnderwater ionic current signal sensing shows great potential for electric-field-sensing-based target detection, information transmission and communication. Nevertheless, it is still a challenging task. Herein, a self-powered underwater ionic current signal sensing system using contact-induced charge transfer is presented. The system mainly consists of a working electrode, a metal sheet and a sensing electrode that is immersed in electrolyte solution. Upon touching the working electrode with a metal sheet with a different work function, charge transfer occurs on the interface, and a corresponding ionic current is induced. The generated ionic current can be detected with the sensing electrode far away from the working electrode. It was found that the magnitude and direction of the generated ionic current are determined by the contact potential difference (CPD) between the working electrode and the contacting metal sheet. Additionally, the effects of water temperature, the ionic concentration of the electrolyte solution, electrode surface area and hydrostatic pressure are systematically investigated. The detected signal magnitude decreased with an increase in the distance between the working electrode and the sensing electrode. A proof-of-concept demonstration of underwater information transmission via Morse code with this method was successfully achieved.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2846contact-inducedionic currentcontact potential differencecharge transfersensing
spellingShingle Boru Su
Junyan Zhang
Yunfei Deng
Lin Chi
Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge Transfer
Applied Sciences
contact-induced
ionic current
contact potential difference
charge transfer
sensing
title Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge Transfer
title_full Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge Transfer
title_fullStr Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge Transfer
title_full_unstemmed Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge Transfer
title_short Underwater Ionic Current Signal Sensing and Information Transmission by Contact-Induced Charge Transfer
title_sort underwater ionic current signal sensing and information transmission by contact induced charge transfer
topic contact-induced
ionic current
contact potential difference
charge transfer
sensing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2846
work_keys_str_mv AT borusu underwaterioniccurrentsignalsensingandinformationtransmissionbycontactinducedchargetransfer
AT junyanzhang underwaterioniccurrentsignalsensingandinformationtransmissionbycontactinducedchargetransfer
AT yunfeideng underwaterioniccurrentsignalsensingandinformationtransmissionbycontactinducedchargetransfer
AT linchi underwaterioniccurrentsignalsensingandinformationtransmissionbycontactinducedchargetransfer