Sequential Techniques
The Sequential Techniques
function allows the user to set up a batch experiment with up to six individual experiments. The defined sequence of experiments can also be cycled, thereby allowing automated scan rate dependence and potential dependence studies. The Sequential Techniques
is included as part of the Methods software package.
Techniques for the Sequential Techniques
function can be defined in 2 ways. The individual experiments can be set up before opening the Sequential Techniques
dialog box, or the experiments can be defined from within this dialog box. It should be noted that iR compensation cannot be set up from within the Sequential Techniques
dialog box, and must be set up in the individual experiments, if required.
The Sequential Techniques
dialog box is accessed using New
in the Experiment
menu. An example is shown in Fig1, with two experiments previously defined.
Figure 1. Sequential Techniques
dialog box.
- To define a new experiment, select the technique from the drop-down list, then click Add. The new experiment will be highlighted, and placed at the bottom of the list.
- To delete an experiment, highlight the approriate experiment, then click Delete.
- To change parameters for any of the experiments, highlight the approriate experiment, then click Parameters. Fill in the Change Parameters
dialog box using the standard protocol.
- To change the order of the experiments, highlight the experiment to be moved, and use the up or down arrows on the right side of the list box as required.
- The default condition is that the data from each experiment is saved at the end of each experiment. Automatic data saving for the highlighted experiment can be switched on and off using the Save Data
button.
- The following can be programmed to occur at the end of any experiment - (Timed) Event 1, Delay
(up to 3600s), Purge
on and Stir
on (during the Delay
time). Highlight the required experiment, and click the required functions (Fig2). For experiments with Sample Intervals
greater than 1 sec (e.g., DC Potential Amperometry, Controlled Potential Electrolysis), the Delay
after the experiment MUST be at least as long as the Sample Interval
in order for Sequential Techniques
to run.
Figure 2. Post-experiment operations
- Multiple cycles of the defined sequence of experiments can be programmed by checking Continuous Run. The number of Total Runs
(up to 9999) must then be defined. In addition, the Scan Rate
(for CV and LSV
experiments) and the applied potential (for constant potential experiments CPE
and DCPA) can be incremented from one cycle to the next, allowing for scan rate dependence and potential dependence studies. Scan Rate
can be varied in a 1, 2, 5 ratio (e.g., 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, etc.) or as a user-defined increment (e.g., 50 mV/sec). The applied potential is varied using a user-defined increment (e.g., 50 mV).
- Once the sequence has been programmed, click Run
to start the sequence. Sequential Techniques
can be Saved
and Loaded
(however, Sequential Techniques Method
files created with version 1.40 software cannot be loaded using later software versions, although the individual data files can still be loaded).
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