Super-sensitive potentiostats and advanced techniques have pushed electrochemical detection limits down to the single entity. Individual cells, nanobubbles, and nanomaterials can be detected and electrochemically characterized in-situ, one at a time. These techniques can provide greater insights than traditional, bulk electrochemistry.

Our lab uses single-entity electrochemistry to study heterogeneous distributions of both insulating and electrocatalytic nanoparticles. Typical analytical techniques measure bulk properties, which lose the inherent heterogeneity between individual particles. Single-entity studies allow us to quickly measure size and catalytic activity distributions. The catalytic stability of platinum electrocatalysts was found to vary with catalyst size, and the simultaneous, in-situ capabilities of single-entity electrochemistry enabled this discover. We are also developing novel techniques to improve the limit of detection, the analytical precision of data gathered, and the breadth of data gathere in single measurements.