Multiple electrode potentiostat

A general purpose multiple electrode potentiostat is described which allows the execution of novel electrochemical experiments. The potentiostat independently controls the potentials and measures the currents at multiple (up to eleven) working electrodes using a single auxiliary electrode and a single reference electrode. It is designed for either stand-alone operation or performance under the direction of a computerized data-acquisition and control system, and it is capable of implementing either stepped potential or scanned potential programs. A modular design consisting of a backplane data and control bus with slots for each independent component provides the means for relatively simple maintenance and facile expansion for arrangements employing additional working electrodes. Current sensitivities of 1 mA/V to 100 nA/V in five ranges are selectable with additional sensitivities of 10 nA/V, 1 nA/V, and 100 pA/V available through the use of a preamplifier.