Not so much an instrument... ...more an orchestra.

ard for electrochemical researchThe options work together, eachcomplementing rather than compromisingthe facilities of the other, providing virtuallyunlimited test capability for the researcher.The ModuLab system utilizes the lateststate-of-the-art over-sampling signalprocessing technology to provide ultrasmoothanalog cyclic voltammetrywaveforms no matter which combinationof options are used, even when operatingat extreme >10kV/s scan rates. Thesmooth scan waveform generator capabilityensures that cells are not disturbedby undesired steps and transients, forModuLab “smooth scan” means just that.The high-resolution digital techniquesemployed ensure precise waveformgeneration and analysis over the completerange of scan speeds without changingmodes of operation or connections.As you might expect from a Solartronsystem, the range and capability ofimpedance techniques provided byModuLab are second to none. Singlesine, multi-sine / FFT and harmonicanalysis are provided throughout theentire frequency range of the system. Thefrequency response analyzer (FRA) uses40x over-sampled data acquisition andwaveform generation to ensure the purityand accuracy of the results. Any of theabove impedance analysis techniquesmay be used for AC staircase (or linear)voltammetry / potentiometry providingcomplete cell characterization (impedancevs. frequency vs. DC polarization).System ConfigurationThe ModuLab system can be “plug andplay” configured in many different ways,from a single potentiostat with options ina chassis, to several potentiostats in thesame chassis, or multiple chasses eachwith multiple potentiostats in an extendedsystem. Several potentiostats can becontrolled from a single PC, or multiplePCs may be integrated into the systemeach controlling groups of potentiostatsas required. Additional potentiostats andoptions may be added into a chassis at anytime. Each option module carries its owncalibration, so it really is as easy as plugand play to add to the system. The frontpanel of the chassis is easily removed andnew modules can then be inserted whichare detected by the software when thesystem powers on.ModuLab: the world’smost flexible modularelectrochemical test system

ApplicationsFundamental researchCorrosion and coatingsMicroelectrodesNanotechnologyBattery / fuel cellAnalyticalHigh performance ‘Plug & Play’ modules64 MS/s smooth scan - LSV, LSP, CVUp to 1 MS/s data acquisition - pulse, CV100 aA current resolutionUp to ±25 A current - scan / pulse±100 V compliance and polarization10 µΩ impedance measurement>100 TΩ impedance measurementMultiple high-speed EIS techniquesFuel cells, batteries and supercapacitorsThe ModuLab system is able tocharacterize a wide range of celltechnologies at a research anddevelopment level. Smaller batteries,supercapacitors and micro fuel cells, suchas those used in mobile communicationsand PC applications can be tested directlyby ModuLab. For testing higher powercells, potentiostats may be connected inparallel or external power booster optionsmay be added to the system.In addition to standard DC multi-channelexperimental techniques such as cyclicvoltammetry, charge / discharge cycling,and ohmic-drop measurements, ModuLabprovides many specialized capabilitiesincluding anode / cathode impedancemeasurements. The capability to providecomplete cell impedance characterizationis very important for the improvement ofcell electrode performance.There is also interest in harmonic analysisfor fuel cells which provides diagnosticinformation to determine the health of the cell.Mobile phone device test applications arealso fully supported with the ability to runGSM and CDMA pulse applications. Highdata acquisition rates and flexibility of datacapture capabilities are very importantfacilities for these applications.Combinations of options such as auxiliarychannels, high voltage, power boostersand FRAs are used to run continuousimpedance and DC tests on multiple cellsin a battery or fuel cell stack, looking forearly signs of deterioration in individualcells. Stacks with overall voltage as high as100 volts may be analyzed in this way.

To discuss how ModuLab could benefit your specificapplication, contact your local Solartron representative.There are many other applications including sensor development andbio-research, where the range of facilities and options of ModuLab willCorrosion and CoatingsModuLab is a fully floating system allowingmeasurements to be taken in the mostdifficult circumstances. The high voltageand femto ammeter options provide manypossibilities for testing extremely highimpedance corrosion coatings. The systemalso provides equivalent circuit and Tafeldata fitting techniques, Linear PolarizationResistance measurements and corrosionresult displaysThe ModuLab system was designed withvoltage and current noise experiments inmind, providing accurate and consistentdata that may be used in electrochemicalnoise studies. The ModuLab potentiostatmakes use of virtual earth (Zero ResistanceAmmeter - ZRA) measurement technologyand provides high-speed acquisition andhigh sensitivity measurements that are arequirement for this application4e-132e-13NanotechnologyMicroelectrodesFrom the outset, ModuLab was designedto measure electrode processes on ultramicroelectrodessuch as carbon nanotubesand Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)tips. ModuLab’s femto ammeter option,coupled with a comprehensive suite ofelectrochemical measurement techniques,provides ultra-low current potentiodynamicand galvanodynamic DC measurements.In combination with a frequency responseanalyzer (FRA), extremely high impedancemeasurements are possible (>100 Tohms).Measurements on nano-devices requirecareful screening from sources of noiseand interference. The femto ammeteroption achieves this with double screenedshielding for the measurement electronics,triax cabling and high stability referenceresistors.AnalyticalFundamental ResearchModuLab is able to measure at extremelyhigh data acquisition rates (up to 1 MS/s)which is ideal for high speed sweep, pulseor step analytical techniques such asfast cyclic voltammetry CV and normal /differential pulse voltammetry NPV / DPV.ModuLab provides ultra-smooth scannedwaveforms (for example in CV cyclicvoltammetry and LSV linear sweepvoltammetry). Ultra-high sample rates andinterpolation filtering provide the precisionand stability of digital waveforms whilemaintaining the smoothness of analogsweeps. The femto ammeter option mayalso be utilized for extremely sensitivecurrent measurement applications.Choice of data acquisition mode isprovided for all step types, so the shapeof the current response to a sequenceof DPV pulses may easily be monitoredallowing optimization of data capture. Theflexibility of the experiment sequencingallows any combination of techniques tobe sequenced automatically and repeatedusing loops.0100fA-2e-13-4e-13Current Density40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75Time (s)There are many other applications including sensor development andbio-research, where the range of facilities and options of ModuLab willundoubtedly prove to be very beneficial.To discuss how ModuLab could benefit your specificapplication, contact your local Solartron representative.undoubtedly prove to be very beneficial.

ModulesPotentiostat / galvanostat(Pstat 1 Ms/s)The core of the ModuLab system is itspotentiostat / galvanostat which makes useof the latest Digital Signal Processor (DSP)technology to provide accurate experimentcontrol, high-speed data acquisition, dataaveraging and responsive safety and steplimit detection. The ModuLab potentiostatprovides:Smooth waveform generation usinghigh sample rates (64 MS/s) andinterpolation filtering to deliver theaccuracy, stability and control of digitalwaveform technology with all of thesmoothness of analogue techniques.High-speed data acquisition up to1 MS/s used for pulse and fast CVtechniques.Exceptional bandwidth for accurateand reliable high-speed CV, pulseand impedance measurements at allfrequencies and impedance levels(using an FRA option).Floating electrode capability formeasurements on grounded cells,autoclaves, pipelines and storage tanks.Flexible experiment sequencing thatallows high data acquisition rates atthose specific points in the experimentwhere it is needed, e.g. for analysis ofpulses or high speed CVs.An extensive range of analyticalelectrochemistry techniques, plusthe ability to sequence techniques toperform charge / discharge cycling,chronoamperometry and combined DCand impedance experiments.Instantaneous switching betweenexperiment steps provides a greatdeal of flexibility for defining charge/ discharge experiment protocols forbattery applications and for analyticalapplications.Frequency Response response analyzer options(FRA 1 MHz / FRA 300 KHz)The frequency response analyzers (FRA)used in the ModuLab system are thehighest performance analyzers availabletoday. The FRA is able to measure in all ofthe following modes of operation across itsentire frequency range (from 10 μHz to1 MHz):Single sine correlation providesunbeatable measurement accuracy andrepeatability. The ModuLab FRA takesimpedance measurement performanceto a higher level by combining the bestquality analog hardware design withthe latest generation high-speed DigitalSignal Processor (DSP) technology toprovide even greater measurementspeed and accuracy (1 MHz to 10 Hz,10 points / decade in just five seconds).Multi-sine / Fast Fourier Transform(FFT) analysis provides even fastermeasurement by stimulating andmeasuring multiple user selectablefrequencies at the same time. Thisis especially useful for low frequencyanalysis and for measurements ontime-variant or unstable cells. Multi-sine/ FFT measurements are so fast thatthey can often be taken before the cellresponse changes.Harmonic Analysis utilizes the FFTanalysis technique together with singleor multiple frequency stimulationin order to investigate linearity anddistortion. This provides information thatmay be used to optimize the stimulussignal level. The technique is also usedin fuel cell state of health diagnosticsand for corrosion rate analysis.AC Voltammetry and potentiometryusing any of the above techniques overthe full frequency range.High voltage options(HV 100 / HV 30)The standard ModuLab potentiostat canprovide up to ±8 V stimulus to the cell. Attimes however, higher voltage is needed, forexample when testing a fuel cell stack. TheHV options provide high voltage polarizationas well as compliance. The HV options havefour auxiliary channels as standard (eachoperating over the same high voltage rangeas the main reference inputs) allowing bothDC and impedance tests to be performedlooking for individual bad cells in a highvoltage fuel cell stack. Multiplexers canalso be added allowing as many cells asrequired to be tested (DC and impedance)within the stack. See the auxiliary voltageinput option for more details.

Power booster options(Booster 2A and external)ModuLab’s standard current range canbe extended by addition of the Booster 2Aoption. If higher current is needed, externalboosters up to 50 V / 25 A may also beadded to the system.ModuLab makes useof the latest DigitalSignal Processing (DSP)technology.Low current option(Femto Ammeter)The standard ModuLab core potentiostatis able to resolve 1 pA. This resolutionis sufficient for many types of cell butfor more demanding applications, e.g.microelectrode studies, high impedancefuel cell membranes, nanotechnology(carbon nano-tubes) and for corrosion/ coatings applications on very highimpedance samples, more sensitive DCcurrent measurement may be needed.The femto ammeter option is designed toresolve extremely low current levels(100 aA). It may also be used incombination with the FRA and HV highvoltage options to measure extremely highimpedance cells (>100 Tohms).**Auxiliary voltage input optionFour (differential) auxiliary voltage inputsare provided as an option for the corepotentiostat and are fitted as standard tothe HV options. Auxiliary voltage inputsare an extremely flexible addition to thesystem that provide:Synchronized differential DC voltagemeasurements from parts of a testcell, e.g. across an anode or cathodein a battery or across individual cellsin a stack.Anode / cathode impedancemeasurements (FRA option required)Synchronized DC voltagemeasurements from externalmonitoring equipment such as pHmeters, pressure transducers, lightsensors etc.Multiplexers may also be added to theauxiliary voltage inputs with automaticchannel switching via the software,providing an almost unlimited number ofpoints in the cell that can be tested.

Software

The software provided with theModuLab system is both flexible andcomprehensive, and yet is very easy touse. A large selection of experimenttypes are provided, from standard opencircuit and cyclic voltammetry tests tocomplicated multistep sequences thatinclude sample preparation, advancedexperimental techniques and integratedimpedance analysis.ModuLab software makes use of diagramsat all stages of experiment developmentso that the user knows exactly whatwaveforms will be applied to the cell.As parameters are entered into thesoftware, waveform diagrams displaythe actual timing and levels that will beapplied to the cell when the experimentis run. Connection diagrams are alsoshown so that the user may check thatthe cell is connected correctly and makeany adjustments before running theexperiment.The software allows free choice of dataacquisition modes irrespective of thetype of experiment that is selected. Forexample high data sample rates may beselected while running pulse voltammetryexperiments so that the actual shape ofthe pulses (voltage and current) may beanalyzed to select optimal measurementpoints on the pulses.Navigation TreeThe navigation tree allows the user to setupand display projects, experiments, datafiles, graphs and reports. Multiple projectsmay be used and these typically grouptogether series of experiments and filesrelating to a particular cell or series of cells.Integrated DC / ImpedanceExperiments can consist of singleor multiple step sequences. DC andimpedance steps are fully integratedallowing complex functions such as linearor cyclic AC voltammetry and stairstepAC voltammetry to be setup and run. Thesoftware even allows swept sine, harmonicanalysis and multi-sine / FFT functionsto operate in AC voltammetry mode,allowing complete DC and impedance cellcharacterization.Data AnalysisData fitting routines are fully integratedinto the ModuLab software including line,circle, Tafel and equivalent circuit fitting.Tafel fitting provides analysis of corrosionphenomena and gives information aboutcorrosion rate and anodic / cathodicslopes which may be used for furthersystem analysis. Equivalent circuit modelsmay be constructed using a range ofcomponents including resistors, capacitors,inductors, distributed elements, constantphase elements, Gerischer elements, andWarburg open / short elements. Somewidely used models are pre-configuredin the software. Other models can beconstructed very easily using the graphicalequivalent circuit model editor. Thisallows modeling of complex impedancephenomena in many applications includingcorrosion, microelectrode studies andbattery / fuel cell analysis.Zplot.Lab SoftwareFor those customers who are familiar withprevious electrochemical test software suchas Zplot, CorrWare and MultiStat there isa new and upgraded software packagein the same family of products calledZplot.Lab that provides many enhancedelectrochemical facilities.ModuLab software:flexible, comprehensive,yet very easy to use.Report BuilderA built-in report generator takes theexperimental results and outputs themtogether with graphs, diagrams andanalysis information into your favorite wordprocessor.

SpecificationPotentiostat, HV 100 / HV 30, Booster 2A, Femto Ammeter ModulesSpecification Core Internal OptionsGeneral Potentiostat HV 100 / HV 30 Booster 2A Femto AmmeterSlots taken 1 slot 1 slot 2 slots 1 slotCell connections 2, 3 or 4 terminal 2, 3 or 4 terminal 2, 3 or 4 terminal 2, 3 or 4 terminalInstrument Connections CE, WE, RE, LO CE, WE, RE, LO CE, WE WE, LOFloating measurements yes yes yes yesImpedance measurement bandwidth 1 MHz (via FRA) 1 MHz (via FRA) 1 MHz (via FRA) 1 MHz (via FRA)Maximum ADC sample rateSmooth scan generatorMaximum time record1 MS/s64 MS/s interpolatedand filteredUnlimitedDC scan rate (potentiostatic) 1.6 MV/s to 1 µV/s 10 MV/s to 1 µV/s 1 1.6 MV/s to 1 µV/s 1DC scan rate (galvanostatic) 60 kA/s to 200 µA/s 1 10 kA/s to 200 µA/s 1 400 kA/s to 200 µA/s 1Minimum pulse duration 1 µsIR compensationyesCounter Electrode (CE) Potentiostat HV 100 / HV 30 Booster 2A Femto AmmeterVoltage polarization range ±8 V ±100 V / ±30 V ±20 V Current polarization range ±300 mA ±100 mA / ±200 mA ±2 AMaximum compliance (CE vs. LO) ±8 V ±100 V / ±30 V ±20 V 2Bandwidth (decade steps) 1 MHz to 10 Hz 1 MHz to 10 Hz 1 MHz to 10 HzPolarization V / I error (setting + range) 0.1% + 0.1%Slew rate >10 V/µs >10 V/µs >10 V/µsReference Inputs (RE) Potentiostat HV 100 / HV 30 Booster 2A Femto AmmeterConnections Differential input Differential input Core or HV Core or HVCable shields Driven / Ground 3 Driven / Ground 3Maximum voltage measurement ±8 V ±100 V / ±30 VRanges 8 V to 3 mV 100 V to 3.75 mVAccuracy (reading % + range % + offset) 0.1%+0.05%+100 µV 0.1%+0.05%+100 µVMaximum resolution 1 µV 1.25 µVInput impedance >100 GΩ, 100 GΩ,

Frequency Response Analyzer (FRA)Frequency Response Analyzer AccuracySpecificationMaximum sample rate40 MS/sFrequency Range - FRA 1MHz 10 μHz to 1 MHz- FRA 300kHz 10 μHz to 300 kHzFrequency resolution 1 in 65,000,000Frequency error±100 ppmMinimum ∫ time per measurement 10 ms(single sine, FFT or harmonic)Signal OutputWaveformSingle sine sweepMulti-sineAnalysis channelsSingle sine, multi-sineLinear / logarithmicAll frequencies orselected frequenciesAccuracy (ratio) ±0.1%, ±0.1ºAnti-alias and digital filtersAnalysis channelsAnalysis modes:DC Bias rejectionAutomaticRE, WE, Aux A/B/C/DSingle sine, FFT, harmonicAutomaticAmplitude Accuracy (%)Magnitude Accuracy (%)Frequency (Hz)Phase Accuracy (degrees)Phase Accuracy (degrees)Potentiostat AccuracyThis is the accuracy specification for the core potentiostat, core + HV option and the core + 2Aoption. This specification applies in the following conditions:• Potentiostatic mode 10 mV AC stimulus used for core and core + 2A options.• Higher AC voltage is recommended for core + HV option, since this is often used for testing batteriesand fuel cell stacks with multiple cells (each of which typically require 10 mV AC voltage drop).• Galvanostatic mode is recommended for low impedance cells (1 Ω or less).• Standard 2 meter cell connection cables.• 3 terminal mode used for >1 kΩ cell impedance, 4 terminal mode for ≤1 kΩ impedance.• Faraday cage is required for high impedance cells.• 2A option recommended for measurements lower than 100 Ω.Femto Ammeter Option AccuracyThis is the accuracy specification for the core potentiostat + Femto Ammeter option.This specification applies in the following conditions:• Potentiostatic mode 10 mV AC stimulus used for core and core + 2A options.• Higher AC voltage is recommended where possible for measurements of high impedance cells,in this case higher impedances than those shown in the accuracy contour may be measured.• Galvanostatic mode is recommended for low impedance cells (1 Ω or less).• Standard 2 meter cell connection cables.• 3 terminal mode used for >100 kΩ cell impedance, 4 terminal mode for ≤100 kΩ impedance.• Faraday cage is required for high impedance cells.• 2A option recommended for measurements lower than 100 Ω.1 P1 P1 T1 T10%, 10°1 G1 G10%, 10°Impedance (Ω)1 M1 k0.3%, 0.3°Impedance (Ω)1 M1 k0.3%, 0.3°111 m1%, 3°1 m1%, 3°10 µ1 m10 µHz1Frequency (Hz)1 k1 M10 µ1 m10 µHz1Frequency (Hz)1 k1 M