An electrode is an electric current conductor that operates base on the principle of oxidation and reduction reaction that is a typical chemical reaction in cells.
The research and development of electrodes led to important innovations such as the use of electrodes in electrocardiography, and in creating artificial implants that replace damaged parts of brain cells.
Definition
An electrode refers to a conductor or conducting medium of an electric current. The conductor may be a substance in solid, liquid or gas form.
A common type of electrode called "skin electrode" is seen in hospitals, particularly in cardiology rooms wherein the patient's heart activity is measured and monitored through electrocardiography (ECG/EKG).
Electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell refers to a device that uses oxidation reduction to generate electric energy.
Electrodes are the main components of electrochemical cells, which are commonly seen in batteries.
Types of Electrodes
In a simple electrochemical cell set-up, there are two types of electrodes: anode and cathode. The cathode refers to the positive electrode where reduction takes place or at which the current enters the cell. The anode refers to the negative electrode where oxidation takes place or at which the current leaves the cell.
Significance
The vast availability and simple structure of electrodes allowed researchers to create devices which are significant in various industries.
For instance, microelectrodes, a modified form of electrode, can be inserted in certain parts of cells without causing damage. The inserted microelectrodes could then be used to determine the presence of certain compounds such as dopamine and ascorbic acid.
Advances in Electrode Study
A presentation at the 2009 annual meeting of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience in Vancouver, Canada, showed a significant electrode experiment related to neuron growth or neurogenesis.
The co-author of the presentation, Scellig Stone, a neurosurgeon and doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto states that "Now we can really see what neurogenesis is doing. The reason why it's so exciting is it's potentially a neuro-regenerative or restorative therapy."
The neurogenesis, a treatment that could possibly cure Alzheimer's disease and related brain malfunctions, is an very important breakthrough in the development of electrodes.
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