The features of the electronic tongue in comparison with the characteristics of the discrete ion-selective sensors

A comparison of the features of the electronic tongue; comprising an array of non-specific chemical sensors and pattern recognition methods, with analytical characteristics of the discrete conventional ion-selective sensors (electrodes) has been performed. A method has been suggested that allows observing the detection limit and the selectivity of a sensor array at least three to five times better than that for a single sensor. The electronic tongue also exhibits a number of completely new features, such as the possibility to determine some unusual species in solutions, e.g. organic substances, and the capability to make measurements without the standard reference electrode. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.