Software

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At Ivium Technologies we have developed our own feature rich, yet intuitive software "IviumSoft" for the control and data acquisition of all our hardware. Incorporated in the software you will find a wide range of data evaluation and analysis tools.

- IviumSoft comes free with all our devices.
- Unlimited free upgrades of IviumSoft for all users.

IviumSoft specifications

Key features IviumSoft:
• Controls IviumStat/CompactStat instruments via USB port of pc or laptop
• Windows based user interface allows convenient operation
• All standard electrochemical methods available
• Automatic optimization for high speed and high sensitivity operation
• Integrated data processing and analysis

Typical screen of IviumSoft program:

• On left panel, the "method selection tree", with "method parameter grid" below.
• On right panel, the "Result plot", with toolbars and legends

Available techniques

Automatic optimization for high speed and high sensitivity operation:
Optimally the Instrument is capable to measure fractions of femto-amperes. However, in practice the detection limits are defined by the environment. The instrument applies several features that improve the signal quality:
• Programmable potentiostat/galvanostat bandwidth
• Programmable analog signal filters
• Digital filtering
• Automatic offset subtraction
The software will usuallly configure these settings automatically, ensuring optimal performance without bothering the operator. However in "Advanced mode", the operator may override selected settings.

Data analysis
IviumSoft knows a range of data analysis options, including:
• Curve fit
• Equivalent circuit
• Corrosion rate
• Peakfind
• Solar cell report
• Electrolysis report
• Electrochemical noise

Examples:

Corrosion rate analysis from linear sweep results:

• 3 analysis types are provided:

- Slope analysis: Ecorr and Rp are determined from slope at OCP
- Tafel analysis: the Tafel lines are constructed and its slopes evaluated
- Numerical analysis: non-linear fit on complete dataset

• Automatic or manual analysis:

- Automatic analysis: software will select potential range automatically
- Manual analysis: operator can set potential range markers by mouseclick

Graphical equivalent circuit editor for fitting impedance data: • Operator can define any equivalent circuit: - Any element from the top-toolbar can be selected, and be dropped on the circuit grid, by a single mouseclick on the desired location. - Or, a CDC equation can be entered either manually or from de predefined circuits in the dropdown list. - Or, loaded from file • Startvalues may be entered by the operator or will be calculated automatically • Fit-parameters may optionally be fixed • The software will calculate the best fitting set of parameters with the Levenberg-Marquardt technique

Electrochemical noise analysis: Integrated corrosion analysis software will calculate relevant parameters automatically: ● Time domain analysis: corrosion current, pitting/localization index, corrosion resistance. ● FFT Frequency analysis: Fourier current and potential spectra, impedance spectra and corrosion resistance (black lines in graph) ---------------► ● MEM Frequency analysis: Maximum Entropy Method with definable number of model coefficients (red lines in graph) ----------------►

Special functions:
•Automatic current ranging: the instrument will automatically select the optimal current range setting
•Pretreatment: up to 5 levels may be defined to condition the electrode before the actual measurement starts. The E/I values during "Pretreatment" are recorded and stored with the primary data.
•Apply wrt OCP: the measurement potentials are defined relative to "Open Cell Potential". Before the measurent starts, the OCP is detetermined in a zero-current configuration. The OCP monitor transient is recorded and stored with the primary data.
•Ohmic drop compensation: the applied potential is corrected by current feedback
•Batch mode: Using BatchMode, the operator can automate complex measurement sequences, and interface to external equipment for process automation. It is possible to:
-automate loading and execution of method files
-automatic saving of results
-create loops for repetitive tasks
-switch the multiplexer to fixed channels or to the loop index variable
-set the digital and analog outputs
-wait for a HI or LO level on the digital input
-set delays
• Pulse generator: Direct method for diagnostic purposes that allows the user to apply a potentiostatic or galavanostatic pulse of user defined period and voltage.
• Current interrupt: Direct method that allows the user to determine the IR-drop of the electrochemical system via the current interrupt method (can only be used when Current Interrupt Module is available)
• Analog inputs: the 8 analog inputs from the peripheral port may be recorded simultaneously with the primary results. The results are visualized graphically, and stored with the primary data.
• Safety disconnect: at overload, the method is aborted and cell terminals are disconnected.
• Compliance limit: currents/potentials are limited to operator defined values. The instrument maximum capability can be lowered to prevent unsafe situations(IviumStat only).
• Signal view: the current and potential transients is shown in an oscilloscope type screen. During ac- techniques, the quality of the perturbing and resulting sine-waves is visualized. Under dc-conditions, the E/I signals can be inspected for the presence of specific noise elements.

Compatibilty:
• IviumSoft is fully Windows XP/Vista/7 compatibel.
• All graphic and numerical data can be exported to clipboard for pasting in other programs
• Numerical data can also be exported as ascii, as well as .
• Several data files/graphs of current and previous experiments can viewed at once for easy comparing of data.
• A Labview driver is available to control the IviumSoft and Ivium potentiostat in case of larger automated experimental set-ups.

More extensive examples of the IviumSoft possibilties and techniques can be found in the Ivium Technologies brochure.