Optimization of interdigitated electrode through finite element analysis for juice adulteration detection

Abdul hamid, Sakinah and Mohd Razib, Mohd Asyraf and Mohd Yusoff, Marmeezee (2026) Optimization of interdigitated electrode through finite element analysis for juice adulteration detection. IIUM Engineering Journal, 27 (3). pp. 1-13. ISSN 1511-788X E-ISSN 2289-7860

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Abstract

Recently, interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) have been applied in various industries because they are easy to fabricate and low-cost. However, the optimal electrode geometry for maximizing sensitivity remains unclear, as conflicting reports exist on the effects of finger width, spacing, and thickness under varying operating conditions. Therefore, a simulation study was conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6 software to determine which IDE offers the best sensitivity. The IDEs operate with two parallel coplanar electrodes, with periodic repetition of the design (i.e., length, width, and electrode spacing) to generate a high signal and reduce the signal-to-noise ratio. Finite element analysis via COMSOL revealed that an optimized configuration featuring a smaller gap size (0.1 mm), a wider finger width (0.4 mm), and an electrode count of 8 yielded an ideal sensor design, achieving a peak electric field of 2582.52 V/m and a current density of 1.57×1010 A/m2. Following the computational analysis, the optimized IDE sensor was physically fabricated. Experimental verification using this low-cost, screen-printed silver sensor successfully demonstrated a distinct contrast in electrical resistance; pure fruit juices exhibited a low baseline resistance between 2.5 and 6 Ω, whereas commercialized variants reached significantly higher values of up to 35 Ω over a 5-hour testing window. This strong correlation highlights the platform's stability and its immediate capacity to distinguish juice purity. These findings confirm that the optimized IDE platform provides a highly viable, inexpensive solution for detecting food and beverage adulteration.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Interdigitated electrode (IDE), Finite Element Analysis, Biosensor
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP155 Chemical engineering
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Mechatronics Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr Mohd Asyraf Mohd Razib
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2026 14:31
Last Update:	21 Sep 2026 14:31
Queue Number:	2026-09-Q5164
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131345
Indexed In:	SCOPUS, ERA, Google Scholar, MyCite

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