Rapid analyte concentration estimation from slowly equilibrating sensors

A model is presented that predicts analyte concentration rapidly from slowly equilibrating sensor technology. Specifically, the model characterizes response from a thin coating film deposited on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device and applies directly to ion exchange and adsorption phenomena, but can be modified to any slowly equilibrating system. Several cases are evaluated with emphasis on chemical and biochemical analyte detection. Results demonstrate that the model can predict analyte concentrations after step changes within a few percent of the equilibration time.