Precision Picoammeter Webinar with Johannes Sturz

Elektor is hosting an informative live online webinar focusing on ultra-low current measurement and I-V curve work. The event will be led by Brian Tristam Williams, with Johannes Sturz as the presenter.

Precision Picoammeter Webinar: Exploring the Essentials

The webinar will delve into practical picoamp measurement, addressing the challenges encountered at these current levels. Participants can expect insights into best practices in laboratory settings, ensuring repeatable results amidst concerns of leakage and noise. Sturz will guide attendees through the Precision Picoammeter Labs project, detailing the design strategy for measuring current across a wide range from picoamps to milliamps using nine ranges and a programmable ±5 V source for automated I-V sweeps.

Moreover, Elektor promises a demonstration of the browser-based GUI workflow utilized for plotting results and exporting data. This attention to detail is crucial for establishing a reliable measurement routine rather than relying on isolated readings.

Understanding the Challenges of Picoamp Measurements

Picoamp work demands meticulous attention to detail as the entire system becomes part of the measurement instrument. Factors such as fixtures, cabling, guarding, shielding, cleanliness, and troubleshooting leakage paths play a significant role. The webinar will address these practical aspects, emphasizing low-leakage, low-noise techniques, as well as calibration and ranging considerations. For a glimpse into the possibilities at the lower end, eeNews Europe previously explored a USB picoammeter capable of measuring from 1 pA to 2.499 mA.

Details of the Precision Picoammeter Webinar

The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, 12 February 2026, at 13:00 CET (12:00 UTC / 07:00 AM ET). Interested individuals can register through the link provided on Elektor’s event page. Attendees who are unable to join live will receive access to the full recording post-event.

Additionally, Elektor is conducting a giveaway linked to the webinar, offering three copies of Burkhard Kainka’s book, "The Arduino-Inside Measurement Lab," which presents an Arduino-based 8-in-1 measurement setup.

In essence, for those grappling with sub-nanoamp measurements in practical hardware applications, this precision picoammeter webinar seems tailored to address the intricate aspects of dealing with leakage, maintaining setup integrity, and obtaining trustworthy I-V sweeps.