An analog angle encoder is provided having a resistor track and a wiper contact associated with the resistor track, a conductor track concentric with the resistor track, wherein one end of the resistor track is connected to ground and the other end is connected to an alternating voltage. The method includes providing a plant-biomass-based suspension of cellulose nanocrystals and altering the pH of the cellulose nanocrystals to a substantially neutral pH. The at least one hydrogen species adsorbs to a surface of the conductive or semiconductive structure so as to substantially prevent passage of the at least one oxidant into or through the conductive or semiconductive structure. The delay circuitry comprises a software programmable storage medium and a digitally controllable delay element coupled to the storage medium, the delay element being arranged to control the timing offset in dependence on a delay setting programmed into that storage medium.