Laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device
By using a laser water droplet diffraction microscopy imaging device, a diffraction pattern is formed by a water droplet support and a laser, which solves the problem of the difficulty in monitoring the dynamic behavior of tiny particles in a liquid environment in existing technologies, and realizes low-cost, simple real-time observation and teaching demonstration.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DASHI (SHANGHAI) EDUCATION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing microscopic imaging technologies cannot achieve in-situ real-time monitoring of the three-dimensional dynamic behavior of submicron-sized particles in liquid environments, and the sample preparation process is complex and costly, making it difficult to popularize in daily life or teaching scenarios.
A laser-guided water droplet diffraction microscopy imaging device is used. The liquid is supported by a water droplet support, and a laser is used to pass through the water droplet to form a diffraction pattern, thereby realizing the dynamic development of micro and nano particles, simplifying the sample preparation process, and enabling real-time observation at low cost.
It enables low-cost, sample-free dynamic real-time observation of micro and nanoparticles in liquid environments, supporting popular science education and rapid detection, demonstrating the wave nature of light and Brownian motion, and is suitable for routine water quality assessment.
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Figure CN224366254U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microscopic imaging technology, specifically to a laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device. Background Technology
[0002] Conventional optical microscopes are limited by the visible light diffraction limit, making it impossible to image submicron (hundreds of nanometers) and micron-sized particles. Complex ultrathin sections (<100 nm), chemical fixation, and fluorescent labeling are destructive sample pretreatment processes that alter the original microstructure. Furthermore, due to limitations in focal plane depth and temporal resolution (typically >33 ms), in-situ real-time monitoring of the three-dimensional dynamic behavior (such as Brownian motion) of nano- to micron-sized particles in liquid environments is not possible.
[0003] While electron microscopes can resolve submicron particles, their sample preparation process involves steps such as drying, coating, and vacuum treatment, making it cumbersome and expensive, hindering its widespread adoption in daily life and education. Because electron microscopes require a vacuum environment, they cannot directly observe liquid samples (such as microorganisms or suspended particles in water). The sample preparation process for electron microscopes requires cleaning and fixing biological specimens, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and may damage the original state of the sample. Optical microscopes also have complex sample preparation processes involving slicing and fixation, which are too difficult for non-professionals. In popular science education, current technologies lack comprehensive and intuitive tools to demonstrate the physical principles of light refraction, diffraction, Brownian motion, and liquid surface tension, making abstract concepts difficult to understand. Current microscopic imaging techniques cannot achieve real-time observation and recording of the dynamic behavior of particles in liquid samples using simple devices. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device that enables dynamic real-time observation of micro and nano particles in a liquid environment in a low-cost, sample-free manner, and to intuitively demonstrate physical phenomena.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A laser water droplet diffraction microscopy imaging device includes a base, on which a water droplet support and a movable adjustment platform are provided. On the movable adjustment platform, a laser support and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the laser support are provided. The water droplet support is used to place the test liquid to be observed. A laser is provided on the laser support for irradiating the test liquid.
[0007] Furthermore, the movable adjustment platform and the base are slidably assembled in the left-right direction.
[0008] Furthermore, the mobile adjustment platform includes an outer shell with a sliding groove inside. The laser support is slidably mounted in the sliding groove in the vertical direction. The outer shell has a light-transmitting hole for the laser to pass through.
[0009] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism adopts a lead screw and nut mechanism, including a lead screw arranged in the vertical direction, and the lead screw is threadedly assembled to the laser support.
[0010] Furthermore, a knob is provided at the upper end of the lead screw, and the knob is located outside the outer casing.
[0011] Furthermore, the water droplet support includes a column, the upper part of which is provided with a placement groove, and a hydrophobic flat surface is formed in the placement groove for placing the test liquid.
[0012] Furthermore, the placement groove is filled with wax to form the hydrophobic flat surface on its upper side.
[0013] Furthermore, the upper part of the column is provided with two or more placement slots spaced apart in the left-right direction.
[0014] Furthermore, the placement groove is formed in a cylindrical shape.
[0015] Furthermore, the laser is a laser pointer, and the switch for controlling the laser pointer is located on one side of the housing.
[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0017] (1) The present invention can support water droplets waiting to be tested by a water droplet support and can adjust the position of the laser by a movable adjustment platform. By adding water droplets to a hydrophobic surface to form hemispherical water droplets, the laser passes through the water droplets and forms particle images and diffraction patterns on the screen, including dark spots and diffraction rings, to realize the dynamic development of micro and nano particles.
[0018] (2) This invention allows direct observation of various liquid samples such as pure water, tap water, river water, and beverages. The particle concentration and particle size distribution can be qualitatively analyzed by the number, shape, and motion characteristics of dark spots. By adjusting the laser incident direction and position, Fraunhofer diffraction rings and Poisson bright spots can be displayed on the screen, providing a direct demonstration of the wave nature of light.
[0019] (3) It can quickly detect the presence of microorganisms, suspended particles or bubbles in liquids and is suitable for routine water quality assessment.
[0020] (4) It can be used for popular science teaching for primary and secondary school students: Brownian motion is demonstrated by the movement trajectory of dark spots, and the effects of temperature and surfactant on surface tension are verified by the formation conditions of water droplets.
[0021] (5) No complicated sample preparation process is required. Observation can be carried out by directly adding liquid and real-time dynamic recording is supported.
[0022] (6) The structure of this utility model is easy to manufacture and the material cost is low, which is significantly lower than that of traditional microscope equipment. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of the laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 2 It is located in the laser support section;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a partial sectional view of the outer shell;
[0026] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the base;
[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Partial view at point A in the middle.
[0028] 1. Base; 11. Column; 12. Placement slot; 13. Dovetail groove; 2. Moving and adjusting platform; 21. Outer shell; 22. Clearance hole; 23. Slide groove; 3. Laser support; 31. Mounting hole; 32. Threaded hole; 33. Slide plate; 41. Knob. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0030] Embodiments of this utility model:
[0031] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the laser water droplet diffraction microscopy imaging device includes a base 1, on which a water droplet support and a movable adjustment platform 2 are provided. The water droplet support is used to place the liquid to be observed. The movable adjustment platform 2 includes a laser support 3 and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the laser support 3. A laser (not shown) is provided on the laser support 3 for sending a laser beam toward the liquid to be observed, and the position of the laser can be adjusted by the movable adjustment platform 2, such as in the vertical or horizontal direction.
[0032] The mobile adjustment platform 2 includes an outer shell 21. In this embodiment, the outer shell 21 is a hollow cuboid shell, and a sliding groove 23 is provided inside the outer shell 21. The sliding plate 33 of the laser support part 3 is slidably assembled into the sliding groove 23 in the vertical direction.
[0033] The adjustment mechanism employs a lead screw and nut mechanism, comprising a lead screw arranged in the vertical direction, the lead screw being threadedly fitted onto the laser support part 3. Figure 2 The diagram shows the threaded hole 32 for the lead screw assembly. (See diagram for example.) Figure 1 As shown, a knob 41 is located at the upper end of the lead screw, outside the outer casing 21. Considering this is a simple experimental setup, the lead screw is manually adjusted. Figure 2 As shown, the laser support 3 is provided with mounting holes 31 for horizontal mounting of the laser and for emitting laser light in the horizontal direction.
[0034] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, the outer casing 21 has a light-passing hole for the laser to pass through. In this embodiment, one end of the laser protrudes from the outer casing 21, so the light-passing hole is designed to make way for the laser when it moves (it can make way when moving up and down or left and right), or it can be called a clearance hole 22. The clearance hole 22 is a rectangular through hole.
[0035] like Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the movable adjustment platform 2 and the base 1 are slidably assembled in the left-right direction, and the left-right position of the movable adjustment platform 2 relative to the base 1 can be adjusted by manually pushing it; the base 1 is provided with a dovetail groove 13 for the bottom of the outer casing 21 to be assembled. In other embodiments, a manual screw and nut mechanism can also be used, such as a horizontally placed screw.
[0036] The laser is controlled by a laser pointer, with the switch located on one side of the housing 21. Laser parameters: wavelength 532 nm (green light), power ≤ 5 mW (compliant with Class IIIa safety standards). The laser principle is existing technology, applied only in this experimental setup. The laser pointer can be powered by two AAA batteries, or a rechargeable lithium battery; a Type-C charging port is located on one side of the housing 21.
[0037] like Figure 4 and 5 As shown, the water droplet support includes a column 11, which is spaced apart from the outer casing 21 in the front-to-back direction. A placement groove 12 is provided on the upper part of the column 11, and a hydrophobic flat surface is formed in the placement groove 12 for placing the measured liquid. The placement groove 12 is formed into a cylindrical structure. The placement groove 12 is filled with heated and melted wax, which, after cooling, forms the hydrophobic flat surface on its upper side.
[0038] The upper part of the column 11 is provided with two or more placement slots 12 spaced apart in the left-right direction. Different types of test liquids can be placed in them as needed. All placement slots 12 have hydrophobic surfaces. Different test liquids are added in advance during the experiment, and the laser position can be adjusted for comparison and observation during the test. The placement slots 12 can also be treated with different surface treatments: the hydrophobic surface is treated with a wax material, and compared with the untreated metal surface, the influence of surface tension on the droplet shape and imaging stability can be demonstrated.
[0039] Experimental case study of this novel laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device:
[0040] Type 1: Water Drop Experiment
[0041] (1) Preparation of water droplets
[0042] Using a 1 mL syringe, draw the liquid to be tested, such as tap water, and slowly drip it onto the waxy surface of one of the placement tanks 12, forming a hemispherical water droplet with a diameter of approximately 3 mm. The size of the water droplet should be controlled between 3 and 5 mm in diameter (too small will cause diffraction blurring, and too large will reduce contrast).
[0043] (2) Laser modulation
[0044] The position of the laser is adjusted by moving the adjustment platform 2 and the lead screw and nut mechanism, so that the laser beam passes through the center of the water droplet. If the laser is threaded onto the laser support 3, fine adjustments can also be made in the front-to-back direction.
[0045] (3) Image observation
[0046] In a darkroom environment, a white screen is placed 1 to 2 m behind a water droplet (if the distance is too close, the dark spot and the diffraction rings will overlap). After the laser is turned on, the following phenomena can be observed: a black spot with a diameter of 1 to 5 cm is displayed on the screen, accompanied by 1 to 3 diffraction rings, with the distance between the rings being 1 to 2 times the radius of the dark spot; the dark spot exhibits random motion (Brownian motion), with a motion speed ranging from 0.1 to 10 cm / s.
[0047] Type 2: Comparative Experiments of Different Liquids
[0048] (1) Test sample:
[0049] Sample A: Pure water (no visible particles);
[0050] Sample B: A suspension containing 0.1% polystyrene microspheres (particle size 1 μm);
[0051] Sample C: Dirty water containing silt;
[0052] Sample D: Carbonated beverage (containing bubbles and suspended matter).
[0053] (2) Operating steps:
[0054] Different liquids were sequentially added to the waxy surface of the placement tank 12, and the laser was adjusted to the same parameters. The laser position was adjusted so that it passed exactly through the liquid droplet to be tested.
[0055] (3) Experimental results:
[0056] Sample A: The curtain wall only shows uniform diffraction rings, with no dark spots;
[0057] Sample B: Stable display of dozens of circular dark spots, moving slowly (speed ≈ 0.2 mm / s);
[0058] Sample C: Numerous dark spots with irregular shapes (mud and sand fragments), exhibiting vigorous movement (velocity ≈ 0.8 mm / s);
[0059] Sample D: Dark spots are accompanied by dynamic changes due to bubble rupture, and diffraction rings fluctuate periodically.
[0060] Type 3: Popular Science Teaching Demonstration
[0061] (1) Demonstration of the wave nature of light:
[0062] Using pure water droplets, the laser angle is adjusted so that the beam is slightly off-center from the water droplet, and the curtain wall displays 3 to 4 clear Fraunhofer diffraction rings.
[0063] (2) Brownian motion observation:
[0064] Adding ink diluted 100 times to a water droplet causes the dark spot to exhibit an irregular trajectory. The effect of temperature on speed can be verified by measuring the displacement using a timer (e.g., comparing 25℃ and 40℃).
[0065] (3) Surface tension verification: compare water and alcohol
[0066] Water: Water droplets can maintain a hemispherical shape and remain stable on a waxy substrate;
[0067] Alcohol: Alcohol spreads out and cannot form a stable hemispherical shape.
[0068] Experimental Precautions:
[0069] (1) Safe operation: Avoid direct laser light on the eyes and wear protective glasses during the experiment;
[0070] (2) Environmental requirements: It must be carried out in a dark room to reduce ambient light interference;
[0071] (3) Liquid restrictions: Avoid using highly corrosive or high-viscosity liquids (such as concentrated sulfuric acid or honey) to prevent damage to the wax layer.
[0072] Application effect:
[0073] Teaching demonstration: It can visually demonstrate diffraction rings, Poisson spots, and Brownian motion, replacing traditional theoretical teaching;
[0074] Rapid detection: Qualitatively determine the degree of liquid contamination by dark spot density and motion characteristics (e.g., distinguish between dirty water and clean water).
Claims
1. A laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device, characterized in that: The device includes a base, on which a water droplet support and a movable adjustment platform are provided. The water droplet support includes a column, and the upper part of the column is provided with a placement groove with a hydrophobic flat surface for placing the liquid to be tested. The movable adjustment platform is provided with a laser support and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the laser support. A laser is provided on the laser support for irradiating the liquid to be tested.
2. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable adjustment platform and the base are slidably assembled in the left-right direction.
3. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mobile adjustment platform includes an outer shell with a sliding groove inside. The laser support is slidably mounted in the sliding groove in the vertical direction. The outer shell has a light-transmitting hole for the laser to pass through.
4. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjustment mechanism adopts a lead screw and nut mechanism, including a lead screw arranged in the vertical direction, and the lead screw is threadedly assembled to the laser support.
5. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper end of the lead screw is equipped with a knob, which is located outside the outer casing.
6. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The placement groove is filled with wax to form the hydrophobic flat surface on its upper side.
7. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper part of the column is provided with two or more placement slots spaced apart in the left-right direction.
8. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The placement slot is formed by a cylindrical structure.
9. The laser water droplet diffraction microscopic imaging device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The laser is a laser pointer, and the switch for controlling the laser pointer is located on one side of the housing.