Capillary Tube Line Width Estimation via Gas Bubble Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating the line width of nanoparticle lines formed using capillary tubes are inefficient, as they often require time-consuming measurements with optical or scanning electron microscopes, especially when output diameters are small, necessitating a more rapid and accurate method for line width determination.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the measurement of minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) in capillary tubes, which correlates with line width values, using a numerical model to estimate line widths without direct measurement, and storing these values for data-driven selection and cutting of capillary tubes to desired specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical or scanning electron microscopes are used to measure output diameter, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical or scanning electron microscope measurements with a pneumatic pressure-based measurement system. The system uses gas pressure application and bubble generation observation to determine capillary tube output diameter, substituting complex optical measurement equipment with a simpler pneumatic system that provides comparable precision without the time-consuming preparation and operation required by microscopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct optical dimension measurement to pneumatic pressure threshold measurement. By measuring the minimum gas pressure required to generate bubbles through the capillary tube, the system indirectly determines the output diameter with equal accuracy but significantly reduced measurement time, as pressure changes can be detected rapidly without optical setup.
2Measurement precision
If nanoparticle lines are deposited for numerous capillary tubes, then line width estimation accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the capillary tube's output diameter using the pneumatic system before nanoparticle line deposition. By determining the output diameter through pressure-based measurement first, the system can estimate the resulting line width without actually depositing nanoparticle lines, thereby avoiding time-consuming deposition and measurement cycles for quality control while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a correlation model (copy) between capillary tube output diameter and nanoparticle line width based on initial measurements. Once the pneumatic measurement system characterizes the capillary tube, the established relationship allows prediction of line width without repeating the full deposition and measurement process, enabling rapid quality assessment across numerous capillary tubes.
3Manufacturing precision
If capillary tube output diameter is reduced, then nanoparticle feature resolution is improved, but measurement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces difficult optical measurement of small output diameters with pneumatic pressure measurement. The system applies gas pressure to the capillary tube and observes bubble generation at the output, allowing determination of the output diameter through pressure threshold detection rather than direct optical measurement, thereby making measurement of sub-micron features as easy as measuring pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gas bubbles as an intermediary to measure the capillary tube output diameter. Instead of directly measuring the tiny output opening, the system uses bubble generation behavior (which occurs at a detectable pressure threshold) as an intermediate phenomenon to infer the output diameter, converting an difficult direct measurement into an easier indirect measurement through a measurable intermediary effect.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for quick and accurate estimation of line widths, reducing measurement time and costs, while enabling precise control over capillary tube output diameters and line widths for nanoparticle deposition, enhancing the efficiency of nanoparticle feature formation in fluid printing applications.
Implementation Method 1
In the higher pressure range, gas bubbles are generated in the liquid from the outlet
Implementation Method 2
determining a value of a minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) of the capillary tube
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining a numerical model is disclosed. The numerical model correlates estimated line width values to minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) values. An MPGBG value of each capillary tube in the reference group is measured for a liquid. A nanoparticle composition is deposited, under standard conditions, on substrate(s) from each respective reference capillary tube, to form nanoparticle lines. A line width of each of the nanoparticle lines deposited using each respective reference capillary tube is measured by a microscope apparatus. A numerical model that correlates estimated line width values to MPGBG values for the liquid is calculated.