Composite Oxide UV-C Detection for Visual Wavelength Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultraviolet detection methods fail to distinguish between different wavelength ranges, particularly UV-A and UV-C, leading to confusion in detecting the presence or absence of UV-C irradiation, which has significant sterilization and virus inactivation effects.
Innovation Solution
A composite oxide containing oxides of aluminum, strontium, cerium, lanthanum, and manganese is used, which emits light only when irradiated with electromagnetic waves of wavelengths not longer than 300 nm, allowing for distinct detection of UV-C radiation by emitting light in a visible region, while remaining non-emissive for wavelengths longer than 300 nm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a film-like label is used for ultraviolet detection, then the detection cost is reduced and no power supply is required, but the detection cannot be repeated and cannot be quantitative
Solution Approach 1:
The composite oxide material automatically returns to its original non-emissive state after UV-C irradiation without requiring external power supply or manual intervention, enabling repeated detection cycles. The material self-regenerates by dissipating the excited electrons back to the valence band, providing reusable detection capability while maintaining low cost.
2Measurement precision
If conventional ultraviolet detectors are used, then quantitative measurement and high detection precision are achieved, but power supply is required and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex electronic detector systems (photomultiplier tubes, photodiodes) and concentrates it into a simple composite oxide material layer deposited on a substrate. This maintains measurement precision through wavelength-selective light emission while eliminating power supplies, circuits, and other complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic detection systems with a optical-based detection mechanism using photoluminescence properties of composite oxide. Instead of using electronic components that require power and complex circuitry, the system uses the intrinsic optical properties of the material to indicate UV-C presence through visible light emission.
3Quantity of substance
If general ultraviolet detection is performed without wavelength distinction, then all ultraviolet light is detected, but the specific wavelength range with sterilization effect cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the composite oxide material responsive only to specific UV-C wavelengths (200-280 nm) while being insensitive to other UV ranges. The material's electronic band structure is specifically engineered so that only UV-C photons have sufficient energy to excite electrons across the band gap, creating localized detection capability for the sterilization-effective wavelength range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes (light emission) as a visual indicator of UV-C detection. The composite oxide emits visible light when excited by UV-C radiation, providing clear wavelength discrimination through optical signal differentiation. This allows intuitive identification of sterilization-effective UV-C wavelengths versus other UV ranges that do not produce emission.
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
Enables accurate visual confirmation of UV-C irradiation and differentiation from UV-A, effectively distinguishing the wavelength range and enhancing the detection of UV-C's significant effects on living organisms and viruses.
Implementation Method 1
the composite oxide emits light when the composite oxide is irradiated with a first electromagnetic wave having a wavelength not longer than 300 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A composite oxide contains oxides of aluminum, strontium, cerium, lanthanum, and manganese. A light emitting aspect of the composite oxide when the composite oxide is irradiated with a first electromagnetic wave having a wavelength not longer than 300 nm is different from a light emitting aspect of the composite oxide when the composite oxide is irradiated with a second electromagnetic wave having a wavelength longer than 300 nm.