Conductive Adsorbent Self-Heating for Low-Power Chemical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chemical substance detection devices require high power consumption due to the need for external heaters to desorb adsorbed substances, leading to larger device sizes and inefficient desorption processes.
Innovation Solution
A chemical substance concentrator using conductive nanowires or porous bodies as adsorbents that generate heat through the Joule effect for desorption, eliminating the need for external heaters and reducing power consumption, with the adsorbent being capable of self-heating to efficiently desorb and concentrate chemical substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If external heaters are used to desorb adsorbed chemical substances, then desorption can be achieved, but power consumption increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the adsorbent material by integrating a heating element directly into the trap structure. This combination allows the adsorbent and heating element to work as a unified system, eliminating the need for separate external heaters and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective desorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap is designed to perform multiple functions: adsorption of chemical substances during the sampling phase and desorption during the analysis phase. By integrating the heating capability directly into the adsorbent structure, the same component serves both adsorption and temperature control functions, improving efficiency and reducing device complexity.
2Device complexity
If external heaters are used for desorption, then chemical substances can be released, but the device becomes larger and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the trap structure, merging two previously separate components (adsorbent material and heating device) into a single unified unit. This integration reduces the overall device size while maintaining effective desorption capability, as the heating function is now embedded within the adsorbent structure rather than requiring an external heater.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional adsorbents are used, then chemical substances can be adsorbed, but desorption requires high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adsorbent material with an integrated heating element in a single trap structure. This merging allows the system to achieve effective desorption with lower power consumption by heating the adsorbent material directly at the point of adsorption, eliminating energy losses associated with external heating systems and improving overall energy efficiency.
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
The solution achieves desorption with power consumption less than 10µW, reducing device size and improving efficiency by leveraging the high specific surface area and small thermal capacity of nanowires or porous bodies, allowing for precise and low-power concentration and detection of chemical substances.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of electrodes 13a and 13b are disposed so as to cause current to flow in the adsorbent 12
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit 14 for cooling the gaseous object flowing in the channel 11
Implementation Method 3
conductive adsorbent 12 that is disposed in channel 11 and adsorbs a chemical substance contained in a gaseous object
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A chemical substance concentrator is configured to concentrate a chemical substance in a gaseous object. The chemical substance concentrator includes a channel in which a gaseous object flows, an adsorbent being conductive and configured to adsorb the chemical substance, and a pair of electrodes configured to cause a current to flow in the adsorbent.