Double-Walled Containment Cell for Multi-Technique Optical Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current containment cells for hazardous samples are bulky, difficult to transport, and limited to single-type optical analysis, posing challenges in safely sealing and analyzing radioactive or biohazardous materials due to contamination risks and complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled containment cell with removably attachable inner and outer components, including a sample holder and multiple optically aligned windows, providing a gas- and liquid-tight seal and capable of various optical analysis techniques, designed for easy assembly and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If containment cells use tape seals and simple construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability of sealing is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The containment cell is divided into inner and outer cell components with separate sealing mechanisms. The inner cell provides primary containment with its own seal, while the outer cell provides secondary containment. This segmentation allows each seal to be optimized independently and reduces the risk of total failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell utilizes composite construction with different materials optimized for specific functions: transparent materials for optical access, sealed materials for containment, and structurally sound materials for mechanical strength. This composite approach enables reliable sealing while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular component design.
2Device complexity
If containment cells are designed for single-type analysis, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The containment cell is designed with multiple windows of different sizes and materials that can accommodate various optical analysis techniques including Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The standardized inner and outer cell design can be used across different analysis instruments, making the cell universally applicable while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell design allows for dynamic configuration through removable windows and adaptable mounting mechanisms that can accommodate different optical probe configurations. This enables the same cell to be used for multiple analysis techniques without requiring complex custom designs for each application.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If containment cells are made bulky for safety, then protection against contamination is improved, but ease of transport is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cell is nested within the outer cell, creating a compact double-walled structure that provides robust containment protection while minimizing overall size. This nested configuration allows the cell to maintain safety margins for contamination protection while being small enough for easy transport and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell utilizes thin-walled transparent materials that provide adequate containment protection while minimizing bulk. The thin-film construction allows for effective sealing and contamination protection without requiring bulky structures, enabling easy transport while maintaining safety.
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 safe storage, transport, and analysis of hazardous samples using multiple optical techniques, preventing contamination and allowing for versatile analysis without the need for complex maintenance, while blocking alpha radiation.
Implementation Method 1
The inner cell cap also includes a window that is transmissive to an electromagnetic wavelength and that, upon assembly, is optically aligned with the sample holder
Implementation Method 2
the double-walled containment cell can block emission of alpha radiation from a sample held in the sample chamber
Implementation Method 3
Upon assembly of the inner and outer cells, a sample chamber therein can be sealed from the surrounding environment with a gas- and liquid-tight seal
Data Source
AI summary
Double-walled containment cells are described as may be used for storage, transport, and examination of a sample held within the cell by use of optical analysis techniques. A double-walled containment cell can include multiple types of windows that can be located as desired on the containment cells and thereby provide for optical access to a sample for multiple optical analysis techniques. Disclosed containment cells can be sized and designed for use with existing optical analysis systems, e.g., laser ablation, X-ray diffraction, spectral analysis (e.g., Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, etc.), imaging analysis, etc.