Flexible Thermo-Sensitive Label for Thermal History Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature-sensing labels for products are limited by their approximate time resolution, lack of contextual thermal history recording, high cost, and inability to adjust sensor response to product type, making them unsuitable for mass distribution and consumer use, and they often fail due to environmental factors like humidity and resistive heating.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, digital reading device with a spatially structured thermo-sensitive label that uses molecular materials and liquid crystals to encode thermal history information, which becomes readable through optical changes when exposed to specific temperatures, allowing for precise thermal gradient recording without electronic circuitry, enabling mass distribution and consumer accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive temperature sensors based on labels are used, then thermal history recording is achieved, but time resolution is approximate and lacks precision
Solution Approach 1:
The label is divided into multiple independent microcapsules, each containing a specific amount of liquid crystal material. This segmentation allows each microcapsule to respond to specific temperature ranges, enabling precise time resolution through the sequential activation of different segments at different temperature thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and optical parameters of liquid crystal materials within microcapsules in response to temperature changes. By utilizing phase transitions and optical property changes of liquid crystals at different temperatures, the system achieves precise thermal history recording without complex electronic components.
2Measurement precision
If electronically powered temperature recording devices are used, then precise thermal history recording is achieved, but cost increases and consumer accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the electronic circuitry and battery components from temperature recording devices. By using purely passive liquid crystal-based microcapsules that respond to temperature through optical changes, the system achieves precise thermal history recording without expensive electronic components, enabling mass distribution and consumer accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The label uses disposable microcapsules containing liquid crystal materials that provide precise thermal history recording for their operational lifetime. After use, the label can be discarded, replacing expensive reusable electronic devices with affordable single-use solutions suitable for mass distribution on consumer goods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing thermo-sensitive labels are used, then temperature sensitivity is achieved, but adaptability to different product types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The label system uses universal liquid crystal microcapsules that can be applied to various product types across different industries (food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals). The same basic microcapsule technology provides adaptable thermal history recording for diverse products by adjusting the composition and threshold temperatures of the liquid crystal materials to match specific product requirements.
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 device provides accurate, low-cost, and flexible thermal history recording, enabling consumers to check product quality and lifespan effectively, overcoming the limitations of existing systems by using morphologically and physically changing materials that improve readability as temperature thresholds are reached.
Implementation Method 1
said element being defined by a predetermined material indicating predetermined temperature level and exposure time range
Implementation Method 2
said element being defined by a predetermined material indicating predetermined temperature level and exposure time range
Implementation Method 3
uses molecular materials and liquid crystals to encode thermal history information, which becomes readable through optical changes when exposed to specific temperatures
Implementation Method 4
uses molecular materials and liquid crystals to encode thermal history information, which becomes readable through optical changes when exposed to specific temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible, digital enhanced reading device (P) comprises at least one label containing encoded information, a spatially structured element placed over the label itself, defined by a material indicating predetermined temperature level and exposure time range, and comprising a material with morphological and/or structural and/or chemical and/or physical state changing properties detectable following a predetermined heat absorption; the mentioned spatially structural element is adapted to at least partially cover determined zones of said label with dimensions between 0.01% and 100% of the surface of the label itself, and comprises molecular materials and/or polymer materials and/or liquid crystals and/or mixtures of said materials in any proportion.