Flow-Channel Radical Measurement for Spatially Resolved Lifetime Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measurement devices are limited in their ability to efficiently generate and measure radicals in fluid streams, particularly in terms of spatial resolution and temporal dynamics, which hinders accurate determination of radical concentrations and lifetimes.

Innovation Solution

A measurement device comprising a flow channel with a radical generation unit that generates radicals from a precursor using voltage, heat, or electron beams, and a measurement unit that measures radical concentration at multiple positions along the flow channel, allowing for precise determination of radical lifetimes and concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single measurement position is used in existing measurement devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spatial resolution and ability to determine radical lifetimes are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow channel is divided into multiple sections with measurement positions at different locations along the flow direction. Each measurement position corresponds to a different elapsed time from radical generation, enabling spatially resolved measurement of radical concentrations and lifetimes without requiring a single complex measurement system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple measurement positions are introduced to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal dynamicsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flow channel acts as an intermediary that transports radicals from the generation region to multiple measurement positions. The flow channel enables temporal dynamics measurement by spatially distributing measurement positions along the flow direction, converting time-dependent radical decay into space-dependent concentration profiles that can be measured simultaneously at multiple positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 and reproducible measurement of radical concentrations and lifetimes with high spatial and temporal resolution, facilitating efficient analysis of radical reactions and dynamics in fluid streams.

Implementation Method 1

The radical generation unit generates a radical from the radical precursor in a radical generation region in the flow channel by applying at least one of a voltage, heat, light, or an electron beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy to chemical energy transformation: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The measurement unit includes an inspection-light irradiation unit which irradiates the fluid with inspection light at the at least one measurement position, and a detector which detects the inspection light transmitted through the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP4603824A1Measurement device and measurement method
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4603824A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4603824A1 patent drawingFigure 2
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AI summary

[Solution] There is provided a measurement device including a flow channel which includes a main inlet and a main outlet; a pump which supplies a fluid containing a radical precursor to the main inlet of the flow channel; a radical generation unit which generates a radical from the radical precursor in a radical generation region in the flow channel; and a measurement unit which measures a measurement value depending on a concentration of the radical at at least one measurement position which exists toward the main outlet relative to the radical generation region in the flow channel. In the measurement device described above, the radical generation unit may generate the radical by applying at least one of a voltage, heat, light, or an electron beam to the fluid containing the radical precursor.