Gas Mixture Analysis via Sensor Time Constant Decomposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques are unable to effectively analyze gases containing multiple types of molecules, as they assume a single type of molecule is present, limiting their ability to handle mixtures.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that acquire time-series data from sensors, compute feature constants and contribution values related to the temporal changes of molecules attached and detached from the sensor, and output these as feature values, allowing for the identification of multiple types of molecules in a gas mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing sensor analysis techniques are used, then single-type molecule detection is achieved, but multi-type molecule mixture analysis is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex time-series sensor signal into multiple exponential components, each representing a different molecule type. By decomposing the overall response into individual exponential terms with distinct time constants, the system can identify and quantify multiple molecule types simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between handling mixtures and maintaining discrimination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the time constant parameter to distinguish between different molecule types. Each molecule type produces a characteristic time constant in the exponential decay of sensor response, allowing the system to identify multiple molecules by analyzing variations in this temporal parameter rather than relying on single-point measurements
2Adaptability or versatility
If simple detection methods are used, then single molecule type identification is achieved, but complex mixture analysis capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical separation or multiple sensors with a computational approach. By using exponential curve fitting and time constant analysis on data from a single sensor, the system achieves multi-component gas analysis without adding physical complexity, substituting mathematical processing for hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the sensor system multi-functional by enabling it to detect and analyze multiple molecule types simultaneously using the same hardware. The universal exponential decay model applies to different molecule types, allowing a single sensor to perform what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors or complex analytical instruments
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 the extraction and identification of feature values for gases with multiple types of molecules, providing a technique to distinguish and characterize mixed gas compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor where a detected value thereof changes according to attachment and detachment of a molecule contained in a target gas
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus (2000) acquires time-series data (14) output by a sensor (10) and computes a plurality of feature constants θi and a contribution value ξi representing contribution with respect to the time-series data (14) for each feature constant θi. Thereafter, the information processing apparatus (2000) outputs information in which a set Θ of the feature constants θi and a set Ξ of the contribution values ξi are associated with each other as a feature value of a target gas. As the feature constant θ, a velocity constant β or a time constant τ that is a reciprocal of the velocity constant can be adopted.