Hygroscopic Solvent Water Content Using Droplet Mass and Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the water content of hygroscopic fluids like DMSO are complex, require expensive equipment, and are not suitable for rapid, accurate analysis, especially in automated analytical instruments.
Innovation Solution
A method using a fluid ejection cartridge attached to a device that dispenses droplets onto a substrate, measuring total mass and velocity to correlate with an information database for determining water content, adjusting firing parameters based on water content to ensure accurate dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Karl Fischer titration is used to determine water content, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex chemical titration systems with a simple acoustic measurement system. A piezoelectric transducer generates acoustic waves that propagate through the hygroscopic solvent, and the speed of sound correlates with water content. This mechanical/acoustic approach eliminates the need for chemical reagents, titration chambers, and complex electrical measurement systems while achieving comparable precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable storage tubes containing the hygroscopic solvent, eliminating the need for complex, expensive, and maintainable equipment. The simple acoustic measurement system uses inexpensive components that require no calibration or maintenance, making the overall system much cheaper and simpler than traditional Karl Fischer titration equipment.
2Measurement precision
If Karl Fischer titration is used to determine water content, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic measurement can be performed continuously as the acoustic wave propagates through the solvent in the storage tube. The speed of sound is measured directly from the transit time of the acoustic wave, providing immediate results without the need for chemical reactions, equilibrium establishment, or multiple measurement steps required by titration methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the lengthy chemical reaction and measurement steps of titration by using direct acoustic wave propagation. The measurement is obtained by timing the acoustic wave's travel through the solvent, providing rapid results in seconds rather than the minutes or hours required for traditional methods.
3Productivity
If acoustic techniques are used to measure water content, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to piezo-electric transducer coupling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tube itself serves as the acoustic waveguide, eliminating the need for separate transducer coupling mechanisms. The piezoelectric transducer is simply placed against the external surface of the storage tube, and the acoustic wave propagates through the tube wall and solvent. The system self-configures the acoustic path without requiring external coupling agents or complex alignment procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If DMSO is used as a solvent, then solubilization capability is improved, but water content stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the water content of the DMSO is continuously monitored using acoustic measurements. The measured water content information is used to adjust experimental conditions, storage conditions, or to compensate for the effects of water in data analysis. This feedback loop maintains the reliability of DMSO-based experiments despite its hygroscopic nature.
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 quick, inexpensive, and accurate determination of water content in hygroscopic fluids using readily available lab scales and devices, improving the reliability of analytical results.
Implementation Method 1
activating the fluid ejection cartridge to dispense a predetermined number of fluid droplets
Implementation Method 2
the acoustic method requires good coupling between a piezo-electric transducer and the source vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the water content of a hygroscopic fluid. The method includes inserting an amount of hygroscopic fluid into a fluid ejection cartridge; attaching the fluid ejection cartridge to a fluid ejection device; activating the fluid ejection cartridge to dispense a predetermined number of fluid droplets from one or more nozzles of an ejection head attached to the fluid ejection cartridge onto a substrate to determine a total mass of the fluid droplets dispensed, a velocity of the dispensed fluid droplets or a combination of the total mass of the fluid droplets dispensed and the velocity of the dispensed fluid droplets; and using an information database that correlates the water content of the hygroscopic fluid to an average mass per fluid droplet dispensed and the velocity of the fluid droplets dispensed to determine the water content of the hygroscopic fluid.