Laser Speckle Turbidimeter for Real-Time Impurity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbidity meters struggle to accurately measure turbidity in fluids due to microbubble interference and environmental factors, making it difficult to detect extremely small amounts of microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A turbidity meter using a chaotic wave sensor that irradiates waves into a fluid container, detects laser speckles through multiple scattering, and estimates the presence or absence of impurities in real-time by analyzing temporal and spatial correlations of laser speckle patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional probe-type or all-in-one turbidity meters are used, then portability or installation flexibility is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to microbubble interference and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the measurement function from the processing function by using a portable turbidity meter only for initial screening, while sending samples to a laboratory for definitive analysis. This segmentation allows the portable device to maintain simplicity and ease of operation while acknowledging the need for more precise laboratory-based measurement for accurate results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microbubble removal device as an intermediary component between the sample collection and turbidity measurement processes. This intermediary device removes microbubbles that would otherwise interfere with measurement accuracy, thereby enabling the portable turbidity meter to achieve more accurate measurements without requiring complex laboratory infrastructure.
2Device complexity
If conventional turbidity meters are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but detection capability for extremely small amounts of microorganisms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or optical turbidity measurement methods with a fluorescent microscopy-based detection system. This substitution enables the detection of extremely small amounts of microorganisms (down to 10^5 colony-forming units per milliliter) by using fluorescently labeled microorganisms that can be detected individually under a microscope, vastly improving detection capability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluorescent labeling of microorganisms, which causes them to emit light at specific wavelengths when excited by appropriate light sources. This color/fluorescence change enables highly sensitive detection of microorganisms even at very low concentrations, as the fluorescent signal can be detected above background noise levels, thereby dramatically improving microorganism detection capability without complicating the overall device structure.
3Productivity
If samples are analyzed quickly, then productivity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to environmental factors and microbubble interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary microbubble removal and sample preparation steps before the actual turbidity measurement is conducted. By removing microbubbles and optimizing sample conditions in advance, the system enables rapid measurement without compromising accuracy, as the sample is already prepared in a state that minimizes interference from environmental factors and microbubble artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The microbubble removal device serves as an intermediary that prepares the sample by eliminating microbubbles that would interfere with measurement accuracy. This preliminary intervention allows subsequent turbidity measurements to be performed quickly and accurately, as the sample matrix is already optimized for measurement without the confounding presence of microbubbles.
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 rapid and cost-effective detection of microorganisms and turbidity in fluids by minimizing microbubble interference and environmental effects, with the ability to measure concentrations as low as 10^5 colony-forming units per milliliter.
Implementation Method 1
a detector configured to detect a laser speckle at every time point set in advance, the laser speckle being generated due to multiple scattering of the irradiated waves in the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a turbidity meter including a main body, a fluid container which is formed inside the main body and in which a fluid is accommodatable, a fluid inlet pipe which is connected to the fluid container and via which the fluid is supplied to the fluid container, a fluid outlet pipe which is connected to the fluid container and via which the fluid is discharged from the fluid container to the outside, a wave source configured to irradiate waves toward the fluid container, a detector configured to detect a laser speckle at every time point set in advance, the laser speckle being generated due to multiple scattering of the irradiated waves in the fluid, and a controller configured to estimate the presence or absence of impurities in the fluid in real-time by using the detected laser speckle.