Laser Speckle Turbidity Meter for Trace Microorganism Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbidity meters struggle to accurately detect extremely small amounts of microorganisms in fluids due to challenges in minimizing microbubble interference and environmental factors, making real-time turbidity measurement difficult.
Innovation Solution
A turbidity meter utilizing a chaotic wave sensor that includes a fluid container, wave source, detector, and controller to estimate the presence or absence of microorganisms in real-time by analyzing laser speckle patterns generated through multiple scattering, with features like a multiple scattering amplification region and angled container design to enhance detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional turbidity meters are used to measure turbidity, then the measurement can be performed, but the detection precision for extremely small amounts of microorganisms is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/optical turbidity measurement systems with a chaotic wave sensor system that uses laser speckle patterns and temporal correlation analysis. This substitution enables detection at much lower microorganism concentrations by transforming the measurement approach from direct optical blocking to wave interference pattern analysis, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and detection precision for trace microorganisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from traditional turbidity (light blocking) to temporal correlation of laser speckle patterns. By analyzing the time-dependent fluctuations of scattered light intensity rather than static light transmission, the system achieves enhanced sensitivity for detecting trace microorganisms, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining feasibility.
2Ease of operation
If probe-type turbidity meters are used for portable measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision is reduced due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional probe-type turbidity meters with a chaotic wave sensor system that measures temporal correlation of laser speckle patterns. This substitution eliminates the need for complex environmental compensation mechanisms while maintaining high measurement precision, as the method is inherently resistant to temperature, pressure, and other environmental variations that affect traditional optical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive fluid container with angled walls that can be easily disposed of or replaced, eliminating the need for complex, expensive, and maintenance-intensive portable turbidity meters. The simple container design combined with the robust chaotic wave sensing method achieves both portability and precision without requiring sophisticated environmental compensation systems.
3Measurement precision
If all-in-one turbidity meters are installed in the field for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex all-in-one turbidity meter systems with a simplified measurement approach using a basic fluid container and chaotic wave sensor. By substituting complex multi-component instruments with a minimal system that relies on temporal correlation analysis of laser speckle patterns, the patent achieves field-installable simplicity while maintaining high measurement precision through the robustness of the sensing method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex all-in-one turbidity meters, separating the core sensing capability (chaotic wave detection) from the surrounding complexity. This extraction allows the measurement system to be implemented using minimal components - essentially a container and a sensor - while retaining the precision originally requiring sophisticated instrumentation.
4Measurement precision
If the amount of microbubbles in the sample is minimized for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the complexity of sample preparation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional turbidity measurement systems that require extensive sample preparation (bubble removal, temperature control, pressure stabilization) with a chaotic wave sensor system that is inherently resistant to these interference factors. By measuring temporal correlation of laser speckle patterns, the system can accurately detect microorganisms even in samples with varying bubble content, environmental conditions, and flow states, thereby eliminating the need for complex sample preparation procedures.
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 turbidity measurement by detecting microorganisms and estimating their concentration with high accuracy, even at low levels, through temporal and spatial correlation of laser speckles, improving detection rates and reducing environmental interference.
Implementation Method 1
a detector configured to detect a wave speckle, that is, 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
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides 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.