Compact Luminescent Sensor with Integrated Detector Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for detecting luminescent activity due to environmental influences are cumbersome, large, and require complex setups, limiting their use in compact applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact optoelectronic device comprising a light source, a luminescent material, and a wavelength selective light detector that emits light at a variable wavelength responsive to environmental influences, allowing for sensitive detection of luminescent activity within a predetermined wavelength range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional systems use a chamber enclosing luminescent material, light source, and light detector, then detection capability is achieved, but device size becomes large and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the luminescent material directly with the detector surface, eliminating the need for a separate chamber and light source. The luminescent material is applied as a coating or layer on the detector, merging multiple components into a single integrated structure that maintains detection capability while dramatically reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the light source component from the traditional system. By using the detector's own readout circuitry to detect luminescence, the system removes the need for an external light source, reducing device complexity and size while maintaining the ability to detect environmental influences through luminescence changes.
2Measurement precision
If traditional systems use a chamber enclosing luminescent material, light source, and light detector, then detection capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the luminescent material application directly onto the detector surface, combining multiple functional components into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for separate chambers, light sources, and alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing system complexity while preserving detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector serves multiple functions: it detects the luminescence signal, provides the readout circuitry, and eliminates the need for external light sources. The system uses its own components to perform multiple tasks, reducing overall system complexity and the number of external components required.
3Measurement precision
If traditional systems require large enclosures for luminescent material, then detection accuracy is maintained, but ease of use decreases due to cumbersome setup
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the luminescent material directly onto the detector surface, the patent eliminates the need for complex chamber setups and alignment procedures. The merged structure requires no separate enclosure or positioning, making the device easy to implement while maintaining detection accuracy through direct coupling of the luminescent material and detector.
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 creation of compact, easy-to-use devices for sensing luminescent activity, effectively detecting environmental influences such as gases, temperature, and pressure, without the need for large enclosures, and can be integrated into various devices like smartphones or vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Luminescence is the emission of light by a substance that does not result from heat. Luminescence may be caused by chemical reactions, electrical energy, subatomic motions, stress on a crystal, etc.
Implementation Method 2
Luminescent materials, such as fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials, and bioluminescent materials, naturally emit light at a particular wavelength.
Implementation Method 3
a wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to an intensity of the light
Data Source
AI summary
Compact systems, compact devices and methods are provided to sense changes in luminescence due to environmental influences on a luminescent material. Such systems, devices and methods may be implemented in a compact device, e.g., an integrated circuit package, which may be incorporated into or attached to a device, such as a smartphone, watch, flashlight, vehicle, etc. The systems, devices, and methods described herein are useful in sensing luminescence, as well as changes in luminescence that are indicative of environmental influences, such as the presence and concentration of a gas or chemical, ambient temperature, pressure, light, etc., in an area surrounding a luminescent material included in a compact device.