Magnetostrictive Load Sensor for Virus and Bacteria Mass Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load sensors struggle to detect the weight of tiny substances such as viruses or bacteria effectively.
Innovation Solution
A load sensor comprising a vibrating unit with a magnetostrictive or piezoelectric element, a pick-up to generate induced current or voltage, and a substance adsorbent, which detects weight changes through resonance frequency shifts due to substance adsorption, allowing detection of even tiny substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional load sensors use electromagnetic pick-ups to detect weight, then they can detect general loads, but they cannot detect the weight of tiny substances such as viruses or bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by causing a cantilever beam to vibrate at its resonance frequency. The vibration is used to enhance the detection capability for tiny masses through the resonance phenomenon, where even minute mass changes from adsorbed substances significantly affect the resonance frequency. This allows detection of extremely small masses that would be undetectable by conventional static load sensing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by monitoring the resonance frequency of the cantilever beam as the primary sensing parameter. When substances are adsorbed onto the beam, the resonant frequency shifts in response to the mass change. This frequency-based measurement approach provides high sensitivity for detecting tiny masses, overcoming the limitations of conventional electromagnetic pick-up methods for small substance detection.
2Measurement precision
If the vibrating unit resonates and substance is adsorbed to increase weight, then the resonance frequency reduces to enable detection, but the induced electromotive force in the pick-up reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electromagnetic induction-based detection system with a resonance frequency-based detection system. Instead of relying on induced electromotive force from mechanical movement, the system uses changes in resonant frequency caused by mass loading. This substitution allows for more sensitive detection of small mass changes while reducing dependence on electromagnetic coupling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback by continuously monitoring the resonance frequency of the cantilever beam and using this information to detect substance adsorption. The resonance frequency serves as a real-time indicator of mass changes, allowing the system to automatically detect and measure adsorbed substances without requiring direct electromagnetic coupling to the mass being measured.
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
The sensor can accurately detect the weight of viruses or bacteria by monitoring induced electromotive force changes, enabling effective detection in various environments, including underwater or in a vacuum.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetostrictive element that is increased or reduced in magnetic permeability in response to stress increase caused by application of the load
Implementation Method 2
a piezoelectric element capable of resonating; a pick-up that generates an induced current or an induced voltage using inverse magnetostrictive effect of the magnetostrictive element or piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element resulting from vibration of the vibrating unit
Implementation Method 3
a pick-up that generates an induced current or an induced voltage using inverse magnetostrictive effect of the magnetostrictive element resulting from vibration of the vibrating unit
Implementation Method 4
The substance adsorbent may be configured to adsorb the substance by physical adsorption or by chemical adsorption
Implementation Method 5
The substance adsorbent may be configured to adsorb the substance by physical adsorption or by chemical adsorption
Data Source
AI summary
A load sensor and load detector for detecting the weight of tiny substances such as viruses or bacteria and includes a resonance generator causing a vibrating unit to resonate, a load sensor, and a voltage detector that detects change in induced electromotive force in a pick-up. The load sensor includes the vibrating unit, pick-up, and a substance adsorbent. The vibrating unit includes a magnetostrictive element capable of resonating. The pick-up generates an induced current using inverse magnetostrictive effect of the magnetostrictive element resulting from the vibrating unit vibrations. The substance adsorbent is provided at the vibrating unit, is composed of an antibody to viruses or bacteria and at least partially covers the vibrating unit. The pick-up is composed of a coil with the vibrating unit arranged inside the coil. The vibrating unit is formed by bonding the magnetostrictive element and a soft magnetic body to each other.