Flexible Membrane Resonance Measurement for Soft Material Viscoelasticity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring viscoelastic properties of soft materials, such as blood and milk, are either qualitative, lack sensitivity, or are not suitable for industrial production environments, leading to inefficiencies in characterizing the mechanical properties of these materials.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sample holder with a flexible membrane connected to a rigid main body, which induces vibrations in the sample and uses a vibration detector and processor to measure viscoelastic properties, allowing for precise and reproducible measurements of shear elastic modulus and dynamic viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional rheometry or thromboelastography methods are used to measure viscoelastic properties, then qualitative data related to material stiffness can be obtained, but the measurement precision and sensitivity are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by inducing oscillations in the sample holder containing the material. The resonant frequency and damping characteristics of the vibration are measured to directly determine viscoelastic properties (storage modulus and loss modulus). This vibration-based approach provides quantitative, precise measurements unlike traditional qualitative methods, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If indentation or AFM techniques are used to measure viscoelastic properties, then sample destruction is avoided, but the measurements are localized and not representative of bulk material properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a measurement system that is universally applicable to various soft materials (biomaterials, food products, polymers) without requiring sample destruction. The vibration-based method measures bulk material properties through the entire sample volume in the holder, combining the advantages of non-destructive testing with bulk property representation, thus resolving the contradiction between sample preservation and measurement representativeness.
3Reliability
If thromboelastography or thromboelastometry are used for blood coagulation characterization, then clinical information can be obtained, but the sensitivity and reproducibility are relatively poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical oscillation systems used in thromboelastography with a precision vibration excitation system. By using controlled mechanical vibration at resonant frequencies and measuring damping characteristics, the system achieves higher sensitivity and reproducibility in characterizing blood coagulation and clot stiffness, directly resolving the reliability-precision contradiction.
4Productivity
If rheometry or tension/compression methods are used to characterize biomaterials, then viscoelastic properties can be measured, but the sample is destroyed and cannot be reused for multiple measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the sample to serve itself by using its own mechanical resonance characteristics as the measurement signal. The sample holder with the material inside vibrates at its natural resonant frequency, and this self-generated vibration signal is measured to determine viscoelastic properties. This non-destructive self-characterization method allows the same sample to be measured multiple times over time, resolving the contradiction between productivity and sample preservation.
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 sensitive, reproducible, and precise determination of viscoelastic properties, improving the characterization of soft materials and enhancing industrial processes by providing real-time data for quality control and product optimization.
Implementation Method 1
A system comprising a sample holder inducing vibrations in a sample and a vibration detector detecting the vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a flexible membrane connected to a main body or to walls of the holder
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for the measurements of viscoelastic properties of a soft sample in which the system incorporates a sample holder that has a membrane with a flexural rigidity that is less than the flexural rigidity of the main body and allowing vibration of the membrane-sample vibration unit in response to a vibration excitation to create resonance vibration modes that are detected to derive the viscoelastic properties.