Lensless Imaging for Microalgae Lipid Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining lipid concentration in microalgae are destructive and cannot be implemented in situ, making it difficult to monitor lipid production in bioreactors or open ponds.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive method using lensless imaging to acquire diffraction figures of microalgae, which allows for the calculation of lipid concentration based on light intensity dispersion, enabling in situ monitoring of lipid production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fluorescent marker (Nile red) is used to measure lipid concentration, then measurement precision is improved, but the sample is destroyed because the marker is toxic to microalgae
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (Nile red fluorescent marker) that binds to lipids and allows indirect measurement through fluorescence intensity. This mediator enables precise lipid quantification without requiring direct observation, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and sample integrity by transferring the measurement function to the intermediary marker.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement from direct lipid observation to fluorescence intensity measurement. By changing the measurement parameter from physical lipid content to optical fluorescence signal, the method achieves high precision while the non-destructive nature of fluorescence detection preserves sample viability, unlike destructive chemical extraction methods.
2Measurement precision
If traditional lipid measurement methods are used, then lipid concentration can be determined, but in situ monitoring in bioreactors or open ponds is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the measurement system to be self-contained and portable, allowing in situ monitoring without requiring complex laboratory infrastructure. The handheld device with integrated light source, optical system, and detector performs lipid measurement directly in bioreactors or open ponds, eliminating the need for sample transport and centralized laboratory analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical extraction and analysis systems with an optical measurement system. By using fluorescence excitation and detection instead of mechanical lipid extraction, the method enables simple, rapid in situ monitoring that can be performed directly in cultivation environments without complex sample preparation equipment.
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
This method allows for precise, non-destructive measurement of lipid concentration in microalgae, enabling real-time monitoring and efficient lipid production management in bioreactors or open ponds.
Implementation Method 1
a global diffraction pattern is acquired during illumination of the sample, each global diffraction pattern comprising a plurality of elementary diffraction patterns, each elementary diffraction pattern being associated with a microalga
Implementation Method 2
a matrix photodetector positioned close to the sample, the matrix photodetector being arranged to detect a diffraction pattern
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~4C
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a concentration of lipids in a microorganism, in particular microalgae, in which a sample which contains microorganisms is illuminated (101); and a total diffraction pattern (12) of the sample is obtained (102), the total diffraction pattern comprising a plurality of basic diffraction patterns (131; 14A; 14B) which are each associated with a microorganism. According to the invention, a value of a digital indicator (In) is determined (104), which indicator represents a dispersion of the light intensity in an area of interest (13) of the total diffraction pattern, and a concentration of lipids (Cx) in the microorganisms is deduced therefrom. The invention also relates to a device for implementing such a method.