Optical Inspection with Adhesive Capture for Microplastics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical analysis of microplastics is challenging due to their tendency to overlap, requiring manual separation and significant labor, which hinders efficient and accurate inspection.
Innovation Solution
An optical inspection apparatus and method that includes a biasing section to disperse microplastics, a catching section with adhesive portions to separate and fix individual pieces, and an analysis section for optical analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual separation of microplastics is performed to avoid overlapping, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to large amount of labor and time required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated image recognition and control algorithms to identify overlapping microplastics and control their movement, replacing manual separation operations. The apparatus autonomously determines when separation is needed and executes the separation process without operator intervention, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical manual separation process with an automated optical-mechanical system. Image recognition captures the positions of microplastics, the control unit processes this information to identify overlaps, and the stage positioning system automatically adjusts to separate overlapping particles, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining separation effectiveness
2Measurement precision
If manual separation is performed to achieve accurate optical analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to labor-intensive process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image recognition and overlap detection before the optical analysis measurement is taken. By identifying and separating overlapping microplastics in advance through automated image processing and stage positioning, the system ensures that measurements are taken on properly separated samples without requiring time-consuming manual separation during the analysis phase
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces time-consuming manual separation with an automated system that uses image recognition to detect overlaps and control mechanisms to separate particles. This substitution dramatically reduces the time required for sample preparation while ensuring that measurements are performed on adequately separated microplastics
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 efficient and accurate optical analysis of microplastics without manual labor, allowing for automated sample preparation and improved throughput.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing section configured to apply, to a group of objects on a stage, a force for moving the group of objects away with respect to the stage
Implementation Method 2
a catching section including an adhesion portion to which an object in the group of objects moved from the stage adheres
Data Source
AI summary
One mode of an optical inspection apparatus according to the present invention is an optical inspection apparatus for optically inspecting an object, the optical inspection apparatus including: a biasing section (20) configured to apply, to a group of objects (23A) on a stage, a force for moving the group of objects away with respect to the stage (22); a catching section (24) including an adhesion portion (241) to which an object in the group of objects moved from the stage adheres; and an analysis section (3) configured to optically analyze the object caught by the catching section. This makes it possible to efficiently and satisfactorily perform optical analysis of individual microplastics by eliminating manual work of picking up the microplastics one by one.