Microporous Polymer Sensor for Organic Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting organic chemical analytes, such as those in environmental monitoring, face challenges in sensitivity, response time, and water insensitivity, particularly in using electrical property changes for detection.

Innovation Solution

A sensing element comprising a microporous, hydrophobic analyte-responsive dielectric material, specifically polymers of intrinsic microporosity, which exhibits changes in dielectric constant upon analyte absorption, allowing for sensitive and rapid detection of organic analytes while being relatively insensitive to water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional sensing materials are used to detect organic chemical analytes, then the sensor can detect analytes through electrical property changes, but the sensitivity to low levels of organic analytes is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity to low levels of organic analytesVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) as the sensing material. These polymers possess inherent microporous structures that provide high surface area and enhanced analyte uptake capacity, enabling detection at low analyte concentrations. The microporous structure allows organic analytes to be absorbed into the polymer matrix, causing measurable changes in electrical properties such as capacitance or impedance, thereby achieving high sensitivity without compromising detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Speed

If conventional sensing materials are used, then the sensor can monitor electrical property changes, but the response time to organic analytes is slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The microporous structure of PIMs provides rapid analyte access through numerous pore channels, significantly reducing diffusion paths and enabling fast response times. The high porosity and surface area allow quick analyte penetration and interaction with the sensing material, achieving rapid detection while maintaining measurement precision through the electrical property changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or optical sensing mechanisms with electrical property monitoring. By measuring changes in capacitance or impedance of the PIM layer upon analyte absorption, the system achieves rapid response times without the inertia associated with mechanical systems, while the electrical measurements provide precise quantification of analyte presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional sensing materials are used for organic analyte detection, then the sensor can provide continuous monitoring, but the sensor exhibits high sensitivity to water which interferes with organic analyte detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselectivity to organic analytesVSAvoidinterference from water

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the hydrophobic nature of PIMs to create local chemical environments that are selective for organic analytes over water. The microporous polymer structure provides hydrophobic domains that preferentially absorb organic molecules while repelling water, enabling selective detection of organic analytes in humid or aqueous environments without interference from water vapor or liquid water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides high sensitivity to low levels of organic analytes, rapid response, and low sensitivity to water, enhancing the detection capabilities of organic chemical analytes in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

Such sensors rely on the change that occurs in the electrical properties of a material upon adsorption of an analyte onto, or absorption of an analyte into, the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a material that is capable of absorbing an organic chemical analyte, and that can exhibit a measurable change in an electrical property upon absorbing the organic analyte into the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the analyte-responsive dielectric material exhibits a change in dielectric constant upon absorption of the analyte, such that a change in capacitance of the sensing element can be observed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric constant change: Dielectric Permittivity

Implementation Method 4

sensors that monitor electrical properties such as capacitance, impedance, resistance, etc.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8835180B2Organic chemical sensor comprising microporous polymer, and method of use

Publication Date: 2014.09.16 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Applicant discloses a sensing element for sensing an organic chemical analyte, comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, and a microporous, hydrophobic, analyte-responsive dielectric material disposed at least in proximity to the first and second electrodes. The analyte-responsive dielectric material may be a polymer of intrinsic microporosity. An electrical property of the sensing element, such as capacitance, can be monitored in order to sense an organic chemical analyte.