Nanocarbon Infrared Analysis Chip for Small-Volume Flowing Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared analysis technologies require large, complex, and expensive liquid encapsulation systems, making them unsuitable for simple, portable, or disposable applications, and they struggle with analyzing small fluid samples or fluids in motion.
Innovation Solution
A compact infrared analysis chip with a simple configuration using nanocarbon light sources and integrated spacers to form a flow path, allowing for precise fluid manipulation and various analyses, including disposable and reusable options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid airtight cells with large jigs and metal fixtures are used, then infrared analysis can be performed, but the device size becomes large and handling becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional large liquid airtight cell is segmented into a miniaturized cell body and separate mounting components. The cell body itself is small and simple, while the mounting structure is reduced to minimal elements, allowing the core analysis function to be separated from the complex handling apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The essential infrared analysis function is extracted from the complex metal jig and fixture system. By removing the bulky mounting structure and retaining only the minimal necessary components, the patent achieves simple handling while preserving the core measurement capability.
2Reliability
If conventional liquid airtight cells with large encapsulation volumes are used, then infrared analysis can be performed, but the liquid sample volume required becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid sample space is segmented into a miniaturized cell volume, allowing the same infrared analysis function to be performed with a much smaller liquid sample. The cell geometry is divided into compact dimensions while maintaining the optical path requirements for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell dimensions are changed from conventional large sizes to miniaturized sizes. By changing the physical parameters of the cell volume and path length, the patent enables adequate infrared analysis with significantly reduced liquid sample quantities.
3Reliability
If conventional macro light sources like halogen lamps are used, then infrared analysis can be performed, but the instrument size becomes large and small sample measurement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional macro light source system is segmented and replaced with a miniaturized light source integrated directly into the chip. This separation of the light source from the bulky external apparatus enables compact instrument size while maintaining infrared analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is transitioned from an external macro-scale component to an integrated micro-scale component within the chip structure. This dimensional change from external to internal integration dramatically reduces the overall instrument volume.
4Reliability
If conventional large infrared analysis instruments are used, then infrared analysis can be performed, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (light source, cell, flow path, measurement chamber) are merged into a single integrated chip structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components and their associated complex interconnections, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chip is designed with multi-functionality, serving as light source holder, cell body, flow path structure, and measurement chamber simultaneously. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions that traditionally required separate systems.
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, cost-effective, and versatile infrared analysis of small fluid samples with a simple setup, supporting disposable and reusable configurations, and facilitating analysis of fluids in motion.
Implementation Method 1
a nanocarbon light source provided on the substrate and configured to irradiate an object to be measured with infrared light by black body radiation
Implementation Method 2
the spacer has a structure in which an adhesive layer and a spacer member contained in the adhesive layer are integrated
Implementation Method 3
a nanocarbon heater provided in the flow path and configured to locally heat the liquid by applying a voltage to generate bubbles
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An infrared analysis chip includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a flow path provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and one or more nanocarbon light sources thermally insulated from the flow path and configured to irradiate the flow path with infrared light.