Nanoparticle Analyzer Multi-Spectral Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring nanoparticle properties in polydisperse samples are inaccurate due to simultaneous measurement of light scattered from nanoparticles of varying sizes, leading to unresolved sizes and potential errors in concentration and size distribution.
Innovation Solution
A multicolor SPIM fluorescence microscopy system that illuminates nanoparticles with light beams of different wavelengths and collects scattered light using a video camera with a Bayer pattern filter, allowing for separate detection and analysis of nanoparticles across a range of sizes by recording their Brownian motion and calculating particle size distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods measure light scattered from all nanoparticles simultaneously, then the measurement process is simple and fast, but the ability to resolve individual particle sizes is lost and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process by capturing individual nanoparticle images over time and analyzing their Brownian motion trajectories separately. Instead of measuring all particles simultaneously, the system divides the polydisperse sample into individual particle events, tracking each particle's motion independently to determine its size based on diffusion coefficient calculations from mean squared displacement analysis.
2Measurement precision
If ensemble measurements are used for large numbers of nanoparticles, then the measurement speed is high, but the concentration and size distribution data become inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing extended video sequences of nanoparticle Brownian motion before analysis. The system records multiple frames over time for each particle, allowing subsequent calculation of mean squared displacement and diffusion coefficients. This preliminary data collection ensures sufficient statistical information is gathered for accurate size and concentration determination while maintaining reasonable measurement throughput.
3Measurement precision
If high intensity light is used to detect small nanoparticles, then the sensitivity for small particles improves, but larger nanoparticles become overexposed and their signals are obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of illumination intensity based on particle size. The system modulates the light source intensity during the measurement process, allowing optimization for detecting small nanoparticles with low scattering signals while preventing saturation of large particle signals. This dynamic control enables the detection system to adapt to the wide dynamic range of scattering intensities across polydisperse samples.
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
Enhances the detection and analysis of nanoparticles by optimizing the detection of small, medium, and large particles, reducing underexposure and overexposure issues, and providing accurate size distribution data with improved sensitivity and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
illuminates nanoparticles with light beams of different wavelengths and collects scattered light using a video camera
Implementation Method 2
video camera with a Bayer pattern filter, allowing for separate detection and analysis of nanoparticles across a range of sizes
Implementation Method 3
recording their Brownian motion and calculating particle size distribution
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods for detecting and analyzing individual nanoparticles of the same, similar, or different sizes co-existing in a fluid sample using multi-spectral analysis. A plurality of light sources may be configured to produce a plurality of light beams at different spectral wavebands. An optical assembly may be configured to combine the plurality of light beams into one or more incident light sheets. Each incident light sheet may illuminate one or more nanoparticles in a liquid sample. One or more image detectors may be configured to detect, using a plurality of wavelengths, light scattered or emitted by one or more nanoparticles. The plurality of wavelengths may correspond to the different spectral wavebands of the plurality of light beams. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.