Optical Computing Device Using Integrated Computational Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectroscopic techniques in field settings face challenges due to sample preparation delays, interference from background materials, and the complexity of transitioning laboratory instruments to field environments, which complicates accurate and precise quantitative measurements.
Innovation Solution
An optical computing device utilizing an electromagnetic radiation source and at least two integrated computational elements to interact with a sample, generating optically interacted light that is detected and computationally combined to determine sample characteristics, eliminating the need for extensive sample preparation and enabling rugged, real-time analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopic techniques are used in field settings, then quantitative measurements can be obtained, but sample preparation time delays the analysis and interfering background materials reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated computational elements (ICEs) are pre-configured with spectral information about target analytes and interfering materials. This preliminary encoding allows the device to perform computational spectroscopy directly in the field without requiring sample preparation steps like filtration, extraction, or purification that would otherwise be needed to eliminate interfering background materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/sample preparation systems with an optical computing system. Instead of physically preparing samples to remove interferents, the system uses ICEs to computationally process spectral data and distinguish target analytes from background materials, eliminating the need for time-consuming sample preparation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If laboratory spectroscopic instruments are transitioned to field environments, then analysis can be performed at the job site, but the complexity and cost of adapting to harsh environmental conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs integrated computational elements that are relatively simple, compact optical components compared to traditional laboratory spectroscopic instruments. These ICEs are designed to be rugged and suitable for field deployment, replacing complex laboratory-grade equipment with simpler, more adaptable field-appropriate devices that can operate in harsh environmental conditions without requiring extensive adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from traditional spectroscopic methods to computational spectroscopy using ICEs. This parameter change allows the system to be more tolerant of environmental variations in temperature, humidity, and vibration, reducing the complexity of adapting instruments to field conditions while maintaining field analysis capability.
3Measurement precision
If single integrated computational element designs are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but sensitivity and accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple integrated computational elements (ICEs) into a single device, each configured with different spectral information about target analytes or interfering materials. By merging the outputs of multiple ICEs through computational processing, the system achieves enhanced sensitivity and accuracy that exceeds what a single ICE could provide, while maintaining relative device simplicity through integrated design.
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 a cost-effective, accurate, and rapid method for determining sample characteristics in field settings, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy beyond single-element designs, while reducing the need for sample preparation and accommodating harsh environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic radiation source configured to optically interact with a sample and at least two integrated computational elements
Implementation Method 2
at least one detector arranged to receive the optically interacted light from the at least two integrated computational elements and thereby generate a first signal and a second signal
Data Source
AI summary
Optical computing devices are disclosed. One exemplary optical computing device includes an electromagnetic radiation source configured to optically interact with a sample and at least two integrated computational elements. The at least two integrated computational elements are configured to produce optically interacted light and further configured to be associated with a characteristic of the sample. The optical computing device further includes a first detector arranged to receive the optically interacted light from the at least two integrated computational elements and thereby generate a first signal corresponding to the characteristic of the sample.