Photo-oxidizable Dissolved Oxygen Sensor with Disposable Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring dissolved oxygen in water bodies face challenges such as interference from contaminants, frequent maintenance needs, and impracticality for continuous or large-scale monitoring due to spatial and temporal variations, especially in remote areas, leading to inaccurate or incomplete data.
Innovation Solution
A dissolved oxygen sensor system utilizing a photo-oxidizable compound, such as anthracene derivatives, deposited on a solid support with interdigitated conducting electrode patterns, which changes luminescent properties upon photo-oxidation, allowing for real-time impedance response measurement and wireless data transmission, enabling accurate and continuous dissolved oxygen monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Clark type electrodes with permeable membranes are used to measure dissolved oxygen, then dissolved oxygen measurement is achieved, but frequent maintenance, calibration and refurbishing are required due to membrane deterioration and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable test strip containing photo-oxidizable compound that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for maintenance, calibration, and refurbishing of reusable sensors. The strip is designed for single-use operation only
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing function into a separate disposable test strip that can be easily replaced, separating the maintenance-prone sensing element from the reusable sensor device. This allows the main sensor body to remain serviceable while the consumable strip handles the deteriorating components
2Measurement precision
If wrinkle titration method is used to determine dissolved oxygen, then dissolved oxygen concentration is measured, but numerous interferences from nitrite ion, ferrous and ferric iron, suspended solids, and organic matter cause overestimation and underestimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of contaminants by using a photo-oxidation mechanism that specifically targets dissolved oxygen through singlet oxygen generation. The photo-oxidizable compound reacts selectively with dissolved oxygen after light activation, making the measurement resistant to interference from other substances that do not undergo the same photo-oxidation pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs photo-oxidation using singlet oxygen as a strong oxidizing agent. The photo-oxidizable compound, when activated by light, generates singlet oxygen that rapidly and selectively oxidizes dissolved oxygen, enabling accurate measurement even in the presence of other substances that would interfere with conventional chemical methods
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors with luminophore are used in ultra-high purity fluid measurement, then light transmission is measured, but field measurement and laboratory measurements become impractical when fluid purity is not ultra-high due to light transmission distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function into a disposable test strip that contains the photo-oxidizable compound on a solid support. This extraction allows the measurement to be performed directly in the sample without requiring the sample to be ultra-pure, as the reaction occurs on the strip surface rather than relying on light transmission through the bulk fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical transmission measurement system with a photo-oxidation chemical reaction system. Instead of measuring light transmission through the fluid (which is sensitive to purity), the system uses light to activate a chemical reaction that produces a measurable signal, making the measurement robust against fluid impurities
4Measurement precision
If Clark type electrodes require sufficient flow of aqueous medium for accurate measurement, then dissolved oxygen concentration is measured, but oxygen diffusion through membrane is affected by bacterial growth, contamination, and polymer accumulation leading to decreased diffusion rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable test strip that is discarded after single use, eliminating the problem of membrane fouling and diffusion rate degradation. The fresh strip ensures consistent diffusion characteristics for each measurement without accumulation of contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing function into a disposable strip with solid support, separating the sensing element from the fluid path. This design prevents bacterial growth and contamination buildup that would affect membrane diffusion in reusable electrodes, as the solid support does not provide a surface for biofilm formation
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 system provides accurate, continuous, and cost-effective dissolved oxygen monitoring, reducing maintenance needs and overcoming interference issues, with the ability to transmit data in real-time, effectively addressing the challenges of spatial and temporal variations.
Implementation Method 1
A dissolved oxygen sensor system utilizing a photo-oxidizable compound, such as anthracene derivatives, deposited on a solid support with interdigitated conducting electrode patterns, which changes luminescent properties upon photo-oxidation
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, a system, sensor, and a method for determining dissolved oxygen content in air and aqueous medium are disclosed herein. The dissolved oxygen content may be determined by irradiating the sensor comprising at least a photo-oxidizable compound by a light irradiation source, wherein the irradiation enables the photo-oxidizable compound to change its luminescent properties based upon photo-oxidation thereby enabling the quantification of the dissolved oxygen content in the medium. The dissolved oxygen content may be captured via the impedance response generated by interdigitated conducting electrode patterns included in the sensor. The dissolved oxygen content registered by the interdigitated conducting electrode patterns may be transmitted to a user device via a short range or long-range communication via an electronic circuit embedded within the sensor.