Plasmonic Funnel Sensor for Nondestructive Fluid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-contact fluid sensing techniques are capital intensive and lack a system capable of measuring multiple physical properties of fluids in real-time, hindering their practicality in manufacturing, quality control, and healthcare applications.
Innovation Solution
A nondestructive fluid sensing and characterization system utilizing a Plasmonic Funnel Sensor with embedded nanoparticles in a glass funnel, combined with Raman Spectroscopy, conductivity, and optical transmission coefficient measurements, allows for wireless data transfer and minimal maintenance, enabling continuous, rapid measurement of fluid properties without physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If disposable strips or cartridges are used for fluid sensing, then the sensing process is simple to implement, but maintenance costs increase and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into separate functional modules: the reusable sensor unit with embedded optical structure and the disposable fluid container. This allows the expensive sensing components to be retained and reused while only the fluid container is discarded, reducing waste of valuable sensing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire sensing system disposable, only the fluid container is designed as a disposable component. The sensor unit with embedded nanoparticles and optical structure is reusable, eliminating waste of expensive sensing materials while maintaining ease of use.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are configured to interrogate the sample nondestructively, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor unit integrates multiple sensing capabilities by embedding different types of nanoparticles (gold, silver, copper, aluminum) that respond to different fluid properties. The same optical interrogation system measures multiple parameters (refractive index, concentration, presence of analytes) simultaneously, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensing functions are merged into one integrated sensor unit. The sensor combines various nanoparticle types, optical paths, and detection mechanisms into a single compact device that performs multiple measurements simultaneously, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Loss of substance
If a glass funnel with embedded nanoparticles is used, then waste is eliminated, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nanoparticle embedding process is extracted as a separate, specialized manufacturing step. Nanoparticles are deposited onto the glass funnel surface using established techniques (spray coating, dip coating, spin coating) and then permanently fixed through annealing. This modular approach allows standard glass manufacturing to be combined with nanoparticle integration, making the process more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Nanoparticles are embedded into the glass funnel during manufacturing before the sensor is put into service. The annealing process permanently fixes the nanoparticles in the glass matrix, creating a durable, maintenance-free sensing surface that eliminates waste while simplifying long-term operation.
4Productivity
If real-time fluid sensing is implemented, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical or chemical sensing methods are replaced with optical sensing using nanoparticles and light interrogation. This substitution enables real-time, non-contact measurement without complex mechanical moving parts or chemical reagents, achieving high productivity with simplified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system requires minimal human intervention for calibration or maintenance. The embedded nanoparticles provide stable, repeatable responses that self-calibrate over time, and the system automatically performs measurements continuously, achieving real-time productivity with reduced operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The Nondestructive Fluid Sensing System is a device that rapidly scans fluids to determine physical and chemical properties of the sample fluid. The Nondestructive Fluid Sensing System can detect the presence of a sample fluid with various optical and electrical sensors, and determines physical and chemical properties. The system features several innovations that increase sample throughput, reduces sample cross contamination, and eliminates waste products typically used in chemical tests. The system may be applied to various industries including manufacturing quality control, and healthcare.