Surface Plasmonic Sensing with Composite Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensing technologies for detecting chemical mixtures, particularly for smell and taste, are limited by the need for multiple sensing regions, leading to increased device size, weight, and measurement times, and are not suitable for real-time monitoring or portability.
Innovation Solution
A surface plasmonic sensing device with a composite array of localized surface plasmon resonance island structures, featuring different surface functionalizations for selective interaction with analytes, allowing for reduced number of sensing regions while maintaining differentiation capabilities through orthogonal chemical-functionalization of gold and aluminum nanostructures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensing regions are used to differentiate chemical mixtures, then measurement precision is improved, but device size and measurement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing regions into a single integrated sensor by using a substrate with multiple arrays of resonant structures, where each array has distinct resonant frequencies. This allows simultaneous differentiation of multiple analytes in one device without requiring separate sensing regions, thus improving measurement precision while reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency as an additional dimension for sensing differentiation. Instead of using multiple spatial sensing regions, each resonant structure is tuned to a specific resonant frequency, allowing the system to differentiate analytes based on frequency shifts rather than spatial separation, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensing regions are used to differentiate chemical mixtures, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single sensor array where all resonant structures are excited simultaneously. This allows parallel detection of multiple analytes in a single measurement cycle, improving measurement precision without increasing measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant structures continuously monitor analyte presence through persistent oscillations. Once excited, the structures maintain their resonant state, allowing continuous detection without requiring sequential measurement cycles, thereby reducing total measurement time while maintaining high precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensing regions are used to differentiate chemical mixtures, then measurement precision is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from spatial multiplication (multiple physical sensing regions) to frequency multiplication (multiple resonant frequencies in a single array). This dimensional shift allows the sensor to achieve high differentiation accuracy without proportionally increasing device weight, as all sensing functions are integrated into one compact structure.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensing regions are used to differentiate chemical mixtures, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing function into multiple independent resonant structures that can be manufactured separately and then integrated onto a single substrate. Each structure can be tuned to a specific frequency, allowing modular manufacturing processes that simplify production while maintaining high measurement precision through the combined array.
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 reduces sensor size and data-acquisition times while maintaining high accuracy in identifying chemical mixtures, as demonstrated by successfully differentiating between various whiskies with >99.7% accuracy using linear discriminant analysis, and can be applied in portable devices for chemical mixture identification.
Implementation Method 1
the optical response of Au nanostructures is dictated by their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), a phenomena particularly sensitive to changes in local refractive index
Implementation Method 2
a first array of localised surface plasmon resonance island structures on the substrate; a second array of localised surface plasmon resonance island structures on the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A surface plasmonic sensing device (10) comprises a substrate (12) and a first array (20) and a second array (22) of localised surface plasmon resonance island structures (20, 22) on the substrate (12). The surface plasmon resonance island structures (20, 22) of the first (20) and second (22) array respectively have first and second surface functionalisation for selective interaction with respective analytes. The first surface functionalisation is different to the second surface functionalisation. The first (20) and second (22) arrays are interspersed with each other to provide a composite array in a main sensing region (14) of the device (10). Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a surface plasmonic sensing device (10) and a method of analysing a fluid comprising a mixture of two or more analytes. The surface plasmonic sensing device (10) may further comprise a reference region (16) and an auxiliary sensing region (18).