Polymer Structural Model Calculation with Faster RMC Orientation Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing polymer materials using Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD) face challenges due to fewer diffraction points and intense diffuse diffraction from non-crystals, making it difficult to analyze three-dimensional orientation distributions, and require long computation times for equilibrium in Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) methods.

Innovation Solution

A calculation apparatus and method that estimates the orientation direction from a two-dimensional diffraction image using an initial structural model with crystallites in the same direction, applying the RMC method to reduce computation time and improve accuracy in estimating three-dimensional orientation distributions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the RMC method is applied to simulate polymer structural models with many degrees of freedom, then the accuracy of three-dimensional orientation distribution estimation is improved, but the calculation time to reach equilibrium state becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of orientation distribution estimationVSAvoidcalculation time to reach equilibrium
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-calculation step where all crystallites are initially set in the same direction to generate a pre-calculation structural model. This preliminary model serves as an optimized starting point for the subsequent RMC simulation, allowing the system to reach equilibrium faster while maintaining accurate three-dimensional orientation distribution estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If conventional RMC simulation is used without pre-calculation, then comprehensive structural exploration is achieved, but the computation time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation efficiencyVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pre-calculation process that generates an initial structural model with all crystallites aligned in the same direction. This preliminary action creates an optimized starting configuration that reduces the computational search space, thereby significantly improving calculation efficiency and reducing computation time without sacrificing the comprehensiveness of structural exploration in the subsequent RMC simulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method allows for efficient calculation of polymer structural models with reduced computation time and high accuracy, enabling analysis of complex orientation distributions in polymer materials.

Implementation Method 1

WAXD (Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction) method is widely used as a method for measuring the orientation distribution of a polymer material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

the diffraction points are few in the diffraction image and diffuse diffraction from the non-crystal is intense

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP4597088A1Calculation apparatus, system, method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 RIGAKU CORP
  • EP4597088A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4597088A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4597088A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A calculation apparatus, a system, a method, and a program for simply estimating an orientation direction from a two-dimensional diffraction image and calculating a structural model of a polymer are provided. A calculation apparatus 400 for calculating a structural model of a polymer comprises a data acquiring section 410 for acquiring a two-dimensional diffraction image and crystal structure data, an initial structural model generating section 420 for generating an initial structural model including one crystallite, and a crystallite direction calculating section 430 for calculating a direction of the crystallite, wherein the direction of the crystallite is calculated based on a two-dimensional diffraction image calculated from the initial structural model and the measured two-dimensional diffraction image.