Polymeric Film Sensor for Selective Contaminant Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting trace and microtrace levels of chemical contaminants in aqueous solutions, such as ion chromatography, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and capillary electrophoresis, face limitations including extensive sample preparation, poor selectivity, interference effects, baseline drift, and contamination during handling, making them impractical for many applications.

Innovation Solution

A contaminant detection system comprising a sensor with a polymeric film and a transducer, connected to a controller, which allows selective passage of desired contaminants while hindering non-desired species, enabling accurate concentration determination through complex impedance analysis and multivariate statistical tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ion chromatography is used for contaminant detection, then detection capability is improved, but analysis time increases to approximately ten minutes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant detection capabilityVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the detection function from the complex ion chromatography system by using a specialized sensor with selective membranes that directly detect contaminants in situ, eliminating the need for lengthy chromatographic separation processes while maintaining detection precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical chromatographic separation system with an electrochemical sensor system that uses selective membranes and electrochemical reactions to achieve contaminant detection, significantly reducing analysis time while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional detection methods are used, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex conventional systems and implements it through a simplified sensor platform with selective membranes and electrochemical transducers, reducing device complexity while preserving detection precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses thin selective membranes as flexible barriers that provide contaminant selectivity without requiring complex structural support, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If selective detection is implemented using polymeric films, then selectivity is improved, but interference from non-desired species may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveselectivityVSAvoidinterference effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different polymeric membrane materials with specific selectivity characteristics to different sensing elements, allowing each sensor to be optimized for detecting specific contaminant types while minimizing interference from other species

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite polymeric membrane structures that combine multiple materials with complementary selectivity properties, enhancing the ability to distinguish target contaminants from interfering species while maintaining high selectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 rapid, accurate, and selective detection of contaminants, reducing interference and baseline drift, and minimizing sample volume requirements, thus improving the efficiency and practicality of contaminant monitoring in industrial applications like nuclear reactors.

Implementation Method 1

The film is a polymeric material capable of hindering the transport of a non-desired species therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

enabling accurate concentration determination through complex impedance analysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS9589686B2Apparatus for detecting contaminants in a liquid and a system for use thereof

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 GE HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for detecting and quantifying contaminants in aqueous solutions. In one embodiment, an apparatus for the detection of contaminants within a liquid comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor comprises a film and a transducer configured such that, during use, a first surface of the transducer is in fluid communication with a liquid, and the film is disposed between the first surface and the liquid. The film can be a polymeric material capable of hindering the transport of a non-desired species therethrough. The controller is in operational communication to the transducer, and is configured to determine the concentration of contaminants within the liquid.