Porous Sample Holder for Thermo-Mechanical Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sample holders for thermo-mechanical analyzers lack repeatability and effective heat transfer, which are crucial for accurate analysis of materials, especially polymeric samples, due to limitations in sample preparation and heat management.
Innovation Solution
A sample holder design featuring a porous region for impregnation with meltable materials, combined with a non-porous region for support and heat transfer, and a folding mechanism for secure sample containment, ensuring consistent sample preparation and efficient heat exchange during analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional solid sample holder is used, then structural support is provided, but heat transfer to the sample is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member incorporates a porous region that allows impregnation with molten sample material. The porous structure provides extensive surface area contact between the sample and holding member, dramatically improving heat transfer rates while the controlled porosity ensures repeatable sample preparation across multiple tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is formed as a composite structure with both porous and non-porous regions. The porous region optimizes heat transfer and sample impregnation, while the non-porous region provides structural support and mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and structural integrity.
2Temperature
If a porous structure is used for heat transfer, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member features spatially varying properties with a porous region for heat transfer and a non-porous region for structural support. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function - the porous area maximizes heat exchange while the solid area maintains mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is formed as a composite structure with both porous and non-porous regions. The porous region optimizes heat transfer and sample impregnation, while the non-porous region provides structural support and mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and structural integrity.
3Reliability
If sample impregnation is used for repeatable preparation, then sample consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member incorporates a porous region that allows impregnation with molten sample material. The porous structure provides extensive surface area contact between the sample and holding member, dramatically improving heat transfer rates while the controlled porosity ensures repeatable sample preparation across multiple tests.
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 sample holder provides repeatable and secure sample preparation, enhances heat transfer rates, and ensures accurate measurement of material properties by maintaining sample integrity and stability during thermo-mechanical analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The porous region (14) is adapted for impregnation by a flowable material
Implementation Method 2
it is desirable to provide repeatability with respect to the preparation of samples for analysis and good heat transfer to and from a sample
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample holder for a thermo-mechanical analyser, the sample holder including at least one holding member including a porous region adapted for impregnation by a sample of material to be analysed, in use, in a thermo- mechanical analyser, the porous region being provided across a selected area of the or each holding member.