QCM Sensor Crystal Growth via Coupling Agent and Ion Streams
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Core flood experiments for studying formulations and chemicals are expensive and time-consuming, and they do not provide information at the micro/nano level, necessitating an alternative method for analyzing these substances at this scale.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor where a crystal growth surface is treated with a coupling agent containing carboxylic acid functional groups, followed by application of a cation stream with metallic compounds and an anion stream to form crystals, creating a crystal layer with an average thickness greater than 5 nanometers, allowing for the study of crystal growth at the micro/nano level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If core flood experiments are used to study formulations and chemicals, then comprehensive chemical interaction data can be obtained, but the experiments are expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified model system using QCM sensors that copies the essential crystal growth phenomena from complex core flood experiments. By growing crystals directly on the sensor surface, it reproduces the micro/nano level interactions without requiring large-scale reservoir rock experiments, thus obtaining the needed information more quickly and efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the crystal growth phenomenon from the complex core flood experiment system and isolates it on a QCM sensor platform. This extraction allows study of the essential crystal formation mechanisms at micro/nano scale without the confounding variables and resource requirements of full core flood experiments
2Measurement precision
If core flood experiments are used to study formulations and chemicals, then bulk chemical interactions can be analyzed, but micro/nano level information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from bulk (macro-scale) chemical analysis in core flood experiments to surface (micro/nano-scale) crystal growth analysis on QCM sensors. This dimensional change enables direct observation and measurement of crystal formation at the micro/nano level, providing the desired measurement precision while improving research efficiency through the sensitivity and speed of QCM detection
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional crystal growth methods are used, then crystals can be formed, but controlled growth at specific thickness is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The QCM sensor provides real-time feedback on crystal layer formation by measuring changes in resonant frequency as crystals grow on the sensor surface. This feedback mechanism allows precise control of crystal layer thickness, enabling the formation of layers with specific thicknesses (e.g., greater than 5 nanometers) without requiring complex external control systems
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
This method enables the efficient and cost-effective analysis of crystal growth at the micro/nano level, providing detailed insights into formulations and chemical interactions, potentially replacing traditional core flood experiments.
Implementation Method 1
treating a crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor with a coupling agent comprising carboxylic acid functional groups to bond the carboxylic acid functional groups of the coupling agent to the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor
Implementation Method 2
applying a cation stream to the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor, wherein the cation stream comprises one or more metallic compounds comprising metal elements selected from Ca, Mg, K, Al, Na, Ti, Fe, Sn, or combinations thereof, where metallic cations of the cation stream attach to the carboxylic acid functional groups on the crystal growth surface
Implementation Method 3
applying an anion stream to the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor, wherein the anion stream comprises one or more salts, where salts of the anion stream combine with the attached cations to form crystals on the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor
Implementation Method 4
quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
According to one or more embodiments, a method of growing crystals on a QCM sensor may include treating a crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor with a coupling agent, applying a cation stream to the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor, and applying an anion stream to the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor. The crystals forming a crystal layer may have an average thickness greater than 5 nanometers. According to one or more embodiments, a QCM sensor may include a crystal layer on a crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor, where the crystal layer is formed by a process including treating the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor with a coupling agent, applying a cation stream to the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor, and applying an anion stream to the crystal growth surface of the QCM sensor.