Radiation Detector With MEMS Switch Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation detection systems fail to quickly and securely determine if a system has been exposed to a damaging level of ionizing radiation, particularly over extended periods, which can lead to structural damage or malfunction in electronic components and materials.
Innovation Solution
A radiation detector comprising a conversion device that develops a voltage upon exposure to radiation, triggering a MEMS switch to change states, and an interrogation circuit to determine the switch's state, allowing for passive operation without additional power until interrogation, enabling detection of threshold radiation levels and duration of exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing radiation detection systems are used, then radiation exposure can be detected, but the detection is not quick or secure enough to determine if damaging levels have been exceeded over extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The detector performs preliminary radiation detection and stores the result in a latched state before interrogation is needed. The conversion device accumulates radiation exposure information and triggers the MEMS switch to latch the detection result, so that when interrogation occurs, the detection is already complete and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a MEMS switch as an intermediary component between the conversion device and the interrogation circuit. This switch acts as a reliable storage element that holds the detection result in a latched state, ensuring secure and reliable information transfer from the radiation sensing element to the reading circuit.
2Speed
If continuous power is supplied to enable real-time radiation monitoring, then detection speed improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector operates in a periodic manner: the conversion device continuously accumulates radiation exposure information passively without power, then the system is periodically interrogated to read the latched detection result. This periodic operation achieves effective real-time monitoring capability while consuming power only during brief interrogation intervals rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion device performs self-service by continuously converting radiation exposure into electrical charge and maintaining this information in the electrical field of the MEMS switch without requiring external power. The detector serves itself by using the radiation energy to create and maintain the detection signal.
3Use of energy by moving object
If passive operation without power is implemented, then power consumption decreases, but the ability to detect and report radiation levels continuously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electronic systems that require power for continuous operation with a passive electrical field-based storage mechanism. The MEMS switch stores detection information in its latched mechanical state, which is maintained by the electrical field created during radiation conversion, eliminating the need for continuous power to maintain the detection state.
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
Enables reliable and long-term detection of radiation exposure without power consumption until interrogation, allowing for timely action to prevent system damage, and providing accurate characterization of radiation type and duration through multiple switches and conversion materials.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion device configured to develop a voltage when subject to incident radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation detector is disclosed. The detector comprises: a conversion device configured to develop a voltage when subject to incident radiation; and a switch operable configured to move between a first state and a second state when triggered by a threshold voltage. The conversion device is connected to the switch such that, when the threshold voltage is developed across the conversion device, the switch is triggered to move from the first state to the second state. The detector further comprises an interrogation circuit operable to determine whether the switch is in the first state or the second state, thereby to determine whether the detector has been subjected to a threshold level of radiation associated with the threshold voltage. A system comprising radiation sensitive apparatus and the radiation detector is also disclosed.