Reactant Array Spectrum Measurement Through Transparent Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing and analysis devices for chemical substances face limitations in efficiency and effectiveness, particularly in detecting volatile organic compounds and hazardous gases, with a need for improved methods to enhance detection accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a substrate with reactants, a light source, and a light collector, utilizing a lens focusing system to capture and analyze light reflections from reactants, including features like transparent substrates, symmetrical cross-sections, and optical fibers, to enhance detection and analysis of chemical substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a light source illuminates reactants from the same side as light collection, then the device structure is simpler, but optical interference increases and light collection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional illumination geometry by illuminating the reactants from the opposite side of where light is collected. Specifically, light is applied through the substrate from below while the light collector positioned above captures the light that has interacted with the reactants, thereby separating the illumination and collection paths to minimize optical interference and maximize detection efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If light is applied through the substrate from the opposite side, then optical interference is minimized and detection accuracy improves, but the substrate must be transparent which limits material choices
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed with differentiated optical properties for different regions: the portion through which light passes is made transparent, while other portions of the device can use opaque or translucent materials for structural or functional purposes. This allows the system to optimize for detection accuracy in the light path while maintaining versatility in other components.
3Measurement precision
If a lens focusing system is added to focus light on reactants, then light collection efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A lens is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the light source and the reactants to focus the illumination. This mediator concentrates the light energy onto the reactant layer, enhancing the interaction between light and analyte, thereby improving detection sensitivity while keeping the overall system relatively simple through the use of a single optical component.
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 enables accurate and efficient detection of chemical substances, including volatile organic compounds and hazardous gases, by minimizing optical interference and maximizing light collection efficiency, facilitating early detection of pathogens and conditions related to health issues.
Implementation Method 1
a lens focusing system may be configured to focus light reflecting or scattering or reemitting off of the reactants
Implementation Method 2
a lens focusing system may be configured to focus light reflecting or scattering or reemitting off of the reactants
Implementation Method 3
a lens focusing system may be configured to focus light reflecting or scattering or reemitting off of the reactants
Implementation Method 4
the lens focusing system may be configured to focus light reflecting or scattering or reemitting off of the reactants
Implementation Method 5
the light collector may be configured to collect the focused light reflecting off of the reactants
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods include a system comprising a substrate having a transparent portion, one or more reactants on a first surface of the transparent portion of the substrate, a light source, and a light collector. The light source may be configured to illuminate the one or more reactants through the transparent portion of the substrate and the light collector may be configured to collect light from the one or more reactants. The light from the one or more reactants may be collected from the reactants without the light from the reactants traveling through the substrate and/or may be collected from the reactants after the light from the reactants has passed through the substrate.