Resonator-Based Ion-Selective Sensor for Trace Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current trace-level ion sensing technologies, such as spectroscopic detection and electrochemical sensing, are expensive, complex, and limited in sensitivity and selectivity, making them unsuitable for broad applications like environmental monitoring and agricultural production, particularly for detecting inert ions like nitrates.
Innovation Solution
The integration of ion-selective membranes with high-quality optical resonators, specifically silicon photonics-based microresonators, which utilize refractometry to detect refractive index changes caused by ion exchange, providing a sensitive and selective sensing platform for trace-level ion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopic or electrochemical sensing is used, then sensitivity and selectivity can be achieved, but the system becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrochemical or spectroscopic measurement systems with a simple optical resonance-based sensing system. The resonator's resonance frequency shift directly indicates ion concentration, eliminating the need for complex electrochemical cells, reference electrodes, or spectroscopic equipment while maintaining high sensitivity and selectivity through the ion-selective membrane.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensing equipment is used, then trace-level ion detection is possible, but the turn-around time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator-based sensor performs self-diagnosis through its resonance frequency, which automatically shifts in response to ion concentration changes. This eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures, reference measurements, or data processing algorithms required by conventional systems, enabling rapid real-time detection with minimal turn-around time.
3Ease of manufacture
If ISFET sensors are used for in situ sensing, then cost is reduced, but reliability decreases due to strict reference electrode requirements and frequent calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic reference electrode component from the sensing system. The resonator-based optical sensing mechanism does not require reference electrodes or complex electrochemical cell assemblies, thereby removing the source of reliability issues while maintaining low cost and enabling robust in situ deployment.
4Measurement precision
If conventional sensing technologies are used, then ion detection capability is achieved, but adaptability to broad applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator-based platform provides universal ion detection capability by simply changing the ion-selective membrane coating on the resonator. The same optical resonator structure can detect different ions (nitrate, phosphate, fluoride, etc.) by exchanging membranes, enabling broad application coverage from environmental monitoring to biomedical diagnostics with a single platform design.
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 approach enables continuous, in situ chemical sensing with high sensitivity and selectivity, reducing costs and turnaround time, and improving immunity to electronic noise, allowing for effective detection of ions at extremely low concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
a resonator, an input coupler and an output coupler... a light source configured to illuminate the resonator by way of the input coupler... a detector configured to receive output light by way of the output coupler
Implementation Method 2
utilize refractometry to detect refractive index changes caused by ion exchange
Implementation Method 3
The selectivity of the ISM controls the ion exchange process, which occurs for the target ion when the ISFET is placed in an aqueous solution containing the target ion
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods suitable to measure trace amounts of specific ions in fluid samples. An example system includes a resonator having an input coupler and an output coupler. The example system also includes an ion-selective membrane (ISM) optically coupled to at least a portion of the resonator. The system additionally includes a light source configured to illuminate the resonator by way of the input coupler. Furthermore, the system includes a detector configured to receive output light by way of the output coupler and provide information indicative a concentration of a specific ion proximate to tire ISM.