Sensor Chip Adsorption Control via Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface plasmon resonance sensors are unable to perform continuous and reliable detection of sample molecules at varying densities, limiting their effectiveness in monitoring environmental pollutants in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A detection device with a sensor chip, suction section, light source, light intensity adjustment, and control section that alternates between adsorption and desorption modes to continuously detect and clean the sensor chip, ensuring reliable and repeated measurements by controlling flow velocity and light intensity based on signal feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor chip continuously detects sample molecules, then the detection reliability improves, but the sensor chip accumulates adsorbed molecules that interfere with subsequent measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device periodically alternates between detection mode and cleaning mode. During detection mode, sample molecules are detected at flow velocity V1 with light intensity L1. When a predetermined number of detections are completed or a time elapses, the system switches to cleaning mode where flow velocity is increased to V2 (V2>V1) and light intensity is increased to L2 (L2>L1) to desorb accumulated molecules. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection reliability while preventing measurement interference through regular cleaning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (flow velocity and light intensity) based on detection needs. In detection mode, parameters are set to V1 and L1 for sensitive molecule detection. In cleaning mode, parameters are increased to V2 and L2 to efficiently remove adsorbed molecules. This parameter switching enables the sensor to maintain both high detection reliability and measurement accuracy by adapting conditions to the current operational requirement.
2Productivity
If the flow velocity is increased to clean the sensor chip, then the cleaning efficiency improves, but the detection sensitivity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic switching between detection mode (flow velocity V1) and cleaning mode (flow velocity V2). During detection mode, the lower flow velocity V1 maintains optimal conditions for sensitive molecule detection. During cleaning mode, the higher flow velocity V2 (V2>V1) efficiently removes adsorbed molecules to restore sensor performance. This temporal separation ensures that high flow velocity for cleaning does not compromise detection sensitivity, as each mode operates under optimized parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow velocity is dynamically adjusted based on operational mode. The system transitions between static states (detection with V1, cleaning with V2) to maintain optimal performance for each function. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by ensuring that high flow velocity is applied only when cleaning is required, while detection sensitivity is preserved during measurement phases.
3Productivity
If the light intensity is increased to enhance desorption, then the cleaning effectiveness improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light intensity is periodically adjusted between detection mode (intensity L1) and cleaning mode (intensity L2). During detection mode, light intensity L1 provides sufficient energy for Raman scattering detection while minimizing energy consumption. When cleaning is required, light intensity is increased to L2 (L2>L1) to enhance desorption of adsorbed molecules through thermal effects. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by applying high energy only when cleaning effectiveness is required, rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes light intensity parameter from L1 to L2 based on operational requirements. This parameter switching enables the sensor to achieve high cleaning effectiveness when needed while maintaining low energy consumption during detection phases. The controlled adjustment of light intensity resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption by optimizing the parameter for the current operational mode.
4Device complexity
If the detection is performed only once, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to perform continuous monitoring is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device incorporates automatic mode switching capability that performs detection and cleaning operations autonomously. The control unit automatically transitions between detection mode and cleaning mode based on predetermined conditions (number of detections or time elapsed), without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism enables continuous monitoring capability while minimizing the complexity of manual operation, as the system manages its own operational cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic detection and cleaning cycles that enable continuous monitoring. By automatically alternating between detection mode and cleaning mode, the device maintains continuous operational capability without requiring complex manual control. This periodic automation resolves the contradiction by providing continuous monitoring functionality through programmed cycles rather than simple single-use operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A detection device includes a sensor chip, a suction section adapted to suck a fluid sample to the sensor chip, a light source adapted to irradiate the sensor chip, a light intensity adjustment section adapted to adjust intensity of the light, a light detection section adapted to detect the light reflecting the sample adsorbed to the sensor chip, and a control section adapted to perform drive control on the suction section. The control section sets the suction flow velocity to V1 in the first mode in which the light detection section performs the detection, and sets the suction flow velocity to V2 (V2>V1) in the second mode. The light intensity adjustment section sets the light intensity to L1 in the first mode, and sets the light intensity to L2 (L2>L1) in the second mode. The first and second modes are switched based on the signal from the light detection section.