Sensor Storage Solution Composition for Bubble Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas bubbles, particularly oxygen, can become entrapped in containers storing sensors, leading to contamination and deterioration of the sensing area, especially in small containers where the bubble can be stabilized near the container walls or mounting components.
Innovation Solution
A storage solution comprising at least 80% by volume of water, ethanol, or triethylene glycol, with specific concentration ranges, and optionally isopropanol, is used to submerge the sensing area, reducing the likelihood of gas bubble entrapment. The solution also involves treating the storage medium with an inert gas like argon to further enhance preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is stored in a container with a storage solution, then the sensing area is protected from contamination, but gas bubbles may become entrapped and shield the sensing area from the storage solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the storage solution by specifying precise concentration ranges of ethanol (70-93% v/v), water (7-30% v/v), and isopropanol (5-20% v/v). This optimized composition modifies the solution's surface tension and wetting properties, preventing gas bubble entrapment while maintaining sensing area protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite storage solution by combining multiple solvents (ethanol, water, and isopropanol) in specific ratios. This composite formulation leverages the complementary properties of each component: ethanol provides excellent sensor compatibility, water ensures hydrophilic surface maintenance, and isopropanol enhances bubble release characteristics, collectively solving both protection and bubble entrapment issues.
2Reliability
If the storage solution contains high concentration of ethanol (≥80% v/v), then the sensor preservation is improved, but gas bubble entrapment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ethanol concentration parameter by establishing an upper limit of 93% v/v and a preferred range of 70-90% v/v. This parameter optimization balances ethanol's beneficial preservation effects with its tendency to promote bubble entrapment at higher concentrations, achieving the optimal trade-off point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water and isopropanol as intermediary substances that mediate between ethanol's preservation benefits and bubble entrapment drawbacks. Water reduces the solution's surface tension and improves wetting, while isopropanol enhances bubble release, together enabling higher ethanol concentrations without excessive bubble formation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water is present in high concentration (≥80% v/v), then gas bubble entrapment is reduced, but sensor preservation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water concentration parameter by limiting it to 7-30% v/v, with a preference for 10-20% v/v. This optimized range provides sufficient water to reduce surface tension and prevent bubble entrapment while maintaining enough ethanol and isopropanol to ensure proper sensor preservation and surface quality.
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 method effectively prevents gas bubble interference, maintaining the quality of the sensing area over long periods by ensuring the sensing area remains submerged in a protective solution that minimizes contamination and degradation, thereby extending the shelf life of sensitive sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a storage solution having a composition that consists for at least 80% by volume of at least one compound chosen from water, ethanol, triethylene glycol and isopropanol
Implementation Method 2
said molecules being bound to the material wherein at least the sensing area of the layer is kept submerged
Implementation Method 3
In case of chemical binding, the molecules are generally attached to the sensing area via sulphur-comprising linkages
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of preserving a sensor in a container, said sensor comprising a sensing area of metallic or a semi-conducting material covered with molecules having a MW>100 Dalton, said molecules being bound to the material wherein at least the sensing area of the layer is kept submerged in a storage solution, said storage solution having a composition that consists for at least 80% by volume of at least one compound chosen from water, ethanol, triethylene glycol and isopropanol, with the provisios thatif the concentration of ethanol is at least 80 vol. % of the storage solution ethanol is present in a concentration of no more than 93% by volume of the storage solution;if water is present, it is present in a concentration of less than 80% by volume of the storage solution. The invention also relates to a container containing a sensor and a storage solution.