Silicate Aerogel Layer Enhances Light Yield in Optochemical Sensor Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optochemical sensors suffer from low light yield on the analyte-sensitive pigment layer due to light scattering, resulting in reduced usable radiation and lower fluorescence output.
Innovation Solution
The sensor spot incorporates a silicate aerogel layer acting as a semi-transparent mirror, which enhances light orientation and reflection between the aerogel and reflector layers, thereby increasing the light yield on the analyte-sensitive pigment layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a traditional sensor membrane structure with TiO2 reflector layer is used, then the sensor can detect analyte concentration, but the light yield on the analyte-sensitive pigment layer is low due to light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the aerogel layer, using silicate aerogel with specific optical properties (refractive index between 1.0 and 1.3) to control light scattering and improve light yield on the pigment layer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining silicate aerogel layer with TiO2 reflector layer and analyte-sensitive pigment layer, where each material contributes specific properties to achieve improved light management
2Reliability
If more luminescent dye is used to compensate for low light yield, then the sensor performance improves, but the cost increases due to expensive luminescent dye
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the optical parameters of the aerogel layer (refractive index, thickness), the patent improves light delivery efficiency, allowing reduced dye concentration while maintaining sensor performance
3Illumination intensity
If the light source power is increased to compensate for light scattering losses, then the fluorescence signal improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful light scattering effect into a beneficial mechanism by using the aerogel layer's specific optical properties to redirect and concentrate light onto the pigment layer, improving efficiency
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 configuration improves the proportion of usable light reaching the analyte-sensitive pigment layer, enhancing the sensor's performance by increasing the yield of incident and fluorescent light, while also allowing for reduced use of expensive luminescent dye and lower power operation.
Implementation Method 1
a silicate aerogel layer acting as a semi-transparent mirror, which enhances light orientation and reflection between the aerogel and reflector layers
Implementation Method 2
The sensor spot contains at least one luminescent dye, which is arranged in an analyte-sensitive pigment layer, wherein the luminescent dye reflects the luminescent radiation back to a detector unit
Implementation Method 3
an analyte-sensitive pigment layer arranged on the side, facing away from the medium, of the reflector layer, wherein the sensor membrane contains at least one luminescent dye
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor spot of an optochemical sensor for determining the concentration of an analyte in a medium, consisting essentially of a layered membrane consisting of: an analyte-permeable cover layer arranged to contact the medium during operation; a reflector layer that contains TiO2; an analyte-sensitive pigment layer, wherein the sensor membrane contains at least one luminescent dye, wherein the luminescence of the analyte-sensitive layer depends upon the concentration of the analyte; an aerogel layer, wherein the aerogel layer consists of a silicate aerogel; a glass substrate, wherein the glass substrate preferably consists of quartz glass. The present disclosure further relates a sensor cap containing the sensor spot and a sensor containing the sensor cap.