THz Spectroscopy Sample Preparation for High-Water Authenticity Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis methods for organic substances with high water content, such as food and pharmaceuticals, face challenges in achieving precision, accuracy, speed, cost-effectiveness, and non-destructiveness due to THz wave absorption by water, and lack ergonomic solutions.
Innovation Solution
A THz-TDS system with sample preparation techniques like reducing sample thickness, using plastic layers, adding complex-forming substances, and removing water through heat or filtration, combined with chemometric analysis to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If THz waves are used for analysis of organic substances with high water content, then measurement speed and non-destructiveness are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to strong absorption by water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical state of water in the sample through freezing or drying processes. This changes the absorption characteristics of water in the THz range, reducing the harmful absorption effect and enabling precise measurements of organic substances with originally high water content while maintaining measurement speed and non-destructiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances (desiccants or freezing agents) that mediate between the THz waves and the water in the sample. These intermediaries facilitate the removal or transformation of water, reducing its interfering absorption effect on THz waves while preserving the integrity of the organic substance being analyzed
2Measurement precision
If sample preparation steps are added to reduce water content, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing sample preparation steps that can be performed by the user without requiring complex additional equipment. Simple operations like freezing samples in a standard freezer or adding common desiccants allow users to prepare samples independently, improving measurement accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic water component from the sample through simple preparation steps before analysis. By removing or transforming water separately, the core THz measurement system remains relatively simple while achieving high measurement accuracy on previously unsuitable high-water-content samples
3Reliability
If water is removed from samples through heat or filtration, then THz wave transmission is improved, but loss of substance and energy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions, specifically freezing water into ice, to reduce THz absorption. This phase change allows water to be transformed into a state with different absorption characteristics, improving THz wave transmission through the sample without requiring complete removal of the water substance, thereby minimizing loss of substance and energy
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
Provides a fast, economical, and non-destructive method for determining quality control and authenticity of organic substances with high water content, ensuring high sensitivity and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The THz-TDS system both generates and detects THz signals in a coherent and time-triggered method using a femto-second laser
Implementation Method 2
the analytes response to electromagnetic radiation (absorption, emission, scattering, refraction, diffraction, fluorescence, motion)
Implementation Method 3
THz wave vibrate the molecules of the substance it passes through at certain frequencies and it becomes difficult for THz waves to pass through these molecules. This creates a spectral fingerprint that helps identify the material
Implementation Method 4
When the measurements are examined under the fourier transform (FT), spectroscopic information about the sample is revealed
Implementation Method 5
THz waves passing through most materials such as plastic, cardboard, fabric, are absorbed in water and water vapor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a THz-TDS system (S), a sample preparation and chemometric-based analysis method that enables the determination of quality control, adulteration and authenticity of all organic substances and materials, especially samples with high water content.