Handheld Toxic Element Detection via UV-VIS Interferometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system to detect toxic elements such as heavy metals, Phthalates, and Bisphenol A in plastic products, as these chemicals can leach into food and beverages, posing health risks due to their non-biodegradable nature and potential environmental accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held portable toxic element detection system that uses a UV-VIS LED illuminator and a frinGOe interferometer to capture and analyze light spectra, transforming interferograms into absorption wavelength spectra for comparison against stored data to determine the presence and level of toxicity, with visual and audio feedback indicating safety or danger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory methods are used to detect toxic elements in plastic products, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring complex equipment and specialized facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical laboratory equipment with an optical system consisting of a UV-VIS LED illuminator, frinGOe interferometer, and camera. This substitution enables toxic element detection through optical spectrum analysis rather than requiring complex laboratory instruments, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a portable copy of laboratory-scale detection capability by integrating the interferometer and camera system into a handheld device. This copying approach allows the detection function to be replicated in a simplified, portable format that doesn't require full laboratory infrastructure
2Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory methods are used to detect toxic elements in plastic products, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring specialized facilities and trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces operationally complex laboratory procedures with a simplified optical scanning process. Users simply position the device against the plastic sample, and the integrated system automatically performs spectrum acquisition and analysis, eliminating the need for specialized operational training
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-analysis by automatically processing the optical spectrum data through Fourier transformation and comparing results against stored reference spectra for toxic elements. This self-service capability eliminates the need for trained personnel to interpret complex spectral data
3Productivity
If rapid detection is implemented using portable devices, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision worsens compared to traditional laboratory methods
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by pre-storing reference absorption spectra for multiple toxic elements (BPA, phthalates, heavy metals) in its database before actual detection. During operation, it quickly compares acquired spectra against these pre-prepared references, enabling rapid identification without sacrificing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the detection parameter from requiring complex multi-step laboratory procedures to a single optical spectrum measurement. By changing the detection parameter to optical absorption characteristics, the system achieves both speed (single measurement) and precision (characteristic spectral fingerprints)
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 system provides rapid and accurate detection of toxic chemicals in plastic samples, ensuring user safety by differentiating safe from unsafe samples based on absorption peak wavelength spectra, effectively addressing the health risks associated with toxic leaching from plastic products.
Implementation Method 1
An UV-VIS LED illuminator and a frinGOe interferometer are located on the bottom surface of the third portion of the housing. The UV-VIS LED illuminator emits UV light as incident light onto a sample.
Implementation Method 2
The frinGOe interferometer captures a portion of the incident light being reflected from the sample as reflected light and converts the reflected light to an interferogram spectrum.
Implementation Method 3
The microcontroller retrieves the interferogram spectrum from the camera and transforms the interferogram spectrum to an absorption wavelength spectrum using Fourier transformation.
Implementation Method 4
The absorption wavelength spectrum includes an absorption peak wavelength spectrum and an absorption strength peak wavelength spectrum. The microcontroller compares the absorption peak wavelength spectrum and the absorption strength peak wavelength spectrum with absorption peak wavelength spectrum and absorption strength peak wavelength spectrum data stored in the RAM database memory.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting for a presence of a toxic element in a sample includes emitting UV light from an UV-VIS LED illuminator onto a sample as incident light. Capturing a portion of the incident light being reflected from the sample using a frinGOe interferometer and converting the reflected light to an interferogram spectrum. Collecting the interferogram spectrum using a camera. Retrieving the interferogram spectrum from the camera and transforming it to absorption wavelength spectrum using Fourier transformation via a microcontroller. Comparing and normalizing the absorption strength peak wavelength using the microcontroller. Comparing the normalized absorption strength peak wavelength spectrum with stored allowable toxic chemical absorption strength peak wavelength thresholds. Sending a message indicating that the sample is safe or not safe to use to a LCD screen and a speaker based on the comparison between the normalized absorption strength peak wavelength spectrum and the stored allowable thresholds.