Triboelectric Charged Particle Acceleration Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanoluminescent x-ray generators have a fundamental limitation regarding the maximum energy of x-rays they can obtain, approximately 50 kV, and the x-ray flux is restricted by the polymer acting as the 'electron gun' in triboelectric charged particle acceleration devices.
Innovation Solution
A charged particle acceleration device is designed with a first and second triboelectric element, an actuator assembly, and a charged-particle source, where the triboelectric elements become charged and create an electric field, allowing for the acceleration of charged particles, and a separate electron emitting element is used to seed the field, replacing the polymer's role in electron current restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a polymer acts as the electron gun in traditional triboelectric devices, then the device structure is simple, but the electron current is limited and the maximum energy is restricted to approximately 50 kV
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the electron generation function from the triboelectric charging function. A dedicated electron gun (cathode) generates electrons, while separate triboelectric plates (anode and counter-electrode) generate the electrostatic field. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling higher energies without compromising structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vacuum environment as an intermediary medium between the electron gun and the triboelectric plates. This vacuum allows electrons to be accelerated to higher energies without being scattered or limited by gas molecules, thereby increasing the maximum energy output while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
2Productivity
If the polymer acts as the electron gun, then the device is compact, but the x-ray flux is restricted due to limited electron current
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the electron gun from the triboelectric charging mechanism, the system can independently optimize electron generation capacity. The dedicated cathode can be designed with higher current capability, directly increasing x-ray flux without requiring a proportional increase in overall device size, thus maintaining compactness while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a vacuum environment and separate electron generation, allowing for higher electron currents to be sustained. This parameter change enables increased x-ray flux output while the device maintains a compact form factor through efficient spatial arrangement of the segmented components.
3Power
If materials are kept in close contact for effective tribocharging, then charge transfer efficiency is high, but the electric field strength and particle acceleration energy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the triboelectric plates through frictional contact before separation. During the contact phase, charge transfer efficiency is maximized. After charging, the plates are separated to create a strong electric field in the gap. This preliminary action allows the system to achieve both high charge transfer efficiency and high electric field strength at different stages of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device operates in periodic cycles of contact (for charging) and separation (for field generation). During each contact phase, charge is efficiently transferred. During each separation phase, a strong electric field is established for particle acceleration. This periodic alternation between contact and separation states allows the system to achieve both high charge transfer efficiency and high electric field strength.
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 increases the accelerating field, allows for higher energies, and enables the realization of theoretical flux based on triboelectric charge density, overcoming the limitations of existing devices, and can be applied in areas like fusion reactions, medicine, and high-energy x-ray generation.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second triboelectric elements include triboelectric materials that become charged with respect to each other by a triboelectric interaction such that an electric field is established between the first and second triboelectric elements when they are separated from each other
Implementation Method 2
The charged-particle source is configured to provide the charged particles in the gap between the first and second triboelectric elements to be accelerated towards one of the first and second triboelectric elements by the electric field
Implementation Method 3
an actuator assembly operatively connected to at least one of the first and second triboelectric elements to bring the first and second triboelectric elements into contact with each other and to separate the first and second triboelectric elements from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A charged particle acceleration device according to some embodiments of the current invention includes a first triboelectric element, a second triboelectric element arranged proximate the first triboelectric element to be brought into contact with and separated from the first triboelectric element, an actuator assembly operatively connected to at least one of the first and second triboelectric elements to bring the first and second triboelectric elements into contact with each other and to separate the first and second triboelectric elements from each other, and a charged-particle source configured to provide charged particles in a gap between the first and second triboelectric elements.