Triboelectric X-ray Source with Vacuum Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current triboelectric X-ray sources face challenges such as significant outgassing during peeling of off-the-shelf tape in vacuum conditions, which limits their effectiveness for portable applications and requires a high voltage supply, and lack a comprehensive understanding of charge transfer mechanisms between materials.
Innovation Solution
A triboelectric X-ray source design that includes an enclosing vessel with two triboelectric materials in contact, where the actuator assembly repeatedly brings the surfaces together and separates them, utilizing a polymer as the cathode and a metal-loaded epoxy as the anode to generate X-rays without a high voltage supply, with control over the atmospheric environment to minimize outgassing and optimize X-ray emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If off-the-shelf tape is peeled in vacuum to generate triboelectric X-rays, then X-ray emission is achieved, but significant outgassing occurs that limits effectiveness for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vacuum environment within the enclosing vessel to prevent outgassing interference with X-ray generation. By maintaining an inert vacuum atmosphere, the system eliminates the harmful outgassing effect that would otherwise occur when peeling tape in atmospheric conditions, thereby enabling effective portable X-ray generation without contamination or loss of vacuum integrity.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional electrostatic generators are used to generate high voltage for X-rays, then X-ray emission is achieved, but a high voltage power supply is required that reduces portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the triboelectric effect where mechanical friction between two different materials directly generates the high voltage needed for X-ray emission. This self-charging mechanism eliminates the need for external high voltage power supplies, transforming the system into a self-service device that converts mechanical energy directly into electrical energy for X-ray generation, thereby significantly improving portability while maintaining X-ray emission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrostatic generator mechanism with a triboelectric charging system. Instead of using complex mechanical generators to produce high voltage, the system uses friction-based triboelectric charging between two materials, substituting a simpler mechanical process for the traditional electrical generation method and eliminating the need for bulky power supply equipment.
3Quantity of substance
If PSA tape peeling geometry is used to generate charge, then charge density is achieved, but significant outgassing occurs that requires vacuum control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vacuum environment within the enclosing vessel to prevent outgassing interference with X-ray generation. By maintaining an inert vacuum atmosphere, the system eliminates the harmful outgassing effect that would otherwise occur when peeling tape in atmospheric conditions, thereby enabling effective portable X-ray generation without contamination or loss of vacuum integrity.
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 design provides an inexpensive, portable X-ray source capable of generating narrow energy band X-rays, reducing outgassing, and allowing for controlled X-ray spectrum production, suitable for applications like medical imaging and elemental analysis without the need for a high voltage power supply.
Implementation Method 1
The first contact surface is a surface of a first triboelectric material and the second contact surface is a surface of a second triboelectric material, the surface of the first triboelectric material having a negative triboelectric potential relative to the surface of the second triboelectric material
Implementation Method 2
The second contact includes a material that includes an atomic element in its composition that has an excited quantum energy state that can be excited by electrons traveling from the first contact surface to the second contact surface such that the atomic element emits x-rays
Implementation Method 3
the atomic element emits x-rays having an energy within the at least one narrow energy band upon transition from the excited state into a lower energy state
Data Source
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AI summary
An x-ray source for generating x-rays with at least one narrow energy band includes an enclosing vessel, a first contact arranged with a first contact surface in the enclosing vessel, a second contact arranged with a second contact surface in the enclosing vessel, and an actuator assembly operatively connected to at least one of the first and second contacts. The actuator assembly is structured to cause the first contact surface and the second contact surface to repeatedly come into contact, and separate after making contact, while in operation. The first contact surface is a surface of a first triboelectric material and the second contact surface is a surface of a second triboelectric material, the surface of the first triboelectric material having a negative triboelectric potential relative to the surface of the second triboelectric material. The second contact includes a material that includes an atomic element in its composition that has an excited quantum energy state that can be excited by electrons traveling from the first contact surface to the second contact surface such that the atomic element emits x-rays having an energy within the at least one narrow energy band upon transition from the excited state into a lower energy state. The enclosing vessel is structured to provide control of an atmospheric environment to which the first and second contact surfaces are exposed.