Wearable Chemical Sensor for Power-Free Environmental Hazard Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for detecting environmental hazards are cumbersome and power-dependent, making them unsuitable for personal use, as they require multiple devices and are not aesthetically appealing or easily integrated into daily life.

Innovation Solution

Development of wearable chemical sensors in the form of powders, creams, or patches that detect pollutants like carbon monoxide, ultraviolet radiation, and ozone through chemical reactions, providing visible color changes and tactile responses, eliminating the need for electronic devices and offering personalized protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic devices are used for environmental hazard detection, then detection capability is provided, but device complexity and portability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from complex electronic devices and implements it using simple chemical sensors that rely on chemical reactions between pollutants and sensor materials. This eliminates the need for electronic components, power sources, and complex processing systems while maintaining detection capability through visible color changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical sensors are designed to be self-powered through chemical reactions with environmental pollutants. The sensors automatically detect and indicate pollutant presence through color changes without requiring external power sources, electronic processing, or user intervention, making them self-sufficient and highly portable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If electronic devices are used for environmental hazard detection, then detection capability is provided, but ease of operation is worsened due to power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electronic and mechanical systems with chemical reactions. Instead of using electronic sensors, circuits, and displays that require power, the invention uses chemical sensors that produce visible color changes through chemical reactions with pollutants, eliminating power requirements and simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If chemical reactions are used for detection, then power independence is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower independenceVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in chemical parameters (color, concentration) to indicate pollutant presence. By monitoring visual color changes resulting from chemical reactions between sensors and pollutants, the system achieves detection without complex manufacturing, relying instead on the inherent sensitivity of chemical reactions to parameter changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color-changing chemical reactions as the detection mechanism. Different pollutants trigger specific color changes in the chemical sensors, providing clear visual indication of pollutant presence and concentration without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances or complex electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

These sensors provide an intuitive, aesthetically pleasing means of detecting environmental hazards, offering real-time exposure feedback without the need for power, enhancing user safety and comfort by integrating hazard detection directly into personal attire.

Implementation Method 1

The wearable chemical sensor detects exposure to various pollutants or environmental hazards and provides an analog output comprising a range of color changes to indicate the exposure level to the environmental hazard or pollutant. The range of color changes are provided through one or more chemical reactions or responses related to that exposure.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reactions: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is an isomerization reaction that includes a re-arrangement of atoms.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIsomerization reaction:

Implementation Method 3

In other embodiment, the chemical reaction is a conversion reaction that converts one or more chemicals or substances into one or more different chemicals or substances.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConversion reaction:

Data Source

PatentUS10725002B2Chemical sensors for detection and display of environmental hazards

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Described herein are systems and methods for coupling environmental hazard detection and actuation of a wearable chemical sensor at a molecular level. The chemical sensor may be a wearable chemical sensor implemented as a powder, cream, lacquer or other wearable construct. The wearable chemical sensor may detect exposure to various environmental hazards and provide an analog means (e.g., a range of color changes) of indicating the level of environmental hazard exposure.