Wireless Chemical Sensor With Open-Circuit Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless chemical sensors require electrical connections between components, which are prone to breakage and limit their application, especially when exposed to flexing or harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A wireless chemical sensor design featuring an unconnected electrical conductor with stored electric and magnetic fields, where a conductive material changes conductivity in response to chemicals, generating harmonic field responses without physical contact, using an insulator to separate the conductor from the material and allowing only the material to be exposed to the chemical environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical connections are used between sensor components, then the sensor can function properly, but the connections are prone to breakage and limit application flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the electrical connection component from the sensor system. The conductor pattern is designed as an open circuit that does not require physical connections to external electronics, eliminating the connection breakage problem entirely while maintaining sensor functionality through wireless readout of the harmonic response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based readout system. The sensor's conductor pattern generates a harmonic electromagnetic response that can be detected wirelessly, substituting physical wire connections with field-based signal transmission.
2Reliability
If electrical components are exposed to the chemical environment, then the sensor can detect chemicals directly, but the electrical components are damaged by harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor into distinct functional zones: the conductor pattern is enclosed and protected from the chemical environment, while only the dielectric material and sensor target are exposed to chemicals. This spatial segmentation allows the electrical components to remain protected while still enabling chemical detection through the dielectric's response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dielectric material as an intermediary between the protected conductor pattern and the chemical environment. The dielectric is exposed to chemicals and modifies the harmonic response accordingly, while the conductor remains enclosed and protected, using the dielectric as a mediator to transmit chemical information without direct exposure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used in the sensor, then the sensor functionality is enhanced, but the number of failure points and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the conductor pattern itself. The conductor pattern simultaneously serves as the electrical component, the sensor target, and the structural element, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing failure points while maintaining enhanced functionality through its geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor pattern is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates the harmonic electromagnetic response, serves as the sensor target that interacts with the dielectric, provides structural support, and defines the sensor's geometric configuration. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining versatility.
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 eliminates the need for physical connections, enhances durability, and allows for cost-effective production of sensors that can function after damaging events, enabling reliable detection of chemicals without exposing electrical components to the monitored environment.
Implementation Method 1
In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the electrical conductor so-shaped resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses
Implementation Method 2
the electrical conductor so-shaped resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses, each of which has a frequency, amplitude and bandwidth associated therewith
Implementation Method 3
The material changes in electrical conductivity in the presence of a chemical-of-interest. The change in conductivity results in a change to the conductor's generated harmonic electric and magnetic field responses
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless chemical sensor includes an electrical conductor and a material separated therefrom by an electric insulator. The electrical conductor is an unconnected open-circuit shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the first electrical conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses. The material is positioned at a location lying within at least one of the electric and magnetic field responses so-generated. The material changes in electrical conductivity in the presence of a chemical-of-interest.