Wireless ISFET Sensor for Real-Time Liquid Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack the ability to continuously monitor and measure chemical and physical properties of alcoholic beverages like wine, beer, and spirits during fermentation and storage without manual sampling, as they require laboratory analysis, which is inefficient and does not account for real-time changes in the beverage's composition.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor system utilizing an ion selective field effect transistor (ISFET) that measures pH, temperature, and liquid level, combined with chemical diffusion, allowing for wireless data transmission to an internet-based network, enabling real-time monitoring and alerting of changes in the liquid's chemistry and physical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sampling and laboratory analysis are used to monitor chemical properties of alcoholic beverages, then measurement precision can be achieved, but loss of time occurs due to the need to repeatedly draw samples and wait for lab results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual sampling process with an automated wireless sensor system that continuously monitors chemical properties (pH, temperature, liquid level) in real-time, eliminating the need for repeated manual sampling and laboratory analysis while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless sensor enables continuous monitoring of chemical properties throughout the fermentation and storage process, providing uninterrupted data collection that eliminates the discontinuous nature of manual sampling and lab analysis, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If manual sampling is performed to monitor changes in beverage composition, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to the time-consuming nature of repeated sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The automated wireless sensor system replaces the manual sampling process, enabling continuous real-time monitoring of chemical composition changes without the time consumption associated with repeated manual sampling and laboratory analysis, thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-monitoring of chemical properties without requiring human intervention for sampling and analysis, allowing the system to track composition changes autonomously and improve productivity by eliminating the bottleneck of manual laboratory processing
3Productivity
If wireless sensor technology is implemented to enable real-time monitoring, then productivity is improved through continuous data collection, but device complexity increases due to integration of multiple sensors and wireless communication components
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor integrates multiple functions (pH measurement, temperature monitoring, liquid level detection, and wireless data transmission) into a single multi-functional device, reducing the overall system complexity compared to having separate sensors and communication systems, while maintaining high productivity through real-time monitoring
4Measurement precision
If semiconductor-based ISFET sensors are used to measure pH and other ions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for specialized sensor integration and calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ISFET semiconductor sensor with signal processing electronics, wireless communication modules, and calibration mechanisms into an integrated sensor unit, simplifying the overall system by consolidating multiple components while maintaining the high measurement precision provided by the ISFET technology
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
Enables continuous, real-time monitoring of chemical and physical properties of target liquids, such as wine, spirits, and beer, without human intervention, allowing for timely adjustments and improving the efficiency of the winemaking process by providing accessible data on acetic acid and sulfur dioxide levels among other properties.
Implementation Method 1
One chip called an ISFET (ion selective field effect transistor), measures the free hydrogen ions in a liquid sample allowing for the measurement of the liquid's pH value
Implementation Method 2
Membranes can be used to separate molecules in a liquid into a liquid or gas form by only allowing certain molecules to pass through the membrane. The resulting molecules can then be measured separate from the original liquid.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to a wireless sensor that combines semiconductor technology with chemical diffusion in order to measure specific chemical and physical properties such as pH, acid level, SO2, temperature and liquid level of a target liquid in a container, and wirelessly delivers all the data to an internet-based computing network where the data can be accessed by an end user using a device connected to the internet, and a method to measure and analyze the chemical and physical properties of a target liquid using the wireless sensor, the method comprising immerging the wireless sensor into the target liquid in the container, measuring the chemical and physical properties of the target liquid, obtaining and analyzing data wirelessly through an internet-based computing network, wherein the target liquid can be an aqueous solution such as wine, spirits and beer.