Introduction

The automatic machine for real-time detection of contaminants is able to determine the content of a liquid phase, although it is the only device that allows for the simultaneous analysis of a compound alongside a machining process on a bench with no efficiency reduction, slowdown or interruption of the production line. The presented invention solves this problem and can be operated remotely.

Technical features

To date, there is no technology allowing for the analysis of substance composition simultaneously with the regular operation of a production line. Such a circumstance may engender an efficiency decrease or the interruption of the line. The presented invention solves this problem, and can be operated remotely. The central chamber consists of two semi-cylindrical shells that can slide hermetically in a coaxial manner and retain the base containing the microstructures. Their mutual movement, operated by a computer through an electrically motorized actuator, allows for the controlled filling, draining, drying and the formation of a vacuum inside the machine. A laser is then focused through an optical window on the extremity of the aforementioned structures, which reflect it towards the photo detector for the acquisition of the resonance frequency. The software analyses the vibration amplitude by automatically fitting the resonance curve with a Lorentzian and calculates the frequency and the quality factor.

Possible Applications

• Quality control in:
  • agriculture and food;
  • water pipelines;
  • analysis of biomarkers in medicine;
  • identification of hazardous gases.

Advantages

• Real-time detection of contaminants;
• It does not reduce the efficiency of a manufacturing process;
• High sensitivity and reproducibility of the measurement process;
• No need for qualified professionals;
• Automatic: risk reduction of human errors.