Method and apparatus for characterizing materials by using a mechanical resonator
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring a change in a property of a fluid composition, the method comprising:
- placing the mechanical resonator in the fluid composition such that at least a portion of the mechanical resonator is submerged in the fluid composition;
applying a variable frequency input signal to a measurement circuit coupled with the mechanical resonator to oscillate the mechanical resonator;
varying the frequency of the variable frequency input signal over a predetermined frequency range to obtain a frequency-dependent resonator response of the mechanical resonator;
determining the property of the fluid composition based on the mechanical resonator response;
repeating the applying, varying, and determining steps over time; and
monitoring over time a change in the mechanical resonator response reflecting the change in property of the fluid composition.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a fluid composition includes a mechanical resonator connected to a measurement circuit. The measurement circuit provides a variable frequency input signal to the mechanical resonator, causing the mechanical resonator to oscillate. To test the properties of a liquid composition, the mechanical resonator is placed inside a sample well containing a small amount of the fluid. The input signal is then sent to the mechanical resonator and swept over a selected frequency range. The mechanical resonator'"'"'s response over the frequency range depends on various characteristics of the fluid being tested, such as the temperature, viscosity, and other physical properties. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a change in a property of a fluid composition, the method comprising:
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placing the mechanical resonator in the fluid composition such that at least a portion of the mechanical resonator is submerged in the fluid composition;
applying a variable frequency input signal to a measurement circuit coupled with the mechanical resonator to oscillate the mechanical resonator;
varying the frequency of the variable frequency input signal over a predetermined frequency range to obtain a frequency-dependent resonator response of the mechanical resonator;
determining the property of the fluid composition based on the mechanical resonator response;
repeating the applying, varying, and determining steps over time; and
monitoring over time a change in the mechanical resonator response reflecting the change in property of the fluid composition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification