US 12,117,390 B2 · Method and apparatus for monitoring production of a material in a liquid dispersion in real time

Abstract

A method for monitoring the production of a material such as graphene in a liquid dispersion in real time, comprises supplying the liquid dispersion to a fluid gap defined between a first layer and an opposed second layer, wherein the first layer is light-transmissive and wherein the second layer has a diffusely reflective surface facing the first layer. The diffusely reflective surface is illuminated with light from a light source and light reflected from the diffusely reflective surface is detected at an associated photodetector. A light path from the light source to the photodetector comprises the light passing through the transmissive layer towards the diffusely reflective surface through the fluid gap, reflecting off the diffusely reflective surface and passing back through the fluid gap towards and onwards through the transmissive layer.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method of monitoring production of a material in a liquid dispersion in real time, the method comprising:

supplying the liquid dispersion to a fluid gap defined between opposing first and second layers, wherein the first layer is light-transmissive and the second layer has a diffusely reflective surface facing the first layer;
moving at least one of the first and second layers;
illuminating the diffusely reflective surface with light from a light source and detecting light reflected from the diffusely reflective surface with a photodetector, wherein a light path from the light source to the photodetector includes the light passing through the transmissive layer towards the diffusely reflective surface through the fluid gap, reflecting off the diffusely reflective surface and passing back through the fluid gap and through the transmissive layer;
and
determining, from the detected reflected light, a concentration of the material in the liquid dispersion.

2 more elements

An apparatus for monitoring production of a material in a liquid dispersion in real time, the apparatus comprising:

a fluid gap defined between opposing first and second layers, wherein the first layer is light-transmissive and the second layer has a diffusely reflective surface facing the first layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second layers are adapted to move;
a light source;
and
a photodetector;
wherein the fluid gap is in fluid communication with the liquid dispersion;
wherein a light path from the light source to the photodetector includes the light passing through the transmissive layer towards the diffusely reflective surface through the fluid gap, reflecting off the diffusely reflective surface and passing back through the fluid gap and through the transmissive layer;
and
wherein the photodetector is adapted to determine, from the light reflected off the diffusely reflective surface, a concentration of the material in the liquid dispersion.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for monitoring production of a material in a liquid dispersion in real time

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for monitoring production of a material in a liquid dispersion in real time

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27