Method of monitoring solidification of a liquid composition
AssigneeThe Board of Regents of the University of Washington
InventorMartin A. Afromowitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Reference materials of differing indices of refraction or acoustic impedances are incorporated into liquid compositions to monitor the solidification process of these liquid compositions. Light or acoustic waves are used to indirectly measure the difference between the index of refraction or acoustic impedance of the solidifying composition and the reference material. The method provides an accurate in situ indication of the completion of the solidification process as well as a monitor of the degree of solidifications during the solidification process.
Claims8
A method of monitoring a process wherein a liquid composition passes from a liquid phase to a solid phase comprising the steps:
- (a) passing an optical waveguide having an index of refraction n.sub.1 through the liquid composition having an index of refraction n.sub.2, such that n.sub.2 is less than n.sub.1, the liquid composition, in the solid phase, having an index of refraction n.sub.3, such that n.sub.3 substantially equals n.sub.1 ;
- (b) subjecting the liquid composition containing the optical waveguide to conditions that cause the liquid composition to solidify;
- (c) transmitting light through the optical waveguide;
- and
- (d) determining a transmission characteristic of the portion of the optical waveguide passing through the solidifying composition.
An apparatus for monitoring a process wherein a liquid composition passes from a liquid phase to a solid phase comprising:
- (a) an optical waveguide capable of being deposited within the liquid composition, the optical waveguide having an index of refraction N.sub.1, such that N.sub.1 is greater than the index of refraction N.sub.2 of the liquid composition, the liquid composition, in the solid phase, having an index of refraction N.sub.3 such that N.sub.3 substantially equals N.sub.1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.