US 12134678 B1Patent grantUnited States

Thermo-Optical Temperature Detection System

Official patent title

Thermo-optical analysis system and method of detection

Arabic title: نظام للتحليل الحراري البصري وطريقة للكشف

Invention

Problem

Many conjugated-polymer thermal indicators change gradually over broad temperature ranges and may require toxic, high-boiling solvents, limiting processing and sensor manufacture. A rapid, reversible optical method for measuring temperature is needed.

Why it matters

A material whose emission tracks temperature can enable optical thermal measurements in sensing and optoelectronic systems. Reversible response over repeated thermal cycles is important for reusable devices.

Approach

The system uses a sealed transparent container filled with a thermo-responsive composition of curcumin oil and a cyano derivative of poly(phenylenevinylene), including PDH-CN, with part of the polymer forming an exciplex with the oil. A heat-transfer plate couples the sensor to an object, and a photomultiplier tube converts emitted photons into an electrical signal.

Who may benefit

Potential beneficiaries include optical-sensor manufacturers, thermal-analysis laboratories, photonics and optoelectronics developers, and industrial teams that monitor temperature-dependent processes.

Potential value

The disclosure integrates a reversible color- and emission-changing polymer composition with a complete photon-detection path, covering the sensing material, heat coupling, photomultiplier optics, and temperature-measurement method.

Background

Stimuli-responsive polymers can change their physical or optical properties when exposed to temperature, light, pH, or other inputs. Conjugated polymers are attractive for visible optical sensing, but broad, gradual transitions can complicate precise temperature readout. Their processing may also depend on toxic, high-boiling solvents and elevated temperatures. The patent proposes combining a cyano-substituted poly(phenylenevinylene) with curcumin oil so that an exciplex produces temperature-dependent emission, then integrating that material with a heat-transfer plate and photomultiplier-tube detector.

Technology overview

The thermo-responsive composition contains curcumin oil and PDH-CN or another claimed cyano-substituted poly(phenylenevinylene). In a sealed glass or glass-ceramic container, it produces temperature-dependent emission between 450 and 800 nm over 0–100 °C, with claimed linear and reversible behavior during thermal cycling. The sensor serves as a photon source for a photomultiplier tube, while a heat-transfer plate brings the measured object into thermal communication with the composition.

Potential applications

Optical measurement of object temperatures from 0 to 100 °C.
Thermal-cycle monitoring in laboratory and industrial processes.
Photon-source modules for thermo-optical sensing systems.
Research platforms for thermofluorochromic polymers and optoelectronics.

Evidence-supported advantages

Provides reversible temperature-dependent optical behavior over the claimed 0–100 °C range.
Claims a linear relationship between temperature and emission during thermal cycling.
Uses curcumin oil as part of the thermo-responsive optical composition.
Integrates the sensing material, heat-transfer interface, and photomultiplier readout.

Development stage

A prototype sensor configuration and temperature-dependent optical spectra and thermal cycling are described; commercialization was not established.

Commercial opportunity

The system may support licensing or co-development with optical-sensor, thermal-instrumentation, and photonics companies. Product development would need calibration, lifetime, packaging, repeatability, and comparison with established temperature sensors in the intended environment. Sensor-specific interference testing would help define suitable use cases.

Patent classifications

WIPO IPC

C08G61/02Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
G01K11/20Measuring temperature or quantity of heat; thermally sensitive elements not otherwise provided for

CPC

C08G61/02Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
G01K11/20Measuring temperature or quantity of heat; thermally sensitive elements not otherwise provided for
C08G2261/1422Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/1424Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/1428Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/143Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/18Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/228Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/312Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/3327Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C08G2261/94Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds

Inventors

First inventorOsamah Abdulrahman Aldaghri
InventorKhalid Hassan Ibnouf Ahmed
InventorHajo Idriss Mohammed Idriss
InventorAhmed Alsadig Ahmed

Keywords

thermo-optical sensor
PDH-CN
curcumin oil
thermofluorochromism
exciplex
photomultiplier tube
temperature measurement
conjugated polymer

Patent document and drawings

The patent publication is mapped to this record. Patent drawings remain within that publication; no separately cleared public media package has been supplied.