Image: Demonstration of the working principle of the smart blender. see more 

Credit: Credit: WMG, University of Warwick

One problem that many chemists face today is that they need to check the properties of the solutions and monitor how they change when they are stirred in the laboratory.

Researchers from the School of Engineering, the Institute of Mathematics, and the University of Warwick WMG published their paper in the ACS Sensors magazine "In-situ chemical monitoring using a smart stirrer-a magnetic stir bar with integrated process monitoring system" showing their innovative stirrer sensor.

This small device called "smart stirrer" performs the functions of a traditional laboratory stirrer, has an integrated microprocessor and various sensors, and can wirelessly and autonomously report the conversion of solution characteristics. The advanced sensor stirring rod is a capsule-shaped magnet encapsulated in plastic.

Place the beaker filled with the solution on the platform to generate a rotating magnetic field. When the magnetic stirrer is put into the solution, it will continuously rotate and stir the liquid.

Then the smart mixer monitors:

-Color-Transparency-Conductivity-Viscosity-Temperature

The result is sent to the computer via Bluetooth, and any changes will be notified to the user wirelessly. Although the idea of ​​using a magnetic stir bar with an integrated sensor may not be new, this new economical, multi-sensor and easy-to-program stirrer sensor device is the first of its kind.

This concept is valuable for research and design laboratories, as well as for the pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing industries, because it allows simultaneous wireless monitoring of multiple parameters of chemical reactions

Dr. Dmitry Isakov of WMG, the university who led the research, commented:

"We are still continuing to study the stirrer, the next version of the stirrer sensor, which is smaller in size and more complex. We are collaborating with several chemists from the University of Warwick. This will help us understand their needs and provide assistance To improve equipment.

"The beauty of the smart stirrer is that it can be used anywhere, such as in a sealed container, thereby minimizing contamination of the reactor. It may also promote new discoveries. It is easy to integrate the stirrer into the laboratory appliance series And let it "talk" with other laboratory equipment."

Samuel Baldwin from the Institute of Mathematics at the University of Warwick, who studied smart blenders during his WMG summer internship, commented:

"I found that every stage of development of the smart blender is very satisfying, from circuit design to manufacturing to final programming. We use the most advanced technology to build a device with extremely low power consumption and a wide range of applications. A range of sensor functions , And high data throughput through the Bluetooth low energy platform.

"The laboratory of the future is an automated, repeatable, and safe laboratory; our integrated smart stirrer device eliminates the need for a large number of individual wired sensors, while maintaining the control and availability that people expect from any advanced equipment. Customized laboratory equipment. I look forward to seeing smart blenders solve laboratory problems and help us understand complex reactions."

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/smartstirrer.jpg

Description: Demonstrate the working principle of the smart blender.

Image source: WMG, University of Warwick

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/smartstirrercatoon.jpg

Description: Demonstration of the working principle of the smart blender-cartoon version

Image source: WMG, University of Warwick

The paper can be viewed at the following website: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acssensors.0c00720

Alice Scott Media Relations Manager-Warwick University of Science and Technology Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221 Email: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

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Alice Scott alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk Office: 0247-657-4255

Copyright © 2021 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Copyright © 2021 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)