Oxidation state sensors and methods for transition metal alloys
US8980639B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/91
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is concerned with a method of discriminating between, in a surface of a transition metal alloy, transition metals in different oxidation states using surface sensor molecules adapted to associate selectively with one of the transition metals. In particular, the present invention provides a method of identifying degradation in aircraft components such as turbine blades, engine casings and aerofoils. In embodiments, a surface sensor molecule comprising an oxidation state discriminating group, such as an imidazole, and a fluorescein probe is applied in aqueous solution to the surface of a service-run Ni alloy aircraft component. The sensor molecule selectively associates with transition metals in oxidation states greater than zero such that fluorescence imaging can be used to identify areas of degradation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.