JP2006018224A - Method for experiment using scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus, and scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus which evaluates a scientific phenomenon by feeding a liquid to minute channels, is inexpensive, is small in environmental load, and enables a user to enjoy advanced technology, and to avoid experimental failure due to air bubble clogging inside minute channels. <P>SOLUTION: A preparatory step of removing air from the inside of the minute channels 14A, 16A and 20A in advance is performed by causing an inactive dummy liquid 35 which does not react with an experimental liquid 34 for performing an experiment to flow vigorously into and fill the minute channels 14A, 16A and 20A before the commencement of an experiment with the experimental liquid 34. When the air inside the minute channels is not completely removed by the preparatory step of one time and the air bubbles of the dummy liquid are seen, the preparatory step is repeated until the air bubbles do not exist any more in the dummy liquid. Next, the experimental liquid 34 is supplied to the reservoirs 24 and 26 on the inlet side and the dummy liquid 35 filling the minute channels 14A and 16A and 20A is caused to flow toward the reservoir 28 on the outlet side by a liquid feed means, by which the experiment is started. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an experiment method of a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus and a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus, and in particular, an evaluation apparatus for a scientific phenomenon that is inexpensive, has a low environmental load, and is suitable for easily enjoying advanced technology, and the apparatus fails. The present invention relates to an experimental method for performing experiments.

  For example, scientific experiment teaching materials, which are examples of scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatuses, have been proposed in various configurations (see Patent Document 1).

  For example, Patent Document 1 is a science teaching material that allows natural phenomena due to temperature changes of water to be observed by cooling or freezing water vapor in water, water in a container, or water vapor, and is small and simple in structure. It is said that it is possible to faithfully reproduce various natural phenomena due to temperature changes in water.

  In addition, as a chemical experiment equipment for education, experimental kits such as “Science and Learning Experiment Kit Series” and “Adult Science Global Environment Analysis Kit” have been released by Gakken. Such an experimental kit is sold at a relatively low price of about several hundred yen to 3,000 yen. It is an experimental kit that gives children dreams and gives users enjoyment of experiments. Expo.

  However, as a conventional scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus of this type, the one described in Patent Document 1 has a relatively complicated configuration and is difficult to provide at a low cost. Unsuitable.

  On the other hand, many experimental kits with a relatively simple structure are relatively inexpensive and suitable for all students in the class to purchase and use, but many are insufficient in terms of accuracy. For this reason, the amount of chemicals used is large, and if all students in the class use it, it is not desirable because it causes an environmental load in terms of waste liquid treatment, for example.

  Moreover, the experimental contents that can be experienced with the conventional experimental kit are classical scientific experimental methods, and those that can easily enjoy advanced technology are very limited.

In view of such circumstances, as a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus that is inexpensive, has a low environmental load, and is suitable for easily enjoying advanced technology, the present inventors have a long groove with a small cross-sectional area on the surface of a plate-like body. And a cover plate that is placed in close contact with the surface of the substrate and covers the long groove to form a fine channel on the substrate, so that scientific phenomena in the channel can be visually recognized. I think that the configuration is promising.
JP 2000-242162 A

  However, in the case of an apparatus that evaluates a scientific phenomenon by sending a liquid to such a fine flow path, bubbles may be clogged in the middle of the fine flow path when the liquid is sent. If there is clogging of bubbles, the liquid to be fed is disturbed and it is difficult to obtain a steady state, so that there is a problem that scientific phenomena cannot be evaluated correctly. Furthermore, the failure of the experiment due to the clogging of bubbles in the fine channel leads to the waste of the time required for the experiment and the experimental liquid used in the experiment. In particular, when an experimental liquid having a large surface tension is allowed to flow through the fine channel, bubbles are likely to be clogged in the fine channel, and the clogged bubbles are very difficult to remove.

  As described above, the device that evaluates the scientific phenomenon by sending the liquid to the fine channel is often considered to be clogged with bubbles when used, and this problem can be solved by a simple method. It is desired. In particular, when conducting scientific experiments for younger students such as elementary school students, it is very difficult to send liquids without generating bubbles in the microchannel, and no one will cause clogging of bubbles. It is extremely important for the spread of this kind of scientific phenomenon evaluation device to be able to conduct science experiments.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is an apparatus that evaluates a scientific phenomenon by sending a liquid to a fine channel, is inexpensive, has a low environmental load, and easily enjoys advanced technology. Another object of the present invention is to provide an experimental method of a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus and a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus that can eliminate the failure of an experiment due to bubble clogging in a fine channel.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a scientific phenomenon in which two or more liquid reservoirs constituting the inlet side and the outlet side are communicated with each other through a fine channel having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less. In the experiment method of the evaluation apparatus, at least one pre-preparation step of previously removing air in the fine flow path by filling the fine flow path with an inert dummy liquid that does not react with the experimental liquid to be tested And supplying the experimental liquid to the liquid reservoir part on the inlet side, and flowing the dummy liquid filled in the fine flow path to the liquid reservoir part on the outlet side by the liquid feeding means. There is provided an experimental method of a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus characterized by comprising an experimental step of feeding into a flow path.

  According to claim 1, in order to perform a reliable experiment without failure, before starting the experiment with the experimental liquid, an inert dummy liquid that does not react with the experimental liquid, such as water, is supplied to the fine channel. A preparatory step for removing air in the fine flow path is performed by flowing vigorously and filling the fine flow path with the dummy liquid. If bubbles are observed in the dummy liquid without the air in the fine flow path being exhausted in one pre-preparation step, the process is repeated until there are no more bubbles in the dummy liquid. Next, the experimental liquid is supplied to the liquid reservoir part on the inlet side, and the dummy liquid filled in the fine flow path is caused to flow to the liquid reservoir part on the outlet side by the liquid feeding means, thereby allowing the experimental liquid to flow into the fine flow path. And start the experiment. As a result, the experimental liquid supplied to the liquid reservoir on the inlet side is fed into the fine flow path continuously with the flow of the dummy liquid previously filled in the fine flow path to the outlet side. Air does not enter the liquid, and failure of the experiment due to bubble clogging can be prevented. As the dummy liquid, water can often be used as described above, so that the cost increase due to the experimental method of the present invention can be ignored.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a scientific phenomenon in which two or more liquid reservoirs constituting the inlet side and the outlet side are communicated with each other through a fine channel having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less. In the experiment method of the evaluation apparatus, at least one pre-preparation step of previously removing the air in the fine flow path by filling the fine flow path with the experimental liquid to be tested, and the liquid reservoir on the inlet side An experimental step of supplying the experimental liquid to the fine flow path by further supplying the experimental liquid to the fine flow path and causing the experimental liquid filled in the fine flow path to flow to the liquid reservoir on the outlet side by the transfer means; An experimental method of a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus comprising:

  Claim 2 uses the experimental liquid itself as a dummy liquid for removing the air in the fine flow path, which is a waste of the experimental liquid as compared with the case where a dummy liquid such as water is used. Since the process is usually performed only once, it is possible to save the experimental solution rather than failing the experiment many times due to the clogging of bubbles in the fine channel.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the liquid in the outlet side of the liquid reservoir is sucked with a tapered suction material between the pre-preparation step and the experimental step. A sucking step for lowering the liquid level is provided.

  By performing the pre-preparation step, the dummy liquid also accumulates in the inlet side liquid reservoir that supplies the experimental liquid. Therefore, in order to supply the experimental liquid to the inlet side liquid reservoir, the liquid in the inlet side liquid reservoir is used. It is necessary to lower the surface. In this case, it is necessary to lower the liquid level of the liquid reservoir on the inlet side while the dummy liquid is filled in the fine flow path.

  According to the third aspect, since the liquid in the fine channel flows to the outlet side by the suction force sucked by the sucking material from the liquid reservoir part on the outlet side, the liquid level of the liquid reservoir part on the inlet side is lowered. . In this sucking, the liquid can be sucked in a very small amount by sucking the liquid with a tapered sucking material, and therefore the liquid in the fine channel is not sucked. Therefore, air does not enter the fine flow path. In this case, even if air is mixed into the liquid when the absorbent material is immersed in the liquid, it is a liquid reservoir on the outlet side, and when the experiment liquid is sent to the fine flow path and the experiment is started, the bubbles are on the outlet side. As it is discharged, there is no problem. As the blotting material, it is possible to suitably use a paper scoop having a thin tip with a tissue or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a long groove having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less is formed on the surface of the plate-like body, and the long groove is disposed in close contact with the surface of the substrate. A cover plate that forms a fine flow path on the substrate by covering, and one end of the plurality of flow paths merges at one merge point, and the other end of the plurality of flow paths has a volume of 5 respectively. It communicates with a liquid reservoir of ˜5000 mm ³ , the scientific phenomenon in the flow path can be visually recognized, and the plurality of flow paths are inert and do not react with the experimental liquid for the experiment. Provided is a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus in which a dummy liquid is filled in a state where no bubbles exist.

According to claim 4, in this evaluation device, a plurality of fine flow paths having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less are formed, and one ends of these flow paths are merged at one merge point, The plurality of flow paths are filled with an inert dummy liquid that does not react with the experimental liquid in which the experiment is performed in a state where no bubbles are present. Therefore, when the experimental liquid is caused to flow through the fine flow path in order to perform an experiment with the experimental liquid, the dummy liquid prefilled in the fine flow path is expelled with the experimental liquid. Thereby, it is possible to qualitatively observe a scientific phenomenon such as a molecular diffusion phenomenon so as not to fail the experiment due to bubble clogging in the fine channel. In particular, when a science experiment is performed for a young student such as an elementary school student, it is very difficult to send liquid without generating bubbles in a fine channel. However, if a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus in which bubbles do not exist in the fine channel in advance is used as in the present invention, even elementary school students can perform experiments without failure.

  Also, advanced technology, for example, liquid diffusion phenomenon, liquid heat transfer phenomenon, liquid mixing phenomenon, liquid chemical reaction (for example, acid-alkali reaction, hydrolysis reaction, etc.), etc. occurring in this fine channel, etc. With sufficient accuracy to experience the various phenomena, the amount of chemicals used is small and the environmental impact is small. Therefore, such a scientific phenomenon evaluation device is suitable as a science experiment teaching material. In addition, as a liquid feeding method for flowing the experimental liquid through the fine channel, a liquid feeding method by pressurization or decompression using a pump or the like can be used.

As the cross-sectional area of the fine flow path, preferably 1 mm ² or less, more preferably 0.0025~0.64mm ^2, 0.01~0.25mm ² being most preferred.

  Moreover, although it is a "liquid storage part", it is usually a hollow shape, and chemicals etc. are supplied here when operating this evaluation apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a long groove having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less is formed on the surface of the plate-like body, and the long groove is disposed in close contact with the surface of the substrate. A cover plate that forms a fine flow path on the substrate by covering the first flow path and the one end of the second flow path, which are the two flow paths having substantially the same length. together meet at a point, the other end of the first flow path is in communication with first reservoir volume 5 to 5000 mm ^3, the other end of the second flow path volume 5 to 5000 mm ³ One end of a third flow path, which is one of the flow paths, communicates with the confluence, and the other end of the third flow path has a volume of 5 to 5000 mm ³ . The third fluid reservoir communicates with a scientific phenomenon in the flow path, and the plurality of flow paths can be visually recognized. Provides a scientific phenomena evaluation device, characterized in that it is filled in a state where an inactive dummy liquid which does not react with the experimental liquid conducting the experiment is not present air bubbles.

According to the present invention, this evaluation apparatus is formed with three fine flow paths having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less, and one ends of these flow paths are joined at one merge point. The plurality of flow paths are filled with an inert dummy liquid that does not react with the experimental liquid in which the experiment is performed in a state where no bubbles are present. Thereby, it is possible to qualitatively observe a scientific phenomenon such as a molecular diffusion phenomenon so as not to fail the experiment due to bubble clogging in the fine channel. In addition, sufficient accuracy to experience advanced technology is obtained, and the amount of chemicals used is small and the environmental burden is small. Therefore, such a scientific phenomenon evaluation device is suitable as a science experiment teaching material.

  Scientific phenomena are various chemical phenomena and physical phenomena of liquids that occur in the above-mentioned fine flow paths. Liquid diffusion phenomena, liquid heat transfer phenomena, liquid mixing phenomena, liquid chemical reactions (for example, , Acid-alkali reaction, hydrolysis reaction, etc.).

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the fourth or fifth aspect, the plurality of liquid reservoir portions are detachably sealed with stoppers, and are sold in a state where the flow path is filled with the dummy liquid. .

  Thus, if the mouth of the plurality of liquid reservoirs of the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus is detachably sealed with a stopper and sold in a state where the flow path is filled with the dummy liquid, the experimenter who purchases and experiments There is no need to vent the flow path prior to the experiment. Thereby, even if the experimenter is a young person such as an elementary school student, the experiment does not fail due to the clogging of bubbles in the flow path.

  A seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the stopper is fixed to the cover plate with a tape.

  In this way, if the stopper that seals the mouth of the liquid reservoir is covered with the tape and fixed to the plate, it is possible to prevent the dummy liquid from leaking due to the stopper being removed during the sale.

  An eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the stopper and the mouth of the liquid reservoir are fixed by a screw structure.

  Thus, if the stopper for sealing the mouth of the liquid reservoir and the mouth of the liquid reservoir are fixed by a screw structure, it is possible to prevent the dummy liquid from leaking due to the stopper being removed during the sale.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the method according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the dummy liquid is any one of pure water, ethanol, and a mixed liquid of pure water and ethanol that have been degassed in advance. .

  The required properties of the dummy solution are the absence of bubbles, the fact that it does not react with the test solution, that it does not rot before being sold and used, and the requirement that it is highly replaceable with the test solution. Any of pure water, ethanol, and a mixed solution of pure water and ethanol that have been degassed in advance satisfies these requirements. It is better to use sterilized pure water or ethanol.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is inexpensive, has a small environmental load, and can easily enjoy advanced technologies, and can eliminate the failure of experiments due to clogging of bubbles in the fine flow path.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus experimental method and a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of a science experiment teaching material 10 which is an apparatus for performing an experiment method of a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus according to the present invention. 2 and 3 are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the first liquid reservoir 24 (inside the upper left dotted line in FIG. 1), and FIG. 3 shows the third liquid reservoir 28 ( (In the lower right dotted line in FIG. 1).

That is, the science experiment teaching material 10 is disposed in close contact with the substrate 12 having a long groove (14, 16 and 20) having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less on the surface of the plate-like body, and the long groove is formed on the surface of the substrate 12. A transparent cover plate 22 that forms fine channels (14A, 16A, and 20A) in the substrate 12 by covering the substrate 12 is formed.

  The fine flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A) formed by the long grooves (14, 16, and 20) are substantially the same length of the first flow path 14A and the second flow path 16A that merge at the merge point 18. And a first flow path 14A and a second flow path 16A, and a third flow path 20A that merges at a merge point 18.

  The other end of the first flow path 14A communicates with the first liquid reservoir 24, which is a cylindrical cavity formed in the cover plate 22, and the other end of the second flow path 16A is covered. The other end of the third flow path 20A is connected to the cylindrical cavity portion 28A formed in the substrate 12 and the cover plate, and communicates with the second liquid reservoir portion 26 which is a cylindrical cavity portion formed in the plate 22. 22 communicates with a third liquid reservoir 28 formed of a cylindrical cavity 28B formed at the same location.

The volume of the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second reservoir 26 is preferably 5 to 5000 mm ^3, the volume of the third liquid reservoir 28 is preferably 10～10000Mm ^3. By using such a volume, each phenomenon occurring in the micro channel can be easily controlled.

  The planar sizes of the substrate 12 and the cover plate 22 are not particularly limited, but may be a portable size, for example, 80 × 50 mm due to the nature of the science experiment teaching material 10 used in school. The thicknesses of the substrate 12 and the cover plate 22 are not particularly limited, but can be set to about 5 mm, for example, in view of strength, economy, and the like.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the board | substrate 12, From the point which makes the manufacturing method mentioned later easy, more specifically, it is a resin material, More specifically, poly dimethyl sulfoxide (PDMS), poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA). ), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ultraviolet curable resin, polycarbonate (PC) and the like can be preferably used.

The cross-sectional area of the elongated groove is formed on the surface of the substrate 12 (14, 16 and 20), as described above, preferably 1 mm ² or less, more preferably 0.0025~0.64mm ^2, 0.01~0 .25 mm ² is most preferred. The cross-sectional shape of the long grooves (14, 16 and 20) is not particularly limited, and various shapes such as a rectangle (square, rectangle), a trapezoid, a V shape, and a semicircle can be adopted.

  The material of the cover plate 22 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the cover plate 22 be transparent so that scientific phenomena in the fine channel can be visually recognized. As such materials, various resin plates, more specifically, various resins such as polydimethyl sulfoxide (PDMS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ultraviolet curable resin, polycarbonate (PC), etc. Various types of glass (soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, etc.) such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and triacetyl cellulose (TAC) can be used.

  The cover plate 22 is generally a flat plate with a flat front surface and back surface, but the surface corresponding to the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A) is formed into a bowl-like convex lens shape and enlarged. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that allows observation in a state.

  A configuration in which the cover plate 22 is opaque and the substrate 12 is transparent can also be employed.

  The front surface of the substrate 12 (the surface on which the long groove is formed) and the back surface of the cover plate 22 (the surface that is in close contact with the substrate 12) are formed from the viewpoints of forming fine flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A) and preventing liquid leakage. It is preferable that sufficient flatness can be ensured.

  Next, a method for forming the substrate 12 will be described. First, an inversion mold plate is prepared in which the inversion shape of the long grooves (14, 16 and 20) of the substrate 12 is formed on the surface. On the surface of the reversal mold plate, it is necessary to form a reversal shape of the cylindrical hollow portion 28A. As a manufacturing method of the reversal mold plate, various known processing methods such as machining by a machining center or the like, electrical discharge machining, ultrasonic machining, photoetching machining, etc. can be adopted.

  Next, a release agent is applied to the surface of the reversal template. As this release agent, an appropriate one can be adopted according to the type of the resin material to be the substrate 12, processing conditions (temperature, etc.), and the like.

  Next, a resin material is applied to the surface of the inversion mold plate, and the resin material is cured. When the resin material is, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin, the resin material after application is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and cured. When the resin material is a thermoplastic resin such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for example, the resin material is applied to the surface of the reversal mold plate, and thermal transfer molding is performed by a hot press machine.

  And the resin material after hardening is peeled from an inversion type | mold board.

  According to such a method, the long groove can be formed accurately and inexpensively, and the evaluation apparatus can be inexpensively formed.

  Next, the experiment method of the science experiment teaching material 10 according to the present invention will be described.

  First, as the science experiment teaching material 10, it is necessary to provide the following members 1) to 12) as a set.

1) Inverted mold plate 2) Resin material for substrate 12 3) Form frame for forming substrate 12 (Used as a mold frame when pouring resin when forming substrate 12)
4) Cover plate 22
5) Dropper for experimental liquid (Used to supply necessary experimental liquid (reagent) to the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 26 according to the test purpose. You can wash one and use it again.)
6) Test liquid inlet / outlet sealing tape (covers the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 26 which are holes for supplying the experimental liquid. Pipette the experimental liquid into the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid. (To supply the reservoir 26 and then cover it.)
7) Needle (When supplying the experimental liquid, in order to put air corresponding to the fluctuation of the liquid into the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 26 when the liquid is sent and received, a hole is formed in the tape as necessary. It is for opening.)
8) Casing (When this experimental set is assembled, this casing is attached for the purpose of preventing liquid leakage between the cover plate 22 and the substrate 12 and preventing damage to the cover plate 22 and the like. The casing can be attached with various functions according to the purpose of the experiment, for example, a magnifying glass for facilitating observation of the fine flow paths (14A, 16A and 20A).
9) Liquid feeding means (When the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 26 are covered with tape and heat is applied to the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 24 (the fingertip is And the liquid and / or gas in the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 26 are volume-expanded.

A method in which the inside of the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 26 is pressurized by a method using the principle of a pump and the liquid inside is sent out is possible. )
10) Test liquid (reagent) for testing
(A necessary chemical suitable for the purpose as a test reagent for conducting this scientific experiment is supplied in a reagent container. Examples of the experimental liquid include coloring liquids such as dyes or dyes and pigments. And transparent liquids such as water.)
11) Experiment explanation (Attachment of explanations of events that can be learned with this set, such as the purpose of the experiment conducted in this set, explanation of phenomena, and application uses, if necessary.)
12) Experimental method procedure manual This set is for making the students hand-made the board 12, but when the board 12 is not hand-made, the board is a completed board instead of 1) to 3). 12 should be inserted.

  The experiment method of the present invention using the above-described science experiment teaching material 10 includes three steps including a pre-preparation step, a sucking step, and an experiment step.

  In the pre-preparation step, as shown in FIG. 4, an inert dummy liquid 35 that does not react with the experimental liquid 34 (see FIG. 6) in which the experiment is performed is flowed and filled in the fine flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A). The operation of previously removing the air in the fine channel (14A, 16A and 20A) is performed at least once. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, a dummy liquid 35 that is inert and compatible with the experimental liquid 34 (for example, dye) used in the experiment in the third liquid reservoir 28 on the outlet side having a large diameter. (For example, water) is supplied, and the dummy liquid 35 is vigorously pressed by the finger 38 from above the third liquid reservoir 28 to vigorously push the dummy liquid 35 as shown in FIG. 4B. Flow toward the reservoirs 24 and 26 (see arrows), and fill the microchannels (14A, 16A, and 20A) with the dummy liquid 35 (FIGS. 4A and 4C). As a result, air in the fine flow path (14A, 16A, and 20A) is removed. However, if air bubbles are seen in the filled dummy liquid 35, air is not completely removed. Repeat the preparatory process until there is no more. Thereby, air can be completely extracted from the fine channel (14A, 16A, and 20A) before starting the experiment. Further, before the experimental liquid 34 is fed to the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A), if the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A) is filled with the dummy liquid 35, the fine flow path (14A, Since the wettability of the wall surfaces 16A and 20A) is improved, bubbles that are unintentionally mixed during the experiment are less likely to be clogged.

  Next, a blotting process is performed. In this sucking process, the dummy liquid 35 is also accumulated in the first and second liquid reservoirs 24 and 26 on the inlet side for supplying the experimental liquid 34 by performing the preparatory process. This is because the liquid levels of the first and second liquid reservoirs 24 and 26 need to be lowered. In this case, the first and second liquid reservoirs 24, so that the dummy liquid 35 is filled in the fine flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A), that is, air is not mixed into the fine flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A). It is necessary to lower the liquid level of 26. From this, in the sucking process, as shown in FIG. 5C, the narrow end portion 37A of the paper roll 37 is immersed in the third liquid reservoir 28 on the outlet side so as not to be attached to the flow path 20A. Then, the dummy liquid 35 is sucked out by a paper cutter, so that the dummy liquid 35 is sucked out in a very small amount. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the suction force of the paper cutter 37 flows (see the arrow) to the outlet side while the dummy liquid 35 in the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A) is filled. The liquid level of the first and second liquid reservoirs 24 and 26 on the side can be lowered as shown in FIG. In this case, even if air is mixed into the dummy liquid 35 during the sucking operation, the experiment is started by feeding the experimental liquid 34 into the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A) at the outlet side liquid reservoir 28. In this case, there is no problem because the bubbles are discharged from the third liquid reservoir 28 on the outlet side. Accordingly, if the dummy liquid 35 can be sucked from the first and second liquid reservoirs 24 and 26 on the inlet side using the paper cutter 37, the air may not be mixed. In the case where the experimental liquid 34 can be injected using a syringe (not shown) in which the injection port fits perfectly in the first and second liquid reservoirs 24 and 26 on the inlet side, a suction process is not particularly provided. Also good.

  Next, an experimental process is performed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a predetermined amount of the experimental liquid 34 is supplied to the first liquid reservoir 24 (or the second liquid reservoir 26) by the experimental liquid dropper 32. In this case, the dummy liquid 35 is filled in the fine flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the first liquid reservoir 24 (or the second liquid reservoir 26) is covered with the test liquid inlet / outlet sealing tape 36. The tape 36 is coated on one side (the lower side in the figure) with an adhesive, and thereby the first liquid reservoir 24 (or the second liquid reservoir 26) is blocked from outside air.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6D, the fingertip 38 is brought into contact with the tape 36. Thereby, a liquid feeding means is formed in the first liquid reservoir 24 (or the second liquid reservoir 26). As described above, in the liquid feeding means, the gas in the first liquid reservoir 24 (or the second liquid reservoir 26) is volume-expanded by the heat of the fingertip 38, and the experimental liquid 34 is passed through the flow path 14A (or 16A). ) Is a pressurizing type liquid feeding means. Also, the test liquid 34 is fed into the flow path 14A (or 16A) by pushing the tape 36 with the fingertip 38 and bending it downward to reduce the volume of the first liquid reservoir 24 (or the second liquid reservoir 26). It may be a pressurization type liquid feeding means. Furthermore, the experimental liquid 34 supplied to the first and second liquid reservoirs 24 and 26 on the inlet side is sucked into the flow path 14A (or 16A) by the suction force generated by reducing the space in the third liquid reservoir 28. A decompression type liquid feeding means may be used.

  When the liquid feeding means is a pressurization type, the experimental liquid 34 is obtained by applying the dummy liquid 35 previously filled in the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A) from the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A). It pushes out to the exit side and is sent into the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A). In addition, when the liquid feeding means is a decompression type, the experimental liquid 34 is attracted by the flow of the dummy liquid 35 filled in the fine flow paths (14A, 16A and 20A) to the outlet side in advance, and the dummy liquid The liquid is guided into the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A) continuously. Therefore, air does not enter the experimental liquid 34 during the experiment. As a result, when the experiment liquid 34 is fed into the fine flow path (14A, 16A and 20A) and the experiment is started, air is mixed into the test liquid to form bubbles, or the fine flow paths (14A, 16A and It is possible to prevent bubbles from remaining on the wall surface of 20A).

  Accordingly, the flow of the experimental liquid 34 to be fed is not disturbed by the clogging of the bubbles, and a steady state can be obtained. Therefore, the scientific phenomenon can be correctly evaluated without failing the experiment.

  Further, as described above, the science experiment teaching material 10 is a set for hand-made by a student, but can also be sold as a finished product. In this way, the science experiment teaching material 10 sold as a finished product is preliminarily provided with an inert dummy liquid 35 that does not react with the experimental liquid 34 in which the experiment is performed in a fine flow path (14A, 16A, and 20A) in the absence of bubbles. It should be filled. In this case, if the three liquid reservoirs 24, 26 and 28 are also covered with a tape or the like in a state where the dummy liquid 35 is filled, air will not be mixed in until the experiment is performed. Then, when performing the experiment, the tape may be peeled off and the above-described blotting process may be started. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus of the present invention that can surely eliminate the failure of the experiment due to bubble clogging even for younger students such as elementary school students.

  In order to make it easier to observe scientific phenomena, a magnifying glass or a magnifying glass can be used. Further, as described above, the cover plate 22 in the portion of the flow path 20A can have a magnifying glass function (lens function).

  The above is a case where the two liquid reservoirs 24 and 26 are provided on the inlet side and the one liquid reservoir 28 is provided on the outlet side as the science experiment teaching material 10. In some cases, the experimental method of the present invention is particularly effective.

  FIG. 7 is an example of the science experiment teaching material 10 having multiple flow paths, and the flow paths 50, 52, 54, extending from the five liquid reservoirs 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 formed on the inlet side. In the merging portion 18, 56 and 58 merge into one flow path 20 </ b> A and reach the third liquid reservoir 28. When the science experiment teaching material 10 having such multi-channels is sent by the pressure reduction of the liquid reservoir 28 on the outlet side, bubbles are easily formed in front of the junction 18. This is because when the test liquid 34 is opened in one of the many channels 50 to 58 when the pressure is reduced, the opened channel has a low resistance, and the resistance of the channel portion having bubbles is increased. It is. In order to remove the bubbles, it is necessary to reduce the pressure to overcome this resistance. In general, even a small bubble has a large relative ratio with respect to the flow path, which causes a disturbance in the flow of liquid. In this way, once bubbles are clogged in the fine flow path, in order to remove this, liquid is supplied under pressure from the liquid reservoirs 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 on the inlet side at a large flow rate or liquid on the outlet side. It is necessary to depressurize the reservoir 28 to obtain a large suction force and to supply the liquid under reduced pressure at a large flow rate, and a large amount of the experimental liquid 34 is wasted.

  In such a multi-channel science experiment teaching material 10, when the dummy liquid 35 is filled in the fine channels 50 to 58 and 20A in the pre-processing step, Of the liquid reservoirs 40 to 48, only the two liquid reservoirs 40 and 20 of the liquid reservoir 40 and the outlet liquid reservoir 28 are opened, and the remaining four liquid reservoirs 42 to 48 are covered. Seal. In this state, the bubbles remaining in the flow path 50 can be reliably removed by pouring the dummy liquid 35 from the liquid reservoir 28 on the outlet side into the fine flow path 20A. Further, when bubbles remain in a plurality of flow paths, for example, the flow paths 50, 54, 58, all the liquid reservoirs 40 to 48 and 28 are opened, and the liquid reservoir 28 on the outlet side is opened to the inlet side. By flowing a large flow of the dummy liquid 35 toward the plurality of liquid reservoirs 40 to 48 vigorously, bubbles remaining in the plurality of flow paths can be removed at once. The operation of the suction process and the experimental process is the same regardless of whether the flow path is small or multi-flow path.

  1 and FIG. 7, when the experimental liquid 34 having a large surface tension is allowed to flow through the fine flow path, bubbles are easily clogged in the fine flow path, and the clogged air bubbles must be removed very much. Therefore, it is one method to perform a special treatment for improving the affinity with the experimental liquid 34 on the wall surface in the fine channel. However, it is technically possible to specially process the wall surface in the fine flow path, but the processing takes time and cost. On the other hand, if it is the method of filling the dummy liquid in the microchannel mentioned above, it can carry out very simply and cheaply, and is more preferable.

  According to the science experiment teaching material 10 described above, in order to have students carry out science experiments in the micro world with fun and dreams, the important parts can be simplified as much as possible, and can be made inexpensive. Can be performed with high accuracy.

  In particular, when qualitatively observing the diffusion phenomenon of molecules that cause chemical reactions, it is very important that multiple experimental solutions flow in the flow path under at least the same conditions in order to improve experimental accuracy. However, this request is fully answered. That is, a relatively accurate experiment can be performed with a very simple and inexpensive means. In addition, because of experiments in the micro world, the amount of chemicals represented by dyes or pigments is very small, and the environmental burden can be greatly reduced.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus, the science experiment teaching material, and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various aspects can be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, the first liquid reservoir 24 and the second liquid reservoir 26 are formed on the cover plate 22, and the third liquid reservoir 28 is formed on the substrate 12 and the cover plate 22. For example, an embodiment in which all the liquid reservoirs are formed on the substrate 12 and the cover plate 22 can also be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, three sets of flow paths and liquid reservoirs are provided. However, a configuration in which four or more sets are provided may be used, or a configuration as shown in FIG. 7 may be used.

  Further, in order to supply the experimental liquid (reagent) to the liquid reservoir (24, 26, etc.), the experimental liquid dropper 32 is used, but instead of this, a syringe having the same function, a micro syringe, etc. Can also be used. In general, it is desirable to use an inexpensive dropper as a science experiment teaching material, but depending on the purpose of the test, it may be preferable to have a similar function as described above.

  Next, a sales form for selling the science experiment teaching material 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the science experiment teaching material 10 is filled with a dummy liquid 35 that does not contain bubbles in the fine flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A) and the first to third liquid reservoirs (24, 26, 28). The mouths of the first to third liquid reservoirs (24, 26, 28) are sold in a state where they are detachably sealed by the stopper 60. In this case, it is preferable that the stopper 60 is fixed to the cover plate 22 with the tape 62 so that the stopper 60 does not come off during sales and the dummy liquid 35 does not leak. In this case, as the tape 62 to be used, it is preferable to use a tape having high adhesiveness and no adhesive residue. The plug 60 to be used is preferably a plug made of an elastic material such as a rubber plug or a cork plug so that the mouths of the first to third liquid reservoirs (24, 26, 28) can be sealed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a male screw is engraved on the lower outer periphery of the stopper 60, and an internal screw is engraved on the inner periphery of the mouths of the first to third liquid reservoirs (24, 26, 28). The plug 60 and the mouth may be fixed with a screw structure 61. The screw engraved on the outer periphery of the stopper 60 and the inner periphery of the mouth may be reversed between male and female. Thus, if it fixes with the screw structure 61, it is also possible not to use the tape 62. FIG. In this case, the material of the plug 60 is preferably the same material as that of the cover plate 22 so that screws can be engraved.

  In addition, after wrapping the entire science experiment teaching material 10 with a shrink film, the entire science experiment teaching material 10 may be wrapped by heat shrinking, or the entire science experiment teaching material 10 may be wrapped with a sealing film such as parafilm. Also good.

  The requirements for the dummy liquid 35 are that there are no bubbles, that it does not react with the experimental liquid, that it does not rot before being sold and used, and that it is highly replaceable with the experimental liquid. Any one of pure water, ethanol, and a mixed solution of pure water and ethanol that has been subjected to foam treatment satisfies these requirements. It is better to use sterilized pure water or ethanol.

  In addition, before filling the dummy liquid 35 into the fine flow path (14A, 16A, and 20A), at least one air vent of the fine flow path (14A, 16A, and 20A) described in the preparatory step of the experimental method of the present invention is performed. It is necessary to carry out once.

  As described above, the mouths of the plurality of liquid reservoirs (24, 26, 28) of the science experiment teaching material 10 are detachably sealed by the stopper 60, and the dummy liquid 35 is filled in the flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A). If it is sold in the state, the experimenter who purchases and conducts the experiment need not perform air venting of the flow paths (14A, 16A and 20A) by the pre-preparation process described above. This prevents the experiment from failing due to clogging of air bubbles in the flow paths (14A, 16A and 20A) even if the experimenter is a younger person such as an elementary school student. In addition, since it is not necessary to vent the flow paths (14A, 16A, and 20A) prior to the experiment, there is no trouble in using the science experiment teaching material 10.

The top view explaining the apparatus structure used for the experiment method of the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus of this invention Partially enlarged cross section of FIG. Partial enlarged sectional view of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows a pre-preparation process among the procedures of the experimental method of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the blotting process among the procedures of the experimental method of this invention Sectional drawing which shows an experimental process among the procedures of the experimental method of this invention Plan view for explaining an example of a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus having multiple flow paths Explanatory drawing explaining the sales form of the science experiment teaching material which is an example of the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus of this invention Explanatory drawing when the stopper and the mouth of the liquid reservoir are fixed with a screw structure in the sales form of the science experiment teaching material which is an example of the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Science experiment teaching material, 12 ... Board | substrate, 14, 16, 20 ... Long groove, 14A ... 1st flow path, 16A ... 2nd flow path, 18 ... Confluence, 20A ... 3rd flow path, 22 ... Cover Plate 24, first liquid reservoir 26, second liquid reservoir 28, third liquid reservoir 32, experimental liquid dropper 34, experimental liquid, 35 dummy liquid, 36 tape, 37 38 ... finger, 60 ... plug, 61 ... screw structure, 62 ... tape

Claims (9)

In the experiment method of the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus, in which two or more liquid reservoirs constituting the inlet side and the outlet side are communicated with each other through a fine channel having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less.
At least one pre-preparation step of preliminarily removing the air in the fine flow path by filling the fine flow path with an inert dummy liquid that does not react with the experimental liquid to be tested;
The experimental liquid is supplied to the inlet-side liquid reservoir, and the dummy liquid filled in the fine flow path is caused to flow to the outlet-side liquid reservoir by the liquid feeding means, whereby the experimental liquid is supplied to the fine flow path. An experimental method using a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus characterized by comprising an experimental process sent to In the experiment method of the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus, in which two or more liquid reservoirs constituting the inlet side and the outlet side are communicated with each other through a fine channel having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less.
At least one pre-preparation step of preliminarily removing the air in the fine channel by flowing and filling the experimental fluid to be conducted in the fine channel;
The experimental liquid is further supplied to the liquid reservoir on the inlet side, and the experimental liquid filled in the fine flow path is made to flow to the liquid reservoir on the outlet side by the transfer means, thereby finely supplying the supplied experimental liquid. An experimental method using a scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus, characterized by comprising an experimental process for feeding into a flow path.   Between the pre-preparation step and the experimental step, a sucking step for lowering the liquid level of the liquid reservoir portion on the inlet side by sucking the liquid in the liquid reservoir portion on the outlet side with a tapered suction material is provided. An experimental method using the scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A substrate in which a long groove having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less is formed on the surface of the plate-like body;
A cover plate arranged in close contact with the surface of the substrate and forming a fine flow path in the substrate by covering the long groove;
One end of the plurality of flow paths merges at a single merge point, and the other end of the plurality of flow paths communicates with a liquid reservoir having a volume of 5 to 5000 mm ³ , respectively.
Scientific phenomena in the flow path can be visually recognized, and the plurality of flow paths are filled with an inert dummy liquid that does not react with the experimental liquid in which the experiment is performed in the absence of bubbles. Scientific phenomenon evaluation device. A substrate in which a long groove having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² or less is formed on the surface of the plate-like body;
A cover plate arranged in close contact with the surface of the substrate and forming a fine flow path in the substrate by covering the long groove;
One end of the first flow path and the second flow path, which are the two flow paths of substantially the same length, merge at one merge point,
The other end of the first flow path communicates with a first liquid reservoir having a volume of 5 to 5000 mm ³ ;
The other end of the second flow path communicates with a second liquid reservoir having a volume of 5 to 5000 mm ³ ;
One end of a third flow path, which is one of the flow paths, communicates with the confluence, and the other end of the third flow path communicates with a third liquid reservoir having a volume of 5 to 5000 mm ³ . ,
Scientific phenomena in the flow path can be visually recognized, and the plurality of flow paths are filled with an inert dummy liquid that does not react with the experimental liquid in which the experiment is performed in the absence of bubbles. Scientific phenomenon evaluation device.   6. The scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the plurality of liquid reservoir ports are detachably sealed with stoppers and the flow path is filled with the dummy liquid.   The scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stopper is fixed to the cover plate with a tape.   7. The scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stopper and the mouth of the liquid reservoir are fixed by a screw structure. The scientific phenomenon evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the dummy liquid is any one of pure water, ethanol, and a mixed liquid of pure water and ethanol that have been degassed in advance.

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