Reaction cell and operation method thereof

Abstract

A reaction cell is provided with a vessel-like cell main body and a circular piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator fixed to an outside of a bottom surface of the cell main body. The cell main body includes a circular bottom plate portion and a circumferential wall portion which rises from a circumferential edge of the bottom plate portion so as to thereby surround the bottom plate portion. The bottom plate portion and the circumferential wall portion are integrally formed from ceramics. A solution accommodation space is formed above the bottom plate portion and is partially enclosed by the circumferential wall portion. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator is concentrically adhered to the outside of the bottom surface of the cell main body.

1 . A reaction cell, comprising: 
 a cell having a main body including a circumferential wall portion and a bottom portion forming a space to accommodate a solution, said main body comprising at least one of ceramic and glass; and    a piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator formed integrally with at least one surface of the circumferential wall portion, and at least a part of the bottom portion so as to agitate the solution,    wherein an amplitude (Δd) of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator and a length (d) of the cell in a vibration direction thereof satisfy the following inequality:      0.000001<Δ d/d< 0.01.    
     
     
         2 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator further comprises electronic means for detection of a change in the electric constant of the oscillator.  
     
     
         3 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction cell comprises a plurality of the cells.  
     
     
         4 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential wall portion and the bottom portion comprise zirconia and are integrally sintered.  
     
     
         5 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential wall portion and the bottom portion comprise optically transmissive ceramics and are integrally sintered.  
     
     
         6 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential wall portion comprises ceramics and the bottom portion comprises transparent glass.  
     
     
         7 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential wall portion comprises ceramics and the bottom portion comprises a transparent synthetic resin.  
     
     
         8 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential wall portion and the bottom portion comprise a transparent glass or a transparent synthetic resin and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator is formed integrally with the circumferential wall portion or the bottom portion.  
     
     
         9 . The reaction cell of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion of the cell further comprises one or more first recess portions which accommodate the solution.  
     
     
         10 . A reaction cell comprising: 
 a cell having a main body including a circumferential wall portion and a bottom portion forming a space to accommodate a solution; and    a piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator formed integrally with at least one of a surface of the circumferential wall portion and a part of the bottom portion so as to agitate the solution,    wherein an amplitude (Δd) of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator and a length (d) of the cell in a vibration direction thereof satisfy an inequality of 0.000001<Δd/d<0.01.    
     
     
         11 . A method of using a reaction cell, comprising: 
 accommodating a solution in a reaction cell in which a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillators are disposed along one of a circumferential wall surface of the reaction cell and a bottom surface of the reaction cell; and    oscillating the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillators sequentially in a circumferential direction of the reaction cell,    wherein an amplitude (Δd) of at least one of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillators and a length (d) of the cell in a vibration direction thereof satisfy an inequality of 0.000001<Δd/d<0.01.    
     
     
         12 . A method of using a reaction cell, comprising: 
 accommodating a solution in a first reaction cell in which a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillators are fixed directly to one of a circumferential wall surface of the first reaction cell and a bottom surface of the first reaction cell; and    oscillating the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillators with an amplitude and a timing that are independently controlled,    wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillator has no optical transmissivity,    wherein an amplitude (Δd) of at least one of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive oscillators and a length (d) of the cell in a vibration direction thereof satisfy an inequality of 0.000001<Δd/d<0.01.