Airborne Microbe Measurement Using Integrated Discharge Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airborne microbial measurement apparatuses are cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly due to their complex structure and the need for separate apparatuses for microbe collection and cell wall destruction, as well as high maintenance costs associated with agarose gel substrates.
Innovation Solution
A compact airborne microbial measurement apparatus using a discharge apparatus with a controller to apply varying voltages for microbe collection and cell wall destruction, combined with a plastic substrate and a low-cost light emission measurement system, allowing for sequential voltage increase to differentiate between viruses, bacteria, and molds, and simplify the measurement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a typical airborne microbial measurement apparatus is used with multiple separate apparatuses for collection, cell wall destruction, and measurement, then the measurement process is comprehensive, but the device complexity increases and measurement time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the discharge electrode apparatus for microbe collection and cell wall destruction into a single integrated device. The same discharge electrode that collects airborne microbes on the substrate also destroys their cell walls when high voltage is applied, eliminating the need for separate collection and destruction apparatuses while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge electrode apparatus performs multiple functions: it collects airborne microbes onto the substrate at lower voltage and destroys cell walls at higher voltage. This multi-functional design reduces the number of required apparatuses while preserving complete measurement capabilities across all processing stages
2Productivity
If agarose gel substrates are used for microbe collection, then the collection efficiency is high, but the cost increases and operation becomes cumbersome due to single-use requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, single-use agarose gel substrates with inexpensive, reusable plastic substrates. Although agarose gel provides good collection efficiency, the plastic substrate achieves sufficient collection performance while being far cheaper and reusable, eliminating the need for frequent replacement and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the substrate from agarose gel to plastic. This material substitution maintains the substrate's ability to collect microbes effectively through the discharge electrode while dramatically reducing cost and enabling reuse, thus improving ease of manufacture and operation
3Reliability
If separate apparatuses are used for microbe collection and cell wall destruction, then each function is optimized, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the microbe collection function and cell wall destruction function into a single discharge electrode apparatus. By controlling the voltage level, the same apparatus performs both functions: lower voltage for collection and higher voltage for destruction. This maintains functional optimization while reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus simplifies the measurement process, reduces costs, and enables efficient differentiation and measurement of microbe concentrations by using a single discharge apparatus for collection and cell wall destruction, with a durable plastic substrate and affordable light emission measurement, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective method.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage is applied to collect the airborne microbe from air on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a voltage is applied to destroy an external wall of the collected airborne microbe
Implementation Method 3
ATP and luciferin/luciferase are reacted to emit light
Data Source
AI summary
An airborne microbial measurement apparatus and a measurement method thereof are provided. An airborne microbial measurement apparatus according to an embodiment includes a discharge apparatus including a discharge electrode and a voltage supply unit applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode. A substrate is provided to a side of the discharge apparatus to collect an airborne microbe from air by a high voltage applied to the discharge electrode. A reagent injection apparatus supplies a dyeing reagent to the microbe collected on the substrate or a DNA of the microbe. A light emission measurement apparatus senses a quantity of light generated from the DNA to which the dyeing reagent is supplied. The discharge apparatus includes a controller controlling the voltage supply unit so that the voltage is applied to collect the airborne microbe or destroy an external wall of the collected airborne microbe.