Airborne Particle Collection Membrane for Controlled Elution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic particle collectors, particularly wet and semi-wet types, face issues with liquid dispersion and hydrogen peroxide formation that inhibit biological analysis, and existing membranes used as electrodes are not compatible with biochemical reactions or require complex handling.
Innovation Solution
A composite membrane composed of a hydrophilic layer and a conductive matrix, with specific zones and treatments, acts as both a collection electrode and elution support, ensuring efficient particle capture and elution without liquid dispersion and inhibiting chemical compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wet or semi-wet electrostatic collectors are used to collect particles, then particle collection efficiency is improved, but liquid dispersion occurs and hydrogen peroxide forms which inhibits biological analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the collection medium from liquid (wet/semi-wet collectors) to solid membrane with hydrophilic properties. The membrane maintains particle collection efficiency through electrostatic attraction while eliminating liquid dispersion and hydrogen peroxide formation issues by using a solid support structure that allows controlled liquid flow only during elution phase
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite membrane structure combining hydrophilic material properties with conductive electrode characteristics. The membrane is made of composite material that integrates both collection electrode functionality and elution support capabilities, eliminating the need for separate liquid handling systems while maintaining high particle recovery efficiency
2Productivity
If continuous liquid flow is used to elute particles in wet electrostatic collectors, then particle elution efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases and operational stability decreases due to liquid dispersion and short circuit risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating specific zones on the membrane surface with different properties: collection zones for particle accumulation and elution zones for liquid flow. This localized differentiation allows efficient particle elution through controlled liquid flow paths while preventing liquid dispersion and short circuits in other areas of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the continuous liquid flow requirement from the collection phase, allowing collection to occur without liquid present. Liquid is introduced only during the separate elution phase, eliminating device complexity and operational instability issues associated with continuous liquid flow while maintaining high particle elution efficiency
3Device complexity
If conventional collection membranes are used as electrodes, then device simplicity is improved, but compatibility with biochemical reactions decreases due to material inhibition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite membrane material that combines electrical conductivity for electrode functionality with biochemical inertness for compatibility. The composite material properties ensure that the membrane can serve as both collection electrode and elution support without inhibiting biomolecular reactions, maintaining device simplicity while enabling downstream biological analysis
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 membrane achieves greater than 50% recovery efficiency with high particle concentration in the eluted liquid, compatible with biochemical reactions, and maintains operational stability without liquid dispersion, suitable for autonomous biological analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Due to its hydrophilic nature, the membrane is capable of draining liquid by capillarity and thus avoids the risk of dispersion of the liquid if the device is tilted or subjected to jolts during operation.
Implementation Method 2
The electric field created between the two electrodes generates a flow of ions from a pocket of ionized gas surrounding the discharge electrode. The flow of air containing the particles is injected through the flow of ions. In the presence of ions, the particles acquire electrical charges and thus become sensitive to the electric field generated between the two electrodes and are driven by the electric force towards the counter-electrode.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an airborne particle collection membrane (M), the membrane being in the form of a strip composed of: - A matrix (40) formed of a mixture of a polymer material and a filler (41) made of an electrically conductive material, - A hydrophilic particle collection layer (3) on which said matrix is deposited so as to form at least one layer of composite material (400), - Said membrane comprising at least one zone obtained by a surface treatment of said hydrophilic layer (3).