Sorbent Field Sampling Kit for Alkyl Methylphosphonic Acid Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining exposure to organophosphonate nerve agents are costly, require specialized packaging, and are not suitable for all transportation types, as they involve shipping refrigerated or frozen liquid samples for analysis, which is inefficient and impractical for field use.
Innovation Solution
A field kit comprising a sorbent material, a volumetric container, an acid, and internal standard solutions for collecting and detecting alkyl methylphosphonic acids, allowing samples to be analyzed at a separate facility without specialized packaging, using sorbent materials like SPME fibers to preserve and transport the analytes for later analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid samples are shipped refrigerated or frozen to an analytical facility, then the samples can be analyzed for alkyl methylphosphonic acids, but the transportation becomes costly and requires specialized packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The analyte (alkyl methylphosphonic acid) is extracted from the liquid sample matrix and concentrated onto a solid sorbent material. This extraction eliminates the need to transport the entire liquid sample with its refrigeration requirements, leaving only the solid sorbent containing the trapped analyte for transportation and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample is transformed from a liquid state requiring refrigeration to a solid sorbent phase that can be transported at ambient conditions. The analyte is transferred from the liquid phase to the solid sorbent phase, changing the physical state and transportation requirements of the sample.
2Reliability
If liquid samples are shipped refrigerated or frozen to an analytical facility, then the samples can be analyzed for alkyl methylphosphonic acids, but the transportation is not suitable for all transportation types
Solution Approach 1:
The analyte is extracted and concentrated onto a solid sorbent, removing the liquid sample that requires specialized refrigerated transportation. The solid sorbent can be transported using any standard transportation method, greatly increasing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample is converted from a temperature-sensitive liquid to a stable solid form that can withstand various transportation conditions without special temperature control, enabling use with regular mail services, ground transport, and other non-specialized transportation methods.
3Reliability
If liquid samples are shipped refrigerated or frozen to an analytical facility, then the samples can be analyzed for alkyl methylphosphonic acids, but the method becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The analyte is extracted and concentrated onto a solid sorbent material, eliminating the need for expensive refrigerated or frozen transportation of large volumes of liquid sample. Only a small solid sorbent needs to be transported, dramatically reducing energy costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample is transformed from a liquid requiring energy-intensive temperature control to a solid that can be transported at ambient temperature, eliminating refrigeration costs and reducing overall transportation expenses.
4Reliability
If liquid samples are shipped refrigerated or frozen to an analytical facility, then the samples can be analyzed for alkyl methylphosphonic acids, but specialized packaging is required
Solution Approach 1:
The analyte is extracted from the liquid sample and trapped on a solid sorbent, removing the need for specialized refrigerated packaging. The solid sorbent can be packaged in simple, standard containers without temperature control 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 kit enables efficient detection of alkyl methylphosphonic acids in field settings, preserving the samples for extended periods, reducing transportation costs and complexities, and providing information on exposure timing and severity by allowing analysis of sorbed analytes using techniques like GC/MS or LC/MS/MS.
Implementation Method 1
a sorbent material which is capable of sorbing alkyl methylphosphonic acids
Implementation Method 2
The sorbent material is capable of transporting the sorbed analyte to a facility for analysis, the analyte is then desorbed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to kits and methods of collecting and detecting alkyl methylphosphonic acids from environmental or biological liquids using a sorbent material. The sorbent material may be transported, desorbed and tested for alkyl methylphosphonic acids.