Bio-chip Core-shell Particles for SIMS Signal Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary ion mass spectrometry faces challenges in directly analyzing biochemical materials on chip surfaces due to limited mass measurement range and insufficient signal improvement and surface reproducibility, despite efforts like cationization and gold nano particle amplification methods.
Innovation Solution
A bio-chip with core-shell particles, comprising a metal nanoparticle core and shell, formed by dipping metal nanoparticles in a metal ion solution and reducing metal ions using a liquid phase reduction method, enhances secondary ion intensity by increasing surface coverage and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gold nano particles are used for signal amplification, then secondary ion intensity is improved, but surface reproducibility is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite core-shell particles consisting of a metal nanoparticle core (e.g., gold) and a metal oxide shell (e.g., iron oxide). This composite structure combines the high secondary ion emission capability of metal nanoparticles with the superior surface reproducibility and stability of metal oxides, thereby resolving the contradiction between signal intensity and surface reproducibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different materials with distinct properties to different parts of the particle structure: the metal core provides localized signal amplification while the metal oxide shell provides localized surface stability and reproducibility. This local differentiation of material properties allows each component to optimize its function
2Measurement precision
If cationization by alkali ions or gold thin film coating is used, then secondary ion intensity is improved, but mass measurement range remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the particle structure by using core-shell configuration with controlled shell thickness (1-100 nm) and particle size (10-500 nm). These parameter optimizations enable the particles to maintain signal amplification capability while accommodating a broader mass measurement range up to 2000 Da, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods
3Measurement precision
If polyatomic ion gun is used, then secondary ion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core-shell particles are designed to inherently provide both signal amplification and surface stability functions through their composite structure, eliminating the need for complex polyatomic ion guns or additional matrix materials. The particles themselves serve multiple functions, simplifying the overall instrument design while maintaining high secondary ion efficiency
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 bio-chip significantly amplifies secondary ion intensity, improving detection accuracy and sensitivity, enabling the analysis of biochemical materials with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and reproducibility, even for large mass biochemicals.
Implementation Method 1
forming core-shell particles each consisting of the metal nanoparticle as a core and a metal shell, by growing the metal shell, which is a metal layer surrounding a surface of the metal nanoparticle, using the metal nanoparticle as a seed through a liquid phase reduction method
Implementation Method 2
inducing nucleation and growth using the metal nanoparticles as a seed
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a bio-chip for secondary ion mass spectrometry and a method of fabricating the same, the bio-chip, which is a bio-chip for analyzing a biochemical material using the secondary ion mass spectrometry, including: a substrate; and core-shell particles positioned above substrate, wherein the core-shell particles each include a metal nanoparticle as a core and a metal shell surrounding the metal nanoparticle.