Chromatography Material Phase Electrical Charge Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chromatography systems face limitations in efficiently modulating adsorption and desorption rates, which affects the precision and separation of mixture components, particularly due to reliance on thermal methods that are slow and less accurate compared to electrical charge modulation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a material phase with a limited electronic density of states, such as graphene or carbon nanotubes, and using electrical leads to supply charges, allowing for capacitive modulation of adsorption and desorption rates by altering the occupation of electronic states, thereby improving peak shape and separation in chromatography.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If thermal methods are used to modulate adsorption and desorption rates, then the system can achieve separation of mixture components, but the modulation speed is slow and precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation precisionVSAvoidmodulation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal modulation methods with electrical charge modulation. Instead of using heat to control adsorption/desorption rates, the invention applies electrical charges to the stationary phase material (such as graphene or carbon nanotubes) to directly modulate the occupation of electronic states, thereby controlling the adsorption/desorption rates of mixture components. This substitution of thermal fields with electrical fields achieves faster response times and higher precision in separation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If electrical charge is supplied to material phase with limited electronic density of states, then adsorption and desorption rates can be precisely modulated, but additional components (electrical leads, conductors) are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodulation precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from thermal parameters (temperature) to electrical parameters (charge, voltage). By supplying electrical charges to the stationary phase material with limited electronic density of states, the system can precisely modulate the occupation of electronic states and thereby control adsorption/desorption rates. This parameter change enables more precise control despite the added complexity of electrical connection components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enables faster, more precise modulation of adsorption and desorption rates, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of chromatographic analysis by compensating for thermal fluctuations and improving peak separation and detection precision.

Implementation Method 1

The stationary phase is a material that adsorbs and/or desorbs some or all of the components with different strengths of adhesion leading to different rates in adsorption and desorption for each component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

An electrical lead is connected to the material phase for supplying an electrical charge to the material phase. The charge alters the rates of adsorption and/or desorption of components in the sample mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical charge modulation:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical charge:

Implementation Method 4

A capacitor may be connected across the first and second electrical leads for supplying a charge to the stationary phase material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11247165B2Material phase between conductive layers

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

A chromatograph is provided for identifying components of a mixture. Components are identified by different rates of adsorption and/or desorption with a material phase. In one embodiment, an electrical lead is connected to the material phase for supplying an electrical charge to the material phase. The electrical charge alters the rate of adsorption/desorption of the components with the material phase. In another embodiment, the material phase is disposed between two conductors with electrical leads connected to each of the conductors. A charge differential between the two conductors alters the rate of adsorption and/or desorption of components with the material phase.