Dry Reagent Solid Support for Portable Liquid Analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current threat liquid detection devices for mass transit are costly, require excessive equipment and packaging, pose health risks due to hazardous reagents, and are not cost-effective or efficient for identifying multiple threat energetic liquids, with non-electronic devices being cumbersome and requiring multi-step reactions.
Innovation Solution
A system using a solid support coated with dry chemical reagents that provide a presumptive color indication for identifying target molecules or ions, allowing for single-step detection of various energetic liquids and precursors without hazardous materials or electronic components, utilizing a dry swab for sample transfer and packaged in moisture and UV-resistant materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If commercially available spot test devices are used to identify multiple threat energetic liquids, then identification capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring many different test devices from multiple manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single test device that can identify multiple types of threat energetic liquids through the use of multiple chemical reagents applied to a single solid support. This eliminates the need for multiple separate test devices while maintaining the ability to detect various threat substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple chemical reagents and detection functions into a single integrated test device. By combining multiple reagents on one solid support, the device consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices, reducing complexity while preserving multi-substance identification capability.
2Productivity
If hazardous acidic or alkaline liquid reagents are used to facilitate presumptive chemical reactions, then reaction facilitation is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to unnecessary OHS risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the chemical reagents from liquid to solid form. This parameter change maintains the chemical reactivity needed for presumptive identification while eliminating the hazards associated with liquid hazardous materials, thereby protecting operator safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful liquid reagents into safe solid reagents. By changing the form from liquid to solid, the harmful properties (spillage, vaporization, exposure risks) are eliminated while the beneficial chemical reactivity is preserved, turning a harmful factor into a safe solution.
3Productivity
If volatile liquid organic solvents are used to facilitate presumptive chemical reactions, then reaction facilitation is improved, but device portability and air shipping compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the chemical reagents from volatile liquid to non-volatile solid. This eliminates volatility issues while maintaining chemical reactivity, enabling safe air shipping and portable field use without compromising the ability to facilitate presumptive chemical reactions.
4Measurement precision
If multi-step reaction sequences are used to test a single unknown analyte, then identification accuracy is improved, but analytical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple chemical reagents that would traditionally require sequential application in multiple steps into a single solid support where all reagents are simultaneously available. This allows a single analyte to interact with multiple reagents in one step, maintaining identification accuracy while dramatically reducing analytical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-applying multiple chemical reagents to the solid support before the test is performed. This preparation in advance allows all necessary reactions to occur simultaneously when the analyte is applied, eliminating the need for sequential multi-step procedures and reducing total analysis time.
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 system reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes hazardous reagent exposure, and enables rapid, single-step identification of multiple threat liquids, enhancing safety and usability while being robust and transportable.
Implementation Method 1
Each chemical reagent produces a presumptive color indication that identifies or excludes the presence of a target molecule or ion
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for identifying the presence of a target molecule or ion. The system comprises a solid support, and at least one chemical reagent applied to the solid support. Each chemical reagent produces a presumptive color indication that identifies or excludes the presence of a target molecule or ion.