Dual-Particle Porous Sample Support for Sensitive Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample supports for desorption electrospray ionization methods suffer from low detection sensitivity in mass spectrometry, necessitating improvements to enhance the retention and ionization of sample components.
Innovation Solution
A sample support with a substrate featuring an irregular porous structure composed of interconnected large and small glass particles, where the small particles are integrated between the large particles on the surface, reducing gaps and enhancing retention through additional joints, while using the same material for both types of particles to minimize noise and facilitate stable sintering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a porous structure is formed using only large particles, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the detection sensitivity of sample components is low
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure is segmented into two distinct particle size categories: large particles (first particles) forming the primary framework and small particles (second particles) filling the gaps. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve high detection sensitivity through reduced gaps and increased surface area while maintaining manufacturability through a systematic two-step process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the porous structure have different particle size characteristics. The surface region contains a high concentration of small particles to maximize sample retention and ionization efficiency, while the deeper regions maintain the large particle framework for structural stability. This local differentiation of particle sizes optimizes both detection sensitivity and structural integrity.
2Measurement precision
If small particles are added to fill gaps between large particles, then detection sensitivity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process uses preliminary action by first forming the porous structure with large particles through sintering, then subsequently adding and sintering the small particles. This sequential approach allows each particle type to be optimized independently before combination, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving the desired dual-size particle configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the particle size parameter systematically, using large particles for the base structure and small particles for gap filling. This parameter variation is controlled through specific sintering temperature and time conditions that allow selective bonding of different particle sizes without requiring complex multi-material processing techniques.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different materials are used for first and second particles, then functional diversity is achieved, but noise signals increase and manufacturing stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Both large and small particles are made from the same material composition, ensuring homogeneous chemical properties throughout the porous structure. This homogeneity eliminates noise signals that would arise from different materials and ensures uniform thermal expansion and sintering behavior, while still providing functional diversity through the particle size differentiation and resulting structural variations.
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 configuration significantly improves detection sensitivity by efficiently retaining and ionizing sample components, allowing for higher signal intensity and better visibility, while maintaining structural stability and ease of manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a first sintering step of sintering the plurality of first particles to obtain a sintered body having substantially same outer shape as the substrate; an adding step of adding the plurality of second particles to a surface of the sintered body corresponding to the first surface; and a second sintering step of sintering the sintered body and the plurality of second particles obtained by the adding step
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
A sample support is a sample support for ionizing a sample. The sample support includes a substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an irregular porous structure opening to at least the first surface. The porous structure is formed of a plurality of large particles connected to each other and a plurality of small particles having a diameter smaller than that of the large particles. At least a part of the plurality of small particles is held between two or more of the large particles constituting the first surface.