Electromagnetic Sample Evaporation for Fast Chemical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement systems for detecting chemical substances in samples are slow and require extensive processing time, especially when multiple samples need to be tested, which is a challenge in applications like airport security and health/food industries.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system utilizing a sample holder with a magnetizable evaporator, an electromagnetic coil, vacuum chamber, and analytical spectrometry sensor to rapidly evaporate and ionize samples, allowing for simultaneous determination of chemical substances through electromagnetic heating and mass spectrometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional measurement systems are used for detecting chemical substances, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the analysis time and throughput time are excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition (evaporation) of the sample from liquid to gas phase through electromagnetic heating, enabling rapid transfer of the sample to the mass spectrometer for analysis. This phase transition approach allows the system to achieve fast throughput time while maintaining measurement accuracy, directly resolving the technical contradiction between analysis time and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical heating and sample transfer mechanisms with electromagnetic induction heating and magnetic field-based sample ejection. The electromagnetic coil generates alternating magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the magnetizable sample evaporator, rapidly heating and evaporating the sample without mechanical contact, thereby reducing analysis time while maintaining precision.
2Productivity
If rapid evaporation and analysis is implemented, then throughput time is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by using alternating electric current frequency and amplitude modulation in the electromagnetic coil to control the heating rate and temperature of the sample evaporator. By optimizing these electrical parameters, the system achieves rapid evaporation and high productivity while minimizing excessive energy consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between processing speed and energy use.
3Measurement precision
If a vacuum chamber is used for mass spectrometry, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample evaporation chamber and the mass spectrometer vacuum chamber into a single integrated vacuum environment. The sample holder with magnetizable evaporator is positioned within the vacuum chamber, eliminating the need for separate vacuum systems and complex sample transfer interfaces. This integration maintains high measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity.
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 significantly reduces the time between sample collection and detection of chemical substances, enabling fast throughput and simultaneous detection of multiple substances, such as drugs or contaminants, by using electromagnetic heating and mass spectrometry.
Implementation Method 1
provide the alternating electric current to the electromagnetic coil such that the electromagnetic coil generates a magnetic field heating the sample evaporator
Implementation Method 2
electromagnetic coil generates a magnetic field heating the sample evaporator, evaporating a portion of the sample
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum chamber adjacent to the sample chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber is configured for comprising a vacuum
Implementation Method 4
a sample ionizer for ionizing the sample, which sample ionizer is provided in the vacuum chamber
Implementation Method 5
an analytical spectrometry sensor provided in the vacuum chamber for determining a first sample property of the sample by performing a measurement on ionized evaporated sample in the vacuum chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system for determining a presence of a chemical substance in a sample. The chemical substance may refer to a simple chemical material or a chemical composition of several compounds. A method for determining a presence of a chemical substance in a sample wherein use is made of the measurement system.