Electrostatic Powder Sampling Substrate for Non-Contact Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting and analyzing chemical and biological samples in field settings face challenges due to the need for physical contact, which can be hazardous and laborious, especially when dealing with powders and substances like narcotics, requiring more efficient and non-contact sampling techniques.
Innovation Solution
A perforated conducting sheet is introduced between a metalized sheet and the surface of interest, utilizing an electrostatic charge to transfer substances onto the sheet without physical contact, allowing for direct analysis using ambient ionization methods, enabling rapid and timely decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If physical contact sampling methods are used, then sample collection is straightforward, but operator exposure risk increases and handling becomes laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sampling substrate as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous powder sample. The substrate contacts the sample to collect it, while the operator never directly contacts the sample. This mediator approach allows straightforward sampling operations while eliminating operator exposure risk to harmful substances.
2Productivity
If traditional contact sampling is used, then sample collection is simple, but additional handling and transfer to instruments is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sampling substrate with the analysis instrument by directly introducing the substrate into the ionization source. This merging eliminates the need for separate sample transfer steps, allowing rapid analysis while the integrated design keeps the system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling substrate serves multiple functions: it collects the sample, transports it, and directly presents it to the ionization source. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate handling and transfer operations, increasing productivity without requiring complex additional equipment.
3Ease of operation
If non-contact electrostatic sampling is implemented, then operator safety improves and handling is reduced, but requires electrostatic field application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sampling with an electrostatic field-based sampling system. Instead of physically touching and collecting sample, the system uses electrostatic forces to attract and collect particles onto the sampling substrate. This substitution eliminates manual handling while the energy requirement remains minimal for practical applications.
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 method allows for the non-contact collection and analysis of substances, reducing the risk of exposure and increasing efficiency by eliminating the need for physical handling and subsequent transfer to analytical instruments, facilitating faster and safer sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Application of a high voltage field to the conducting collector generates a static potential between the surface containing substances of interest and the collector resulting in transfer of a portion of those substances of interest onto the pre-treated sampling surface
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for pretreatment of a conducting sampling substrate which enable an electrostatic charge to be used to transfer analyte molecules onto a sampling substrate, where the analyte molecules are in powder or particulate form. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrostatic charge can be used to transfer powder samples containing nitrogenous bases, nucleosides, food additives, and prescription drugs such as acetaminophen, oxycodone, and dextromethorphan. In an embodiment of the present invention, a powder sample is transferred to a pre-treated sampling substrate using an electrostatic charge. The spatial distribution of the powder on the original surface is retained on the pre-treated sampling substrate using the electrostatic charge transfer. The electrostatic charge transfer can be used to transfer powder samples present on a surface or in the chambers of 96, 384 and 1536 well plate formats to either pins or mesh and analyzed with ambient desorption ionization.