Pulled Glass Emitter Preconcentration for Trace Mass Spectrometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing preconcentration methods for ambient ionization mass spectrometry are difficult to control and result in significant dead volumes, requiring large sample sizes, which limits their applicability and sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a pulled glass emitter with controlled evaporation to concentrate analytes, reducing the sample solution volume by several orders of magnitude, allowing for efficient preconcentration of compounds from parts per trillion to parts per billion levels, utilizing capillary action and relay electrospray ionization for analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional preconcentration methods (extraction or cold trapping) are used, then analyte concentration is improved, but dead volume becomes large (microliters or greater) and sample size requirements increase to mL scale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte concentrationVSAvoiddead volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nanoscale emitter (a thin, flexible structure) that can be loaded with extremely small sample volumes (nanoliters to picoliters). The emitter's thin-film nature allows complete evaporation of the sample solvent, concentrating analytes on the emitter surface with negligible dead volume, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high concentration and minimizing volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the scale parameter from microliter/mL volume to nanoliter/pic liter volume. By loading sub-microliter samples onto the nanoscale emitter and completely evaporating the solvent, the system achieves high analyte concentration while reducing dead volume by several orders of magnitude compared to conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional preconcentration methods are used, then analyte concentration is improved, but sample size requirements increase to hundreds of milliliters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte concentrationVSAvoidsample size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The nanoscale emitter enables loading of extremely small sample volumes (nanoliters to picoliters). The thin-film structure allows complete solvent evaporation, concentrating trace analytes from these minute sample sizes, thereby achieving high analyte concentration without requiring large sample quantities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of the sample solvent from liquid to vapor through complete evaporation. This phase change removes all solvent from the nanoscale emitter, leaving behind concentrated analytes. This approach enables high concentration factors from very small initial sample volumes, eliminating the need for hundreds of milliliters of sample.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Measurement precision

If Leidenfrost phenomenon or external surface membrane preconcentration is used, then sensitivity enhancement is achieved, but control difficulty increases and applicability is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidcontrol difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The nanoscale emitter system is self-contained and requires no external control mechanisms. The emitter is simply loaded with sample, placed in the ion source, and the complete evaporation and ionization process occurs automatically under ambient conditions. This self-service nature eliminates control difficulties while maintaining high sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems (required for Leidenfrost phenomenon or membrane-based methods) with a simple thermal evaporation process. The nanoscale emitter's small size enables complete solvent evaporation through ambient heating, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or thermal control mechanisms while achieving comparable or superior sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Achieves significant enhancement in analyte concentration and sensitivity, reducing dead volume to near negligible levels, enabling the analysis of ultra-low level contaminants with improved signal intensity and detection limits.

Implementation Method 1

A method and system using a pulled glass emitter with controlled evaporation to concentrate analytes, reducing the sample solution volume by several orders of magnitude

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

utilizing capillary action and relay electros spray ionization for analysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

utilizing capillary action and relay electrospray ionization for analysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrospray ionization: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentUS11798796B2Preconcentrating of environmental contaminant analytes for ambient ionization mass spectrometry

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and system of preconcentrating analytes in a solution within an emitter for ionization mass spectrometry and analysis.