Integrated Ion Separation Spectrometer Using Micro-Corona Ionizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas detection instruments are expensive, difficult to operate, and challenging to miniaturize due to complex ionization sources and the use of radioactive materials, which also pose safety and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
An integrated ion separation spectrometer with a micro-corona ionizer that operates at ambient pressure, eliminating the need for radioactive materials and integrating ionization, injection, and detection components into a single chip for low-cost mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ionization sources (electro-spray, surface ionization) are used, then ionization capability is achieved, but device complexity and size increase, making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the ionization source, drift channel, and detector into a single monolithic chip structure. The ionization source is formed directly on the chip substrate, eliminating the need for separate ionization components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective ionization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical ionization sources with a planar, integrated ionization structure formed using semiconductor fabrication techniques. This substitution of mechanical systems with integrated circuit-based structures enables miniaturization and simplifies device architecture.
2Volume of moving object
If radioactive materials are used as ionization source, then system footprint is reduced, but safety concerns and environmental risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a non-radioactive, short-lived corona discharge ionization source that does not require special safety handling or licensing. This replaces long-lived radioactive materials with a temporary, controllable ionization mechanism that eliminates environmental and safety concerns while maintaining compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of high voltage corona discharge into a beneficial ionization source by carefully controlling the discharge parameters. The high voltage is confined to a small region and turned off when not needed, transforming a hazardous element into a useful, controllable ionization mechanism.
3Reliability
If separate components are used for ionization, drift channel, and detection, then each component can be optimized, but assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ionization source, drift channel, and detector into a single monolithic chip. All components are fabricated using the same semiconductor processes on the same substrate, eliminating assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while allowing each component to be optimized during the fabrication process.
Solution Approach 2:
The chip substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the support structure, the ionization source, the drift channel walls, and the detector substrate. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device architecture.
4Volume of moving object
If FAIMS technology is used for ion filtering, then drift channel size is reduced, but power consumption and cost increase due to high voltage RF requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high voltage RF (1700V at 2 MHz) to low voltage DC or low frequency AC fields. This parameter change maintains ion separation capability while dramatically reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for complex RF power supplies and microwave protection circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using high frequency RF fields to filter ions, the patent employs low frequency or DC fields with carefully designed electrode geometries to achieve ion separation. This inverted approach achieves the same filtering function with much lower power requirements and simpler electronics.
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 solution enables a compact, cost-effective, and robust gas detection system capable of operating at ambient pressure, reducing assembly costs and environmental risks while maintaining effective ion separation and detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
An integrated ion separation spectrometer with a micro-corona ionizer that operates at ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
An Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) is a gas detection instrument in which gas ions are separated according to their individual velocities as they drift through an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including an ion injector having an inlet and an outlet and a micro-corona ionizer positioned between the inlet and the outlet of the ion injector. A drift and separation channel having a first end and a second end is positioned with the first end coupled to outlet of the ion injector, and an ion detector is coupled to the second end of the ion separation and drift channel. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.