Conductive Interference Sample Plate for MALDI Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass spectrometry using the MALDI process, there is a need to apply voltage to samples on a sample mounting plate and improve visibility of the sample arrangement, as conventional plates lack effective conductivity and visibility enhancement features.
Innovation Solution
A sample mounting plate with a ceramic substrate, a conductive interference layer exhibiting a distinct color through optical interference, and a water-repellent layer is designed. The conductive interference layer is composed of multiple metal and transparent layers, and the water-repellent layer is applied on top, with grooves to enhance visibility and prevent sample spread. This configuration allows for voltage application and improved sample visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform coating is applied on the sample plate, then ease of manufacture is improved, but visibility of sample arrangement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is designed to exhibit optical interference patterns that create visible color differences across the plate. These color variations provide visual cues for sample arrangement positions while the coating process itself remains uniform and simple, maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference pattern creates local variations in optical properties (color) across the plate surface. This local quality differentiation enhances visibility of sample positions without requiring non-uniform coating application, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Reliability
If a thick coating is applied to enhance water repellency, then water repellency is improved, but sample mounting precision deteriorates due to excessive sample containment
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating is applied uniformly across the entire plate surface rather than only in specific areas. This partial excess action ensures that water repellency is sufficient to contain samples within intended regions without requiring overly thick or localized coatings that would interfere with precise sample placement.
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 effective voltage application to samples and enhances visibility by contrasting colors, reducing sample spread and improving the accuracy of sample placement on the plate.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive interference layer that has conductivity and exhibits a color different from the substrate with optical interference
Implementation Method 2
a water-repellent layer that has water repellency higher than that of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A sample mounting plate has: a substrate made of alumina ceramic which exhibits white; and a cover layer which is laminated so as to cover the front surface of the substrate and which has multiple grooves formed in some areas. The cover layer has: a conductive interference layer which exhibits conductivity and is configured so as to exhibit a prescribed color (such as navy blue) through light interference and which is laminated on the substrate; and a water-repellent layer which exhibits higher water repellency than that of the substrate and is laminated on at least a part of the conductive interference layer and on which a sample is to be mounted.