Multilayered Ion Mobility Analyzer Using Solid State Flow Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion mobility based systems, such as DMS and FAIMS, face challenges in miniaturization due to power consumption, complexity, and the need for a controlled gas atmosphere, with limitations in sensitivity, resolution, and portability, particularly in maintaining a pure and dehumidified environment and efficient power supply designs.
Innovation Solution
A compact ion mobility based analyzer employing a time-varying electric field for ion filtration, utilizing a multilayered chip assembly with a gas chromatograph layer, ion mobility filter layer, and detector layer, which includes a solid state flow generator and enhanced voltage coupling techniques, reducing the need for carrier gas flow and power consumption, and incorporating a Faraday plate detector for improved ion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mass spectrometers are used for detection, then sensitivity and selectivity are improved, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional layers including ionization layer, drift layer, and detection layer, each performing a specific function. This segmentation allows the system to achieve mass spectrometer-level sensitivity while maintaining a compact form factor by eliminating unnecessary components and focusing on essential functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vacuum pump requirement by operating in atmospheric pressure conditions. By removing this bulky and power-intensive component, the device achieves portable size while maintaining detection sensitivity through alternative ion guidance and detection mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If conventional FAIMS systems are used, then ion filtering capability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drift layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an ion mobility filter, a transport mechanism, and a focusing element. By merging these functions into a single layer structure, the device achieves effective ion filtering without the complex multi-component systems required by conventional FAIMS.
Solution Approach 2:
The drift layer is designed to perform multiple operations including ion separation by mobility, ion transport to the detector, and ion focusing. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining superior ion filtering capability compared to conventional systems.
3Volume of moving object
If time of flight ion mobility spectrometers are miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but resolution and sensitivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional drift tube geometry to a planar layered structure with multiple functional layers. This dimensional change allows the device to achieve effective ion separation and detection in a compact footprint, maintaining resolution while dramatically reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic voltage control across the drift layer to optimize ion separation and detection. By dynamically adjusting electric field strengths and distributions, the system maintains high resolution ion mobility measurements in a miniaturized configuration.
4Measurement precision
If controlled gas atmosphere systems are implemented, then ion mobility measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the ambient atmospheric gas as the drift medium, eliminating the need for separate gas supply and control systems. This self-service approach maintains measurement accuracy by using the naturally occurring gas composition while dramatically reducing power consumption and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates at atmospheric pressure conditions rather than requiring controlled vacuum or pressurized environments. By changing the operating pressure parameter to match ambient conditions, the device maintains ion mobility measurement accuracy while eliminating power-intensive gas control systems.
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, low-power, and highly sensitive ion mobility analyzer capable of rapid sample analysis with improved resolution and sensitivity, capable of detecting ions at low concentrations, and operates efficiently with reduced system size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
ion mobility based analyzer for filtering ions in a sample using a time varying or periodic electric field
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a Faraday plate detector for improved ion detection
Data Source
AI summary
An ultra compact ion mobility based analyzer in a multilayered chip assembly employing various features such as a ion flow generator to propel ions through an ion mobility based filter and, thereby, reduce analyzer size, cost, and power requirements.