Mass Spectrometer Calibration Chips Using Surface Energy Traps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The calibration of quantitative analysis instruments, such as mass spectrometers, is time-consuming and prone to systematic and random errors due to the lengthy preparation of calibration standards and manual fluid handling processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of hydrophobic/hydrophilic patterned surfaces with surface energy traps (SETs) on calibration and transfer chips allows for rapid and reproducible deposition of small liquid volumes, eliminating the need for manual pipetting by leveraging discontinuous dewetting to generate precisely sized droplets for calibration, which are then sampled using a liquid microjunction-surface sampling probe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual pipetting and weighing methods are used for calibration standard preparation, then measurement precision can be maintained, but calibration time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (pipetting, weighing, dispensing) with a surface energy trap-based system that uses controlled wetting and dewetting phenomena. The SETs automatically meter liquid volumes through capillary action and surface tension effects, eliminating the need for manual fluid handling while maintaining precise volume delivery for calibration standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface energy traps are designed to self-meter liquid volumes without external intervention. When liquid is applied to the chip, the SETs automatically capture and hold precise volumes through their hydrophobic/hydrophilic patterned surfaces, eliminating the need for operator skill in pipetting or weighing and significantly reducing calibration preparation time.
2Reliability
If multiple calibration standards are prepared manually to account for systematic and random errors, then calibration accuracy improves, but the complexity and time required for calibration preparation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration chip is segmented into multiple surface energy traps of different sizes, each capable of holding different volumes of calibration standard. This allows multiple calibration points to be prepared simultaneously on a single chip, eliminating the need for separate preparation of multiple standards and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliability through controlled replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface energy traps are pre-configured with specific hydrophobic/hydrophilic patterns that determine their liquid holding capacities. This preliminary structuring allows the chip to automatically deliver precise volumes when liquid is applied, eliminating the need for manual measurement and preparation steps during the calibration process itself.
3Measurement precision
If traditional fluid handling methods are used, then adequate mixing and distribution of calibration standards can be achieved, but manual handling introduces random errors and increases calibration time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual fluid handling operations with a surface energy-based system where liquid distribution is controlled by the hydrophobic/hydrophilic patterns of the SETs. This eliminates operator variability in pipetting and dispensing techniques, reducing random errors while simplifying the operation to simply applying liquid to the chip surface.
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 significantly reduces calibration time and minimizes errors by enabling rapid and precise metering of calibrant solutions, allowing for quick calibration of instruments without the need for traditional fluid handling, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of quantitative analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to discontinuous dewetting of hydrophobic/hydrophilic patterned surfaces to precisely deposit small liquid volumes on surfaces
Implementation Method 2
allowing for quick calibration of instruments without the need for traditional fluid handling
Data Source
AI summary
Rapid calibration of a quantitative analysis instrument such as a mass spectrometer is performed using a calibration chip surface having different sized surface energy traps (SETs) and a transfer chip surface having same sized SETs, wherein the SETs of each chip surface are substantially aligned when they are disposed face to face. The calibration chip is exposed to an analyte solution 5 such that different sized droplets adhere to the different sized SETs, and the transfer chip is exposed to a standard solution such that same sized droplets adhere to the same sized SETs. The chips are aligned face to face in a spaced relationship such that at least a portion of each droplet of the standard solution is transferred to the SETs of the calibration chip. The chips are then separated and the calibration chip is used to calibrate the quantitative analysis instrument by sampling the SETs.