Membrane Gas Sensor With Openings For Nitric Oxide Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis devices for detecting analytes in the gas phase face issues such as sensitivity to external influences, complexity, high manufacturing costs, and difficulties in portability due to large interfacial areas, complex liquid manipulation, and reagent depletion, especially in systems with open liquid reservoirs and active liquid manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The analysis device features a membrane with openings that allows analytes to diffuse directly to a sensor, minimizing transport distance and eliminating the need for active analyte transport, using a membrane with optimized opening sizes and shapes to maintain a stable air-liquid interface and facilitate rapid detection, while allowing for passive liquid addition and minimizing dead volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If open liquid reservoirs with passive particle absorption are used, then the interfacial area is large, but the sensitivity to external influence is large and robustness to pressure variation and gravitation changes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin liquid film instead of an open liquid reservoir. The liquid film is maintained between a sensor surface and a opposing surface (membrane or solid), creating a stable, enclosed configuration that provides sufficient interfacial area for analyte absorption while protecting the liquid from external disturbances such as pressure variations and gravitation changes.
2Device complexity
If surface tension based passive systems are used, then the system is simpler, but the possibility for rapid response signal is reduced and achieving sufficiently large exposed area is problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters including the thickness of the liquid film, the area of the sensor surface, and the properties of the liquid to achieve rapid analyte transport and detection. The controlled geometry and physical parameters enable fast response while maintaining system simplicity through passive operation.
3Measurement precision
If active liquid manipulation is used, then particle capture and transfer is enhanced, but the complexity of the device increases and portability is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive particle absorption where particles or analytes in the gas phase are absorbed directly into the liquid film through diffusion and surface absorption mechanisms. This self-service approach eliminates the need for active liquid manipulation systems such as pumps or moving liquid fronts, thereby reducing device complexity and improving portability while maintaining effective particle capture.
4Length of stationary object
If long transport paths through tubing and valves are used, then sample delivery is achieved, but reagent depletion through parasitic binding and sample dispersion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or eliminates the need for long transport paths by placing the liquid film in direct contact with the gas phase analyte source. This direct contact configuration removes intermediate tubing and valves from the analyte transport path, preventing parasitic binding and sample dispersion while maintaining effective sample delivery to the sensing interface.
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 design enhances sensitivity, reduces analyte loss, and simplifies the device, making it more robust and portable with reduced manufacturing costs, as it allows for rapid detection and efficient analyte transport through diffusion and Marangoni flow, while maintaining stability against pressure and gravitational changes.
Implementation Method 1
allows analytes to diffuse directly to a sensor, minimizing transport distance
Implementation Method 2
passive particle absorption has been suggested
Implementation Method 3
efficient analyte transport through diffusion and Marangoni flow
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
There is provided an analysis device comprising a gas phase and a liquid phase and at least one sensor, said sensor having at least one point where an analyte is detected, said at least point being in contact with the liquid phase, characterized in that the device comprises a membrane with a first and a second side, which membrane is in contact with the gas phase on at least a part of one side of the membrane and which membrane is in contact with the liquid phase on at least a part of the other side of the membrane, wherein the membrane comprises openings, and wherein the largest possible distance between any two openings in the membrane is larger than the distance between the membrane and the point where an analyte is detected, moreover there is provided a method for analyzing an analyte in a gas phase.