Versatile Passive Air Sampler with Interchangeable Sorbents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air sampling badges are limited in versatility, often designed to sample a single contaminant and have restricted uptake rates due to their construction, which may not effectively capture multiple airborne contaminants simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A wearable or placeable air sampler with multiple sampling sides and interchangeable collection media, allowing for varying sampling rates by adjusting the number and size of holes in the diffusion barrier, enabling the simultaneous collection of different air contaminants with customizable sorbent materials and permeable pouches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a badge is designed to sample a single contaminant with a fixed absorbent material, then the sampling rate is limited by the construction, but the device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The badge frame is designed with multiple chambers that can accommodate different types of absorbents (charcoal, sorbent media, treated paper) to sample multiple different contaminants simultaneously. The universal frame structure supports various sampling configurations for different contaminant types.
Solution Approach 2:
The badge is divided into multiple independent chambers, each capable of holding different absorbent materials for different contaminants. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for specific contaminant types while maintaining overall badge functionality.
2Productivity
If the diffusion barrier has a high number of holes to increase uptake rate, then the sampling rate increases, but the barrier structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusion barrier is designed as a porous material with controlled hole distribution. The porous structure provides adequate structural integrity while maintaining sufficient open area for contaminant diffusion and uptake, balancing strength requirements with sampling rate optimization.
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 sampler provides enhanced versatility and accuracy in air contaminant sampling by accommodating multiple collection media and adjustable sampling rates, ensuring comprehensive contaminant capture and easy reuse with interchangeable components.
Implementation Method 1
the 'uptake rate' of a diffusion sampler is directly proportional to the diffusion coefficient of the collected contaminant
Implementation Method 2
a permeable pouch containing a predetermined amount of sorbent, charcoal or other material, or a portion of treated paper, known to absorb a contaminant
Data Source
AI summary
A passive air sampler is designed to allow for multiple sorbents and multiple sampling rates. The passive air sampler is also reusable and has interchangeable sorbents.