Hydrophobic PVDF Membrane Water Sampler for Bacterial Diversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting and concentrating marine bacteria from different water depths are inefficient, as they often damage bacteria, miss species due to filtration limitations, and require large, difficult-to-sterilize containers, leading to incomplete bacterial diversity profiling and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A water sampling device with a hydrophobic PVDF membrane and a simple, spring-operated mechanism that collects water samples from specific depths, using a polymeric membrane to concentrate bacteria in situ, reducing contamination and preserving bacterial diversity for real-time analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If filtration method is used to concentrate bacteria, then bacteria concentration is improved, but small size bacteria escape through filter and barophobic bacteria get damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a porous polymeric membrane with specific pore size and hydrophobic properties that allows bacteria to attach and concentrate without requiring high-pressure filtration. The membrane structure enables bacterial concentration while preserving bacterial integrity by avoiding mechanical damage during the concentration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the membrane material to create a hydrophobic surface with enhanced bacterial attachment properties. This allows concentration of bacteria without the need for traditional filtration that damages barophobic bacteria, as the membrane selectively attracts and retains bacteria through surface properties rather than mechanical filtering.
2Quantity of substance
If large containers are used for water sample collection, then sample volume is improved, but sterilization difficulty and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sampling system into separate components: a sampling container and a membrane filtration system. The membrane can be sterilized independently and attached to the container, allowing for more effective sterilization of critical components without requiring sterilization of the entire large container system.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric membrane acts as an intermediary between the water sample and the collection container. The membrane can be sterilized separately and provides a barrier that prevents contamination, allowing the container itself to remain non-sterile while still achieving sterile sampling through the membrane interface.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional filtration membranes are used, then bacterial concentration is improved, but bacterial diversity is lost due to species-specific recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the membrane parameters by using hydrophobic polymeric materials with enhanced bacterial attachment properties that are not species-specific. This allows diverse bacterial species to attach and concentrate on the membrane surface simultaneously, preserving bacterial diversity while achieving concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite polymeric membrane materials that combine hydrophobic properties with controlled pore structure, creating a surface that universally attracts different types of bacteria. This composite material approach enables recovery of diverse bacterial species that would be missed by traditional filtration membranes designed for specific bacterial sizes or types.
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 device effectively concentrates diverse bacteria from various depths with minimal contamination and damage, providing a cost-effective, efficient method for bacterial diversity studies that can be sterilized and withstands high water pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring located around the shaft and in a space defined between the horizontal member and the top lid; wherein the top lid is biased towards the top end opening of the rigid body and away from the horizontal member by the spring
Implementation Method 2
The membrane used for this device is a hydrophobic in nature and made up of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer (20% w/w) with the property of enhanced bacterial attachment
Implementation Method 3
In general filtration is a common method to concentrate the bacteria before plating
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention generally relates to a water sampling device having a rigid body, a top lid, extension members, a horizontal member, a spring, a rod member, at least one polymer membrane and a bottom lid. The top lid having a shaft attached to it and the shaft is traversing through the horizontal member. The bottom lid is connected to the rod member whereupon the at least one polymer membrane is attached perpendicularly. The water sampling device while in operation of collecting water sample to concentrate diversified bacteria from different water depth undergoes two different stages of lid opening and closing wherein the top lid, the shaft and the spring co-operating with the rigid body and the horizontal member such that in a first state, the top lid seals the top end opening while in a second state allows fluid to flow to an inside portion of the rigid body.