Sample Support Body With Protective Film For Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass spectrometry, there is a need to improve the signal intensity of sample ions to enhance detection sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A sample support body with a substrate having through-holes and a conductive layer, where a protective film with higher water affinity is applied to the substrate and conductive layer surfaces, facilitating sample entry into the through-holes via capillary action and ionization using a laser beam, and optionally using conductive titanium oxide or zinc oxide for both conductive and protective functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional substrate structure is used without a protective film, then the structure is simple, but the sample components do not remain in the through-holes effectively, resulting in low signal intensity
Solution Approach 1:
A protective film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the substrate and the sample components. This film has higher water affinity than the substrate, creating a gradient that guides sample components into the through-holes and helps them remain trapped there, thereby improving signal intensity without fundamentally changing the substrate structure
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of the substrate are modified by coating it with a protective film that has different water affinity characteristics. This parameter change in surface wettability creates capillary forces that draw sample components into the through-holes and retain them, improving measurement precision
2Productivity
If the substrate alone is used without a protective film, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the sample components circulate out of the through-holes, reducing ionization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The protective film serves as a mediator that interacts with both the substrate and the sample components. Its higher water affinity creates capillary forces that prevent sample components from circulating out of the through-holes, thereby improving ionization efficiency while adding only a coating step to the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The protective film is applied in advance to the substrate before sample analysis. This preliminary action ensures that the surface has the appropriate water affinity characteristics to guide and retain sample components in the through-holes, improving productivity without complicating the actual sample processing
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 increases signal intensity by ensuring sample components remain within the through-holes, improving ionization efficiency and detection sensitivity in mass spectrometry.
Implementation Method 1
components of the sample to be measured enter into the plurality of through-holes of the substrate due to a capillary phenomenon
Implementation Method 2
a laser beam is applied to the first surface of the substrate. Thus, energy of the laser beam is transmitted to the components of the sample via the conductive layer, and the components of the sample are ionized
Implementation Method 3
the components of the sample are ionized
Data Source
AI summary
A sample support body includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; and a conductive layer provided on at least the first surface. A plurality of through-holes, which open to the second surface and to a third surface of the conductive layer which is locate at a side opposite to the substrate, are provided in the substrate and the conductive layer. A protective film having a higher affinity with water than the substrate is provided on the second surface, the third surface, and each inner surface of the plurality of through-holes.