Porous Sample Support With Low-Absorbency Calibration Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass analysis, the absorption of calibration samples by the porous structure of sample supports can lead to difficulties in mass calibration, especially when the calibration sample concentration is low, as components are moved to the back surface, making it challenging to perform accurate calibration.
Innovation Solution
A sample support with a substrate featuring a calibration portion having a surface flush with the measurement surface and lower water absorbability than the measurement region, which reduces absorption and facilitates the precipitation of calibration sample components, allowing for accurate mass calibration even with low-concentration samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a porous structure is used in the substrate to enable sample component movement, then sample ionization efficiency is improved, but calibration sample absorption increases making mass calibration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into two distinct regions: a measurement region with porous structure for sample ionization, and a calibration region with non-porous structure for calibration sample deposition. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interference - the porous measurement region maintains ionization efficiency while the non-porous calibration region prevents calibration sample absorption, enabling accurate mass calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the substrate are given different local properties: the measurement region has high porosity (30-70%) for efficient sample component movement and ionization, while the calibration region has low or zero porosity to prevent calibration sample absorption. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to be optimized for its specific purpose.
2Measurement precision
If the calibration sample concentration is kept low to match measurement sample sensitivity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but sample absorption by porous structure increases reducing available components for calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into a porous measurement region and a non-porous calibration region. The non-porous calibration region prevents absorption of low-concentration calibration samples, ensuring sufficient components remain on the surface for accurate mass calibration, while the porous measurement region maintains high sensitivity for measurement samples.
3Ease of operation
If the porous structure absorbs calibration sample solvent, then sample components are moved to back surface, but this reduces components available on front surface for mass calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into a porous measurement region where solvent absorption and component movement are desired, and a non-porous calibration region where solvent absorption is prevented. This allows calibration sample components to remain on the front surface in the calibration region for accurate mass calibration, while the measurement region maintains its component transport function.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate exhibits local quality differentiation: the calibration region has non-porous properties (porosity <10%, preferably <1%) to prevent solvent absorption and retain calibration components on the surface, while the measurement region has porous properties (porosity 30-70%) to enable efficient sample component movement and ionization.
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 sample support enables effective mass calibration by preventing absorption of calibration samples and allowing their components to precipitate on the surface, enabling the use of low-concentration samples and improving the visibility and accuracy of the calibration process.
Implementation Method 1
water absorbability of the calibration portion is lower than the water absorbability of the measurement region
Implementation Method 2
the components of the sample can be moved toward the first surface side from the second surface side of the substrate via the porous structure
Data Source
AI summary
A sample support includes a substrate including a first surface, and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, and including a measurement region in which a porous structure for communicating the first surface and the second surface with each other is formed. A calibration portion including a surface flush with the first surface is formed in the substrate. The water absorbability of the calibration portion is lower than the water absorbability of the measurement region.