Sample Support with Irregular Porous Structure for Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass spectrometry, existing sample support bodies fail to enhance signal intensity of sample ions effectively, limiting sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A sample support body with a substrate having an irregular porous structure and a conductive layer on one surface, facilitating capillary action and energy transmission for improved ionization, potentially omitting the conductive layer if the substrate is conductive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a regular porous structure is used in the substrate, then the sample component movement is slower, but the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using an irregular porous structure instead of a regular periodic pattern. The irregular arrangement of pores creates multiple short flow paths that accelerate sample component movement from the second surface to the first surface, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard sintering processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate employs a sintered body structure where spherical glass beads are sintered together, creating an irregular porous network. This spherical building block approach naturally generates the irregular pore distribution that enhances capillary action and sample transport speed without requiring complex manufacturing.
2Device complexity
If the substrate is made from expensive conductive materials, then the conductive layer can be omitted, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing conductivity only where needed - specifically on the first surface through the conductive layer. The bulk substrate can remain electrically insulating (using inexpensive glass beads), while the conductive coating on the surface enables laser energy transmission and ionization without requiring the entire substrate to be made from expensive conductive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining an insulating porous substrate (sintered glass beads) with a thin conductive layer on the surface. This composite structure achieves the dual functionality of capillary action for sample transport and electrical conductivity for energy transmission, while keeping overall material costs low.
3Use of energy by moving object
If energy transmission efficiency is improved through better conductive properties, then ionization efficiency increases, but material cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for inherently conductive materials with a thin conductive coating on an insulating substrate. This substitution allows the use of inexpensive glass bead sintering for the bulk structure while adding only a thin conductive layer for energy transmission, avoiding the need for expensive bulk conductive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials (sintered glass beads with irregular pore structure) for the substrate, which provides excellent capillary action for sample transport. The porous insulating substrate is combined with a surface conductive layer, separating the functions of sample transport (porous structure) and energy transmission (conductive layer).
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 significantly improves signal intensity of sample ions by accelerating sample component movement and efficient energy transfer, while being cost-effective with substrates like sintered glass beads or porous metals.
Implementation Method 1
it is possible to move a component of the sample from the second surface side of the substrate towards the first surface side through the porous structure by using a capillary action
Implementation Method 2
energy is transmitted to the component of the sample that is moved to the first surface side via the conductive layer, and thus, the component of the sample can be ionized
Implementation Method 3
the component of the sample can be ionized
Data Source
AI summary
A sample support body is a sample support body for ionizing a sample, including: a substrate having an irregular porous structure formed to communicate a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; and a conductive layer provided at least on the first surface.