Silver Nanoparticle Detection via Yeast Autofluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting silver ions and nanoparticles in specimens face limitations, including inability to detect intracellularly dissolved silver ions and specific size ranges, and are often complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method using adenine deficient yeast that autofluoresces in the presence of zinc ions and de-fluoresces in the presence of silver ions, allowing for the detection and quantification of silver nanoparticles by measuring fluorescence changes, enabling the determination of intracellularly dissolved silver ions and nanoparticles in a specimen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methodologies are used to detect silver ions or nanoparticles, then detection capability is provided, but they cannot detect intracellularly dissolved silver ions and are limited to specific size ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (a specific fluorescent probe or indicator) that can interact with both silver ions and silver nanoparticles across different size ranges. This intermediary enables the detection system to respond to a broader spectrum of silver species including intracellularly dissolved ions, thereby extending the detection versatility without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The detection method is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: detecting silver ions, silver nanoparticles of various sizes, and intracellularly dissolved silver. By creating a universal detection platform that can handle diverse silver species through a single methodology, the patent eliminates the need for multiple specialized techniques while maintaining accurate measurement across all targets
2Measurement precision
If conventional methodologies are used for detection, then some detection capability is provided, but the methods are too complicated to be commercially realistic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the essential detection function from complex conventional methodologies by using a single, specific fluorescent probe or indicator that directly responds to silver species. This extraction simplifies the overall detection system by removing unnecessary intermediate steps, sample preparation procedures, and multiple reagents while preserving the core measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or chemical separation systems with a fluorescent optical detection system. Instead of using elaborate physical separation techniques or multiple chemical assays, the invention uses fluorescence signals to directly indicate the presence and concentration of silver species, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through optical detection
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
This approach provides a sensitive, cost-effective, and environmentally relevant method for detecting silver nanoparticles and their intracellular dissolution, with a low detection limit and wide applicability in environmental assessments.
Implementation Method 1
said organism is a yeast adapted to autofluorescence in the presence of zinc ions and de-fluoresce in the presence of silver ions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detection of the presence and/or quantities of silver nanoparticles in a specimen is shown. The method includes the steps of a) providing a detection organism suspended in a medium, b) treating the detection organism with zinc ions thus effecting auto-fluorescence therefrom, and then measuring degree of fluorescence of the detection organism suspended medium, c) adding the specimen to the detection organism suspended medium, treating the detection organism therein with the specimen for a period of time, and measuring change of fluorescence of the detection organism-suspended medium over time, d) calculating amount of silver ions intracellularly dissolved from the silver nanoparticles and accumulated in the detection organism in view of the change of fluorescence, and e) extrapolating quantity of silver nanoparticles in the specimen in view of the change of fluorescence and the amount of the intracellularly dissolved silver ions.