Soaking Machine for Crystalline Sponge Sample Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for single-crystal X-ray structure analysis face challenges in preparing and handling very small and fragile crystalline sponges, which are essential for soaking and analyzing samples, particularly for liquid compounds or small sample amounts.

Innovation Solution

A soaking machine is developed to facilitate the soaking of analysis samples into crystalline sponges by providing a controlled environment for sample supply and discharge, temperature adjustment, and precise control over soaking conditions, ensuring reliable attachment and handling of the crystalline sponge within the single-crystal X-ray structure analysis apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a very small and fragile crystalline sponge is used for single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, then the applicability to liquid compounds and small sample amounts is improved, but the handling and attachment to sample holder becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to liquid compounds and small sample amountsVSAvoidhandling and attachment to sample holder
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sample holder as an intermediary device between the crystalline sponge and the X-ray analysis apparatus. The sample holder includes a holding portion that securely grasps the fragile crystalline sponge and a mounting portion that attaches to the apparatus, thereby facilitating easy handling without direct manual manipulation of the fragile sponge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sample holder is divided into distinct functional segments: a holding portion for grasping the crystalline sponge and a mounting portion for attachment to the X-ray apparatus. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, making the overall system easier to operate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If conventional manual preparation methods are used for crystalline sponge samples, then expertise and experience are required, but the complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal structure determination accuracyVSAvoidpreparation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sample holder enables the crystalline sponge to be self-loaded into the X-ray analysis apparatus without requiring expert manual manipulation. The holding portion securely grasps the sponge and the mounting portion allows for straightforward attachment, making the process accessible to non-specialists

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the crystalline sponge is made very small for high-yield analysis, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of secure attachment decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis throughputVSAvoidsecure attachment to sample holder
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sample holder acts as a reliable intermediary that securely grasps even very small crystalline sponges through its holding portion. This secure grasping mechanism ensures that the small sponge remains reliably attached during handling and analysis, maintaining reliability while enabling high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 soaking machine enables efficient, high-yield, and user-friendly single-crystal X-ray structure analysis by ensuring precise and reliable soaking of samples in crystalline sponges, even for non-specialists, thereby expanding the applicability of this analysis method.

Implementation Method 1

a porous complex crystal in which countless pores having a diameter of 0.5 to 1 nm are formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3885755B1Single-crystal x-ray structural analysis sample occlusion device and occlusion method
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 RIGAKU CORP
  • EP3885755B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3885755B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3885755B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A soaking machine of a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis sample, that makes it possible to surely perform soaking by supplying a sample into a porous complex crystal; and a soaking method therefor, are provided. There is provided is a soaking machine 300 for soaking a sample, comprising a supply section that supplies the sample into an applicator 311 in which a sample holder 310 that holds a porous complex crystal is inserted, a temperature adjustment section 320 that controls a temperature of the applicator 311, a discharge section that carries out the sample from the inside of the applicator 311 in which the sample holder 310 is inserted, and a control section 340 that controls the supply section, the temperature adjustment section 320 and the discharge section.