Spectroscopy Sampler Device for Rapid Powder Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ambient pressure desorption ionization technologies face challenges in analyzing powders and loose substances due to sample displacement by flowing gases and liquids, leading to compromised analysis and contamination of the spectroscopy system.
Innovation Solution
The use of metal powders to disperse and retain samples, either through their weight or magnetic fields, ensures the samples remain in position for analysis, allowing for secure and rapid ionization and detection without the need for sample dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ambient pressure desorption ionization is used to analyze powders and loose substances, then rapid analysis without dissolution is achieved, but sample displacement by flowing gases and liquids occurs leading to compromised analysis and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A sampler device is introduced as an intermediary component between the ionization source and the sample. This device maintains or constrains the position of loose powders and substances relative to the flowing gases and liquids, preventing sample displacement while enabling rapid ionization analysis without requiring sample dissolution
Solution Approach 2:
The sampler device modifies the spatial parameters of the sample by maintaining or constraining its position in the ionization region. This parameter control ensures that loose powders remain in the optimal location for ionization despite the presence of flowing gases and liquids, resolving the contradiction between rapid analysis and analysis reliability
2Loss of time
If ambient pressure desorption ionization is used for rapid analysis, then sample manipulation time is reduced, but sample displacement leads to contamination of the spectroscopy system
Solution Approach 1:
The sampler device serves as a protective intermediary that prevents sample material from being displaced into the spectroscopy system. By constraining sample position during ionization, it eliminates contamination risks while maintaining the rapid analysis capability without dissolution
Solution Approach 2:
The sampler device extracts or removes the harmful displacement effect from the system by actively constraining sample position. This separation of the sample containment function from the ionization process prevents contamination while preserving rapid analysis throughput
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 method enables reliable and rapid analysis of powders and loose substances by maintaining samples in the desorption ionization region, reducing contamination and increasing the efficiency of spectroscopy systems, while minimizing sample manipulation and protecting analysts from potential hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The use of metal powders to disperse and retain samples, either through their weight or magnetic fields, ensures the samples remain in position for analysis
Implementation Method 2
Ambient pressure desorption ionization sources, such as direct analysis in real time (DART®) and desorption electrospray ionization, enable detection of chemicals present as or embedded in a solid object or condensed on surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides for the efficient positioning of a sample to be analyzed by using either magnetic or electro-mechanical fields to retain the sample in the ionization region. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample is contacted with a sampler device, which is inserted into a chamber and accurately positioned using electro-mechanical devices. In an embodiment of the invention, the influence of an electro-mechanical field on the sampler device enables the sample to be positioned in the ionization region to be contacted by particles that result in ionization of the sample whereby rendering the resulting ions available for analysis.