Spray-Deployed Enzyme Sensor for Surface Contamination Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enzyme-based biosensors are limited in detecting target chemicals over large areas or surfaces without the need for sampling, as they require physical contact with the sensing device, making them impractical for wide-scale or surface contamination detection.
Innovation Solution
Development of an aqueous enzyme-based sensor system comprising enzymes and indicator compounds that can be sprayed onto surfaces, allowing for enzymatic reactions to generate visible or machine-readable signals without sampling, using a dispensing system to deliver the enzyme and indicator mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional enzyme-based biosensors are used, then detection of target chemicals is achieved through enzyme inhibition or catalysis, but the sensing device requires physical contact with the surface and sampling is necessary, making it impractical for large area detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spray delivery system that aerosolizes the enzyme-containing liquid solution, allowing it to be dispersed as fine droplets across large surfaces. This pneumatic/hydraulic delivery method enables rapid coverage of extensive areas without requiring physical contact or manual sampling, directly resolving the contradiction between detection area and operation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional biosensor from a solid-state contact device to a liquid spray formulation. By changing the physical state and delivery parameters of the enzyme system, it enables aerosolization and spray application, allowing detection across large areas while simplifying operation to merely spraying the liquid onto the surface
2Measurement precision
If enzyme-based biosensors are incorporated in devices such as electrodes, transducers, fiber optics, hydrogels, polymer sponges or crystals, then selective detection of target chemicals is achieved, but sampling of surfaces is required which is not practical over large areas or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The spray delivery system aerosolizes the enzyme-containing liquid, enabling rapid dispersion across large surfaces without manual sampling. This pneumatic delivery method reduces sampling time significantly while maintaining detection precision through the preserved enzyme-substrate interaction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The enzyme, indicator compound, and substrate are pre-mixed in a stable liquid formulation that can be stored and then rapidly deployed via spray. This preliminary preparation of the sensing mixture eliminates the time-consuming steps of separate application and assembly, allowing immediate detection across large areas
3Ease of operation
If aqueous enzyme-based sensor is sprayed onto surfaces, then detection of target analytes is enabled without sampling, but the system requires delivery of liquid containing enzymes and indicator compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the enzyme, indicator compound, and substrate into a single integrated liquid formulation. This merging of multiple sensing components into one deliverable solution simplifies operation to a single spray action while the internal chemical interactions maintain the detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The aqueous liquid formulation serves as an intermediary carrier that delivers the enzyme and indicator compounds to the surface. This liquid medium facilitates the transfer and interaction of the sensing components without requiring complex device assembly or multiple delivery steps
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
Enables the detection of target analytes on surfaces through enzymatic reactions, providing a practical method for wide-area contamination detection without the need for surface sampling, suitable for security applications like nerve agent or toxic chemical detection.
Implementation Method 1
Enzyme-based biosensors are most suitable for detection of toxins such as, for example, but not limited to, pesticides, acids, chemical warfare agents, and toxic industrial chemicals because enzymes can be selectively inhibited by a particular class of chemicals
Implementation Method 2
many enzyme-based sensors detect the target analyte by utilizing the analyte itself as a substrate
Implementation Method 3
at least one indicator compound that indicates reaction of one of the enzymes with a target analyte via either visible color change or machine-readable changes such as, for example, including change in the pH or oxidation state
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous enzyme based sensor comprising one or more enzymes and at least one indicator compound capable of indicating a reaction of at least one of the enzymes with at least one target analyte, wherein the enzyme and the indicator are capable of being delivered, preferably by being sprayed, to a surface having the target analyte without sampling the surface. An aqueous enzyme based sensor is provided that is capable of detecting an enzyme specific substrate as the analyte. This aqueous enzyme based sensor further comprises of one or more enzyme specific substrates in which the sensor detects enzyme inhibition. The aqueous enzyme based sensor optionally comprises one or more of a light scattering additive(s), an adhesive polymer(s), a protein stabilizer(s), a protein stabilizing sugar(s), a surfactant(s), and a solvent(s), and combinations thereof. A dispensing system and a method of detecting a target chemical on a surface without sampling the surface is provided.