Through-Hole Sample Support Reinforcement for Capillary Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sample supports for mass spectrometry are prone to breakage due to their thinness, which compromises their strength and stability during the capillary action and ionization processes.
Innovation Solution
A sample support with a substrate having through holes on both surfaces, a conductive layer that does not block the holes, and a reinforcement member inside some of the holes to enhance strength, allowing capillary action and ionization while minimizing substrate bending and breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the substrate is made thin to accelerate capillary action, then the sample movement speed is improved, but the substrate strength decreases and breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple regions: through holes for sample transport, conductive regions for ionization, and reinforcement regions with increased thickness or structural support. This segmentation allows different areas to serve different functions - thin regions enable fast capillary action while reinforced regions provide mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate has non-uniform thickness and properties: thin in sample transport regions for fast capillary action, and thicker or reinforced in specific areas for mechanical strength. The reinforcement members are strategically placed only where needed to prevent breakage during handling and ionization processes
2Productivity
If the substrate is made thin to enhance capillary action efficiency, then the ionization efficiency is improved, but the substrate is easily bent and broken
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate combines materials with different properties: a base substrate material optimized for capillary action and ionization, plus reinforcement members made of different materials (such as metals or polymers) that provide mechanical strength without interfering with the chemical and physical processes of sample transport and ionization
3Strength
If reinforcement members are added to strengthen the substrate, then the substrate strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is extracted as a separate component (reinforcement members) that can be independently designed, manufactured, and positioned. This allows the substrate to maintain its simple, thin structure for capillary action while the added reinforcement members provide strength only where necessary, minimizing overall complexity
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 reinforcement member effectively prevents substrate bending and breakage, ensuring stable capillary action and efficient ionization, thereby maintaining the integrity of the sample support during the mass spectrometry process.
Implementation Method 1
the energy is transmitted to the component of the sample moved to the first surface side via the conductive layer, and thus, it is possible to ionize the component of the sample
Implementation Method 2
it is possible to move the sample (a component of the sample) toward the first surface side from the second surface side through the through hole, by using a capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A sample support is a sample support for sample ionization, including: a substrate formed with a plurality of through holes opening to a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface; a conductive layer provided not to block the through hole in the first surface; and a reinforcement member disposed inside a part of the plurality of through holes.