Trace Explosives Dispensing Device for Substrate Residue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing test samples for trace explosives detection are labor-intensive and prone to errors, involving intermediate steps like dry-transfer techniques that can interfere with solvent interactions with substrates, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that dispense an explosive compound dissolved in a solvent, such as hydrofluoroalkane, in a dispersed manner to vaporize the solvent quickly, forming a residue on a substrate without interfering with the detection process, eliminating the need for dry-transfer steps and allowing for 'just-in-time' sample preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dry-transfer technique is used to prepare test samples, then solvent interaction with substrate is avoided, but labor intensity increases and errors are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of test sample preparationVSAvoidefficiency of sample preparation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate non-reactive strip from the traditional dry-transfer process. By directly dispensing explosive solution onto the substrate, the method removes the transfer step that causes labor intensity and potential errors, while maintaining reliable test results through controlled solvent evaporation and dispersion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing device performs multiple functions: it delivers the explosive compound, controls solvent evaporation, and creates the residue pattern in a single operation. This multi-functional approach replaces the multiple separate steps of the traditional dry-transfer method, improving efficiency without sacrificing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If intermediate dry-transfer steps are used, then solvent interference with substrate is prevented, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent interaction with substrateVSAvoidcomplexity of sample preparation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the intermediate non-reactive strip and transfer steps from the process. By using a dispensing device that directly applies explosive solution to the substrate with controlled evaporation, the method eliminates process complexity while preventing solvent interference through the dispersed delivery mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical transfer process (rubbing the strip onto the substrate) with a direct dispensing and evaporation process. This substitution simplifies the overall process by eliminating the mechanical transfer step while achieving the same goal of preventing solvent-substrate interaction through controlled solvent removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If direct deposition of explosive solution is used, then labor is reduced and efficiency increases, but solvent may interact with substrate and undermine detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of sample preparationVSAvoidsolvent interaction with substrate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the explosive solution into fine droplets or aerosol particles during dispensing. This segmentation increases the surface area-to-volume ratio, accelerating solvent evaporation and reducing the time the solvent remains in contact with the substrate, thereby preventing harmful interactions while maintaining high efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a rapid dispensing and evaporation process that rushes through the solvent delivery phase. The solvent is deposited and quickly evaporates before it can interact significantly with the substrate, allowing direct deposition to proceed efficiently without undermining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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 reduces labor and error by enabling efficient, accurate, and direct deposition of explosive residues on substrates, preventing solvent interference and allowing for automated, precise preparation of test samples, which can be used in various substrates and environments, enhancing the reliability of trace explosives detection.

Implementation Method 1

A delivery mechanism of the device is to dispense the sample in a dispersed manner to enable vaporization of the solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

formation of a residue of the explosive compound on the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11402365B2Dry-deposit trace explosives dispensing devices and testing systems

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SEC OF HOMELAND SECURITY

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and method to dispense an explosive compound onto a substrate. An example device includes a solvent having the explosive compound dissolved in the solvent to form a sample. A delivery mechanism dispenses the sample in a dispersed manner to sufficiently vaporize the solvent to prevent wicking while dispersing a residue of the explosive compound on the substrate to enable detection by explosive detection tools.