Transparent Mesh Holder for Serial Crystallography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for serial crystallography require complex and costly sample holders that are not user-friendly, often requiring multiple pieces and reconfiguration of synchrotron beamlines, and introduce points of failure, while also producing high background noise due to non-transparent materials, which hinders efficient data collection and sample handling.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising three reversibly assembled pieces with a Mylar-printed Nylon mesh sandwiched between transparent substrates, allowing for easy loading and hermetic sealing, compatible with standard crystallography pins, and enabling quick setup and tear-down, reducing the need for extensive beamline reconfiguration and minimizing sample disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyimide sheets are used to sandwich Nylon mesh, then the mesh is secured in place, but high background noise is produced due to non-transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using opaque polyimide sheets to transparent materials (glass coverslips, transparent adhesives like Vaseline or silicone grease). This material substitution maintains the mesh-securing function while eliminating the harmful background noise in X-ray images, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
2Reliability
If 8 to 10 separate pieces are used to seal the mesh and solution, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but device complexity increases and multiple points of failure are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate sealing components into a simplified assembly using transparent adhesive (Vaseline or silicone grease) to bond the glass coverslip to the mesh support. This merging reduces the number of pieces from 8-10 to just a few components, maintaining hermetic sealing while reducing complexity and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of thin transparent adhesive layers (Vaseline or silicone grease) creates a flexible yet hermetic seal between the glass coverslip and mesh support. This thin-film approach achieves reliable sealing without requiring multiple rigid components, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard crystallography pins are used, then compatibility with beamlines is maintained, but sample shaking or vibrating occurs due to quick movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite sample holder structure combining a mesh support (for crystal placement) with transparent adhesive bonding to a glass coverslip. This composite construction provides both beamline compatibility (maintaining standard pin dimensions) and enhanced sample stability (reducing vibration through rigid yet transparent bonding), resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a device for immobilizing and shipping crystals and for data collection via serial crystallography, the device having a first planar substrate defining a first transversely extending aperture, wherein the first substrate has a first laterally facing surface; a second planar substrate defining a second transversely extending aperture coaxial with the first aperture, wherein the second substrate has a second laterally facing surface; a third planar substrate and a fourth planar substrate positioned between the first and second substrates such that the first planar substrate, the second planar substrate, the third planar substrate and the fourth planar substrate are parallel; and a means for reversibly applying axial pressure to the first and second laterally facing surfaces so as to compress the third and fourth substrates together.