Wet Foam Elution for Flat Filter Particle Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting and analyzing particles from air and liquids are inefficient, particularly in low concentration scenarios, leading to difficulties in detection and quantification, which affects national security, medical, and environmental applications.
Innovation Solution
A wet foam elution method is used to efficiently remove particles from flat filters by passing a stream of wet foam through the filter, allowing the foam to carry captured particles into a sample container where it quickly breaks down, producing an analysis-ready liquid sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dry filters are used for particle collection, then particle capture efficiency is improved, but particle removal into liquid becomes difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wet foam as an intermediary substance to transfer particles from the dry filter to liquid phase. The foam contains liquid that dissolves or suspends captured particles, serving as a bridge between the dry collection medium and liquid analysis requirements, thereby solving the difficulty of removing particles from dry filters into liquid
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the elution medium by using wet foam instead of traditional dry air or organic solvents. The foam provides controlled moisture and surface tension properties that enable efficient particle release from the filter while maintaining collection efficiency, thus improving both detection capability and particle removal efficiency
2Productivity
If traditional elution methods are used, then particle removal is achieved, but the process becomes tedious and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical elution systems with a simplified foam-based method. Instead of using mechanical agitation, heating, or chemical treatments, the system uses the natural expansion and collapse properties of wet foam to rapidly transfer particles, dramatically reducing elution time and improving extraction productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of foam (from liquid to gas-liquid mixture and back to liquid) to achieve rapid particle transfer. The foam expands to contact and lift particles from the filter, then collapses to deposit them in liquid form, completing the elution process in seconds rather than minutes or hours
3Measurement precision
If more liquid is used for particle elution, then complete particle removal is achieved, but channeling issues increase and sample volume becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses foam as a flexible, expandable medium that can penetrate and contact the entire filter surface area uniformly. The foam structure adapts to the filter geometry, ensuring complete particle contact and recovery without requiring excessive liquid volume, thus achieving complete particle recovery with minimal liquid usage
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 significantly enhances the efficiency of particle collection and extraction, reducing the volume of liquid required and minimizing channeling issues, enabling effective detection and analysis of biological particles even at low concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles
Implementation Method 2
Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using a wet foam elution method for removal of particles from a flat filter. Particles are captured from the atmosphere onto the flat filter. The flat filter is then placed into an extractor which passes a stream of wet foam through the flat filter. Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles. The foam flows from the filter along with the captured particles into a sample container. Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample.