Method for fluid sampling using electrically controlled droplets
View Patent ↗The present disclosure relates to a method for sampling a fluid, such as air. As fluid flows through a device, a scrubbing liquid is positioned in a pattern to contact the fluid and constituents in the fluid are transferred to in the liquid.
1. A method for sampling a fluid, the method comprising:
providing a sampling fluid in a directional stream;
positioning a scrubbing liquid in a pattern to intercept the sampling fluid;
contacting the sampling fluid with the scrubbing liquid to remove at least one constituent from the sampling fluid;
collecting the scrubbing liquid to collect the constituent; and
analyzing the scrubbing liquid for the presence of the constituent,
wherein the scrubbing liquid is positioned in the pattern by electrical control.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sampling fluid is a gas.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the gas is air.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises of individually controllable droplets.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the sampling fluid is a gas, and wherein the gas is air or human respiration.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the droplets are controlled by electrowetting.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the droplets are controlled by electrowetting on a dielectric.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the electrowetting on a dielectric is optically activated.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
providing a gas sampling device, wherein the device comprises:
a first surface;
a second surface, parallel and proximate to the first surface;
a volume at least partially defined by said first and second surfaces;
a source chamber suitable for containing a liquid, said source chamber being fluidly connected to said volume;
a collection chamber suitable for containing a liquid, said collection chamber being fluidly connected to said volume; and
a passage allowing a flow of gas through said volume; and
moving liquid droplets from the source chamber to the collection chamber.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein analyzing comprises providing an analytical device for performing at least one of colorimetric, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, and chromatographic analysis.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
providing a plurality of air sampling devices, wherein the devices are positioned in a parallel stack or in series.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the collection chamber is fluidly connected to a mass spectrometer, a liquid chromatograph, or a gas chromatograph.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises of individually controllable structures.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the scrubbing liquid comprises ferrofluids.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the sampling fluid is a gas, and wherein the gas is air or human respiration.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
providing a gas sampling device, wherein the device comprises:
a first surface;
a second surface, parallel and proximate to the first surface;
a cavity at least partially defined by said first and second surfaces;
a plurality of magnetizable structures, each of which is shaped so as to provide two ends, wherein each end functions as one pole of a dipole when the ferrofluid is magnetized, and wherein the ends oppose each other across said cavity;
a power source configured to provide an electric current to the plurality of magnetizable structures in a manner that generates a magnetic field across said cavity; and
a passage fluidly coupled with said cavity.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising optically activating the ferrofluid structures.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the ferrofluid is hydrophilic or hydrophobic.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein analyzing comprises providing an analytical device for performing at least one of colorimetric, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, and chromatographic analysis.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the collection chamber is fluidly connected to a mass spectrometer, a liquid chromatograph, or a gas chromatograph.
21. A method for sampling gases, the method comprising:
providing a gas in a directional stream;
positioning a scrubbing liquid in a pattern droplets to intercept the gas;
contacting the gas with the scrubbing liquid to remove at least one constituent from the gas;
collecting the scrubbing liquid to collect the constituent; and
analyzing the scrubbing liquid for the presence of the constituent,
wherein the scrubbing liquid is positioned in the pattern of droplets by electrowetting on a dielectric.
22. A method for sampling gases, the method comprising:
providing a gas in a directional stream;
positioning a scrubbing liquid in a pattern of ferrofluid structures to intercept the gas;
contacting the gas with the scrubbing liquid to remove at least one constituent from the gas;
collecting the scrubbing liquid to collect the constituent; and
analyzing the scrubbing liquid for the presence of the constituent,
wherein the scrubbing liquid is positioned in the pattern of ferrofluid structures by applying a magnetic field to the ferrofluid.