Instrument and method for energizing molecules in charged droplets

US11420205B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• INDIANA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION · US
• THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM · US

Inventors

• David E. Clemmer · Bloomington, US
• Tarik J. El-Baba · Bloomington, US
• Daniel Robert Fuller · Herndon, US
• Daniel Woodall · Ann Arbor, US
• David H. Russell · College Station, US
• Evan R. Williams · Oakland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 5, 2018
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2022
• Expiry date: Jun 20, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2400/02
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An instrument for energizing molecules contained in a sample solution may include a droplet generator configured to generate droplets of the sample solution. The droplet generator illustratively has an elongated nozzle defining an orifice at one end thereof from which the droplets exit the droplet generator, and the orifice illustratively defines a first longitudinal axis centrally therethrough. A molecule energizing source is configured to produce a molecule energizing field, and is positioned relative to the nozzle orifice such that the molecule energizing field extends into at least some of the generated droplets along a direction non-parallel with the first longitudinal axis. The molecule energizing field illustratively carries energy which heats at least one of the generated droplets sufficiently to induce structural changes in at least one molecule contained in the at least one of the generated droplets.