Apparatus to collect, classify, concentrate, and characterize gas-borne particles
US6386015B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/2223
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An aerosol lab-on-a-chip (ALOC) integrates one or more of a variety of aerosol collection, classification, concentration (enrichment), and characterization processes onto a single substrate or layered stack of such substrates. By taking advantage of modern micro-machining capabilities, an entire suite of discrete laboratory aerosol handling and characterization techniques can be combined in a single portable device that can provide a wealth of data on the aerosol being sampled. The ALOC offers parallel characterization techniques and close proximity of the various characterization modules helps ensure that the same aerosol is available to all devices (dramatically reducing sampling and transport errors). Micro-machine fabrication of the ALOC significantly reduces unit costs relative to existing technology, and enables the fabrication of small, portable ALOC devices, as well as the potential for rugged design to allow operation in harsh environments. Miniaturization also offers the potential of working with smaller particle sizes and lower pressure drops (leading to reduction of power consumption).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.