Method and apparatus for chemical mapping by selective dissolution
AssigneeUniversity of Huddersfield
InventorMichael Reading
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method of analysis including at least one microscope means operable to characterize the surface of a sample in use, at least a first conduit to convey one or more solvents to the sample and a further conduit to convey at least part of the solution from the sample. At least one pump means delivers solvent to the sample and/or removes solution from the same.
Claims14
A method of identifying a chemical composition of one or more components of a sample and for locating the position of the components within and/or upon the sample, said method comprising the steps of:
- locating the sample within a field of view of at least one microscope operable to characterize a surface of the sample and suitable for characterizing changes that occur in the sample as a consequence of its being dissolved;
- conveying at least one fluid solvent to the sample to create a solution having solutes;
- conveying at least part of the solution away from the sample and analyzing the solutes;
- and
- using a pump to control the delivery of the fluid solvent to the sample such that its composition is controlled;
- wherein the solvent is delivered as a series of pulses wherein there is an interface or interzone between successive aliquots of liquid conveyed to the sample.
A method of identifying a chemical composition of one or more components of a sample and for locating the position of the components within and/or upon the sample, said method comprising the steps of:
- locating the sample within a field of view of at least one microscope operable to characterize a surface of the sample and suitable for characterizing changes that occur in the sample as a consequence of its being dissolved;
- conveying at least one fluid solvent to the sample to create a solution having solutes;
- conveying at least part of the solution away from the sample and analyzing the solutes;
- and
- using a pump to control the delivery of the fluid solvent to the sample such that its composition is controlled;
- wherein the solvent is delivered as a series of pulses wherein there is an interface or interzone between successive aliquots of liquid conveyed to the sample characterized in that the pump controls the composition of the solvent delivered to the sample by mixing the content of two or more reservoirs.
A method of identifying a chemical composition of one or more components of a sample and for locating the position of the components within and/or upon the sample said method comprising the steps of:
- locating the sample within a field of view of at least one scanning probe microscope operable to characterize a surface of the sample and suitable for characterizing changes that occur in the sample as a consequence of its being dissolved;
- conveying at least one fluid to the sample that is a vapor that, due to the capillary forces in this region, condenses around a point of contact or near-contact between a probe and the sample;
- conveying at least part of the solution away from the sample to create a solution having solutes and analyzing the solutes;
- and
- using a pump to control the delivery of the fluid to the sample and solution away from the sample such that their composition is controlled;
- wherein the fluid is delivered as a series of pulses or the composition changes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.