Patent ID: 8186235
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for collecting electrically charged airborne particles of biological and non-biological origin and concentrating them in small amounts of liquid, the method comprising a device having: at least one air flow channel assembly comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode disposed substantially parallel to the second electrode and wherein both said electrodes are parallel to the direction of air flow through the channel assembly and whereby said air flow channel has an inlet and an outlet; whereby one of the electrodes of said assembly is connected to high voltage, while the other is grounded to effect creation of an electrostatic field in said air flow channel; whereby one of said electrodes is narrower than the other electrode to effect the focusing of the electrostatic field toward the narrower electrode once the voltage is applied; whereby the narrower electrode is covered with a superhydrophobic substance to ensure high contact angle for liquids placed on its surface; whereby the entire flow channel is positioned at an angle to the horizontal; whereby the electrically charged airborne particles pulled through said air flow channel are deposited onto the narrower electrode with the superhydrophobic surface under the action of the electrostatic field; whereby a small liquid droplet placed near the air inlet of the air flow channel and on top of the electrode covered by a superhydrophobic coating rolls down under the force of gravity and picks up the particles that have been deposited onto said electrode with superhydrophobic coating; whereby the droplet that has collected particles deposited on the electrode with the superhydrophobic coating is captured into a container positioned near the outlet of the air flow channel; and whereby said droplet and particles contained wherein are analyzed by a variety of methods to determine the presence of biological and non-biological particles.