Patent ID: 7168298

Claim:
A mass-sensitive chemical preconcentrator for collecting and releasing a chemical sample, comprising: a pivot plate resonator, comprising a frame, a paddle having a first surface and a second surface for collection of the sample thereon, the paddle further having a first end and a second end, wherein the paddle is pivotably anchored to the frame by pivot arms at each end of the paddle and wherein the pivot arms define an axis of rotation of the paddle, a current conductor line disposed on a surface of the paddle that is displaced from the axis of rotation of the paddle, means for applying a static magnetic field aligned substantially in-plane with the paddle and substantially perpendicular to the current conductor line and the axis of rotation, and means for energizing the current conductor line with an alternating electrical current to excite an oscillatory motion of the paddle about the axis of rotation; a resistive heating element disposed on a surface of the paddle; and means for energizing the resistive heating element to thermally release the collected sample from the paddle.