Development of a novel mass analysis approach on the basis of mechanical deformation induced by gas flow in a micron channel

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19KK0141
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research (B))
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 34:Inorganic/coordination chemistry, analytical chemistry, and related fields
• Research Institution: National Institute for Materials Science
• Principal Investigator: SHIBA Kota 国立研究開発法人物質・材料研究機構, 高分子・バイオ材料研究センター, 主幹研究員 (20638126)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田村 亮 国立研究開発法人物質・材料研究機構, 国際ナノアーキテクトニクス研究拠点, 主幹研究員 (20636998)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-10-07 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 粘性係数 / マイクロ流路 / 流体力学 / 構造力学 / 流体―構造相互作用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focused on mass spectrometers, which are widely used in research and industrial applications, and worked on the development of technology to realise the creation of new applications through their miniaturisation and mobility. Existing mass spectrometers require ionisation in a vacuum environment due to their operating principle, making it difficult to miniaturise them. In the course of carrying out this research, we succeeded in creating a simple method for measuring the viscosity of the object to be measured in an atmospheric environment. It is also possible to measure molecular weight using a similar method, and combining these methods is expected to lead to the development of an extremely simple and compact instrument that can replace existing mass spectrometers in the future.

Free Research Field

流体センシング

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、これまでモバイル化のように極端な小型設計が困難であった質量分析装置の小型化・低価格化に資するものである。そのサイズ・価格ゆえに従来の質量分析装置の利用は研究開発現場にとどまっていた。本成果をさらに発展させることで、一般消費者レベルでの手軽な利用までもが視野に入り、これによってヘルスケアや環境モニタリング、安全・安心につながる様々な新規用途が拓けると考えている。