1. Concept Level Project Plan P08043 – Mass Spectrometry Sample Preparation

2. Concept Level Project Plan
Project Name
Mass Spectrometry Sample Preparation
Project Number
P08043
Project Family
Bioengineering Fundamentals Family of Projects
Track
Assistive Devices and Bioengineering Track
Start Term
2007-2
End Term
2007-3
Faculty Guide
Dr. Steven Day (ME) Confirmed
Faculty Consultant
Dr. Steve Weinstein (ME) Confirmed
DR. Sean Rommel (MicroE) Pending
Primary Customer
Dr. Andy Hugh, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Confirmed

3. Phase 0: Planning Mission Statement
Product Description
This senior design project, mass spectrometry sample preparation, will develop an experimental test rig that generates a controlled spray and measures the diffusion. The controlled spray applies an organic solvent onto a slide. Diffusion of the solvent will be measured using a high speed camera. Thus, the apparatus will be designed to apply the spray, hold and support the sample, and a camera to monitor the sample diffusion. Creating a controlled apparatus will be critical to characterizing and optimizing the system. The apparatus will be controlled through a GUI to study the spray variables (thickness, number of layers, droplet size, temperature). A potential solution to this project is to mimic an ink jet printer to control the spray process. Rather than using biological tissues and proteins, organic ink can be used for the initial experiments.
Key Business Goals
St. Jude Children’s Hospital is sponsoring this senior design project. The primary purpose of this project is to create a mass spectrometry sample preparation device with integrated diagnostics. Although commercial products exist on the market today, this design is specifically tailored to needs of the customer. The design of this experiment will primarily investigate the effect of varying spray properties of the sample.
Primary Market
The primary customer of this project is St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY. The mass spectrometry sample preparation will be custom designed to meet the needs of the customer. Successful completion of this project will allow St. Jude Children’s Hospital to apply this device to other medical applications.
Secondary Market
No direct secondary market currently exists since this project is specifically tailored to meet the customer’s demands. However, this project can be designed to allow user flexibility in controlling the diffusion. Designing this project for medical research purposes will be a secondary market goal.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders in the design of our product include the following:
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Pharmaceutical Industry
Biomedical R&D Industry
RIT biomedical research

4. Phase 0: Planning Staffing Requirements
Mechanical Engineers
2 - TBD
One mechanical engineer (ME) will be responsible for the mechanical aspect of slide mounting, holding and registration of sample to spray jets. The second ME will investigate the fluid mechanical issues, diffusion and characterizing/imaging of sample.
Electrical Engineers
One electrical engineer (EE) will be responsible for controlling and interface with ink jet or other sprayer. Emphasis will be on custom circuitry and software. The second EE will be also be responsible for controlling and interface with ink jet or other sprayer. Emphasis will be on the hardware.
Industrial and Systems Engineers
0 or 1 - TBD
Depending on the customer needs and goals of the project, the industrial and system engineer will be responsible for packaging, user interface and system integration. These responsibilities may be delegated between the two ME students.
Computer Engineers
1 - TBD
The computer engineer will be responsible for control and interface with inkjet or other sprayer. Emphasis on hardware and software development will be critical to the automation of this device.
Business Majors
Since this project is currently in the experimental phase, a business major is not currently needed.
Imaging Arts and Science Majors 1
The imaging arts and science major will be responsible for investigating the ink jet properties. Helping to characterize and measure the optical properties from diffusion of the organic solvent with be of high interest.
Microelectronic Engineer Majors
Consultant
The microE engineer will serve as a student consultant for characterizing and measuring the thin film process a optics.

5. Phase 0: Planning Resource Requirements
People
1. Dr. Day will facilitate ongoing supervision of the project to ensure the goals are aligned with the
customer’s needs.
2. Dr. Andy High will present his needs as a customer so the design is flexible and accommodates
the medical applications at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
3. Dr. Steve Weinstein will provide technical expertise in thin film coating and diffusion.
4. Dr. Rommel will provide the needed resources and expertise from the
Microelectronic Department
5. Dr. Esterman will help serve as a liaison between the Imaging Science department
Environment
The diffusion analyses may be verified and tested in the Microsystem Engineering laboratory.
Equipment
A low cost ink jet printer that will be used for the design project is needed.
A high speed camera to capture real time data of the applied organic solvent is needed.
The specimen will be analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope to measure thickness and a Polarized Optical Microscope to measure the optical properties.
Materials
1. Organic solvents (TBD) will need to be purchased to execute preliminary tests.

6. Phase 1: Concept Development Identify Customer Needs - Interviews
Primary Customer(s)
Dr. Andy High - Primary customer from St. Jude Children’s Hospital. A teleconference will be scheduled with Dr. Andy High this week.
Other Stakeholder(s)
Dr. Day (ME) – Interviewed on 9/19 regarding the logistics and purpose of this senior design project.
Dr. Rommel (MircoE) – Interviewed on 9/24 for a potential microE team member. Dr. Rommel is interested in expanding this project to a microE student to help quantitatively measure the diffusion and optical properties. He proposed having a microE student serve as a consultant for specific project needs.
Dr. Weinstein (ME) – Interviewed on 9/25 regarding proposed project design and alternative technical solutions. Dr. Weinstein has a background in Chemical Engineering and 20 years of research in film coating at Eastman Kodak. He will be a valuable asset for this project.
Dr. Esterman (IE) – Interviewed on 9/25 regarding the logistics and characterizing the diffusion properties. Dr. Esterman worked on a 3D printing device for his masters and has contacts with the Imaging Science department.
Past Senior Design Team(s)
I was not able to locate any previous senior design projects related to mass spectrometry, ink jet printers, or diffusion.

7. Phase 1: Concept Development Identify Customer Needs - Benchmarking
Competitive or Cooperative Solutions
Measuring the diffusion of an organic solvent can be accomplished using a different
engineering solutions. The method in which the organic solvent is applied can be
achieved by spray coating, blade coating, dip coating, and spin coating. Evaluating
the pros and cons of each engineering design in respect to the customer’s end needs
is critical to designing the most efficient and cost effective solution. The potential
benchmarking designs will be evaluated and analyzed prior to SD1. The chosen
design will be thoroughly investigated and outlined in order to delegate the project
needs among team members prior to SD1. The senior design team will have
flexibility implementing the desired engineering solution.
Internet Search
1. American Society for Mass Spectrometry -
2. Mathematical Model of Diffusion -
3. Ink Jet Properties -
Technical Literature Search
Kenneth J. Ruschak, Steven J. Weinstein (2004). “Coating Flows”, Eastman Kodak Company.
Caldwell, R. L. and R. M. Caprioli (2005). "Tissue profiling by mass spectrometry - A review of methodology and applications." Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
Schwartz, S. A., M. L. Reyzer, et al. (2003). "Direct tissue analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: practical aspects of sample preparation." Journal Of Mass Spectrometry.

8. Phase 1: Concept Development Identify Customer Needs - Interpret
Needs Statements:
Develop an experimental test rig:
1) Generate a controlled spray to apply an organic solvent onto
a slide; ink jet spray
2) Measure and characterize the diffusion of the solvent
Graphical Interpretation
Currently collecting the needed information for graphical interpretations
Organize the Needs into a Hierarchy
The current needs are vague and will be determined after an interview with the customer, Dr. Andy High.
Establish the Relative Importance of the Needs
The relative importance of the needs will be determined after an interview with the customer, Dr.
Andy High.
Reflect on the Results and the Process
Currently collecting the needed information for results and process.

9. Future Plan Where do you go from here?
Arrange interview with customer, Dr. Andy High, regarding project needs and applications.
Investigate different possible designs (ie. Ink jet, blade coat, spin coat, dip coat)
Are we concerned with characterizing the diffusion in the wet or only dry phase?
Investigate potential organic solvents that have same viscosity and surface tension as medical applications.
Investigate potential organic solvents to utilize for this project.
Research methods to characterize and measure the sample diffusion.
Continue to look potential students interested in this project.