US 12,092,557 B2
Apparatus and methods for the qualitative and quantitative detection of amphiphiles
Patrick Richard Brady, Sisters, OR (US)
Assigned to EZRATERRA, LLC, Sisters, OR (US)
Filed by EZRATERRA, LLC, Bend, OR (US)
Filed on Mar. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/214,431.
Prior Publication US 2022/0307961 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 13/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 13/02 (2013.01) [G01N 2013/0208 (2013.01); G01N 2013/0283 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of analyzing a sample medium, comprising:
determining an initial surface energy of a surface of a sample substrate by measuring a contact angle of at least one liquid droplet on the surface of the sample substrate;
exposing the sample substrate surface to a medium that contains or is suspected to contain an amphiphilic compound for a time sufficient for the amphiphilic compound to interact with the sample substrate surface;
determining a post-exposure surface energy of the surface of the sample substrate by measuring the contact angle of at least one liquid droplet on the surface of the sample substrate;
determining a change in surface energy of the sample substrate surface by comparing the determined initial surface energy to the determined post-exposure surface energy; and
correlating a determined decrease in surface energy of the sample substrate surface with a presence of amphiphilic compounds in the medium.