Chemical sequencing and control to expand and enhance detection capabilities utilizing a colorimetric test

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a colorimetric system for detecting a substance, the colorimetric system that includes a first chemical container adapted for releasing a first chemical; a second chemical container adapted for releasing a second chemical; a flow modulation sheet adjacent each chemical container; and an encapsulation covering the flow modulation sheet and each chemical container, where the encapsulation comprises a window defining a target area of the filter paper such that the target area is adapted for applying the substance; where the flow modulation sheet comprises a design adapted for automatically controlling a first flow of the first chemical and a second flow of the second chemical to the target area after simultaneously releasing the first and second chemicals; and where the design comprises a first void disposed in the flow modulation sheet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for detecting a substance, the system comprising:
 a first container adapted for releasing a first chemical;   a second container adapted for releasing a second chemical; and   a flow modulation material comprising:
 a target area-adapted for applying the substance 
 a first portion comprising a first channel disposed between the first container and the target area, and 
 a second portion comprising a second channel disposed between the second container and the target area,
 wherein the flow modulation material is adapted for controlling a first flow of the first chemical and a second flow of the second chemical to the target area after releasing the first and second chemicals. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , further comprising an encapsulation covering the flow modulation material and each container, wherein the encapsulation comprises a window defining the target area. 
     
     
         3 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 2 , wherein the encapsulation comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel have different lengths. 
     
     
         5 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 4 , wherein the different lengths contribute to different chemical flow characteristics. 
     
     
         6 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow modulation material is in the form of a porous sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 7 , wherein the porous sheet comprises a porous paper. 
     
     
         8 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , wherein the first container comprises a first glass ampoule and the second container comprises a second glass ampoule. 
     
     
         9 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , where the first channel and the second channel have different chemical flow characteristics. 
     
     
         10 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 9 , wherein the different chemical flow characteristics comprise different speeds of fluid flow. 
     
     
         11 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , wherein the first channel comprises a void within the first portion of the flow modulation material. 
     
     
         12 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , wherein the second channel comprises a void within the second portion of the flow modulation material. 
     
     
         13 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is near the first container. 
     
     
         14 . The system for detecting a substance according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is near the second container. 
     
     
         15 . A method for detecting a substance, comprising:
 applying the substance to a target area of a system, wherein the system comprises:
 a first container adapted for releasing a first chemical, 
 a second container adapted for releasing a second chemical, and 
 a flow modulation material comprising:
 the target area, 
 a first portion comprising a first channel disposed between the first container and the target area, and 
 a second portion comprising a second channel disposed between the second container and the target area,
 wherein the flow modulation material is adapted for controlling a first flow of the first chemical and a second flow of the second chemical to 
 
 the target area after releasing the first and second chemicals; and 
 
   releasing the first and second chemicals.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein controlling the first flow and the second flow comprises controlling a first timing of the first flow and a second timing of the second flow by regulating a first speed of the first flow and a second speed of the second flow. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein controlling the first flow and the second flow comprises controlling a first timing of the first flow and a second timing of the second flow by controlling a first arrival of the first chemical to the target area and a second arrival of the second chemical to the target area. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first flow of the first chemical arrives at the target area earlier than the second flow of the second chemical. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first portion is near the first container and the second portion is near the second container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the releasing comprises simultaneously releasing the first and second chemicals.