A solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of automatic control, in particular to a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics, which comprises a control module, a detection module, a solid fixing module, a solid plate and a digital microfluidic chip; the solid fixing module can be fixed below the digital microfluidic chip; the solid plate is used for loading solid and is detachable, can be inserted into the solid fixing module and can send the solid into the digital microfluidic chip; the digital microfluidic chip is provided with an in-out sample area, a solid-liquid reaction area and a detection area, and the areas are connected through electrodes; the in-out sample area is provided with a liquid storage pool which is used for storing reaction solution; the control module controls the voltage of each electrode to realize micro-droplet movement; the solution in the liquid storage pool is controlled to move to the solid-liquid reaction area, contacts the solid and reacts, and the solution can also be moved out of the solid-liquid reaction area to interrupt the reaction process of the solid; the control module can also control the to-be-detected micro-droplet to move to the detection area; and the detection module detects the to-be-detected micro-droplet in the detection area through a sensor probe thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of solid-liquid reaction control in the field of automatic control, and in particular to a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics. Background Technology

[0002] Solid-liquid reactions are an important process widely used in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and other fields. In solid-liquid reactions, solids and liquids interact to achieve the transformation of target substances through chemical reactions or physical changes. These reactions are widely used in catalytic reactions, drug preparation, and material synthesis. However, due to the complexity and inhomogeneity of solid-liquid systems, the control of solid-liquid reactions faces many challenges, including difficulty in precisely controlling reaction rates and efficiency, uneven mixing of reactants, and difficulties in online monitoring and regulation of the reaction process. Digital microfluidics (DMF) is an innovative microfluidic technology that automates reactions by precisely controlling the position and movement of droplets on a microfluidic chip. This technology, based on electric field actuation, allows droplets to be moved, merged, or split on a microfluidic platform, providing an efficient way to process liquid samples.

[0003] In many chemical reactions and catalytic processes, effective contact between liquids and solids is crucial for optimizing reactions and improving efficiency. However, traditional reaction systems often cannot precisely control the contact between droplets and solids, frequently leading to low reaction efficiency, long reaction times, or unstable results. Furthermore, traditional solid-liquid reactions struggle to control the separation of solid catalysts and liquids. Therefore, developing a device capable of efficiently controlling the contact between microdroplets and solid catalysts is of paramount importance. Currently, the control of solid-liquid reactions primarily relies on traditional macroscopic reactors, which typically struggle to achieve precise control of reaction conditions. For example, traditional stirred reactors present challenges in catalyst dispersion and uniform droplet mixing, and real-time monitoring and adjustment of various stages of the reaction process are difficult. These problems limit reaction efficiency and product quality, and also increase operational complexity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the problems existing in related technologies, this application provides a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics, which can control micro-liquid and solid reactions, achieve high-throughput and high-efficiency control, improve the controllability of solid-liquid reactions, improve mixing, and facilitate real-time monitoring and adjustment. The device in the embodiments of this application not only improves the control precision of the reaction process, but also enhances the reaction monitoring capability, providing an effective solution for the optimization and efficient conduct of chemical reactions.

[0005] According to an embodiment of this application, a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics is provided, comprising: a control module, a detection module, a solid fixation module, a solid plate, and a digital microfluidic chip. The control module controls the movement of microdroplets, and the solid fixation module is detachable, allowing different solid substances to be installed for different reactions. The digital microfluidic chip is provided with a sample inlet / outlet area, a solid-liquid reaction area, and a detection area, all connected by electrodes. The sample inlet / outlet area is provided with a storage tank for storing the solution used in the reaction. The control module controls the voltage of each electrode to achieve microdroplet movement. The solution in the storage tank is controlled to separate into tiny droplets, which then move to the solid-liquid reaction area to react with the solid. The movement steps are determined according to the reaction. The control module can also control the separation of droplets and solids, thereby controlling the reaction process. The solid fixation module can be placed below the digital microfluidic chip or at the upper electrode plate of the digital microfluidic chip.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, the solid plate is used to hold solids and can be fixed to the solid fixing module via the fixing groove, allowing the solids to be fed into the solid holes of the digital microfluidic chip. The solids can be reactants, catalysts, and adsorbents used in the reaction.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the solid fixing module is used to fix the solid plate, the upper part of which abuts against and is fixed to the substrate of the digital microfluidic chip, thereby fixing the position of the solid plate.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the sample entry / exit area is equipped with a liquid storage tank; the liquid storage tank stores droplets, and the sealed droplets are liquids that participate in the entire reaction and detection, which can be separated into tiny droplets under the control of the control module. The control module can also control a preset number of tiny droplets and solids to react and separate, and can control the movement of the microdroplets to be tested to the detection area during the reaction process.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the detection area may include the solid-liquid reaction area, enabling detection during the reaction or during solid-liquid separation.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the control module is based on the principle of dielectric wetting technology. It adjusts the contact angle of the microdroplets by adjusting the potential difference between each electrode, thereby realizing the separation and movement of the microdroplets.

[0011] The technical solutions in the above embodiments of this application provide a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics, which can perform micro-level high-efficiency control of micro-droplets, improve the controllability of solid-liquid reactions, control the mixing and separation of liquids and solids, and perform real-time detection, thereby improving the flexibility and applicability of the reaction, achieving high-precision control, and improving the detection timeliness.

[0012] Meanwhile, the detection device is small in size, allowing it to be transported to various locations for online testing without the need to collect sample solutions back to the laboratory, thus offering good timeliness and convenience.

[0013] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application.

[0014] To better understand and implement this application, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 A side view of a digital microfluidic solid-liquid reaction control device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the digital microfluidic chip provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 4 A vertical cross-sectional view of the solid fixing module provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 5 A vertical cross-sectional view of the solid plate provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0020] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0021] 10. Solid fixing module; 11. Solid plate slot; 20. Solid plate; 21. Solid; 22. Solid column limiting groove; 23. Solid column limiting buckle; 24. Solid support column; 25. Spring; 26. Spring fixing column; 30. Digital microfluidic chip; 31. Dielectric layer; 32. Electrode layer; 33. Substrate; 34. Hydrophobic layer; 35. Detection area; 36. Electrode; 37. Liquid storage tank; 38. Solid hole; 39. Sample inlet / outlet area; 310. Solid-liquid reaction area; 4. Detection module. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0023] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0026] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] This application discloses a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics, which can control the contact or separation of microdroplets and solids, control the reaction process, monitor the droplet state in real time, and detect the reaction droplets at each stage of the reaction.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 A solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics includes: a control module (not shown), a detection module, and a digital microfluidic chip, a solid plate, and a solid fixing module arranged from top to bottom.

[0029] In the solid-liquid reaction and detection process, both the reaction reagents and the detection reagents before and after the reaction are controlled to separate, mix, and transfer in the form of microdroplets. The control module is used to control the separation and transfer of microdroplets. The control module can employ any suitable controller, circuit, or signal processor to control and regulate the digital microfluidic chip. For example, the control module can include, but is not limited to, various forms of control units such as computers, microprocessors, programmable controllers, analog circuits, or digital circuits. This flexible design ensures that the optimal control module can be selected to form the detection system in different application scenarios to meet specific microfluidic operation requirements and performance standards. The reaction reagents are all the necessary reagents for the solid to participate in the reaction, and can be configured according to the needs of the solid-liquid reaction and the role of the solid in the reaction. If some microdroplets to be tested cannot be detected directly and need to undergo a reaction before detection, then detection reagents will need to be added.

[0030] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the digital microfluidic chip 30 includes a substrate 33, an electrode layer 32, and a hydrophobic layer 34 arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The substrate 33 has mounting holes, and the substrate 33 is connected to the solid fixing module 10 via these holes and fixing members. The electrode layer 32 is used to arrange electrodes 36. The dielectric layer 31 is used to isolate the electrodes 36 from the droplets. The hydrophobic layer 34 is used to reduce the droplet contact angle, facilitating droplet movement. The digital microfluidic chip 30 can be configured to include an upper electrode plate (not shown) depending on different reaction requirements.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the digital microfluidic chip 30 is provided with a sample inlet / outlet area 39, a solid-liquid reaction area 310, and a detection area 35. These areas are connected by electrodes 36. If an adjacent electrode 36 is selected as the target electrode 36, the voltage of that target electrode 36 can be increased to a higher value, causing the microdroplet to move from the current electrode 36 to the target electrode 36. The size, shape, number, and arrangement of the electrodes 36 on the digital microfluidic chip 30 are not limited by this embodiment. The sample inlet / outlet area 39 is provided with a liquid storage tank 37 for storing all solutions used in the reaction. The liquid storage tank 37 may include one or more types, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0032] like Figure 2As shown, the substrate 33 of the digital microfluidic chip 30 and the solid fixing module 10 cooperate with each other. When in use, the solid plate 20 is inserted into the solid plate slot 11. At this time, the solid column limiting buckle 23 is located at the lower part of the solid column limiting groove 22. After the solid plate 20 moves to the target position, the spring fixing post 26 is locked in the predetermined position of the solid fixing module 10. The spring 25 of the solid plate 20 will lift the solid support post 24 of the solid plate 20, so that the solid column limiting buckle 23 is located at the upper part of the solid column limiting groove 22. The solid 21 is lifted and embedded into the solid hole 38. The solid hole 38 is located in the center of the solid-liquid reaction zone 310 of the digital microfluidic chip 30 and is used for subsequent reactions.

[0033] The detection module 4 is used to detect the droplet position or droplet state parameters. Combined with the control module, it can detect and monitor the droplet position or reaction state in real time using electrochemical, capacitance, spectrophotometric, and spectral methods. In this example, the detection module 4 is positioned above the digital microfluidic chip 30 and has a detection probe. The detection module 4 detects the microdroplets to be tested within the detection area 35 through its detection probe. Optionally, the detection module 4 can be a detector, including but not limited to a camera, spectrometer, spectrophotometer, mass spectrometer, electrochemical and fluorescence analyzer, used to select an appropriate detection method based on the characteristics of the substance to be detected. In this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, the detector is a camera, and the detection area 35 is the entire digital microfluidic chip 30, which can detect the reaction process and the position of the droplets in real time.

[0034] The control module is used to control the merging, separation and transfer of microdroplets. The droplet movement is controlled by the voltage difference generated by the control circuit on electrode 36.

[0035] The technical solution described in this embodiment provides a solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics. This device enables precise micro-level control and timely monitoring of microdroplets, and can separate reaction droplets and solids to control reaction efficiency and progress. Furthermore, the device is small in size, suitable for various reactions, and can be transported to various locations for online detection, eliminating the need to collect sample solutions back to the laboratory for testing, thus exhibiting good timeliness.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the control module, based on the principle of dielectric wetting, adjusts the contact angle of the microdroplets by regulating the potential difference between the electrodes 36, thereby achieving the separation and movement of the microdroplets. The control module may consist of a controller and a voltage control circuit; no specific form is limited in this embodiment.

[0037] During installation, the solid fixing module 10 is first fixed below the substrate 33 of the digital microfluidic chip 30 using fixing holes and fasteners. Then, the solid support column 24, on which the required solid 10 is placed, is inserted along the solid plate slot 11 of the solid fixing module 10. When it moves to the predetermined position, the spring 25 will lift the solid support column 24 of the solid plate 20, pushing the solid 21 out of the hydrophobic layer 34 of the digital microfluidic chip 30, so that the solid 21 comes into contact with the reaction droplets.

[0038] During detection, the reaction solution is added to the corresponding storage tank 37. The control module controls the voltage of the electrode 36 to separate the sample solution in the storage tank 37 into microdroplets. These microdroplets are then moved sequentially to the solid-liquid reaction zone 310 for reaction. The detection device monitors the position and reaction state of the droplets in real time. The reaction can be interrupted at any time by separating the droplets from the solid 21. After interruption, the droplets can be moved back to the reaction zone to continue the reaction. If the solid 21 is a catalyst or the reaction is incomplete in a single contact, the above steps can be repeated after the experiment. If the same solid 21 can be used for different reactions, more storage tanks 37 can be set up, and different sample solutions can be added to different storage tanks 37 for different reactions. If it is necessary to replace the entire detection reagent, the reagent in the storage tank 37 can be extracted, and all droplets in other positions can be moved to an empty storage tank 37 for discharge. Then, new reagent can be added. The solid 21 is replaced by replacing the solid plate 20, ensuring the utilization rate of this device.

[0039] The technical solutions in the above embodiments of this application provide a solid-liquid reaction device based on digital microfluidics. This device can be combined with multiple detection devices to perform micro-level, high-efficiency detection of microdroplets, monitor the reaction status in real time, and control the separation or mixing of droplets and solids during the reaction process to control the degree of reaction. Furthermore, the detection device is small in size and can be transported to various locations for online detection, eliminating the need to collect sample solutions back to the laboratory for testing, thus exhibiting good timeliness.

[0040] Note that the above is merely a preferred embodiment and the technical principle employed in this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, although this application has been described in detail through the above embodiments, this application is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of this application, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics, characterized in that, include: Control module, detection module, solid-state fixing module, solid-state board and digital microfluidic chip; The digital microfluidic chip is provided with a sample inlet / outlet area, a solid-liquid reaction area, and a detection area, and the various areas are connected by electrodes; the sample inlet / outlet area is provided with a liquid storage tank for storing pre-added reactants and waste liquid; the solid-liquid reaction area and the detection area overlap; The control module controls the voltage of each electrode to achieve microdroplet movement; the reactants in the storage tank are controlled to move to the solid-liquid reaction zone to react with the solid; the control module controls the microdroplet to be tested to move to the detection zone. The detection module has a detection probe, and the detection module uses its detection probe to detect the microdroplets to be tested in the detection area; The digital microfluidic chip includes a substrate, an electrode layer, and a hydrophobic layer arranged sequentially from bottom to top; a solid pore is provided in the center of the solid-liquid reaction zone of the digital microfluidic chip; The solid fixing module is fixedly installed in conjunction with the substrate; the solid fixing module is provided with a solid board slot. The solid plate is inserted into the solid plate slot, and a solid support column is movably disposed on the solid plate; a solid, namely a catalyst, is placed on the solid support column. A fixing column is provided below the solid support column; a spring connects the fixing column and the solid support column. The spring lifts the solid support pillar of the solid plate, allowing the solid to pass through the solid hole and push out of the hydrophobic layer of the digital microfluidic chip, so that the solid and the droplet come into contact and react.

2. The solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solid fixing module and the solid plate are fixed by a fixing component, and the upper part of the solid fixing module abuts against the underside of the substrate of the digital microfluidic chip.

3. The solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics according to claim 2, characterized in that, The solid fixing module has a fixing structure for fixing the solid plate, so the solid plate can be replaced without disassembling the solid fixing module during use.

4. The solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics according to claim 2, characterized in that, The solid plate is movable, and the solid on the solid plate is also movable. When it moves to a designated position, the solid will be pushed above the digital microfluidic chip by the loading mechanism of the solid plate.

5. The solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solid-liquid reaction zone is used for the reaction between liquid and solid, and the reagents used in the reaction should not damage the digital microfluidic chip during the reaction.

6. The solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module is based on the principle of dielectric wetting technology. It adjusts the contact angle of microdroplets by adjusting the potential difference between each electrode, thereby realizing the separation and movement of microdroplets.

7. The solid-liquid reaction control device based on digital microfluidics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection module is located above or inside the digital microfluidic chip and has a detection sensor probe. The detection module detects the state and position of the microdroplets to be tested in the detection area through its detection sensor probe.

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