Acoustic Drop Volume Calibration for Faster Nanoliter Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acoustic dispensing systems struggle with precise control over drop volume due to factors like chemical composition, viscosity, temperature, and well geometry, limiting the ability to freely select drop volume and resulting in longer dispense times for small volumes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of calibration functions that relate liquid level and burst value to allow selection of any drop volume within a specified range, using burst curves and calibration functions to optimize dispense time and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If acoustic dispensing apparatus is carefully calibrated to dispense a specific drop volume, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the acoustic dispensing system by varying the acoustic wave energy levels to produce drops of different volumes from the same liquid source. This eliminates the need for separate calibration procedures for different drop volumes, as the system can dynamically adjust the acoustic energy to achieve the desired drop size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static calibration approach to a dynamic control approach where the acoustic wave emitter can continuously adjust its energy output. This allows the system to adaptively control drop volume in real-time based on the desired parameters, rather than requiring fixed calibration settings for each drop size.
2Manufacturing precision
If acoustic dispensing apparatus is carefully calibrated to dispense a specific drop volume, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes in acoustic wave energy to control drop volume, eliminating the need for time-consuming calibration procedures. The acoustic emitter can directly adjust its output parameters to produce the desired drop volume without requiring prior calibration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary characterization of the liquid properties once, and then uses pre-established relationships between acoustic energy and drop volume to quickly determine the appropriate settings for any desired drop size. This eliminates the need for time-consuming calibration before each dispensing operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed drop volume is used in acoustic dispensing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the acoustic wave energy to produce a range of drop volumes from a single calibration. By varying the acoustic energy levels, the system can generate drops of different sizes while maintaining precision, thus achieving both consistency and flexibility in drop volume selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic dispensing system is designed to perform multiple functions by using the same calibrated apparatus to dispense drops of various volumes. The system can adapt to different dispensing requirements by adjusting the acoustic energy, making it universally applicable to different volume needs without requiring separate calibration for each application.
4Manufacturing precision
If small drop size is used to achieve precise volume control, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes in acoustic energy to produce larger drops when high precision is needed and smaller drops when faster dispensing is required. This allows the system to optimize the balance between precision and productivity based on the specific application requirements, rather than being constrained to a fixed drop size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the acoustic wave energy to optimize drop size for each dispensing event. When productivity is the priority, the system can generate larger drops that are dispensed more quickly, while maintaining the ability to switch to smaller, more precise drops when needed, thus adapting the dispense rate to the task requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise control over drop volume, minimizing the number of drops needed and reducing dispense time by allowing selection of the most efficient drop size for the desired total volume.
Implementation Method 1
the acoustic wave emitter 14 generates an acoustic wave or beam 20 that can be propagated through an optional wave channel 24
Implementation Method 2
the wave is transmitted through a source liquid containment structure 44 where the wave comes to focus at or near the surface of the pool of source liquid 40, thereby causing a drop 60 of the source liquid 40 to be dispensed
Data Source
AI summary
A method that allows a user to dispense a desired volume of solution from an acoustic dispensing apparatus by allowing the user to select the drop volume to be dispensed. A typical drop volume is in the range of one to twenty-five nanoliters. The method comprises the steps of creating two or more burst curves that give the relationship between liquid level and burst value, using data from the burst curves to create two or more calibration functions, and using data from the calibration functions to create a dispensing data set that is used to set the burst parameter required to dispense the selected drop volume.