In-vitro Biosynthesis Reactor with Incomplete Partitioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-vitro biosynthesis methods are limited by their inability to scale up for production, lacking a device that can effectively expand volume while maintaining reactivity.
Innovation Solution
A reaction device with a spherical or ellipsoidal reaction chamber and partition members that incompletely partition the internal space, allowing for the flow of reaction liquid and gas exchange, along with a rotating mechanism to enhance mixing and contact area, is developed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If in-vitro biosynthesis is performed on a small scale in laboratories, then the reactivity is maintained, but the production volume cannot be expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction chamber body is divided into multiple space areas by partition members that incompletely partition the internal space. This segmentation creates multiple reaction zones while maintaining overall fluid connectivity, allowing the system to scale up volume while preserving the intimate mixing and reactivity characteristics of small-scale systems. The partition members with through-holes further enable controlled fluid exchange between zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition members extend in curved or folded lines rather than straight lines, creating three-dimensional reaction pathways. This dimensional complexity increases the surface area for gas-liquid contact and creates tortuous flow paths that enhance mixing, thereby maintaining reactivity while accommodating larger reaction volumes.
2Productivity
If the reaction chamber body is rotated to spread reaction liquid, then the mixing intensity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction chamber body is designed with a spherical or ellipsoidal shape rather than a conventional cylindrical or rectangular form. This curved geometry naturally promotes liquid circulation and mixing when rotated, while the rounded surfaces eliminate dead zones and improve flow patterns. The spherical/ellipsoidal form also distributes stress more evenly during rotation, allowing for simpler drive mechanisms.
3Productivity
If partition members are added to increase mixing, then the reaction efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition members are designed with through-holes that allow fluid passage while maintaining the partitioning function. This porous structure enables controlled exchange of reactants and products between adjacent space areas, enhancing mixing and mass transfer. The holes transform the partition members from simple barriers into active mixing elements that improve reaction efficiency without requiring complex mechanical actuators.
4Productivity
If the reaction liquid is spread thinly to increase contact area, then the synthesis efficiency improves, but the volume utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple partition members are nested within the reaction chamber body, creating a hierarchy of space areas. This nested configuration allows the reaction liquid to be distributed across multiple zones and surfaces, effectively increasing the total contact area available for synthesis. The nested structure maximizes the use of internal chamber volume by creating multi-level reaction zones rather than a single bulk zone.
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
This solution increases the mixing intensity and efficiency of the in-vitro biosynthesis reaction, prevents foam formation, and allows for large-scale production by effectively spreading the reaction liquid and facilitating gas exchange, thereby improving synthesis quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the reaction liquid in a 'flowing state' can flow from one space area to another space area, and the reaction liquid flowing through the partition portion will be blocked by the partition portion to increase the mixing intensity
Implementation Method 2
during use, the reaction chamber body is rotated to perform the reaction, preferably, a horizontal central axis of the reaction chamber body is deviated from a horizontal state
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vitro biosynthesis reaction apparatus and an in-vitro biosynthesis method. The in-vitro biosynthesis reaction apparatus comprises: a reaction body, which is used for containing a protein synthesis reaction liquid, so as to carry out an in-vitro biosynthesis reaction, wherein an opening part is arranged on the reaction body, and the opening part is provided with a feeding port used for enabling the synthesis reaction liquid to enter the reaction body and a discharging port allowing a reaction product to be discharged; and a partition part, which is used for incomplete separation of the internal space of the reaction body.