Capillary Electrophoresis Streaming Potential Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The reproducibility of electrophoretic analysis of multicomponent solutions is compromised due to uncontrolled changes in electroosmotic flow rates caused by capillary surface contamination, leading to errors in component identification and quantitative estimation, and the use of electroosmotic flow markers increases analysis costs and is not versatile.
Innovation Solution
Measuring streaming potential during capillary washing allows for the determination of electroosmotic flow rate, ensuring capillary cleanliness and reproducibility by maintaining a consistent electrokinetic surface potential, thereby reducing errors in retention time measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capillary washing is performed to remove adsorbed admixtures, then capillary cleanliness is improved, but retention time reproducibility deteriorates due to uncontrolled changes in electroosmotic flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring streaming potential during capillary washing and using this measurement to control the washing process. The system continuously monitors streaming potential and adjusts washing parameters to maintain electroosmotic flow rate within specified limits, thereby ensuring both capillary cleanliness and retention time reproducibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/empirical washing control method with an electrical measurement system. Instead of relying on fixed washing protocols or visual inspection, the system uses streaming potential measurement to objectively assess capillary surface condition and electroosmotic flow rate, enabling precise control of the washing process
2Reliability
If electroosmotic flow markers are used to control flow rate changes, then flow rate stability is improved, but analysis cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses streaming potential as an intermediary parameter to indirectly control and monitor electroosmotic flow rate. Instead of directly measuring flow rate or using complex marker systems, the system measures streaming potential (which is directly related to electrokinetic surface potential) as a proxy indicator, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining flow rate stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct flow rate measurement or marker analysis to streaming potential measurement. This parameter change simplifies the analysis procedure by using a single electrical measurement that provides direct information about electroosmotic flow conditions without requiring additional markers or complex procedures
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 approach significantly enhances the reproducibility of electrophoretic analysis by stabilizing electroosmotic flow rates, reducing errors, and increasing sample throughput, while being applicable to any type of buffer electrolyte.
Implementation Method 1
Measuring streaming potential during capillary washing allows for the determination of electroosmotic flow rate, ensuring capillary cleanliness and reproducibility by maintaining a consistent electrokinetic surface potential
Implementation Method 2
After high voltage is applied across both capillary ends, mixture components begin to migrate with different velocity
Implementation Method 3
the charged particle migration rate in capillary is equal to particle electromigration rate subject to features of particle itself (its charge, mass and conformation) added algebraically to electroosmotic flow (EOF) rate depending on capillary features
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to analytical chemistry, more particularly, to methods of electrophoretic analysis, and can be utilized to analysis of multicomponent solutions. The invention is aimed at elimination of effect of uncontrolled scatter of electroosmotic flow rates on reproducibility of electrophoretic separation. The method is claimed of electrophoretic separation of multicomponent solutions, including capillary washing with electrolytic solution, injection of sample into capillary, electrophoretic separation of sample components in capillary effected by voltage applied between the capillary ends, detection and measurement of retention times of separated sample components, wherein during capillary washing by electrolytic solution the streaming potential magnitude being determined by measuring potential difference between capillary ends at definite pressure difference between said capillary ends, and identification of sample components is made subject to the measured streaming potential magnitude and values of measured retention times of sample components. The device is claimed comprising of vials for electrolyte and samples, capillary, means for installation of capillary made for putting capillary ends to the mentioned vials for electrolyte and samples, means for generation of electrolyte flow through capillary, pneumatically connected with means for installation of capillary, means for applying voltage between capillary ends, detector connected with capillary, system of signal management and processing, as well as means for streaming potential measurement, providing closing of electric measurement circuit in process of washing, including electrolyte in vials and capillary, and to open it in process of electrophoretic separation. Reproducibility is increased sufficiently and productivity of analysis is increased in process of electrophoretic analysis of multicomponent solutions. 6 Figs.