Composite Energetic Material With Self-Regulated Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular diagnostics, such as PCR and RT-LAMP, require precise thermal cycling and stringent sample preparation, making them challenging to implement at the point-of-care (POC) and home settings, especially during pandemics like COVID-19, due to the need for electrical heaters and thermal controllers, which are costly and susceptible to supply shortages.
Innovation Solution
An exothermic composite material comprising a reactive magnesium-iron alloy and a phase-changing thermal storage material, which undergoes a phase transformation at the desired incubation temperature when contacted with water, allowing for self-regulated temperature control without electrical power, enabling inexpensive, disposable, and portable point-of-need diagnostic tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrical heaters and thermal controllers are used for temperature control in molecular diagnostics, then precise thermal cycling can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material automatically regulates temperature through its inherent phase transition properties, eliminating the need for external electrical heaters and thermal controllers. The system self-regulates temperature within the phase change range, providing precise thermal control without complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of a material (from solid to liquid) at a specific temperature range to provide passive thermal regulation. During the phase change, the material absorbs and releases latent heat, maintaining a relatively constant temperature without requiring external energy input or complex control mechanisms.
2Temperature
If electrical heaters and thermal controllers are used for temperature control, then precise thermal cycling is achieved, but the cost and susceptibility to supply shortages increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides autonomous temperature regulation without relying on electrical components that are subject to supply chain constraints. This passive thermal control system eliminates dependence on semiconductor chips and other electronics, thereby improving reliability against supply shortages.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material can be formulated as a disposable, single-use component that is inexpensive to manufacture and does not require complex electronic parts. This approach reduces cost and eliminates susceptibility to global semiconductor shortages while maintaining reliable temperature control.
3Temperature
If fixed temperature incubators are used for RT-LAMP, then constant incubation temperature is maintained, but the device complexity and fabrication time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material naturally maintains constant temperature during its phase transition, providing stable incubation conditions for RT-LAMP without requiring complex incubator assemblies. This simplifies the device structure and reduces fabrication time while ensuring temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temperature regulation function from a complex electrical incubator system and implements it through a simple phase change material. This eliminates the need for heaters, sensors, controllers, and power supplies, dramatically simplifying manufacturing while maintaining temperature stability.
4Temperature
If electrical instruments are used for molecular diagnostics, then precise thermal cycling is achieved, but the portability and ease of use at home are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides autonomous temperature control without requiring electrical power, enabling portable and home-based molecular diagnostics. The system is self-powered through the phase transition process, eliminating the need for batteries, power adapters, or electrical outlets, thereby greatly enhancing portability and ease of operation.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, electricity-free, and rapid temperature control system for molecular diagnostics, maintaining the required incubation temperature for RT-LAMP reactions, achieving equivalent sensitivity to benchtop systems and enabling real-time monitoring of amplification processes, thus facilitating prompt and convenient testing without the need for electrical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-changing thermal storage material (PCM) having a phase change temperature, wherein (1) RM and PCM are intermixed with one another or (2) one of RM and PCM is interpenetrated with the other
Implementation Method 2
a phase-changing thermal storage material (PCM) having a phase change temperature
Implementation Method 3
a reactive material (RM) that undergoes an exothermic reaction upon contact with an oxidizer
Data Source
AI summary
An exothermic composite, comprising: a reactive material (RM) that undergoes an exothermic reaction upon contact with an oxidizer, and a phase-changing thermal storage material (PCM) having a phase change temperature, wherein (1) RM and PCM are intermixed with one another or (2) one of RM and PCM is interpenetrated with the other. Devices, comprising (1) a sample container that defines a sample volume therein or (2) a receptacle configured to accept a sample container defining a sample volume therein, and the device configured such that the sample container is in thermal communication with a composite according to the present disclosure. Also provided are related methods.