Cyclo-olefin Polymer Multi-well Plate for Evaporation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-density multi-well plates face challenges such as material incompatibility with solvents like DMSO, increased evaporation rates in small wells, and difficulties in compatibility with automated instrumentation, limiting their use in both compound storage and biological assays.
Innovation Solution
A dual-use, high-density plate with a matrix of over 384 active wells made from DMSO-resistant cyclo-olefin polymer, featuring a ring of dummy wells for evaporation control and optical fiducials for alignment, ensuring compatibility with standard instrumentation and reducing evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-density plates with more than 384 wells are used to increase storage capacity and reduce material usage, then the number of wells per plate increases and material consumption decreases, but material incompatibility with solvents like DMSO occurs and evaporation rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) as the plate material, which combines multiple desirable properties: it is transparent to UV and visible light for spectrometric measurements, resistant to DMSO and other organic solvents for compound storage, and maintains structural integrity at high well densities. This composite material solution resolves the contradiction by providing a single material that simultaneously achieves chemical resistance, optical transparency, and mechanical strength required for high-density dual-use plates.
2Quantity of substance
If well size is reduced to increase well density, then more wells fit on the plate and material usage decreases, but evaporation rates in small wells increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a lid that creates a sealed environment around the wells, effectively trapping a micro-atmosphere above each well. This sealed inert environment prevents direct exposure of the small well contents to ambient air, thereby reducing evaporation rates despite the small well size and high surface-area-to-volume ratio. The lid system maintains a stable microenvironment that compensates for the increased evaporation tendency of miniaturized wells.
3Adaptability or versatility
If high-density plates are designed for both compound storage and biological assays, then dual functionality is achieved, but compatibility with automated instrumentation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the plate with universal features that enable it to function in multiple applications: the footprint dimensions (127.76×85.47 mm) and well grid pattern conform to industry standards for automated liquid handling and spectrometric instrumentation; the transparent COP material allows UV-Vis and fluorescence measurements; the chemical resistance enables compound storage; and the optical properties support biological assays. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the plate compatible with existing automated infrastructure while providing dual storage and assay capabilities.
4Illumination intensity
If transparent material is used for plate construction to enable spectrometric measurements, then optical transmittance improves, but resistance to organic solvents like DMSO deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) as the plate material, which combines multiple desirable properties: it is transparent to UV and visible light for spectrometric measurements, resistant to DMSO and other organic solvents for compound storage, and maintains structural integrity at high well densities. This composite material solution resolves the contradiction by providing a single material that simultaneously achieves chemical resistance, optical transparency, and mechanical strength required for high-density dual-use plates.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-use, high density plate for storage and assays includes a frame including a matrix of wells. The matrix includes preferably 3456 wells with top portions being arranged preferably approximately flush with a plane of the frame. A solvent-resistant material such as cyclo-olefin polymer forms at least the bottom portions of the wells, and preferably the same solvent resistant material forms the frame, although varying from the bottoms of the wells by being rendered opaque. Evaporation control wells are preferably included at the periphery of the matrix for reducing effects of evaporation on edge wells.