Electric Field pH Cycling for Fast Low-Power PCR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal cycling in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) processes is power-hungry and limits device design, requiring slow thermal equilibration that is not desirable for integrated, fast, and portable systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing PCR using charge or pH cycling by applying electric fields across electrodes in an electrolytic fluid to control spatial distribution of pH levels, facilitating denaturation and binding of nucleic acids without thermal cycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If thermal cycling is used for PCR, then DNA melting and enzymatic replication can be facilitated, but power consumption increases and cycling speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal cycling system (heating/cooling mechanism) with an electrical field-based system. Electrodes generate electrical fields that directly affect the DNA and enzymes, eliminating the need for thermal equilibration and reducing power consumption while increasing cycling speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for cycling from temperature to electrical field strength. By applying varying electrical fields rather than temperature cycles, the system achieves DNA melting and enzymatic replication with lower energy consumption and faster cycling rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If thermal cycling is used for PCR, then DNA melting and enzymatic replication can be facilitated, but device design flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice design flexibilityVSAvoidthermal equilibration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the thermal cycling mechanism with an electrical field mechanism. This replacement removes the constraint of thermal equilibration time, allowing for more flexible and compact device designs that can be integrated into portable systems without large thermal mass components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If charge or pH cycling is used instead of thermal cycling, then power consumption is reduced and cycling speed is improved, but reaction control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling speedVSAvoidreaction control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pH as an intermediary parameter between the electrical field and the biochemical reactions. The electrical field modulates pH levels, which in turn control DNA melting and enzyme activity. This intermediary approach simplifies control compared to directly manipulating electrical fields for each reaction step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 improves cycling speed, reduces power consumption, and allows better reaction control, enabling faster PCR processes compatible with existing sample preparation and detection schemes, and can be integrated into portable devices.

Implementation Method 1

applying an electric field across the first and the second electrodes to generate a first pH level of the electrolytic fluid to denature the double-stranded nucleic acid to at least partial single strands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH cycling:

Implementation Method 2

applying an electric field across the first and the second electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

applying a second electric field across the first and second electrodes to produce a second pH level of the electrolytic fluid, in which the second pH level enables binding of a polymerase enzyme and a primer with a corresponding segment of the single strands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH cycling:

Implementation Method 4

the second pH level can enable synthesis of new complementary nucleic acid strands using the at least partial single strands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH cycling:

Data Source

PatentUS12540353B2Non-thermal cycling for polymerase chain reaction

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In one aspect, a method for cycling PCR includes receiving an electrolytic fluid including ions, primers, polymerase enzymes, nucleotides, and a double-stranded nucleic acid in a fluid chamber having a first electrode and a second electrode, applying an electric field across the first and the second electrodes to generate a first pH level of the electrolytic fluid to denature the double-stranded nucleic acid to at least partial single strands, and applying a second electric field across the first and second electrodes to produce a second pH level of the electrolytic fluid, in which the second pH level enables binding of a polymerase enzyme and a primer with a corresponding segment of the single strands.