Electrokinetic Microfluidic Manipulation for Viscous Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manipulating small volumes of fluids and particles in micro- to nanoliter scales face challenges in efficient mixing, separation, concentration, and transport due to dominant fluid viscosity, which limits their application in biological and chemical assays.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing electrokinetic properties, specifically electroosmotic and electrothermal fluid flows induced by electrodes embedded in vessels, allowing for precise manipulation of fluids and particles through controlled electric fields, enabling concentration, separation, transport, and mixing of microliter or nanoliter volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fluid manipulation methods are used in micro- to nanoliter scales, then device simplicity is maintained, but fluid manipulation efficiency deteriorates due to dominant fluid viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical fluid manipulation methods with electrokinetic methods. Electrodes generate electric fields that induce electroosmotic flow and electrothermal convection, enabling efficient fluid manipulation at micro- to nanoliter scales without relying on mechanical pumps or valves that would add complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in electric field parameters (frequency, amplitude, configuration) to control fluid flow characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve different flow patterns (convection, electroosmosis) to optimize manipulation efficiency for specific applications without hardware modifications.
2Quantity of substance
If small fluid volumes are manipulated, then reagent consumption is reduced, but mixing and separation efficiency deteriorate due to dominant viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic alternating current (AC) electric fields to induce oscillating electrothermal convection and electroosmotic flow. This periodic action creates dynamic mixing patterns and enhances mass transport, improving mixing and separation efficiency in small fluid volumes without increasing reagent consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic electric fields generate oscillating fluid flows that resemble mechanical vibration effects. These oscillations create shear forces and convective currents that enhance mixing and particle separation efficiency in microfluidic environments where diffusion alone is insufficient.
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 enables efficient and accurate manipulation of small fluid volumes by inducing electrokinetic flows, improving mixing and separation processes, enhancing the reliability and sensitivity of biological assays and hybridization reactions.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid motion can also be induced by applying an electric field onto a solution. The force driving the fluid thus originates in the bulk (buoyancy, electrothermal effect) or at the interface between the fluid and the device containing the fluid (electroosmosis).
Implementation Method 2
Applied to a solution, part of the electric energy dissipates in the fluid by Joule effect and locally heats the fluid. Furthermore, local heating creates gradients of conductivity and permittivity. The fluid can then move under the influence of an electrothermal flow
Implementation Method 3
The buoyancy generates a flow because of a density gradient. It can be produced by internal or external heating. An electric field is often used as internal energy source. Applied to a solution, part of the electric energy dissipates in the fluid by Joule effect and locally heats the fluid. Furthermore, local heating creates gradients of conductivity and permittivity. The fluid can then move under the influence of an electrothermal flow
Implementation Method 4
Under AC electric field, uncharged particles suspended in a dielectric media can be polarized and further manipulated. If the field is spatially inhomogeneous, it exerts a net force on the polarized particle known as dielectrophoretic (DEP) force
Implementation Method 5
Electrophoresis is a technique for manipulating components of a mixture of charged molecules (proteins, DNAs, or RNAs) in an electric field within a gel or other support.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, a method and a process to achieve manipulation of particles and/or solutions through the use of electrokinetic properties are disclosed. The manipulation is performed using a disposable device positioned on top of a stage for purposes of powering the electrodes. The fluidic solution is brought into contact with the active part of the device and then manipulated.