Electrophoretic Separator for Target Substance Purification and Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating and concentrating target substances are cumbersome, inefficient, and can be hindered by contaminants, requiring large devices, significant solvent use, and prolonged processing times, with glycerol addition affecting analysis and not allowing concentration without increasing solution viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a separator to facilitate electrophoresis by moving a target substance from a first solution chamber to a second through an applied electric field, with selective separation and concentration achieved by using a separator with electrical conductivity and potential pH adjustments to enhance purity and concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dialysis is performed to separate a target substance, then separation can be achieved, but a large device, large amount of solvent, and long treatment time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dialysis system with an electrophoresis system that uses electric fields to separate substances. Instead of relying on osmotic pressure and diffusion through membranes, the invention uses charged particles moving under electric field influence, enabling separation in a compact device with reduced solvent volume and shorter processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the separation mechanism from passive diffusion-based dialysis to active electric field-driven electrophoresis. By applying voltage and utilizing the charge properties of target substances, the system achieves faster separation with smaller device dimensions and less solvent requirement
2Quantity of substance
If glycerol is added to concentrate a target substance by dialysis, then concentration can be achieved, but the viscosity of the solution increases and affects analysis or measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical concentration methods (glycerol addition) with electrophoretic concentration. Target substances are concentrated by applying electric field to move charged particles into a smaller volume, achieving concentration without adding viscous chemicals that would interfere with subsequent analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an electric field as an intermediary to achieve concentration without chemical additives. The electric field drives charged target substances to migrate and accumulate in a defined region, providing a clean concentration method that maintains solution properties suitable for analysis
3Measurement precision
If two-dimensional electrophoresis is performed to separate a target substance, then separation precision is improved, but the process requires electrophoresis to be performed twice and requires the area of a two-dimensional gel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single electrophoresis system that can perform multiple separation functions by adjusting operating parameters such as voltage, pH, and gel composition. This universal approach achieves comprehensive separation without requiring sequential two-dimensional electrophoresis, reducing treatment time while maintaining separation precision
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
Enables efficient, compact separation and concentration of target substances with reduced contamination, allowing for high sensitivity and precision detection, and simultaneous performance of multiple treatments like buffer exchange and purification.
Implementation Method 1
selectively moving the target substance by electrophoresis from the first solution to the second solution through the separator
Implementation Method 2
providing a separator that allows passage of a target substance
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(C)
Figure 2(A)~2(C)
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of treating a target substance by electrophoresis includes providing a separator that allows passage of a target substance, introducing a first solution containing the target substance to a first side of the separator, introducing a second solution to a second side of the separator, and selectively moving the target substance by electrophoresis from the first solution to the second solution through the separator.