Electrowetting Digital Microfluidics Electron Acceptor Additive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital microfluidics devices face issues with the generation of reactive molecular species during electrowetting, which can damage electrodes, dielectrics, and biochemical reaction components, leading to sample loss and interference with droplet movement.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electron acceptor additive, such as phenazine ethosulfate or phenazine methosulfate, into the reaction mixture, and using a modified polysiloxane polymer in the immiscible fluid to reduce the formation of reactive species by optimizing conductivity and pH levels, and adjusting electrowetting parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrowetting is used to conduct droplet operations, then droplet transport and mixing efficiency is improved, but reactive molecular species are generated that damage electrodes and biochemical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet transport efficiencyVSAvoidreactive molecular species damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An electron acceptor additive is introduced as an intermediary substance in the reaction mixture. This additive accepts electrons during electrowetting operations, preventing the formation of reactive molecular species that would otherwise damage electrodes and biochemical components. The electron acceptor acts as a mediator that intercepts electrons before they can generate harmful reactive species, thus protecting the system while maintaining electrowetting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductivity of the reaction mixture is modified by adding the electron acceptor additive, changing the electrical parameters of the system. This parameter change allows the mixture to better manage electron flow during electrowetting, reducing the generation of reactive molecular species while maintaining efficient droplet transport and mixing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If electrode activation is increased to improve reaction conductance, then biochemical reaction efficiency is improved, but formation of reactive molecular species increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiochemical reaction efficiencyVSAvoidreactive molecular species formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electron acceptor additive converts the potentially harmful electron flow that generates reactive molecular species into a beneficial process. By providing an alternative electron acceptance pathway, the system channels electrons through the additive rather than allowing them to create harmful reactive species. This transforms what would be a harmful side effect into a controlled, beneficial electron transfer process that protects the biochemical reaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Speed

If reaction mixture conductivity is increased to improve electrowetting performance, then droplet movement efficiency is improved, but reactive molecular species generation is enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet movement speedVSAvoidreactive molecular species generation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductivity of the reaction mixture is precisely controlled by adding the electron acceptor additive. This modifies the electrical parameters to achieve optimal droplet movement speed while simultaneously preventing the generation of reactive molecular species. The additive creates a balanced electrical environment that supports fast droplet transport without the harmful side effects of high conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach effectively reduces the formation of reactive molecular species, preventing damage to device components and minimizing sample loss, while maintaining efficient droplet movement and biochemical reaction integrity.

Implementation Method 1

providing a reaction mixture comprising one or more reagents and an electron acceptor additive... the presence of the electron acceptor additive reduces the presence of reactive molecular species in the reaction mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron acceptance: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

The droplet operations substrate or the gap between the substrates may be coated or filled with a filler fluid that is immiscible with the liquid that forms the droplets... activating the one or more electrodes to conduct a reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrowetting: Electrowetting

Data Source

PatentUS10309927B2Methods of conducting biochemical reactions while reducing reactive molecular species during electrowetting

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 ILLUMINA INC

AI summary

Some embodiments disclosed herein provide methods of reducing reactive molecular species in a reaction carried out in a digital fluidics device having one or more electrodes by using a reaction mixture comprising an electron acceptor additive. In some embodiments, the presence of the electron acceptor additive reduces the presence of reactive molecular species in the reaction mixture. In some embodiments, the presence of the electron acceptor additive reduces the formation of gas bubbles in the digital fluidic device. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the electron acceptor additive does not form a gas when reduced.