Expandable Fluid Container for Microgravity Liquid Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current containers and liquid handling techniques are impractical in weightless or microgravity environments due to liquid clinging to the bottom of open-top test tubes and sample containers, making it difficult to extract the liquid, and small movements causing spills or floating due to capillary forces being weaker than inertial forces.

Innovation Solution

A fluid container design featuring an expandable bulk portion with a capillary portion and a cover portion defining an access port, allowing for controlled liquid handling by expanding or compressing the inner vessel to manage liquid levels and minimize bubble entry, utilizing capillary forces to maintain a fluid head and prevent spills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If open-top test tubes and sample containers are used in microgravity environment, then liquid can be easily accessed, but liquid spills or floats free due to capillary forces being weaker than inertial forces from vessel motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid accessibilityVSAvoidliquid containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two distinct zones: a bulk liquid storage zone and a capillary liquid capture zone. The capillary zone with its specialized geometry and surface properties selectively captures and retains liquid through capillary forces, while the bulk zone stores the remaining liquid. This segmentation allows the liquid to be both contained reliably and accessed easily through the access port in the capillary zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container are given different properties: the capillary zone has specific geometric features (narrow channels, corners, or textured surfaces) that enhance capillary forces, while the bulk zone has different properties optimized for liquid storage. This local differentiation of properties enables the container to simultaneously achieve reliable containment through capillary forces in the capture zone and easy access through the access port.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If liquid is placed in the vessel, then liquid can be stored, but liquid clings to the bottom due to capillary forces making it problematic for extracting the liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid storageVSAvoidliquid extraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into a bulk liquid storage zone and a capillary liquid capture zone positioned near the access port. The capillary zone with its specialized geometry and surface properties selectively captures and retains liquid through capillary forces, while the bulk zone stores the remaining liquid. This segmentation allows liquid to be both stored and easily accessed through the access port in the capillary zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on gravity to drain liquid from the bottom of the container (which doesn't work in microgravity), the design inverts the approach by using capillary forces to actively draw liquid upward to the access port at the top or side of the container. This inversion of the liquid delivery mechanism enables easy extraction without liquid clinging to the bottom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If small movements of the container occur, then normal handling is possible, but liquid spills or floats free due to inertial forces exceeding capillary forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer mobilityVSAvoidliquid containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The design uses capillary forces as a counteracting force to balance the inertial forces generated by container movements in microgravity. The capillary zone with its enhanced capillary forces creates a restoring force that opposes and contains the liquid against the direction of acceleration, preventing spills and maintaining reliable containment even during normal handling movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 precise and reliable handling of small liquid volumes in microgravity environments by utilizing capillary forces to maintain liquid at the extraction point and prevent spills, ensuring accurate liquid handling and minimizing the risk of bubble entry during pipetting.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing capillary forces to maintain a fluid head and prevent spills

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary forces: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

expanding or compressing the inner vessel to manage liquid levels and minimize bubble entry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpandability: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10537894B1Methods and devices for small volume liquid containment

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 LABRADOR DIAGNOSTICS LLC

AI summary

In one embodiment described herein, a cartridge is provided comprising a cartridge frame; a plurality of diluents each in an expandable container; a plurality of reagents each in an expandable container; and a plurality of mixing vessels comprising empty expandable containers.