Fluid Ejection in Nanowells via Single Nozzle Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid ejection systems are inefficient and wasteful when filling micro-wells due to the large size difference between nozzle orifices and well inlet areas, requiring multiple nozzles and excessive fluid usage, whereas nanowells with smaller inlet areas can be filled more precisely and quickly with a single nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A fluid ejection system comprising a die with a nozzle that ejects fluid into nanowells, which are defined as target areas with nanoliter capacities, allowing for precise deposition and reduced fluid usage, using a processor to control the ejection process and prevent cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles are used to fill micro-wells, then the well inlet area can be covered, but the device complexity and fluid usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filling process into sequential temporal segments rather than spatial parallelism. A single nozzle serves multiple wells by moving between them in time, transforming the problem from spatial coverage (multiple nozzles) to temporal sequencing (single nozzle with motion control). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining full well inlet coverage while reducing nozzle count to one.
Solution Approach 2:
The single nozzle is designed to perform multiple functions: filling different wells, handling various fluids, and adapting to different well positions. By making the nozzle universal rather than dedicated to specific wells, the system achieves full coverage capability without requiring multiple specialized nozzles, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining area coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles are used to fill micro-wells, then the well inlet area can be covered, but the fluid usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery is segmented into discrete, controlled portions for each well rather than continuous or excess delivery. The single nozzle delivers precise fluid amounts to each well sequentially, eliminating the waste associated with multiple nozzles simultaneously delivering fluid. This temporal segmentation of fluid delivery optimizes usage efficiency while maintaining complete well coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses precise motion control and positioning to enable the single nozzle to serve all wells autonomously without requiring additional nozzles or complex fluid distribution networks. The nozzle self-manages fluid delivery to multiple targets through coordinated movement, reducing overall fluid usage by eliminating redundant delivery paths and overlapping coverage zones.
3Loss of substance
If a single nozzle is used to fill nanowells, then the fluid usage and time are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical precision requirements with computational control. Rather than relying solely on mechanical positioning accuracy, the system uses processor-controlled motion algorithms to compensate for variations and achieve precise nanowell targeting. This substitution reduces the burden on pure mechanical precision while maintaining the required positioning accuracy for single-nozzle nanowell filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust nozzle positioning in real-time during the filling process. By continuously monitoring position and making corrective adjustments, the system maintains high precision targeting of nanowells even with a single moving nozzle, thereby reducing fluid usage without sacrificing the manufacturing precision required for accurate well filling.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid ejection system, in an example, includes at least one nozzle of at least one die from which a fluid is ejected and at least one nanowell at which the at least one nozzle ejects an amount of fluid. A method of dispensing a fluid, in an example, includes addressing at least one nanowell with at least one nozzle of at least one die, and depositing a fluid in the nanowell with the at least one nozzle.