Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Patterned Substrate for Micro-liquid Phase Reaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microtiter plate/microwell plate systems face limitations in reaction throughput, sample consumption, sample-adding complexity, and high fabrication costs, while existing alternatives like OpenArray and Dynamic Array also suffer from high sample consumption and costly instrumentation.
Innovation Solution
A micro-liquid phase reaction method utilizing a substrate with a hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned surface, where a hydrophobic surface is treated with a first liquid phase system to form tiny droplets, and a second liquid phase system congregates at hydrophilic bonding points to create discrete reaction droplets, enabling efficient parallel processing of multiple reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microtiter plate/microwell plate is used for parallel processing, then multiple reactions can be performed simultaneously, but reaction throughput is limited and sample consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the reaction system into numerous micro-reactors (hundreds to thousands) integrated on a single chip, with each reactor occupying minimal space. This segmentation enables high-throughput parallel processing while using only nanoliter-scale sample volumes per reaction, resolving the contradiction between throughput and sample consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional two-dimensional microtiter plate formats to three-dimensional microfluidic channel networks with vertical layering. Multiple reaction layers can be stacked or arranged in complex spatial configurations, dramatically increasing the number of simultaneous reactions without proportionally increasing sample volume requirements
2Productivity
If microtiter plate with many wells is used to increase throughput, then more parallel reactions are possible, but fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses thin-film fabrication techniques (photolithography, spin coating, sputtering) to create microfluidic channels and reaction chambers on standard silicon or glass substrates. These planar, scalable manufacturing processes are compatible with batch production, significantly reducing per-unit cost compared to precision machining or molding required for traditional multi-well plates
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach from mechanical machining of three-dimensional wells to two-dimensional photolithographic patterning. This parameter change enables standard semiconductor fabrication equipment to be used, leveraging existing industrial infrastructure and achieving economies of scale through batch processing
3Ease of operation
If manual sample adding is performed on microtiter plate, then operation is simple, but positioning accuracy is poor and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic chip incorporates integrated fluidic channels that automatically guide sample and reagent flow from reservoirs to specific reaction chambers using pressure gradients, capillary action, or pump-driven flow. This self-service fluid transport eliminates the need for manual pipetting and complex robotic positioning systems, achieving both operational simplicity and precise delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical pipetting operations with automated microfluidic flow control based on fluid dynamics principles. Pressure-controlled pumps or electro-osmotic flow replace the mechanical pipette, providing precise, repeatable sample delivery without requiring operator skill or complex positioning mechanisms
4Ease of operation
If OpenArray plate with hydrophobic barrier is used, then sample adding is simplified, but sample consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydrophobic coating on channel walls to create capillary pressure barriers that prevent bulk liquid from entering reaction chambers. Only controlled nanoliter volumes are delivered through precisely sized openings or valves, maintaining simple immersion-based sample loading while reducing consumption by factors of 100-1000 compared to traditional plates
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
This approach enhances reaction throughput, reduces sample consumption, simplifies sample addition, and lowers costs by eliminating the need for expensive instrumentation and precise machining, while maintaining high efficiency and accuracy in reaction processing.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a substrate with a hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned surface... the surface tension of the reaction face is made to be in differential distribution (pattern) so as to realize the automatic distribution of liquid phase systems of different polarities on the reaction face
Implementation Method 2
a second liquid phase system which is an aqueous phase system or a hydrophilic liquid phase system over the hydrophobic smooth plane to render the second liquid phase system automatically congregate at each hydrophilic bonding point to form tiny reaction droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-liquid phase reaction method based on a substrate with a hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned surface, including the following: applying a liquid phase system containing a hydrotropic substance and/or an amphipathic substance to a hydrophobic smooth plane in a sample-spotting manner to form an array of tiny droplets, subsequently removing the solvent in each droplet to bond the hydrotropic substance and/or amphipathic substance in each droplet to the hydrophobic smooth plane so as to form an array of hydrophilic bonding points, then moving an aqueous phase system or hydrophilic liquid phase system containing more than one reactants over the hydrophobic smooth plane, thereby forming island-like tiny reaction droplets at each hydrophilic bonding point, and finally under the set reaction conditions, reacting the reactants in each tiny reaction droplet. The method allows a parallel processing system for multiple reactions to be implemented under common experiment conditions, and greatly extends the application range thereof.