Inorganic Thread Electrophoresis for Open-System Sample Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic textile devices for sample separation and detection face challenges such as fluid flow regulation issues, capillary pressure, and the need for closed systems, which are costly and technically complex, while capillary electrophoresis suffers from optical distortion and requires microfluidic conduits.
Innovation Solution
The use of inorganic threads, such as silica, for electrophoresis by wetting with electrolyte and applying an electric field to separate charged substances, allowing open systems with flexible fluid flow and high transfer efficiency without dilution, enabling multiplexed analysis and high throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If microfluidic textile devices are used for sample separation, then sample transfer and separation can be achieved, but fluid flow regulation issues and capillary pressure problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from organic textile to inorganic thread (such as silica), which fundamentally alters the fluid interaction properties. This parameter change eliminates capillary pressure issues and enables reliable fluid flow regulation while maintaining ease of sample transfer operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inorganic thread structure provides controlled porosity that allows electrolyte penetration and sample transfer while maintaining structural integrity. The porous nature enables capillary action for electrolyte uptake without the uncontrolled fluid flow and pressure issues associated with traditional textile substrates.
2Ease of manufacture
If organic paper or textile substrates are used, then sample separation can be performed, but the sample must be taken off the substrate for detection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inorganic threads (such as silica) that combine the ease of handling of textile substrates with the optical transparency required for direct detection. This composite material approach eliminates the need for sample transfer steps while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using organic materials that require sample transfer and then detecting, the invention inverts the approach by using inorganic materials that enable direct detection through their inherent optical properties, eliminating the transfer step entirely.
3Measurement precision
If capillary electrophoresis is used for separation, then low concentration detection is improved, but optical distortion occurs due to capillary wall curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameter from curved capillary walls to flat inorganic thread surfaces, eliminating optical distortion while maintaining the ability to detect low concentration samples through electrophoresis separation.
4Reliability
If microfluidic conduits are used, then fluid flow can be regulated, but the system becomes closed and technically challenging to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic thread with controlled porosity provides inherent fluid flow regulation through capillary action and viscosity control, eliminating the need for complex closed microfluidic conduit systems while maintaining reliable flow control.
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
Inorganic threads provide stable, accurate, and efficient separation and transfer of charged substances with minimal dilution, facilitating rapid detection and analysis of low concentration samples in open systems, suitable for point-of-care testing and multiplexed analysis.
Implementation Method 1
contacting an electrolyte with an outer surface of the inorganic thread so as to cause wetting of the outer surface of the inorganic thread
Implementation Method 2
applying an electric field across the length of inorganic thread to cause the charged substances to be separated along the inorganic thread under the influence of the electric field
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of separation of charged substances by electrophoresis by using an inorganic thread. It includes contacting an electrolyte with an outer surface of the inorganic thread to cause wetting the outer surface of the inorganic thread and wicking along the inorganic thread, loading the charged substances into the electrolyte wetting the outer surface of the inorganic thread in the region of a loading zone portion of the inorganic thread and applying an electric field across the length of inorganic thread to cause the charged substances to be separated along the inorganic thread under the influence of the electric field. The present disclosure also relates to a method for the electrophoretic transfer of a charged substance from a sample on a sample applicator to an inorganic thread and to a method of stripping an outer surface coating from an inorganic thread having an outer surface coating. Related systems and components are also disclosed.