Ionic Liquid Emulsion Formation in Capillaries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods face challenges in creating and packaging emulsions within small capillaries or integrated microdevices for separation techniques, as the process is difficult due to the need for precise handling and formation of emulsions or solid beads inside these devices.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the introduction of a composition including a buffer and an ionic liquid into a capillary, followed by the application of a voltage to form an emulsion, which can then be solidified into beads, allowing for the separation of solutes by packing emulsion droplets against a barrier and stripping them using voltage adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If emulsions are created outside separation columns or capillaries and then inserted into them, then the emulsion formation process is simplified, but the packaging of emulsion or beads into small capillaries or integrated microdevices becomes very difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion formation processVSAvoidpackaging of emulsion into capillaries

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming the emulsion directly inside the capillary before the separation process begins. The method introduces a surfactant solution and an ionic liquid into the capillary, then applies voltage to generate electrostatic forces that assemble emulsion droplets in situ within the capillary. This eliminates the difficult post-formation packaging step while maintaining controlled emulsion creation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical packaging operations with an electrostatic assembly process. Instead of mechanically inserting pre-formed emulsions into capillaries, the method uses voltage application to generate electrostatic forces that automatically assemble and position emulsion droplets within the capillary. This substitution of mechanical operations with electrical fields simplifies the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If emulsions are formed inside small capillaries or integrated microdevices, then the packaging difficulty is resolved, but the process complexity increases due to the need for in-situ formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging of emulsion into capillariesVSAvoidin-situ emulsion formation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using the voltage source to perform multiple functions: it drives the migration of ionic liquid, generates electrostatic forces for emulsion assembly, and controls the positioning of emulsion droplets. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mechanical packaging systems while achieving in-situ emulsion formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by allowing the electrostatic forces generated within the capillary to automatically assemble and position the emulsion droplets without external intervention. The voltage application creates self-organizing forces that form the emulsion structure in place, eliminating the need for complex external packaging equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If voltage is applied across the composition to form an emulsion, then emulsion droplets are formed and can be used for separation, but energy consumption increases due to continuous voltage application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion formation and separation capabilityVSAvoidvoltage application for emulsion formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed or cyclic voltage application rather than continuous voltage. The voltage is applied in cycles: first to assemble emulsion droplets from ionic liquid, then to migrate and separate the formed emulsion. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous voltage application while maintaining reliable emulsion formation and separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 the formation and use of emulsions within capillaries for effective separation of charged species, facilitating efficient sample preparation and analysis by creating uniform emulsion droplets that can be solidified into beads for use in chromatography or microfluidic devices.

Implementation Method 1

Capillary electrophoresis devices can, for example, be used to separate various charged species present in a liquid sample, such as a biological sample. The charged species present in the biological sample migrate through the capillary under an applied voltage created by a voltage source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

A method involving the introduction of a composition including a buffer and an ionic liquid into a capillary, followed by the application of a voltage to form an emulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic Induction: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS7578916B2Emulsions of ionic liquids

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

The present teachings provide emulsions using ionic liquids for separation of biomolecules and related methods, compositions, and devices.