Emulsion Stability via Ionic Liquid Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emulsions used in analytical methods like ddPCR and cdPCR are prone to electro-coalescence, which can lead to significant loss of the emulsion and inaccurate analysis, especially due to static electricity, and current stabilizing agents are not effective in preventing this issue without increasing costs or interfering with biological reactions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a conductivity-improving compound, specifically an ionic liquid, into the continuous phase of the emulsion, which is miscible with fluorinated oils, to enhance electrical conductivity and reduce electro-coalescence while maintaining biocompatibility and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount of surfactant or emulsifying agent is increased to reduce electro-coalescence, then the stability of the emulsion is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the emulsion becomes unsuitable for medical or analytical uses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the continuous phase by adding ionic liquids, which have high ionic conductivity. This parameter change allows the emulsion to dissipate static electric charges effectively, preventing electro-coalescence without requiring increased surfactant amounts, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness and suitability for medical/analytical applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ionic liquid acts as an intermediary substance in the continuous phase that mediates the dissipation of static electric charges. Rather than relying solely on surfactants at the interface, the ionic liquid provides a conductive pathway through the bulk continuous phase, enabling charge dissipation and preventing electro-coalescence without increasing surfactant concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional surfactants are used to stabilize the emulsion, then the emulsion maintains droplet separation, but electro-coalescence still occurs due to static electricity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet separationVSAvoidelectro-coalescence

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite continuous phase by combining fluorinated oil (providing chemical inertness and biocompatibility) with ionic liquids (providing high electrical conductivity). This composite material simultaneously achieves droplet stabilization through the fluorinated surfactant while preventing electro-coalescence through the conductive ionic liquid pathway, addressing both requirements without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the emulsion is manipulated multiple times during the ddPCR process, then the analytical workflow is enabled, but static electricity builds up causing electro-coalescence and droplet loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalytical workflowVSAvoiddroplet loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ionic liquid is incorporated into the continuous phase before the ddPCR workflow begins, establishing a conductive environment that proactively prevents static charge accumulation. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent manipulations (pipetting, transfers, thermocycling) can proceed without generating electro-coalescence, maintaining droplet integrity throughout the entire analytical workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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

The use of ionic liquids in the continuous phase significantly reduces electro-coalescence, ensuring the emulsion's stability during handling and analysis, maintaining the integrity of biological samples, and allowing for precise PCR amplification and detection without significant loss of droplets.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity enhancement: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the suspension being stabilized by means of a surfactant or emulsifying agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS11634757B2Emulsions with improved stability

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 STILLA TECH

AI summary

The present invention relates to an emulsion, preferably a water-in-oil emulsion. comprising: a continuous phase comprising a conductivity improving compound, a dispersed phase suspended in the continuous phase, and a surfactant. The present invention also relates to a population of droplets comprising an aqueous phase, dispersed in a continuous oily phase comprising an oil and a conductivity-improving compound. The present invention also relates to a microfluidic chip comprising a hydrophobic composition comprising an oil, a surfactant and a conductivity improving compound in an injection chamber configured so that injecting a hydroplilic composition through said injection means will generate an emulsion in the injection chamber; and to a kit comprising a microfluidic chip and a container comprising an aqueous composition. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing an emulsion according to the invention. The present invention also provides methods for analyzing biological material, for example for analyzing biological material within the emulsion of the invention.