Artificial Lipid Membrane Formation Using Viscous Electrolyte

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional artificial lipid membrane forming apparatuses are prone to electrolytic solution leakage and rapid evaporation, leading to unstable membrane formation, especially when subjected to vibrations or inclination during transport and use.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus with chambers having a viscosity range of 1.3 mPa·s to 200 mPa·s for the electrolytic solutions, using glycerin or polyvinyl alcohol to prevent leakage and evaporation, and an ink-jet method for solution addition to stabilize the membrane formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional artificial lipid membrane forming apparatuses are used, then membrane formation can be achieved, but electrolytic solution leakage and rapid evaporation occur leading to unstable membrane formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane formation stabilityVSAvoidelectrolytic solution leakage and evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the electrolytic solution by adjusting its viscosity to a specific range (1.3 mPa·s to 200 mPa·s) and controlling the organic solvent content (0.1% to 50% by volume). These parameter changes prevent leakage and evaporation while maintaining membrane formation capability, directly resolving the stability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite electrolytic solutions combining water, organic solvents (such as glycerin or polyvinyl alcohol), and electrolytes. This composite formulation provides both the necessary viscosity for leak prevention and the appropriate chemical properties for membrane formation, eliminating the harmful effects of pure conventional solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the apparatus is subjected to vibrations or inclination during transport and use, then portability is improved, but electrolytic solution leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidelectrolytic solution leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By increasing the viscosity of the electrolytic solution to the specified range and controlling organic solvent content, the patent creates a more resistant fluid that maintains its position better under gravitational and vibrational forces, preventing leakage during portable use and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs readily available materials such as glycerin or polyvinyl alcohol as viscosity modifiers in the electrolytic solution, making the portable apparatus cost-effective and simple to prepare while achieving leak prevention during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrolytic solutions are used, then solution preparation is simple, but rapid evaporation occurs leading to unstable membrane formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolution preparation simplicityVSAvoidmembrane formation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the viscosity parameter of the electrolytic solution to a specific range (1.3 mPa·s to 200 mPa·s) by adding organic solvents, which simultaneously reduces evaporation rate and maintains formation stability without significantly complicating the preparation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows for the easy adjustment and replacement of electrolytic solution composition by simply mixing water with organic solvents and electrolytes, enabling straightforward preparation and replacement without complex procedures while achieving improved stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS8062489B2Method for forming artificial lipid membrane

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for stably forming an artificial lipid membrane while suppressing the leakage and evaporation of an electrolytic solution. The present invention is an artificial lipid membrane forming method for forming an artificial lipid membrane using an artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus. The artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, a dividing wall, and an artificial lipid membrane forming portion. Each of the first chamber and the second chamber has a capacity of not smaller than 10 pl and not larger than 200 μl. The artificial lipid membrane forming method of the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing the artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus; adding to the first chamber a first electrolytic solution having a viscosity of not lower than 1.3 mPa·s and not higher than 200 mPa·s; adding a lipid solution to the artificial lipid membrane forming portion; adding to the second chamber a second electrolytic solution having a viscosity of not lower than 1.3 mPa·s and not higher than 200 mPa·s; and forming the artificial lipid membrane.