Liquid Drop Control Device Seal Gap Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the manufacturing of liquid drop control devices, displacement in the alignment of seal material can lead to gaps between the seal material and the lyophobic liquid region, causing oil to not spread appropriately and resulting in bubble formation that inhibits reagent behavior.
Innovation Solution
The method involves manufacturing substrates with lyophobic layers and applying a seal material at the end face of one substrate, ensuring contact between the lyophobic layers and the seal material to prevent gaps and improve adhesion, thereby controlling oil spread and reducing bubble formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seal material is applied during manufacturing, then the space between substrates is sealed, but displacement in alignment causes gaps between seal material and lyophobic liquid region
Solution Approach 1:
The lyophobic layer is formed on the substrate before the seal material is applied. This preliminary formation of the lyophobic layer ensures that even if alignment displacement occurs during seal material application, the lyophobic layer will extend to contact the seal material, preventing gap formation and ensuring proper oil spread control
Solution Approach 2:
The lyophobic layer is specifically positioned at the end face of the substrate where it contacts the seal material. This local placement of the lyophobic layer creates a targeted lyophobic region that ensures contact with the seal material regardless of alignment variations, preventing gaps only where needed
2Manufacturing precision
If gaps are formed between seal material and lyophobic liquid region, then oil cannot spread appropriately, but forming lyophobic and lyophilic regions makes it harder for bubbles to remain
Solution Approach 1:
The lyophobic layer serves multiple functions: it controls oil spread by creating a lyophobic barrier, prevents gap formation between the seal material and liquid region, and reduces bubble formation through proper surface energy management. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device structure while achieving multiple objectives
3Reliability
If bubbles remain in cell during oil injection, then reagent behavior is inhibited, but contact between lyophobic layer end face and seal material prevents bubble formation
Solution Approach 1:
The lyophobic layer is formed on the substrate before oil injection occurs. This preliminary formation ensures that when oil is injected, the lyophobic layer is already in position to contact the seal material and prevent bubble formation, eliminating the need for additional steps during the oil injection process
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 effectively minimizes bubble formation during oil injection, ensuring better reagent behavior and improving the manufacturing yield of liquid drop control devices.
Implementation Method 1
two substrates each including a lyophobic layer; bonding a second one of the substrate and the seal material together so that the lyophobic layers face each other
Implementation Method 2
bonding a second one of the substrate and the seal material together; sealing a space between the two substrates
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention has as an object to, by controlling how oil injected into a liquid drop control device wet spreads, make it harder for bubbles to remain in a cell. A liquid drop control device of the present invention is characterized in that in at least one substrate, there is a gap between an end face of a lyophobic layer and a seal material and the lyophobic layer and the seal material make contact with each other in at least one place.