Membrane-Free Electroextraction for Continuous Analyte Enrichment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electroextraction processes are limited by the need for batch methods, depletion of analytes, and the requirement for complex systems with membranes, which restricts their efficiency and applicability, especially for continuous injections and biological samples.
Innovation Solution
A process and device for electroextraction that uses a microfluidic chip to continuously extract compounds from a moving organic donor phase into a stagnant or flowing aqueous acceptor phase without membranes, utilizing an electric field to enhance migration velocities and concentration, allowing for continuous or semi-continuous operations and high selective analyte enrichment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a liquid membrane is used to extract compounds from aqueous donor solution, then extraction selectivity is improved, but device complexity and operational limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the liquid membrane from the extraction system, using direct electroextraction between aqueous donor and acceptor phases. This eliminates the membrane-related complexity while maintaining extraction capability through electrical field-driven ion migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an electrical field as the intermediary mechanism to replace the membrane's selective barrier function. Charged compounds are selectively transported through the aqueous-aqueous interface by applying voltage, achieving selectivity without physical membrane constraints.
2Productivity
If a fixed volume biphasic system is used for electroextraction, then mass transfer enhancement is achieved, but continuous operation becomes impossible due to analyte depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous flow of the donor phase through the extraction chamber, constantly replenishing analytes and preventing depletion. This enables uninterrupted extraction operations while maintaining the electrical field-driven mass transfer enhancement of electroextraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed-volume phases to dynamic flowing phases. The donor phase continuously moves through the extraction zone, allowing sustained analyte supply and enabling continuous operation mode while preserving electroextraction efficiency.
3Productivity
If organic phase is used as donor phase, then extraction efficiency is improved, but applicability to aqueous biological samples is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the donor phase parameter from organic to aqueous composition. This enables direct analysis of aqueous biological samples without organic solubilization, while maintaining high extraction efficiency through electrical field enhancement and optimized aqueous-aqueous phase partitioning.
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 enables high-speed, selective, and efficient extraction of charged and neutral compounds, reducing labor intensity and improving the concentration of analytes, making it suitable for automated procedures like CE-MS or LC-MS, and allowing for the handling of immiscible solvent flows through phase guide technology.
Implementation Method 1
Solvent extraction processes using application of an electric field to enhance mass transfer from one phase into the other are commonly known as 'electroextraction'. When an electrical field is applied in an immiscible two-phase liquid-liquid system consisting of a low conductive organic phase and a higher or highly conductive aqueous phase, charged compounds that are in the organic phase will migrate fast toward the aqueous phase.
Implementation Method 2
providing a supporting or confining phase guide pattern to keep a defined interface between donor phase and acceptor phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the electro extraction of molecules from a moving fluid donor phase into an acceptor phase, comprising the steps of: providing an electrically conductive donor phase moving at a first flow velocity and in electrically conductive contact with a first electrode, providing an electrically conductive acceptor phase in direct contact and immiscible with the donor phase, in electrically conductive contact with a second electrode; and providing a supporting or confining phase guide pattern to keep a defined interface between donor phase and acceptor phase, and (d) applying an electrical field between the first and the second electrode.