Metallic Microplate for Fast PCR Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heating specimen carriers in PCR processes suffer from heat loss and delays in temperature control due to separate heating devices, leading to inaccuracies and mechanical stress issues with attached thermal elements.
Innovation Solution
A microplate with a metallic substrate and corrugated finger-like projections for direct electrical heating, combined with a polymeric barrier layer and wells, allowing for rapid and uniform thermal cycling without external heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If separate heating devices are used to heat specimen carriers, then heating function is provided, but heat loss and time delay occur in temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged directly into the specimen carrier block by incorporating a heating element within the block structure itself, eliminating the need for separate external heating devices. This integration removes thermal gaps and interfaces between separate components, thereby reducing heat loss and eliminating time delays in temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive material is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the specimen carrier block to ensure efficient heat transfer. This intermediary material fills thermal gaps and improves thermal coupling, reducing heat loss and accelerating heat transfer response.
2Temperature
If attached heating elements are used on the block, then heating is provided, but thermal uniformity and mechanical reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is merged into the block structure rather than being attached to it, creating an integrated assembly. This eliminates thermal gaps between the heating element and block, improving thermal uniformity, and removes mechanical interfaces that would be subject to thermal expansion stresses, thereby improving mechanical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is positioned and configured to provide localized heating zones within the block, with thermal pathways designed to distribute heat uniformly across the specimen carrier surface. This local control of heat generation and distribution ensures uniform temperature across all sample positions.
3Productivity
If rapid temperature change is applied to liquid samples, then PCR cycle speed increases, but temperature differentials within samples increase causing control inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the block with minimal thermal mass between the heat source and sample positions, enabling rapid heat transfer to all samples simultaneously. This integration allows fast temperature changes while maintaining uniformity across the block, achieving both high PCR cycle speed and accurate temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The block is divided into multiple heated zones or regions, each capable of independent or coordinated temperature control. This segmentation allows different parts of the block to be optimized for different requirements, with overall rapid thermal response while maintaining local temperature uniformity across sample positions.
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 solution enables rapid thermal control with a PCR ramp rate of at least 5°C/second, achieving high thermal uniformity and reducing mechanical stress, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of PCR processes.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate comprising a metallic material for heating PCR samples... upon the flow of electrical current through the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of finger-like projections having a corrugated surface in the form of a wave pattern that defines a crinkle, wherein the surface of the plurality of finger-like projections is configured to come in contact with bus bars for facilitating the flow of electrical current through the microplate
Data Source
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AI summary
A microplate (100) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprises a substrate (103) having a metallic material for heating PCR samples, and a barrier layer (104) disposed adjacent to the substrate. In some cases, the barrier layer is formed of a first polymeric material. The microplate includes one or more wells (101) for containing PCR samples. The one or more wells are formed of a second polymeric material sealed to the barrier layer. In some cases, the substrate can provide a PCR ramp rate of at least about 5°c/second.