Microparticle Filling by Nozzle Contact and Surface Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling micro reaction vessels with microparticles face challenges such as the difficulty in producing meshes with small openings for retaining microparticles, maintaining stable microparticle density, and controlling discharge stability, leading to prolonged filling times and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method involving concentrating microparticles to a high-concentration suspension, contacting the suspension with the container inner wall, and separating the nozzle to fill the vessel, utilizing surface tension and controlled nozzle movement to achieve stable and efficient filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh film with small openings is used to prevent microparticle flow during filling, then microparticles can be retained in the container, but the film production becomes extremely difficult and suction speed decreases due to large pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mesh film component entirely from the system. Instead of using a mesh film to retain microparticles, the invention uses a through-hole structure in the container bottom that allows solution to be suctioned out while microparticles remain trapped by surface tension at the hole edges, eliminating the manufacturing difficulties of fine mesh films
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surface tension as an intermediary mechanism to replace the physical barrier function of the mesh film. By utilizing the surface tension of the liquid at the through-hole edges, the system achieves microparticle retention without requiring a manufactured mesh structure, thus resolving the manufacturing difficulty while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If a mesh film with small openings is used to prevent microparticle flow, then microparticles can be retained, but suction speed decreases due to large pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mesh film that caused pressure loss and slow suction. By using a through-hole structure without mesh, the fluid flow path is opened up, allowing rapid suction of the liquid phase while microparticles are retained by surface tension at the hole edges, thus improving suction speed while maintaining retention reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the surface tension interface (a flexible liquid surface) at the through-hole edges to retain microparticles, replacing the rigid mesh film structure. This allows rapid fluid flow through the holes while the flexible liquid surface dynamically adjusts to prevent particle escape, resolving the contradiction between retention and suction speed
3Extent of automation
If microparticle suspension is dispensed using inkjet device or glass pipette, then microparticles can be delivered to containers, but the process becomes time-consuming and unstable due to density control issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional dispensing approach. Instead of actively dispensing microparticle suspension drop-by-drop (inkjet) or manually (pipette), the system passively fills containers by suctioning the liquid phase through through-holes, allowing microparticles to be deposited by capillary action and surface tension. This inversion eliminates the need for precise density control and dramatically increases filling speed and stability
4Extent of automation
If microparticle suspension is dispensed using inkjet device or glass pipette, then microparticles can be delivered to containers, but the process becomes unstable due to difficulty in maintaining stable microparticle density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to self-regulate the filling process. The through-hole structure with surface tension automatically controls the interface between liquid and air, creating a self-regulating mechanism that maintains stable microparticle deposition without requiring external control of suspension density. The system self-adjusts to fill containers consistently, eliminating the instability associated with manual or inkjet dispensing methods
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 allows for rapid and reproducible filling of containers with microparticles, ensuring high microparticle density and reducing filling time, while maintaining stability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
concentrating the microparticles in the suspension to form a high-concentration suspension having a predetermined microparticle concentration at a tip of the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
bringing the high-concentration suspension in contact with an inner wall of the container
Implementation Method 3
utilizing surface tension and controlled contact angles to ensure efficient filling
Data Source
AI summary
A microparticle filling method of the present disclosure is a method of filling at least one or more containers with microparticles, including: sucking a suspension of the microparticles into a nozzle; concentrating the microparticles in the suspension to form a high-concentration suspension having a predetermined microparticle concentration at a tip of the nozzle; bringing the high-concentration suspension in contact with an inner wall of the container; and separating the nozzle from the container after the contact to fill the container with the high-concentration suspension.