Microstructured Surface for Controlled Liquid Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for manipulating liquids face challenges in accurately specifying capillary forces and storing defined amounts of liquid due to irregular surface structures, leading to inefficient liquid storage and deposition.
Innovation Solution
A device with microstructured and/or nanostructured surface areas featuring regularly arranged structure elements that can be precisely designed to produce controlled capillary forces, allowing for the storage and deposition of defined amounts of liquid, including reagents, which can be resuspended or permanently immobilized for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If microstructuring is produced by chemical treatment or ion irradiation, then surface areas with different capillary forces can be produced, but the acting capillary forces are relatively small and only a relatively small amount of liquid can be stored
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the microstructure (depth, width, spacing of grooves) to increase the capillary forces. By optimizing these parameters, the microstructured surface areas can store larger amounts of liquid while maintaining precise control over the capillary forces acting on the liquid.
2Manufacturing precision
If irregularly structured surfaces are formed by chemical treatment or ion irradiation, then different wetting properties can be achieved, but the surface cannot be exactly acquired by computations and capillary forces cannot be exactly specified
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical treatment and ion irradiation processes with a mechanical micromachining process (such as precision milling or grinding) to create the microstructured surface areas. This substitution allows for precise control of surface geometry through computational design and CNC machining, enabling exact specification of capillary forces while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Ease of operation
If microstructured surface areas are used in curved channels to ensure uniform liquid motion, then uniform motion is achieved, but the surface areas are not suited for storing or depositing defined amounts of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the channel surface into distinct functional zones: microstructured surface areas for liquid storage and deposition, and smooth surface areas for uniform liquid transport. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other, enabling both uniform liquid motion and defined liquid storage.
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
Enables precise storage and controlled release of reagents, facilitating efficient liquid handling and analysis by ensuring uniform liquid motion and defined reagent interaction with samples, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of detection processes.
Implementation Method 1
One or more first surface areas have a microstructured and/or nanostructured surface which have regularly arranged structure elements... The structure elements produce capillary forces which provide for the liquid's remaining in the first surface area
Implementation Method 2
the liquid's remaining in the first surface area by the capillary force is so great that the liquid which touches the edge of the first surface area is sucked into the first surface area by the capillary force
Data Source
AI summary
Device for manipulation of limited quantities of liquids with the following features:the device has at least one solid;the solid has surface areas in which different capillary forces act;one or more first surface areas have a microstructured and/or nanostructured surface;the microstructured and/or nanostructured surfaces have regularly arranged structure elements (A to E);the solid and the structure elements consist of one material and are connected to one another in one piece;one or more first surface areas are provided with reagents;the second surface area encompasses at least one of the first surface areas.