Micro-Nano-Micro Device for Analyte Preconcentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for analyzing and sorting particles or molecules in solutions face limitations such as imprecise concentration spots, unsuitable device architecture, high electrical voltage requirements, and inefficiencies in electropreconcentration methods, which hinder precise characterization and efficient discrimination of molecules.
Innovation Solution
A Micro-Nano-Micro (MNM) device system utilizing electrophoretic and electroosmotic mobility, combined with hydrodynamic pressure, to create a vertical or horizontal slot structure for efficient electropreconcentration, allowing for precise concentration and separation of analytes through controlled voltage and pressure applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nanometric restrictions are used to generate electropreconcentration, then analyte concentration is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the flow path into microchannels and nanochannels with distinct functions. The nanochannels (50-500 nm width) are specifically designed to generate ion concentration gradients through their nanometric restrictions, while microchannels handle bulk flow and observation. This segmentation allows the preconcentration function to be isolated to specific nanometric zones without requiring the entire device to meet nanometric manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional planar channels to three-dimensional vertical slot structures. The vertical slots extend through the thickness of the device substrate, creating a depth dimension that enhances the surface-area-to-volume ratio for observation and improves the efficiency of electropreconcentration by allowing electric field lines to penetrate more effectively into the analyte solution.
2Productivity
If high electrical voltage is applied for electropreconcentration, then analyte separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and device reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates local zones of high electric field intensity within the nanochannels where ion concentration gradients form. These localized high-field regions are sufficient to drive electropreconcentration without requiring uniformly high voltage across the entire device. The nanometric restrictions concentrate the electric field in specific zones, enabling efficient separation at lower overall voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the channel geometry (width, depth, aspect ratio) to optimize the balance between separation efficiency and energy consumption. By adjusting the nanochannel dimensions and the configuration of vertical slots, the device achieves effective electropreconcentration at moderate voltage levels, reducing the 19 parameter (energy consumption) while maintaining high productivity.
3Measurement precision
If complex device architecture is used for precise analyte characterization, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure: the vertical slots serve simultaneously as flow channels, observation windows, and electropreconcentration zones. The same nanochannel structure that generates ion gradients also provides the geometric constraints necessary for precise analyte focusing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying operation while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The background electrolyte acts as an intermediary medium that enables both transport and concentration functions. By carefully controlling the electrolyte composition and flow, the device achieves precise analyte characterization without requiring complex mechanical or electronic control systems. The electrolyte mediates the interaction between the electric field and analytes, translating electrical parameters into spatial concentration patterns that can be observed and measured.
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 system achieves high-performance preconcentration and separation of analytes with enhanced precision and efficiency, enabling effective characterization and discrimination of molecules, even in complex mixtures, with reduced device size and electrical requirements.
Implementation Method 1
anions (shown by "-") and cations present elsewhere in the liquid also migrate to anode A and cathode K, respectively. We speak of electrophoretic flux, which depends on the charge/mass ratio of the analyte.
Implementation Method 2
This is the electro-osmotic flow, which depends on the surface charge of the glass or the surface zeta potential and which exists even in the absence of analyte in the background electrolyte.
Implementation Method 3
When the migrations of some of these ions are disturbed, for example by a nanometric size restriction, by a porous membrane, or simply by the local covering of the walls by a substance capturing certain ions, phenomena of local increase in the ionic concentration and consequently rarefaction of ions at other points are observed. We are talking about electropreconcentration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention proposes several aspects of a Micro-Nano-Micro (MNM) device. According to one aspect, a plurality of observation channels are positioned in parallel, and each has a smaller cross-section in order to generate a disturbance in order to cause preconcentration. The cross-sections of two separate channels are different. According to another aspect, the observation channel has a smaller width, preferably with a constant depth. According to another aspect, a method for analysing and/or distinguishing between and/or sorting analytes is presented. Several types of analytes can be used. According to one aspect, a method for manufacturing a device according to the invention is presented.