Molecule Trapping in Nano-Gaps via Fluid Bridge Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively trap and position segments of linear polymer molecules, such as DNA or RNA, for precise measurement due to challenges in isolating and stabilizing these molecules for sufficient analysis time.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two reservoirs with a nano-gap, where a fluid bridge is formed and controlled to trap a segment of the molecule, allowing for precise positioning and measurement by manipulating the gap's size and voltage to maximize trapping energy, enabling single monomer accuracy and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fluid bridge is used to translocate molecules between reservoirs, then molecule translocation is enabled, but the molecule segment cannot be trapped for measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions the gap between reservoirs between two states: a first state where the gap is small enough to maintain a fluid bridge for molecule translocation, and a second state where the gap is large enough to trap the molecule segment for measurement. This dynamic adjustment of gap size enables both efficient translocation and stable trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid bridge acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables molecule translocation when present, while its controlled breaking creates the trapping condition. The controller mediates the transition between fluid bridge presence and absence to achieve both translocation and trapping objectives.
2Measurement precision
If the gap size is reduced to trap molecule segments, then positioning precision improves, but molecule translocation is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The gap size is dynamically adjusted between a first size (small) for trapping molecule segments with single monomer accuracy and a second size (larger) that allows fluid bridge formation and efficient molecule translocation. The controller switches between these two gap sizes based on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between translocation mode (larger gap) and measurement mode (smaller gap), allowing molecules to be translocated during periods when the gap is large, then trapped during periods when the gap is small for precise measurement.
3Reliability
If voltage is applied to maximize trapping energy, then molecule positioning stability improves, but thermal fluctuations cause positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively compensates for thermal fluctuations by applying a voltage to create trapping energy that exceeds the thermal energy scale (kT). This over-compensation ensures that even with thermal disturbances, the molecule segment remains stably trapped with sufficient positioning accuracy for measurement.
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 successfully locks and translocates linear polymer molecules with single monomer accuracy, allowing for reliable characterization and measurement of their segments, overcoming thermal fluctuations and positioning challenges.
Implementation Method 1
a first voltage source in electrical communication with the first reservoir and the second reservoir... applying direct the voltage source to apply a voltage to the first reservoir and the second reservoir... trapping energy
Implementation Method 2
forming a fluid bridge between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, translocating a molecule from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the fluid bridge
Data Source
AI summary
A molecule trapping method includes forming a fluid bridge between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, translocating a molecule from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the fluid bridge, detecting when a segment of the molecule is in the fluid bridge, breaking the fluid bridge and forming an a gap between the first and the second reservoirs, thereby trapping a segment of the molecule in the gap and making measurements on the segment of the molecule.