Multi-Well Evaporation with Inlet and Exhaust Manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for crystallization, such as manual evaporation through holes in aluminum foil, lack consistency and scalability, particularly for small sample volumes and multiple solvents of varying volatilities, leading to challenges in reproducibility and quality of crystals.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for controlled evaporation using a multi-well plate with separate inlet and exhaust manifolds, flow control orifices, and programmable duty cycles to manage solvent evaporation rates, allowing for precise control of solvent vapor removal from wells with different solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual evaporation through holes in aluminum foil is used, then crystal formation can occur, but evaporation rate consistency and reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of poking holes in aluminum foil with an automated gas flow system. Gas is introduced through inlet ports and removed through exhaust ports at controlled rates, eliminating the need for manual hole creation and providing consistent, reproducible evaporation rates across multiple samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows each well to self-regulate its evaporation rate through controlled gas flow. The gas flow automatically adjusts to maintain consistent evaporation without manual intervention, and the system can handle multiple wells simultaneously with uniform control.
2Productivity
If holes in aluminum foil are used for evaporation, then the process can be performed, but scalability to small sample volumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the evaporation system into individual well units, each with its own inlet and exhaust ports. This segmentation allows independent control of gas flow for each well, enabling scalable operation from large to very small sample volumes (down to 96-well plate format with 0.5 mL or less per well) while maintaining consistent evaporation rates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a common exhaust manifold is used for multiple wells, then device complexity is reduced, but control over solvents of dissimilar volatilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exhaust system into separate exhaust ports for different rows or groups of wells, allowing independent control of gas flow rates for wells containing solvents of different volatilities. This enables tailored evaporation control for each solvent type while maintaining a manageable device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different gas flow control parameters to different regions (rows/groups) of wells based on the specific solvent volatility requirements. Each region can have customized inlet and exhaust flow rates optimized for its particular solvent, providing local adaptability without requiring complete system redesign.
4Productivity
If evaporation rate is increased for faster processing, then productivity improves, but crystal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts gas flow rates to optimize the balance between evaporation speed and crystal quality. By controlling the rate at which gas enters and exits each well, the system maintains optimal saturation levels that promote high-quality crystal formation while still achieving productive evaporation rates, avoiding both too-fast and too-slow evaporation extremes.
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 reproducible and efficient evaporation, preventing rapid or slow evaporation that hinders crystal quality, and allows for controlled evaporation of multiple solvents with varying volatilities in small volumes, including 96-well plates, ensuring consistent and high-quality crystal formation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flow control orifice positioned between the inlet port and the exhaust port
Implementation Method 2
controlled evaporation of solvent from at least one solution
Implementation Method 3
removing solvent vapor from the selected first set of wells
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for controlled evaporation of solvent from a solution are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlled evaporation of solvent from at least one solution includes filling a selected first set of wells in a multi-well plate with a first solution comprising at least one first solvent. The method also includes attaching an inlet manifold to the plate, the inlet manifold comprising an inlet port connected to and in fluid communication only with each of the wells in the selected first set of wells. The method further includes attaching an exhaust manifold to the plate, the exhaust manifold comprising an exhaust port connected to and in fluid communication only with each of the wells in the selected first set of wells. The method also includes introducing a gas into the inlet port and removing solvent vapor from the selected first set of wells.