Nanofluidic Cell Loading Platform for Uniform Liquid Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for studying in-liquid samples using nanofluidic cells within an electron microscope suffer from poor reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus comprises a pair of silicon bodies with high electron transparent windows, a compressible seal, and a mechanism for evacuating the cell, allowing for precise positioning and sealing of a liquid sample droplet within the nanofluidic cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nanofluidic cell is used to study in-liquid samples in an electron microscope, then liquid sample viewing is enabled, but reproducibility of liquid viewing depth is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cell structure by introducing a cavity with volume larger than the droplet volume, and using compressible seals to adjust and maintain consistent liquid thickness. This allows the liquid viewing depth to be controlled and reproduced reliably across different cells and preparations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a cavity that is larger than the droplet volume to provide a buffer zone. This cushioning space ensures that variations in droplet placement or compression do not directly affect the liquid viewing depth, thereby improving reproducibility.
2Ease of operation
If a delivery device with relatively low precision is used to place the liquid droplet, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision of liquid thickness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity designed with volume larger than the droplet provides a tolerance buffer that compensates for imprecise droplet placement. This cushioning space ensures that even with simple, low-precision delivery devices, the liquid thickness remains uniform and reproducible.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the cell structure to include a larger cavity and compressible seals, the system becomes less sensitive to delivery device precision. The compressible seal allows adjustment of liquid thickness after droplet placement, maintaining uniformity regardless of placement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cell structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability of liquid viewing depth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cavity with specific volume relationship to the droplet and uses compressible seal materials. These parameter changes enable reliable liquid viewing depth while maintaining relatively simple fabrication processes using standard microfabrication techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of compressible seals (flexible elements) in the cell structure provides a simple yet effective mechanism to maintain consistent liquid thickness. These flexible seals can be easily fabricated and integrated, improving reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
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 configuration enhances the reproducibility and reliability of liquid viewing depth in nanofluidic cells, even when using a delivery device with relatively low precision, by minimizing window deformation and maintaining uniform liquid thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible seal, the seal: being disposed between the bodies and in compression in the cell
Implementation Method 2
each window can be a high electron transparent window
Implementation Method 3
an evacuation apparatus, the pair of parts, in use, being disposed in abutting relation to one another to define a cell for use with a microscope
Data Source
AI summary
Parts of a pair, in use, are disposed in abutting relation to one another to define a cell for use with an electron microscope, the cell having, disposed on opposite surfaces thereof, a pair of windows, the windows being arranged in spaced relation to one another to define a viewable interior volume of the cell at a region of overlap. A housing is adapted to receive one of the pair of parts and further adapted to define a chamber containing the one of the parts which chamber, in use, is evacuated. An arrangement is adapted, when the one of the parts is received by the housing and is in receipt of a sample and the chamber is evacuated, to position together the one of the pair of parts and the other of the pair of parts.