Nanopore Copper Ion Sensor for Ultrasensitive Fluid Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting and quantifying copper ions in fluids, particularly in biological and environmental samples, are cumbersome, require extensive setups, and lack the necessary sensitivity and selectivity, especially for early diagnosis of diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
Innovation Solution
A sensor comprising an ion-track etched polymer membrane with nanopores, a copper-binding motif (DAP-βAla-His) as a complexing agent, and a polyethylene glycol linker, which allows for ultrasensitive detection of copper ions by measuring current-voltage characteristics or fluorescence intensity, enabling detection in the femtomolar range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fluorescence sensors using complexing agents linked to fluorophores are used, then selectivity for copper ions is improved, but detection sensitivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome procedures and extensive setups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous support structure that provides high surface area for immobilizing copper-binding peptides. The porous architecture allows fluid penetration while concentrating copper ions at the sensing sites, enabling sensitive detection without complex sample preparation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor utilizes spontaneous fluorescence quenching when copper ions bind to the immobilized peptides. This self-reporting mechanism eliminates the need for extensive reaction steps, external reagents, or complex measurement procedures, allowing direct detection by simply measuring fluorescence intensity
2Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods with multiple reaction steps are used, then detection capability is improved, but productivity and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The copper-binding peptides are pre-immobilized on the porous support in a stable configuration that maintains high affinity for copper ions. This preliminary preparation allows the sensor to directly detect copper ions upon fluid contact without requiring stepwise addition of reagents or sequential reaction steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the copper-binding function, fluorescence reporting function, and support structure into a single integrated sensor assembly. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate reaction vessels, reagent additions, and intermediate processing steps required by conventional methods
3Measurement precision
If fluorescence quenching mechanism is used for copper detection, then sensitivity is improved to femtomolar range, but device complexity increases due to specialized components required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor employs a disposable porous support structure that can be mass-produced using cost-effective materials. The immobilized peptides and fluorescent labels are integrated in a way that allows the entire sensor to be replaced rather than regenerated, reducing complexity of regeneration systems while maintaining ultra-sensitive detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor exploits fluorescence quenching as an optical signal change that can be detected by standard fluorescence spectroscopy equipment. This optical readout mechanism provides femtomolar sensitivity using well-established detection technology, avoiding the need for specialized or complex measurement instruments
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 sensor provides fast, easy, and highly selective detection of copper ions in fluids, allowing on-site and real-time analysis with a detection limit as low as 1 fM, suitable for diagnosing diseases like Alzheimer's disease and monitoring copper metabolism.
Implementation Method 1
a copper-binding motif (DAP-βAla-His) as a complexing agent
Implementation Method 2
by measuring current-voltage characteristics or fluorescence intensity
Implementation Method 3
an ion-track etched polymer membrane with nanopores
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 3(a)~4(b)
AI summary
The present application is directed to a sensor for detection and/or concentration determination of metal ions in a fluid comprising a complexing agent suitable for binding the metal ions to be detected, detection means and a linker moiety, wherein the detection means comprises a polymer membrane with nanopores. The sensor according to the present application can be used for fast, highly selective and ultrasensitive detection of metal ions in a fluid, in particular of Cu2+ ions. With such a sensor a qualitative and/or quantitative detection of metal ions can be achieved, which can be useful in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of diseases linked to abnormal metal ion concentrations such as for example Alzheimer's disease.