Nanopore Sensing Arrays With Per-Pore Control for Precise Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nanopore sensors face limitations in performance due to manufacturing variations and assembly issues, leading to bandwidth, sensitivity, and control challenges.
Innovation Solution
A device with an array of nanopore structures, each equipped with drive electrodes, electrical transduction elements, and control terminals, allowing for independent control of electrical potential differences across individual nanopores to enhance analyte movement and measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If solid-state nanopore sensors are manufactured using conventional techniques, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and performance consistency deteriorate due to variation in nanopore formation and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into discrete components: a support structure with integrated nanopores, separate transduction elements, and modular assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured independently with high precision, then assembled systematically to maintain performance consistency across production batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, contains the nanopores for analyte passage, and integrates the transduction elements for signal detection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device while maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional nanopore sensing is used without individual control, then device complexity is lower, but measurement precision and analyte control capability deteriorate due to inability to mitigate noise and control translocation
Solution Approach 1:
Each nanopore location is equipped with its own transduction element and control terminal, enabling localized measurement and control. This local quality approach allows individual optimization of each sensing site, improving measurement precision by capturing local electrical potential changes specific to each nanopore while enabling targeted control of analyte translocation through that specific pore.
Solution Approach 2:
The transduction elements provide real-time feedback on electrical potential changes at each nanopore, which can be used to dynamically adjust control signals. This feedback mechanism enables precise control over analyte translocation speed and positioning, improving measurement accuracy by compensating for variations in analyte movement and reducing noise from uncontrolled translocation events.
3Productivity
If large arrays of nanopore structures are fabricated, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision and performance control deteriorate due to scaling challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The large array is fabricated using segmented manufacturing processes where the support structure with multiple nanopores is created as a unified substrate, and transduction elements are individually integrated at each nanopore site. This approach enables parallel fabrication of multiple nanopores while maintaining individual control and precision for each element in the array.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated support structure: the nanopore array, the transduction elements, and the control terminals are combined in a unified device architecture. This merging allows for standardized manufacturing processes that can produce large arrays with consistent performance characteristics while maintaining the ability to control each individual nanopore.
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 device improves nanopore sensor performance by mitigating noise and enabling efficient control over analyte translocation, allowing for high-bandwidth and sensitive measurements in large arrays.
Implementation Method 1
drive electrodes connected respectively to the analyte reservoir and the outlet chamber for inducing the analyte through the nanopore
Implementation Method 2
electrical transduction elements, each element connected to, or exposed to, the passage of a respective nanopore structure for measuring the fluidic electrical potential at that electrical transduction element
Implementation Method 3
control terminals, each terminal connected to a respective nanopore structure for applying a control signal to alter the electrical potential difference across that nanopore structure
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for improved nanopore sensing are described. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. The structure can include an array of nanopore structures, each nanopore structure comprising a passage for fluid connection through the structure between the analyte reservoir and outlet chamber. Control terminals can be arranged for applying a control signal to alter the electrical potential difference across that nanopore structure. Some embodiments include an electronic circuit configured to detect a signal from an electrical transduction element at each nanopore structure. Additional structural features and methods of operating and making the devices are described.