Nanosensor Biopolymer Manipulation via Electric Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanopore and nanotrench devices face challenges in accurately controlling and sensing biopolymers, such as DNA and RNA, due to issues like restricted working conditions, short device lifetime, and the need for well-controlled geometry and effective molecular trapping mechanisms, which hinder high-throughput and robust molecular detection.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state nanochannel/nanotrench system is developed that integrates biopolymer trapping, linearization, and tunneling sensing, using vertical and horizontal electric fields to immobilize and stretch molecules into non-folded chains, and employs nanogap sensors for sequential reading of monomers, compatible with CMOS technology for large-scale production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biological nanopores are used for biopolymer sensing, then molecular detection can be performed, but the device lifetime is short and working conditions are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces biological nanopores with solid-state nanopores that replicate the sensing function. The solid-state nanopores are fabricated using semiconductor manufacturing techniques, creating a durable copy that maintains the molecular detection capability while eliminating the short lifetime and restricted working conditions of biological nanopores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs solid-state nanopores that can be mass-produced using standard semiconductor fabrication processes, replacing expensive and short-lived biological nanopores. The solid-state structure enables long-term stability and extended device lifetime while maintaining sensing functionality.
2Productivity
If nanopore devices are used for high-throughput sequencing, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision and geometry control are challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical drilling or etching methods with semiconductor fabrication techniques for nanopore creation. This substitution enables precise geometric control through photolithography and thin-film deposition, achieving uniform nanopore dimensions while supporting high-throughput operation through parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controllable parameters in semiconductor fabrication (temperature, pressure, deposition rates, etch conditions) to precisely regulate nanopore geometry. By optimizing these parameters, the device achieves both high manufacturing precision for uniform nanopore dimensions and high productivity through scalable fabrication processes.
3Productivity
If molecules are driven through nanopores rapidly for high throughput, then productivity increases, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic control of electric field strength to regulate molecular translocation. By applying alternating high and low voltage pulses, molecules are driven through nanopores at controlled intervals, allowing high throughput while maintaining sufficient residence time at the sensing zone for accurate base identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the electric field parameters during molecular translocation. The system modulates voltage in real-time to optimize both translocation speed for throughput and molecular residence time for measurement precision, adapting the driving force according to the sequencing requirements.
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 system enables accurate, high-throughput, and robust biopolymer sensing with improved molecular control and detection, overcoming limitations of biological nanopores and existing solid-state sensors by providing precise localization, trapping, and tunneling recognition, suitable for large-scale production and integration with planar VLSI techniques.
Implementation Method 1
creating a first vertical electric field inside the nanochannel to slow down the molecule and/or immobilize the molecule
Implementation Method 2
stretching the molecule into non-folded linear chains by the first vertical electric field and a horizontal electric field
Implementation Method 3
a slight electric current due to conduction of ions through the nanopore can be measured
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism is provided for manipulating a molecule. The molecule is driven into a nanochannel filed with electrically conductive fluid. A first vertical electric field is created inside the nanochannel to slow down the molecule and/or immobilize the molecule. The molecule is stretched into non-folded linear chains by the first vertical electric field and a horizontal electric field. Monomers of the molecule are sequentially read.