Nanowire Fluidic Device for Biomolecule Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating biomolecules, such as extracellular vesicles, from solutions are time-consuming and yield low results, with techniques like ultracentrifugation requiring large sample volumes and long separation times, and agglutination reagent methods leading to particle size changes and reduced marker protein amounts.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device comprising a substrate with nanowires on its surface and a cover forming a fluid chamber, where the substrate and cover are in liquid-tight contact, allowing for efficient separation and collection of biomolecules by forming a flow path that increases design flexibility and enhances separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultracentrifugation method is used, then separation of extracellular vesicles can be achieved, but large sample volume (several 10 mL) and long separation time (4 to 5 hours) are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultracentrifugation system with a nanowire-based separation system that uses nanoscale physical and chemical interactions. Nanowires with specific surface properties selectively capture target biomolecules from solution, eliminating the need for high-speed mechanical rotation and enabling rapid separation without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from mass-based centrifugal force to surface property-based selective binding. By controlling nanowire surface charge, hydrophobicity, or specific receptor expression, the system achieves high-selectivity separation that is independent of particle size and density, dramatically reducing separation time while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If ultracentrifugation method is used, then separation of extracellular vesicles can be achieved, but collection rate is low (about 5 to 25%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the separation approach from bulk-phase centrifugal separation to surface-phase selective binding. Nanowires present high-density binding sites on their surfaces that selectively capture target molecules, achieving collection rates exceeding 90% by maximizing the interaction probability between targets and binding sites at the nanoscale interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the high surface-area-to-volume ratio of nanowires, which can be considered as one-dimensional porous structures. This geometry provides numerous accessible binding sites that increase capture efficiency and collection rate, allowing most target molecules in the sample to be captured during a single pass through the nanowire array.
3Ease of operation
If agglutination reagent method is used, then separation process is simple, but prolonged standing (0.5 hours to 1 night) is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming chemical agglutination process with direct physical capture at nanowire surfaces. Target molecules are immediately captured as they contact the nanowire array, eliminating the need for prolonged incubation and mixing operations, thus achieving rapid separation while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Reliability
If agglutination reagent method is used, then separation can be performed, but particle size changes, decrease in particle number, and decrease in marker protein amount occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gentle nanowire surface binding with harsh chemical agglutination. The nanowire surface provides mild, specific binding forces that capture targets without causing aggregation or structural damage, thereby preserving particle size distribution, particle number, and marker protein content while achieving effective separation.
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 enables rapid and efficient separation of biomolecules with improved yields, reducing sample volume requirements and processing time compared to traditional methods, while maintaining the integrity of the collected particles.
Implementation Method 1
nanowires are disposed within the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a device for separating biomolecules comprising a substrate having a planar surface, nanowires disposed on at least a portion of the planar surface, and a fluid chamber formed to include at least a portion of the nanowires.