Non-Transparent Microfluidic SPR Chips Using Polyimide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) systems are limited to transparent glass microfluidic chips, which restrict their application and do not allow for the use of non-visible radiation, limiting their sensitivity and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic SPR system using non-transparent materials like polyimide or silicon for the sensor chip, allowing non-visible radiation to penetrate and interact with a surface plasmon generating layer, enabling the detection of analytes and integration with electronic circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transparent glass microfluidic chips are used for SPR analysis, then visible light can penetrate to generate surface plasmons, but the application scope is restricted and non-visible radiation cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the microfluidic chip from transparent glass to non-transparent materials (polyimide, silicon) that are transparent to non-visible radiation wavelengths, enabling the system to utilize infrared and other non-visible radiation for SPR analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the microfluidic chip material universally compatible with multiple types of radiation (visible and non-visible), allowing the SPR system to perform analysis using different wavelength ranges and expanding its application versatility
2Illumination intensity
If non-transparent materials like polyimide or silicon are used for the sensor chip, then non-visible radiation can penetrate to generate surface plasmons, but the material must be specifically selected for radiation transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and utilizes specific material parameters (radiation transparency at non-visible wavelengths) to select appropriate materials (polyimide, silicon) that enable non-visible radiation penetration while maintaining manufacturability through established fabrication processes
3Measurement precision
If conventional glass substrates are used, then visible light SPR analysis can be performed, but sensitivity and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter from visible light wavelength to non-visible radiation wavelengths, which provides enhanced sensitivity for certain analyte detections and expands the versatility of the SPR analysis capabilities
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
Enables the use of non-transparent microfluidic chips for SPR analysis, enhancing sensitivity and versatility by allowing non-visible radiation to generate surface plasmons, and providing pH stability and low sorptive properties for protein analysis.
Implementation Method 1
SPR is an optical phenomenon which occurs as a result of total internal reflection of light at a metal film-liquid interface. If the incident light is monochromatic and polarized, and the interface between the media is coated with a thin metal film, such as gold or silver, having a thickness which is a fraction of the wavelength of the incident light, the evanescent wave can interact with free oscillating electrons, or plasmons, in the metal film surface.
Implementation Method 2
Total internal reflection is observed in situations where light travels through a medium such as glass, and is reflected back through that medium from the interface with a different medium, for example a liquid buffer solution.
Implementation Method 3
The sensor chip is made from a non-transparent material, for example, such as polyimide or silicon. The sensor chip allows for radiation produced by the SPR optical detector to pass through and interact with the surface plasmon generating layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic system including a chip sensor and an SPR optical detector. The chip sensor may be made a non-transparent material, such as polyimide or silicon, allowing non-visible radiation produced by the SPR optical detector to pass through and interact with a surface plasmon generating layer on the chip sensor.