Optically Encoded Particle Fabrication via Rare Earth Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical encoding systems, such as those using Luminex and Quantum Dot technologies, are limited by low multiplexing levels, allowing for only 100 unique samples to be distinguished due to broader emission peak widths and require serial synthesis methods that are inadequate for large-scale applications, hindering the ability to label and synthesize millions of samples efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The method involves printing rare earth emitting species onto a substrate using precise and high-speed printing techniques, such as thermal wax transfer or inkjet printing, to create optically encoded particles with unique optical signatures, enabling the rapid production of millions of encoded particles with deep multiplexing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If serial synthesis methods are used to create optically encoded particles, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but productivity is severely limited and cannot scale to millions of samples
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the encoding process into two independent stages: (1) synthesis of bare particles with uniform properties, and (2) selective deposition of emitter materials onto particle surfaces. This segmentation allows parallel processing of particles while maintaining encoding precision, resolving the contradiction between productivity and process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The method performs preliminary synthesis of a large batch of uniform bare particles before the encoding step. This preliminary action enables bulk production of particles with consistent properties, which are then individually or in groups assigned unique emitter compositions through controlled deposition, dramatically increasing overall productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If broader emission peak widths are used in encoding systems, then manufacturing and material selection is easier, but multiplexing level is limited to 100 unique samples
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating particles with spatially distinct emitter compositions and ratios. Each particle or group of particles has a unique local composition of rare earth emitters (e.g., varying ratios of Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) that produces distinctive emission spectra. This localized compositional variation enables high multiplexing capability while maintaining manufacturability through controlled deposition processes.
3Productivity
If rare earth emitting species are printed onto substrates using high-speed printing techniques, then productivity increases significantly, but manufacturing precision must be maintained to ensure accurate optical coding
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical mixing and weighing methods with advanced printing technologies (such as inkjet printing, laser writing, or aerosol deposition) to deposit emitter materials onto particle surfaces. These non-mechanical or automated deposition methods enable high-speed fabrication while maintaining precise control over emitter ratios through digital control of material ejection, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
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 approach allows for the rapid and accurate fabrication of millions of optically encoded particles with high multiplexing depth, enabling efficient labeling and identification of large numbers of samples, suitable for high-throughput experiments and applications like genotyping and anticounterfeiting.
Implementation Method 1
The UV→VIS process is referred to as a downconversion process as the higher energy UV is converted to lower energy visible light
Implementation Method 2
Another class of rare earth phosphors that contain ytterbium can convert near IR radiation into multicolored visible light by means of a multiphoton upconversion process
Implementation Method 3
printing at least two different light-emitting species onto a substrate which are capable of displaying a unique optical signature
Implementation Method 4
printing rare earth emitting species onto a substrate using precise and high-speed printing techniques, such as thermal wax transfer or inkjet printing
Implementation Method 5
The relative integrated emission intensities of two (2) or more light-emitting species (supplied by one or more PARALLUME materials) can be measured and represent an optical code
Data Source
AI summary
A method for labeling an object such as a biological sample, including printing at least two different light-emitting species onto a substrate which are capable of displaying a unique optical signature when excited; and externally attaching the object to the printed at least two different light-emitting species. Also, a method for conducting a large scale test, including printing a first label onto a first substrate, the first label comprising at least two different light-emitting species capable of displaying a first unique optical signature when excited; printing a second label onto the first substrate or a second substrate, the second label comprising at least two different light-emitting species capable of displaying a second unique optical signature when excited; externally attaching a first object, such as a first biological sample to the first label; externally attaching a second object, such as a second biological sample to the second label; processing the first and second objects in a combined manner; analyzing the processed first and second objects; and identifying the analyzed first and second objects using their respective first and second labels.