Optothermal Bubble Analyte Sensing in Biphasic Liquid Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biomolecular sensing systems face limitations due to diffusion-driven processes, leading to prolonged incubation times and high false negatives in disease diagnosis, particularly in low-concentration viral nucleic acid samples, and existing methods for optothermal bubble generation are restricted by high temperatures required in aqueous media.
Innovation Solution
The use of optothermally generated surface microbubbles in biphasic liquid samples to rapidly concentrate analytes at the bubble-surface interface through high-velocity fluid flows, overcoming diffusion limits and enabling efficient analyte sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional diffusion-driven sensing systems are used, then simple system operation is maintained, but incubation times become prolonged and sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes optothermal bubble generation where optical energy is converted to thermal energy, causing phase transition of the liquid from liquid to vapor (bubble formation). This phase transition creates rapid fluid flow and convection currents that dramatically accelerate analyte transport to the sensing interface, reducing incubation time from minutes to seconds while maintaining high sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive diffusion-driven transport with active optothermal bubble-driven convection. Instead of relying on slow molecular diffusion, the system uses optically-generated thermal bubbles to create fluid flow patterns that actively transport analytes to the sensing surface, achieving both speed and sensitivity improvements
2Quantity of substance
If fixed high temperature bubble generation is used in aqueous media, then analyte concentration is achieved, but temperature constraints limit application versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from fixed high temperature to controllable localized heating. By using optothermal bubbles generated at specific locations on the sensing surface, the system achieves high analyte concentration without requiring uniformly high temperatures throughout the aqueous medium, thereby expanding temperature range flexibility and application versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating thermal energy at specific bubble generation sites on the sensing surface rather than heating the entire aqueous medium uniformly. This localized optothermal bubble generation creates high-concentration zones for analyte accumulation while maintaining lower temperatures elsewhere, enabling broader application across different sample types and conditions
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 significantly reduces incubation times and enhances the sensitivity and accuracy of biomolecular detection, facilitating high-throughput disease diagnosis by rapidly concentrating solutes at the bubble-surface interface.
Implementation Method 1
optothermally generated surface microbubble in fluid that can quickly drive the accumulation of solutes at the bubble-surface interface
Implementation Method 2
optothermally generated surface microbubble in fluid
Implementation Method 3
high-velocity fluid flows has a potential as a concentrator in biosensing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for analyte sensing with optothermally generated bubbles in biphasic liquid samples. For example, disclosed herein are methods comprising: illuminating a first location of an optothermal substrate with electromagnetic radiation; wherein the optothermal substrate is in thermal contact with a biphasic liquid sample comprising an aqueous solution and a droplet comprising a water-immiscible liquid, the aqueous solution comprising water and a plurality of analytes; thereby: generating a bubble in the biphasic liquid sample proximate the first location of the optothermal substrate via optothermal effects, trapping at least a portion of the plurality of analytes at the gas-liquid interface of the bubble and the aqueous solution, and depositing at least a portion of the trapped analytes onto the optothermal substrate.