Film-Forming Structure Using Osmotic Pressure for Uniform Bilayers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for bilayer membrane formation suffer from poor controllability, prolonged forming cycles, and significant batch-to-batch variations due to reliance on spontaneous processes, leading to increased production difficulty and costs.

Innovation Solution

A forming structure and method utilizing an osmotic pressure difference between buffer solutions to drive the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules, accelerating the formation of bilayer membranes and ensuring uniformity by controlling the osmotic pressure gradient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If spontaneous self-assembly process is used for bilayer membrane formation, then the process is simple, but the forming cycle is prolonged and controllability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidmembrane-forming period
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the buffer solutions by creating an osmotic pressure difference between the first buffer solution (higher osmotic pressure) and the second buffer solution (lower osmotic pressure). This parameter change drives water molecules to move from the second buffer solution through the membrane solution to the first buffer solution, generating an upward convex pulling force that accelerates the self-assembly process and shortens the membrane-forming period while maintaining process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If spontaneous self-assembly process is used for bilayer membrane formation, then no external control is needed, but uniformity is poor and batch-to-batch variations are significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidmembrane uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By establishing a controlled osmotic pressure difference between the two buffer solutions, the patent introduces a controllable driving force that ensures consistent water movement through the membrane solution. This controlled parameter change promotes uniform solvent extraction and consistent bilayer membrane formation across batches, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of operation through the self-driven osmotic process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or mechanical control methods with a chemical-physical mechanism (osmotic pressure difference) to drive the membrane formation process. This substitution allows the system to self-regulate the formation process through the inherent osmotic pressure gradient, ensuring uniformity without requiring complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If osmotic pressure difference is increased to accelerate membrane formation, then forming speed increases, but membrane may be broken

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane-forming speedVSAvoidmembrane integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a moderate osmotic pressure difference that is sufficient to accelerate membrane formation but not excessive to cause membrane rupture. By carefully controlling the osmotic pressure gradient between the two buffer solutions, the system achieves partial acceleration of the forming process while maintaining membrane integrity, avoiding both insufficient formation speed and excessive stress that would damage the membrane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 method significantly shortens the membrane-forming period, enhances controllability, and improves uniformity, resulting in higher production efficiency and reduced costs.

Implementation Method 1

The osmotic pressure of the first buffer solution is greater than the osmotic pressure of the second buffer solution... By creating a higher osmotic pressure below the membrane than above, an osmotic pressure difference is established between the two sides. As a result, water molecules move toward the region of higher osmotic pressure, generating an upward convex pulling force on the membrane.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmotic pressure: Osmotic Pressure

Implementation Method 2

The process of amphiphilic molecules forming a bilayer membrane is a self-assembly process driven from the hydrophobic effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 3

The process of amphiphilic molecules forming a bilayer membrane is a self-assembly process driven from the hydrophobic effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP4624027A1Film forming structure and forming method
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 BGI HANGZHOU CYCLONESEQ TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4624027A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4624027A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4624027A1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present application provides a film forming structure and a forming method. The forming structure comprises: a support body, the inside of the support body being filled with a first buffer solution, the surface of the first buffer solution being provided with a membrane solution, the surface of the membrane solution being provided with a second buffer solution, and the osmotic pressure of the first buffer solution being greater than the osmotic pressure of the second buffer solution. The forming structure and the forming method can quickly respond to a supported object having a specific structure, increasing the operable window thereof, achieving controllability and uniformity, shortening the film forming period, and saving corresponding costs.