Passivated Gel Electrophoresis for Nanoparticle Size Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gel electrophoresis techniques face challenges in systematically separating and visualizing nanoparticles due to strong binding of nanoparticles to agarose gels, lack of systematic measurements of nanospheres' propagation through porous gels, and limited understanding of interactions between nanoparticles and gels.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using a passivated gel electrophoresis system with a gel chamber, illumination source, and imaging device to measure size distributions of particles or droplets, incorporating a passivated gel with a polymer or amphiphilic surfactant to prevent nanoparticle binding, allowing for real-time optical video tracking and separation of nanoparticles through the gel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If agarose gel electrophoresis is used to separate nanoparticles, then the gel can provide suitable pore sizes for separation, but nanoparticles bind strongly to the gel preventing effective separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a passivation agent as an intermediary substance that binds to the agarose gel matrix and prevents direct interaction between nanoparticles and gel. This mediator layer allows nanoparticles to pass through the gel pores without binding, enabling successful separation and measurement while maintaining the gel's pore structure for size-based separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the gel system by incorporating passivation agents that change the surface properties of the agarose gel. This parameter change transforms the gel from a nanoparticle-binding state to a nanoparticle-passivated state, allowing effective separation while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional gel electrophoresis is used for nanoparticle separation, then separation based on size can be achieved, but systematic measurements of propagation through porous gels are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical detection methods with optical detection systems. By using light scattering and imaging techniques, the system can systematically measure nanoparticle propagation through the gel in real-time, providing precise electrophoretic mobility measurements without requiring physical manipulation or complex mechanical measurement apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the nanoparticle-gel system to provide its own measurement signal through light scattering. The nanoparticles themselves serve as the measurement probe, scattering light as they migrate through the gel, which allows systematic measurement of their propagation characteristics without requiring external labeling or complex measurement interventions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If agarose gel is used for nanoparticle separation, then larger pore sizes can accommodate various nanoscale objects, but particle-gel binding prevents effective visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The passivation agent acts as an intermediary that preserves the natural pore structure of agarose gel while preventing harmful particle-gel binding. This allows the gel to maintain its versatility for separating various nanoscale objects with different sizes and properties, while the passivation layer eliminates binding interference that would otherwise prevent effective separation and visualization.
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 accurate measurement and separation of nanoparticles by preventing binding to the gel, allowing for detailed analysis of size distributions and electrophoretic mobility, overcoming previous limitations in nanoparticle separation and visualization.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source arranged to illuminate said at least one of particles or droplets such that the at least one of particles or droplets absorbs, scatters or emits light
Implementation Method 2
Gel electrophoresis (gel-EP) is a common technique used for separating, identifying, and purifying charged biopolymers
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring size distributions of particles and droplets includes a gel electrophoresis component that has a gel chamber that is suitable to receive a gel in which at least one of particles or droplets propagate in a liquid medium during operation; an illumination source arranged to illuminate said at least one of particles or droplets such that the at least one of particles or droplets absorbs, scatters or emits light; an imaging device configured to obtain image data from the absorbed, scattered, or emitted light from the at least one of particles or droplets while the at least one of particles or droplets propagate through the gel; and a computing device configured to receive and process the image data to provide information concerning a size distribution of the at least one of particles or droplets.