Phase-separation device with porous membrane for immiscible liquid isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating immiscible liquids, such as those used in digital fluidics for biological analysis, are inefficient and unreliable, often requiring lengthy centrifugation processes that are messy and unpredictable.
Innovation Solution
A phase-separation device with a porous membrane having a non-planar contour and a hydrophobic filter surface that impedes the flow of polar liquids while allowing non-polar liquids to pass through, forming a droplet within the receiving cavity for easier isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugation is used to separate immiscible liquids, then separation can be achieved, but the process takes 45 minutes or longer and is messy and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with an electrowetting-based separation system. Electrowetting uses electrical fields to control the wetting properties of surfaces, enabling separation of immiscible liquids without mechanical motion. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming centrifugation process while providing more predictable and reliable separation outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the membrane surface through electrowetting to control liquid separation. By applying electrical voltage, the surface energy of the membrane is dynamically adjusted, allowing selective passage of one liquid phase while retaining the other. This parameter change enables rapid separation without the mechanical forces and extended time required by centrifugation.
2Reliability
If centrifugation is used to separate immiscible liquids, then separation can be achieved, but the process is messy and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with an electrowetting-based separation system. Electrowetting uses electrical fields to control the wetting properties of surfaces, enabling separation of immiscible liquids without mechanical motion. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming centrifugation process while providing more predictable and reliable separation outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a porous membrane as an intermediary element between the two immiscible liquids. The membrane, when subjected to electrowetting, selectively allows one liquid phase to pass through while retaining the other. This intermediary enables controlled and predictable separation without the complexity and messiness of centrifugation-based methods.
3Productivity
If a porous membrane with hydrophobic filter surface is used, then non-polar liquids can flow through while polar liquids are impeded, but the membrane structure must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous membrane as the separation medium. The porous structure provides pathways for liquid flow while the hydrophobic surface properties control which phases can pass through. This combination enables rapid separation of immiscible liquids based on their polarity, achieving high productivity while the membrane structure can be manufactured with standard precision techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the membrane surface through electrowetting to control liquid separation. By applying electrical voltage, the surface energy of the membrane is dynamically adjusted, allowing selective passage of one liquid phase while retaining the other. This parameter change enables rapid separation without the complexity of precisely controlling membrane structure during manufacturing.
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 method significantly reduces the time and complexity of separating immiscible liquids, allowing for quicker and more reliable isolation of polar liquids for further analysis or use in assays.
Implementation Method 1
The porous membrane is hydrophobic and includes an absorption region positioned adjacent to the receiving cavity
Implementation Method 2
The filter surface along the receiving cavity has a surface energy that impedes flow of the polar liquid through the filter surface and permit flow of the non-polar liquid into the porous membrane
Implementation Method 3
The liquid mixture includes a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid that are immiscible with respect to each other
Data Source
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AI summary
Method that includes providing a phase-separation device having a porous membrane with a filter surface. The filter surface has a non-planar contour that forms a receiving cavity. The method also includes providing a liquid mixture into the receiving cavity of the porous membrane. The liquid mixture includes a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid that are immiscible with respect to each other. The filter surface along the receiving cavity has a surface energy that impedes flow of the polar liquid through the filter surface and permit flow of the non-polar liquid into the porous membrane. The method also includes permitting the non-polar liquid to flow into the porous membrane. The polar liquid forms a droplet within the receiving cavity as the non- polar liquid flows into the porous membrane.