PVDF Nanofiber Composite Membrane for Western Blotting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional western blot membranes face challenges with non-uniform pore size distribution, low porosity, and difficulty in removing air bubbles, leading to reduced protein detection sensitivity and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A composite membrane is created by combining electrospun PVdF nanofiber webs with nonwoven fabrics, using a method that includes dissolving PVdF-based polymers in solvents, electrospinning to form nanofibers, and laminating or directly spinning them onto nonwoven fabrics, achieving a basis weight of 1 gsm to 50 gsm and average pore size of 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm, with heat treatment for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If nanofiber membranes are used for western blot, then high porosity and high specific surface area are achieved, but rigidity is too weak making air bubble removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines nanofiber membranes with nonwoven fabrics to create a composite structure. The nanofiber layer provides high porosity and specific surface area for protein detection, while the nonwoven fabric layer provides mechanical strength and rigidity. This merging of two different materials resolves the contradiction between achieving high porosity and maintaining sufficient rigidity for air bubble removal.
2Ease of operation
If nanofiber membrane thickness is increased to prevent attachment and overlapping, then handling stability improves, but material and process costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining nanofiber membranes with nonwoven fabrics, the patent achieves handling stability without increasing nanofiber thickness. The nonwoven fabric provides the necessary mechanical support, allowing the use of thinner, more cost-effective nanofiber layers while maintaining operational stability and preventing fiber attachment and overlapping phenomena.
3Ease of manufacture
If phase separation method is used for membrane manufacturing, then production process is simple, but uniform pore size distribution cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical phase separation process with an electrospinning process. Electrospinning uses electrical fields to directly form nanofibers with controlled diameter and pore structure, providing uniform pore size distribution. This substitution of the manufacturing mechanism achieves both manufacturing feasibility and precise pore structure control.
4Strength
If PVdF nanofibers are laminated with paper, then structural support is provided, but separation occurs during methanol pretreatment due to different expansion rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from paper to nonwoven fabric. Nonwoven fabrics have different physical and chemical properties compared to paper, including better compatibility with PVdF nanofibers during methanol pretreatment. The nonwoven fabric exhibits similar expansion characteristics to PVdF when exposed to methanol, preventing delamination and maintaining structural integrity throughout the pretreatment process.
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 composite membrane reduces production costs, enhances protein detection sensitivity, and improves handling convenience by providing a uniform pore structure and easy air bubble removal, leading to more effective protein detection.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving a PVdF-based polymer material in a solvent to prepare a spinning solution
Implementation Method 2
an electrospinning process which is one of membrane manufacturing methods, is a method of obtaining nanofibers of a three-dimensional non-woven fabric shape by using a polymer solution and a high voltage electric field
Implementation Method 3
since stiffness of paper is too large when compared to nanofibers, air bubbles are generated at a contact surface between the gel and the membranes. However, since it is not easy to remove the air bubbles, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform western blotting
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a composite membrane for western blot, in which the composite membrane is prepared by combining nanofiber webs with nonwoven fabrics, and a basis weight of the nanofibers is in a range of 1 gsm to 50 gsm on the nonwoven fabrics, and an average pore size is in a range of 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm. The composite membrane for western blot including nanofibers has advantages such as saving of a production cost, and an excellent response characteristic due to a capillary phenomenon of a double structure, to thereby easily detect even a small amount of a particular substance present in a protein.