Reaction Vessel Thermal Control via Segmented Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for rapid temperature control in reaction vessels are limited by the thermal mass of metal blocks, leading to slow temperature changes, which hinder the speed of chemical and biological reactions, and existing solutions like glass capillaries or multiple thermal blocks face issues with analytical sensitivity, contamination, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reaction vessel with walls of different materials, where a high thermal conductivity material is brought into direct contact with thermal blocks at varying temperatures to rapidly achieve and maintain target temperatures, using a system with multiple thermal blocks and a data processing unit for precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a metal block is used for temperature control, then temperature stability is improved, but temperature change speed deteriorates due to thermal mass
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the thermal control function into multiple independent thermal blocks, each capable of operating at different temperatures. This allows the reaction vessel to be selectively positioned near different blocks for rapid temperature transitions, resolving the contradiction between stability and speed by enabling both simultaneous thermal zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction vessel holder acts as an intermediary carrier that can be rapidly positioned between different thermal blocks. This mediator enables fast temperature changes by physically transferring the reaction mixture between thermal environments, while each block maintains its own stable temperature independently.
2Speed
If glass capillaries with high surface-to-volume ratio are used, then temperature change speed is improved, but analytical sensitivity deteriorates due to small reaction volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different thermal properties to different parts of the reaction vessel - the bottom wall is made of thin metal for high thermal conductivity and fast temperature response, while other walls can be made of different materials optimized for their specific functions. This local differentiation allows fast temperature changes without compromising reaction volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction vessel is constructed as a composite structure with at least one wall made of metal material providing high thermal conductivity, combined with other materials for optical transparency or chemical inertness. This composite design enables rapid heat transfer while maintaining adequate reaction volume for analytical sensitivity.
3Speed
If multiple thermal blocks are used for rapid temperature cycling, then temperature change speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each thermal block is designed to be multi-functional, capable of serving as both a heating element and a reference temperature zone for different reaction steps. The system uses a limited number of blocks that can be programmed to different temperatures, reducing overall complexity compared to having dedicated blocks for each temperature point.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic positioning of the reaction vessel holder to achieve rapid temperature cycling. By combining a small number of stationary thermal blocks with rapid mechanical positioning, the system achieves fast temperature changes without requiring a large number of static thermal zones, thus controlling device complexity.
4Speed
If thin metal walls are used for fast heat transfer, then temperature control speed is improved, but optical transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction vessel is designed with spatially differentiated wall properties - the bottom wall is made of thin metal for optimal thermal contact and fast heat transfer, while the side walls are made of optically transparent materials such as plastic or glass. This local quality differentiation allows the system to optimize for both heat transfer speed and optical accessibility in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction vessel employs composite construction combining metal material for the thermally critical bottom surface with optically transparent materials for the observation surfaces. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by assigning different material properties to different functional requirements within the same vessel structure.
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 accelerates temperature changes within the reaction vessel, improving the speed and accuracy of thermal control, reducing contamination risks, and enhancing analytical sensitivity while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
said second wall (8) being of a second material with a high thermal conductivity wherein thermal control of said reaction volume (4) in said reaction vessel (2) comprises a change of temperature of the reaction volume (4) from a preceding temperature to a target temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method for rapid thermal control of a reaction volume from a preceding temperature to a target temperature includes first bringing at least the reaction vessel's second wall, which has high thermal conductivity, into direct contact with a first thermal block at a temperature higher than the target temperature if the target temperature is higher than the preceding temperature, or at a temperature lower than the target temperature if the target temperature is lower than the preceding temperature, until the reaction volume temperature is at least close to the target temperature; and then bringing the second wall into direct contact with a second thermal block at the target temperature. Also disclosed is a system (20) for detecting and/or quantitating a biological and/or chemical analyte in a sample and a software product for the system.