Reconfigurable Fluidic System for Automated Chemical Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chemical synthesis systems face challenges in scalability and high capital costs due to the difficulty in automating the production of chemical compounds, relying on manual manipulation and extensive experimentation, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable fluidic system with flexible conduits and a method for forming and disconnecting fluidic connections between reagent sources and reaction modules, allowing for efficient synthesis of various chemical compounds by reconfiguring the system to accommodate different compounds, reducing the need for multiple pumps and valves, and preventing conduit tangling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual manipulation and extensive experimentation are used for chemical synthesis, then flexibility in synthesizing different compounds is maintained, but the pace of discovery is slow and capital costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses robotic manipulators that automatically perform fluid handling operations without human intervention. The robotic system self-manages the synthesis process by autonomously connecting and disconnecting flexible conduits between reagent sources and reaction modules, eliminating the need for manual manipulation while maintaining synthesis flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of fluid connections dynamically by using flexible conduits that can be reconfigured between different storage ports and receiver ports. This allows the system to adapt the fluidic pathway parameters to match different synthesis requirements, enabling automated production of various chemical compounds.
2Productivity
If bead-based and batch processes are used for automated production, then small amounts of certain chemical compounds can be produced, but scaling difficulties and high capital costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the chemical synthesis process into discrete modular units: multiple reaction modules, separate reagent storage sources, and individual flexible conduits for each fluid pathway. This segmentation allows independent optimization and scaling of each module without increasing overall system complexity, enabling straightforward scale-up from small to large production volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic reconfiguration of fluidic connections through movable flexible conduits that can be adjusted between different storage ports and receiver ports. This dynamic adaptability allows the same hardware platform to handle varying production scales and different compound syntheses without requiring complex dedicated equipment for each scenario.
3Ease of operation
If multiple pumps and valves are used for fluid control, then precise fluid management is achieved, but the number of expensive components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes traditional pumps and valves from the fluid control architecture. Instead, it uses pressure-driven flow through flexible conduits that are controlled by simple connection and disconnection actions. This eliminates the need for complex pumping and valving mechanisms while maintaining adequate fluid management for synthesis operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs pressure-driven hydraulic flow through flexible conduits to transport reagents from storage ports to receiver ports. By utilizing pressure differentials and gravity flow rather than mechanical pumps, the system achieves fluid transport with minimal components, reducing both complexity and cost while maintaining operational effectiveness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If flexible conduits are reconfigured rapidly, then system adaptability for different compounds is improved, but conduit tangling may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of flexible conduits by providing dedicated storage ports where conduits are neatly arranged and secured when not in use. Before reconfiguration begins, conduits are retrieved from these organized storage positions, which prevents tangling during the reconfiguration process and enables rapid adaptation to different synthesis requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to reconfigurable chemical synthesis systems and related components and methods. In one aspect, a fluidic system comprises a plurality of fluid outlets, a plurality of fluid inlets, a plurality of tensioners, and a plurality of flexible conduits associated with the plurality of tensioners, wherein at least one flexible conduit of the plurality of flexible conduits is configured to fluidically connect a fluid outlet of the plurality of fluid outlets and a fluid inlet of the plurality of fluid inlets. Another aspect relates to a method in which ends of a plurality of flexible conduits are physically moved along paths, one after the other, prior to flowing material through the flexible conduits, after which the ends of the flexible conduits are again physically moved.