Refrigeration chip, refrigeration system, and sample testing system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological freezing technologies, such as plunge freeze, jetting freeze, and high pressure freeze, lack the ability for selective freezing of specific sample regions and real-time microscopic observation, and the heating and recovery processes are slow, affecting the quality and study of frozen biological samples.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration chip with a heating layer and thermal conductive layer in sequence, featuring temperature control units for local temperature control, allows for selective freezing and rapid temperature changes, integrated with optical path channels for in-situ observation, and a sample stage assembly with a low-temperature cold source for efficient freezing and heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If plunge freeze is used to freeze biological samples, then the freezing process is simple and fast, but selective freezing of specific regions and real-time microscopic observation cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The heating layer is divided into multiple independently controllable temperature control units (first, second, third temperature control units) that can selectively heat different regions of the sample. This segmentation allows specific regions to be frozen while others remain at different temperatures, enabling selective freezing capability while maintaining fast freezing speeds through the thermally conductive substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent thermally conductive substrate is introduced as an intermediary between the temperature control units and the sample. This substrate enables both thermal conduction for rapid freezing and optical transmission for real-time microscopic observation, resolving the contradiction between freezing speed and observability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional heating methods are used to recover frozen biological samples, then the heating process is simple, but the heating speed is slow and auxiliary media are required
Solution Approach 1:
Conventional external heating methods are replaced with direct electrical heating through the temperature control units integrated into the substrate. This substitution enables rapid heating without requiring auxiliary media like DMSO, maintaining simplicity while dramatically increasing heating speed through direct electrical-to-thermal energy conversion.
3Reliability
If PDMS is used to seal the sample cavity, then the cavity can be sealed, but the low thermal conductivity limits freezing rate improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a composite structure where a transparent thermally conductive substrate (with high thermal conductivity) replaces PDMS for the heating and freezing interface. The cavity sealing is achieved through this conductive substrate combined with the sample container, maintaining reliable sealing while enabling high freezing rates through superior thermal conduction.
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 rapid freezing and heating rates exceeding 105°C/s, preserving sample structure and function, and allows for in-situ observation, significantly improving the study and handling of biological samples.
Implementation Method 1
the heating layer comprises at least one temperature control unit disposed on the thermal conductive layer; the heat generated by the temperature control unit is transferred to the low-temperature cold source along the thickness direction of the thermal conductive layer
Implementation Method 2
the heat generated by the temperature control unit is transferred to the low-temperature cold source along the thickness direction of the thermal conductive layer
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a refrigeration chip, a refrigeration system, and a sample testing system and method. The refrigeration chip is in contact with a low-temperature cold source, is used for refrigerating a sample, and comprises a heating layer and a heat conducting layer that are disposed in sequence. The heating layer comprises at least one temperature control unit that is disposed on the heat conducting layer; and the heat generated by the temperature control unit is transferred to the low-temperature cold source along the thickness direction of the heat conducting layer. The described technology enables a particular time period to be selected for refrigeration and thawing during the in-situ observation and representation of a sample, and refrigeration and heating rates higher than 105° C./s are attained by means of an interface thermal resistance design, thus ensuring that the sample is not damaged. The described technology is a significant improvement to operations related to the refrigeration, thawing, in-situ microscopic observation and so on of biological samples, and has great significance and broad application prospects.