Sensor Element Surface Modification via Polycyclic Anchor Molecules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor devices face challenges in stably solid-phasing modification molecules on their surfaces, especially when contaminated with foreign substances, requiring high reagent concentrations to achieve robustness.

Innovation Solution

The use of modification molecules with an anchor portion comprising a polycyclic aromatic ring and an electron-donating second moiety for strong ππ interactions, allowing firm solid-phasing without increasing reagent concentration, and including a functional portion for specific functions such as substance capture or catalysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional reagents are used to solid-phase functional portions on sensor element surfaces, then the sensor device can perform sensing or capture functions, but the solid-phasing is unstable when contaminated with foreign substances and requires high reagent concentrations to achieve robustness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of solid-phased modification moleculesVSAvoidreagent concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The modification molecule is divided into distinct functional segments: an anchor portion for strong binding to the sensor element surface, a linker portion for spacing, and a functional portion for sensing or capture. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, with the anchor portion ensuring stable solid-phasing independent of foreign substance contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor portion acts as an intermediary between the sensor element surface and the functional portion. It mediates the interaction by providing strong ππ interactions with the surface, thereby stabilizing the entire modification molecule assembly without requiring high concentrations of the functional reagent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If high reagent concentrations are used to achieve robust solid-phasing, then the resistance to foreign substances improves, but the cost and complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to foreign substancesVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the modification molecule by introducing an anchor portion with specific aromatic ring structures. This parameter change in molecular structure fundamentally alters the binding mechanism, enabling strong surface attachment at low reagent concentrations without requiring complex multi-step processes or high concentrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If modification molecules are solid-phased on sensor element surfaces, then the sensor device can capture target substances, but stable solid-phasing is difficult to achieve in the presence of foreign substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstance capture capabilityVSAvoidstability of modification molecule attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The modification molecule functions as a composite structure combining an anchor portion (for surface attachment), a linker portion (for structural integrity), and a functional portion (for substance capture). This composite design allows the molecule to simultaneously achieve stable attachment to the sensor element and maintain its substance capture capability, even in the presence of foreign substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 enables robust and stable solid-phasing of modification molecules on sensor elements, enhancing their resistance to foreign substances and allowing high-density solid-phase without increasing reagent concentration, thereby improving sensor device performance.

Implementation Method 1

modification molecules with an anchor portion comprising a polycyclic aromatic ring and an electron-donating second moiety for strong ππ interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effectππ interactions: London Dispersion Force

Data Source

PatentUS20230273193A1Sensor device, reagent for modifying surface of sensor element, method of modifying surface of sensor element and method of manufacturing sensor device

Publication Date: 2023.08.31 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a sensor device includes a sensor element formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of graphene, graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes and a modification molecule solid-phased on a surface of the sensor element via an anchor portion, and the anchor portion includes a first moiety containing a polycyclic aromatic ring or a polycyclic heteroaromatic ring and an electron-donating second moiety directly bonded directly to the first moiety.