Spherical Silica Magnetic Particles for Biomaterial Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing silica magnetic particles are complex, result in uneven particle forms, and struggle to uniformly control particle size, leading to degraded separation yield and purity of biomaterials such as nucleic acid and proteins.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an emulsion process with surfactants, soluble silicates, and fatty acids in non-polar solvents to form spherical silica magnetic particles, allowing for uniform size distribution and functional group introduction for enhanced biomaterial separation and purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional liquid-phase reduction method is used to prepare magnetic particles, then magnetic particles can be prepared without agglomeration, but the preparing process is complicated and particle form is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the preparation method from liquid-phase reduction to sol-gel method using sodium silicate solution, changing the chemical reaction parameters and mechanism to achieve spherical particles with uniform size distribution while simplifying the process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex liquid-phase reduction process with a sol-gel chemical process that naturally forms uniform spherical particles through controlled hydrolysis and condensation reactions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control
2Adaptability or versatility
If silica coating is applied to magnetic particles, then functional groups can be introduced for biomaterial separation, but the preparing process becomes more complicated and particle size control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the magnetic particle formation and silica coating into a single integrated sol-gel process, where magnetic particles are formed within silica matrix simultaneously, eliminating separate coating steps and improving particle size uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite silica-magnetic particles where magnetic particles are embedded in silica matrix, combining the magnetic properties of iron oxide with the functional properties of silica, allowing functional group introduction while maintaining uniform particle size
3Reliability
If multiple extracting and centrifugal separating steps are performed, then biomaterials can be separated, but much time and labor force are required and yield and purity are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the separation function into a single magnetic separation step using functionalized silica magnetic particles, removing the need for multiple extracting and centrifugal steps, thereby reducing time and preserving biomaterial yield and purity
Solution Approach 2:
The functional groups on silica magnetic particles act as intermediaries that specifically bind to biomaterials (DNA, RNA, proteins), enabling selective separation in a single step without requiring multiple processing steps
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 method simplifies the preparation process, achieves uniform particle size and spherical form, and improves the separation and purification efficiency of biomaterials, including nucleic acids and proteins, with enhanced reproducibility and yield.
Implementation Method 1
adds ammonium sulfate aqueous solution thereto, and then sufficiently agitates it so that the dispersed ammonium sulfate aqueous solution micelle reacts with the sodium silicates aqueous solution micelle
Implementation Method 2
a method that forms a W/O type emulsion using sodium silicates aqueous solution and emulsifier
Implementation Method 3
since the above method requires a process of dispersing the ammonium sulfate aqueous solution in the W/O type emulsion and a process of performing a sufficient agitation using an ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 4
a method for separating biomaterials using magnetic particles has been recently developed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to silica magnetic particles having a spherical form and a process for preparing the same. The silica magnetic particles prepared according to the present invention, which are silica particles that includes the magnetic particles and additionally have the functional group on the surfaces, has an advantage that the particle size distribution is uniform. Further, the silica magnetic particles prepared according to the present invention can be used as a reagent for separating biomaterials and a reagent for detecting biomaterials.