Spore-Hydrogel Composite for Flexible Biological Patterning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for functionalizing surfaces with biological or chemical gradients are complex and require specialized equipment, limiting their widespread use, and existing techniques like micro-contact printing are inflexible, requiring new stamps for different patterns.

Innovation Solution

A spore-hydrogel composite is used, where Bacillus subtilis spores are suspended in a humidity-sensitive hydrogel, allowing for user-defined patterning and controlled release of biological or chemical agents by manipulating the composite near a surface, leveraging humidity to adjust the agent concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If diffusion-based microfluidics, laser desorption, or photochemistry are used to create gradients, then gradient patterning capability is achieved, but device complexity and equipment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegradient patterning capabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate composite material consisting of particles embedded in a hydrogel matrix that serves as a mediator between the user and the surface. This composite can be manually manipulated to deposit patterns, eliminating the need for complex diffusion-based microfluidics, laser desorption, or photochemistry equipment while achieving gradient patterning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and optical systems (diffusion-based microfluidics, laser desorption, photochemistry equipment) with a simple manual manipulation system where users directly handle and deposit the intermediate composite material onto surfaces to create patterns and gradients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If micro-contact printing is used for surface functionalization, then deposition capability is achieved, but adaptability decreases due to fixed stamp patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposition capabilityVSAvoidpattern flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, fixed-pattern stamp system into a dynamic system where the intermediate composite material can be freely manipulated by the user. The composite maintains its structural integrity for easy handling while allowing flexible positioning and pattern creation, enabling users to adapt patterns dynamically without requiring new stamps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate composite material serves multiple functions: it provides structural integrity for manual manipulation, contains the material to be deposited, and allows flexible pattern creation. This single composite system replaces the need for multiple specialized stamps with different fixed patterns, achieving universality across various patterning needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional deposition methods are used, then material deposition is achieved, but manufacturing precision and control over deposited patterns are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposition process simplicityVSAvoidpattern deposition precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-embedding the material to be deposited within the hydrogel matrix before manipulation. This pre-prepared intermediate composite ensures precise material placement when deposited, as the material is already positioned and contained within the gel structure, preventing dispersion and improving pattern fidelity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material system where particles or material to be deposited are embedded within a hydrogel matrix. This composite structure provides both the precision needed for controlled deposition and the ease of manual manipulation, combining the advantages of structured materials with user-friendly handling.

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, flexible, and precise deposition of biological or chemical agents onto surfaces in various patterns, with controlled concentrations, using micromanipulation and humidity control, facilitating applications in biosensing and cell culture systems.

Implementation Method 1

suspending Bacillus subtilis spores within a humidity sensitive hydrogel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel swelling: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The spore-hydrogel composite provides the capability to absorb chemicals and biological agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic binding: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentUS10246698B2Composites material with suspended particles and method of using the same

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 PURDUE RES FOUND

AI summary

An intermediate composite capable of transferring a biological or chemical material to be patterned on a surface. The intermediate composite includes a hydrogel, and particles suspended in the hydrogel, generating a particle-gel composite (composite), the composite is configured to absorb a biological or chemical material (agent), and further configured to deposit the agent when the composite is positioned proximate to a surface on which the agent is to be deposited.