Transparent Barrier and Heating Element for Well Plate Warping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiwell plate light scattering measurements are hindered by evaporation and condensation issues, which affect sample integrity and measurement accuracy, particularly in high-throughput applications, and existing solutions like oil overlays or specialized lids are cumbersome or interfere with optical access.
Innovation Solution
A system employing a transparent barrier with a vertical temperature gradient, achieved through a heating element above the plate, prevents evaporation and condensation while allowing optical access for both light scattering and photographic imaging, using a diffusing surface to transmit imaging light and an absorbing/transmitting optical structure to manage light scattering signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multiwell plate is used for high-throughput light scattering measurements, then productivity is improved, but evaporation and condensation occur affecting measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent barrier is introduced as an intermediary element positioned above the multiwell plate. This barrier selectively transmits imaging light while blocking evaporation and condensation, thereby mediating between the need for high-throughput measurements and the requirement for measurement precision by preventing sample degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes temperature gradient control as a parameter change mechanism. By maintaining a controlled temperature environment above the plate, the system prevents phase changes (evaporation and condensation) that would otherwise occur during high-throughput measurements, thus preserving measurement accuracy
2Reliability
If oil overlay is used to prevent evaporation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and optical access is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent barrier serves as a physical intermediary that replaces the oil overlay approach. Instead of using oil to seal the plate (which adds complexity and interferes with optics), the barrier directly prevents evaporation and condensation while maintaining optical clarity for both imaging and light scattering measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The manual oil overlay procedure is replaced by a mechanical/structural solution—the transparent barrier positioned above the plate. This substitution eliminates the cumbersome manual process while providing more reliable and consistent evaporation prevention
3Measurement precision
If specialized lids are used to prevent condensation, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and optical access is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent barrier provides localized quality control by being positioned specifically above the multiwell plate where condensation occurs. It selectively addresses the condensation problem in the critical measurement region without requiring complex specialized lids that interfere with operation and optics
4Temperature
If heating element is positioned above the plate, then temperature uniformity is improved, but warping suppression is enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element positioned above the plate creates a counterbalancing thermal effect. By applying heat from above, it compensates for temperature gradients that would otherwise cause warping, effectively counterweighting the thermal stresses and maintaining both temperature uniformity and plate stability
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 effectively mitigates evaporation and condensation, maintaining sample integrity and enhancing measurement accuracy by maintaining a consistent temperature gradient across the plate, thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio and enabling high-quality imaging and light scattering data collection.
Implementation Method 1
A system employing a transparent barrier with a vertical temperature gradient, achieved through a heating element above the plate, prevents evaporation and condensation
Implementation Method 2
using a diffusing surface to transmit imaging light
Implementation Method 3
an absorbing/transmitting optical structure to manage light scattering signals
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes an apparatus and method of improving temperature uniformity and suppressing well plate warping. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a barrier configured to be positioned above at least one well configured to contain a liquid sample, where a vessel includes the at least one well, where the vessel is transparent and is configured to be placed within a measurement chamber, where a light measurement apparatus includes the measurement chamber, where the light measurement apparatus is configured to measure light scattered from the liquid sample, where the barrier is configured to seal the at least one well from the measurement chamber, and a weighted lid configured to press a bottom surface of the vessel against a well plate retainer of the measurement chamber, thereby spreading heat among the at least one well and preventing the vessel from warping.