Urchin-like Beads with Radial Nanowires for Optical Sensor Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical sensors lack sufficient surface area and sensitivity for effective analyte detection, as they rely on traditional transducers that do not efficiently utilize nanoscale structures for enhanced interaction with analytes.

Innovation Solution

The development of urchin-like beads with a solid polymer core and radially aligned nanowires, which increase the surface area and can be functionalized with sensing elements, are used as transducers in optical sensors, allowing for improved interaction with analytes and enhanced detection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional transducers are used in optical sensors, then the device structure is simple, but the surface area is insufficient and sensitivity is low

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidtransducer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transducer uses a composite structure combining a polymer core with radially aligned nanowires (such as silicon nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or metal nanowires). This composite design provides both the structural integrity of the polymer matrix and the high surface area-to-volume ratio of nanowires, achieving enhanced sensitivity without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The transducer is segmented into distinct functional components: a core polymer matrix containing sensing elements and radially aligned nanowire structures. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the polymer provides structural support and analyte binding, while nanowires provide enhanced surface area for detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If traditional sensor transducers are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the surface area for analyte interaction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface areaVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The nanowires are nested within the polymer matrix in a radial configuration, with their bases embedded in the core and tips extending outward. This nested structure maximizes surface area within a compact volume while maintaining manufacturability through controlled assembly processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The nanowires extend radially outward from the core in three-dimensional space, transforming the two-dimensional surface of a conventional bead into a three-dimensional spiky structure. This dimensional expansion increases surface area by a factor of several times while remaining compatible with standard microfabrication techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Illumination intensity

If conventional transducers without nanowires are used, then the device is simpler, but the signal intensity is lower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal intensityVSAvoidtransducer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nanowires are strategically positioned at the surface and extending radially from the core, concentrating the high surface area regions where analyte binding and signal generation occur. This local concentration of functional material enhances signal intensity without requiring the entire transducer volume to be complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 urchin-like beads provide a significant increase in surface area and sensitivity, leading to higher signal intensity and better detection of analytes, as demonstrated by comparisons with polystyrene beads without nanowires, achieving a 1.3 times higher signal intensity.

Implementation Method 1

forming spherical liquid droplets of a first liquid phase containing a polymer precursor, wherein the spherical liquid droplets are dispersed in a second liquid phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

nanowires are located at an interface of the first and the second liquid phase and the nanowires extend with their longest axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the spherical liquid droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 3

polymerizing the polymer precursor in the spherical liquid droplets to form beads comprising a solid polymer core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20240094201A1Urchin-like beads with enhanced optical properties and method of making thereof

Publication Date: 2024.03.21 ALIGNEDBIO AB

AI summary

A method includes forming spherical liquid droplets of a first liquid phase containing a polymer precursor dispersed in a second liquid phase, where nanowires are located at an interface of the first and the second liquid phase and the nanowires extend with their longest axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the spherical liquid droplets, and polymerizing the polymer precursor in the spherical liquid droplets to form beads including a solid polymer core and multiple nanowires aligned with their longest axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the solid polymer core.