Vertical Electromagnetic Mixing for Small Volume Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional well mixing methods, such as vibrational and orbital motion plates, are ineffective for modern well plates with smaller volumes and taller, thinner wells due to increased viscous forces, and ultrasonic mixing can damage sensitive molecular species like proteins and DNA.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus that combines an electromagnet assembly with a fixed sensor mount to move the well plate primarily vertically, creating shear and displacement mixing, which enhances mixing efficiency while minimizing energy input and potential damage to contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional vibrational or orbital motion mixing methods are used, then mixing can be achieved in larger volume wells, but mixing effectiveness decreases in smaller volume wells with taller, thinner well geometry due to increased viscous forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by rapidly energizing and de-energizing an electromagnet to create vertical reciprocating vibration of the well plate. This vibration generates shear forces that overcome viscous forces in the liquid, enabling effective mixing in small volume wells with tall, thin geometry where traditional orbital motion is ineffective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mixing mechanism from horizontal orbital motion to vertical reciprocating vibration, fundamentally altering the flow patterns. This parameter change allows the mixing action to effectively address the increased viscous forces in small volume wells by creating vertical shear flow rather than relying on horizontal convection.
2Productivity
If ultrasonic mixing is used to achieve thorough mixing, then mixing effectiveness improves, but heat is introduced into the well which can damage sensitive molecular species like proteins, DNA, and cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasonic mixing (acoustic field) with electromagnetic vibration (mechanical field). The electromagnet directly vibrates the well plate to generate mixing forces, eliminating the need for ultrasonic waves that generate heat through acoustic cavitation and absorption, thus avoiding thermal damage to sensitive molecular species.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a stationary sensor mount that copies the vertical vibration motion of the well plate without requiring the sensor itself to move. This allows the mixing action to be transmitted to the liquid through the well plate vibration while the sensor remains stationary, enabling mixing without the heat generation associated with ultrasonic methods.
3Productivity
If the well plate is moved to mix contents, then mixing action is generated, but movement alone is not sufficient for effective mixing in small volume wells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the well plate movement with the introduction of a stationary sensor mount inside the well. This combination creates both vertical vibration mixing action and a reference frame for sensing, achieving effective mixing without requiring complex multi-component mechanisms. The sensor mount provides additional mixing action through its interaction with the vibrating well plate while serving as a stationary reference.
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 achieves thorough and reproducible mixing of well contents within seconds, significantly improving mixing efficiency compared to using the electromagnet assembly alone, with over a 1000x faster equilibrium time, and reduces the risk of damaging sensitive materials.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet assembly to move a well plate with respect to a fixed sensor mount
Implementation Method 2
creating shear and displacement mixing, which enhances mixing efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
A mixing apparatus (10) includes a well plate assembly (12) including a fixed support (30), and a well (14) movable with respect to the fixed support. A fixed sensor mount (18) has a first portion disposed above the well and a second portion disposed within the well. A plurality of electromagnets (26) are operable to move the well plate assembly vertically with respect to the fixed sensor mount and the fixed support.