Voltage Controlled Metabolism via Gating Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling metabolism are expensive, time-consuming, and lack efficiency, hindering the development of new cancer therapies and accelerated biofuel production processes.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical-electrostatic bio-reactive system that uses a voltage source to control the kinetics of metabolism by applying a gating voltage between a gating electrode and a working electrode, allowing for the regulation of electron transfer and metabolic reactions without causing current in the circuit, thereby controlling glucose metabolism in organisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to control metabolism, then metabolic rate can be controlled, but the process is expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetabolic control speedVSAvoidtime required for metabolic control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional chemical or biological methods for controlling metabolism with an electrical field-based system. By applying voltage to electrodes in contact with or near the organism, the system controls metabolic rate through electrochemical interactions, achieving rapid and cost-effective metabolic control without the time-consuming procedures of traditional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls metabolism by changing the voltage parameter applied to the electrodes. By adjusting the voltage magnitude and polarity, the metabolic rate can be precisely controlled - increasing voltage accelerates metabolism while decreasing or reversing voltage slows or reverses it, providing a simple parameter-based control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If voltage is applied to control metabolism, then metabolic rate is controlled rapidly, but electron transfer and current flow may cause harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetabolic control efficiencyVSAvoidharmful effects from current flow

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces electrodes as intermediaries between the voltage source and the organism. The electrodes are positioned in contact with or near the organism, allowing the electrical field to influence metabolism through electrochemical interactions at the electrode-organism interface, while the insulating coating on electrode surfaces prevents direct current flow through the organism, thus controlling metabolism without harmful current effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses insulated electrodes that create an electrical field without allowing current to flow through the organism. The insulating layer acts as a barrier that copies or replicates the beneficial electrochemical effects for metabolic control while eliminating the harmful current flow, effectively decoupling the useful effect from the harmful effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 system enables rapid and cost-effective control of metabolic rates, applicable in cancer research and biofuel production, allowing for the efficient production of ethanol and other biofuels, as well as diagnostic and treatment methods based on the Warburg effect.

Implementation Method 1

an electrochemical-electrostatic bio-reactive system applies a voltage to an electrochemical cell in order to control the kinetics of a metabolic reaction taking place in a single organism or organisms in the cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Implementation Method 2

The rate of the transfer of electrons via/through or within the organism or organisms may be controllable by applying a gating voltage VG

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron transfer:

Implementation Method 3

The electrostatic system consists of two electrodes connected via a voltage source, wherein one electrode is coated with an insulating material so that no electric current flows in this circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS10851338B2Bio-reactive system and method for voltage controlled metabolism

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 YAU SIU TUNG

AI summary

Bio-reactive systems for voltage controlled metabolism are described, that include electrochemical-electrostatic systems having a conventional three electrode cell modified with at least one additional gating electrode. The rate of a metabolic process occurring in at least one organism disposed on a working electrode is controllable by applying a gating voltage VG to the at least one gating electrode. A method for voltage controlled metabolism in a bio-reactive electrostatic cell that includes applying a gating voltage VG to at least one gating electrode is also described. The rate of a metabolic process may be controlled by altering at least one of the magnitude and polarity of the applied gating voltage VG. The method for voltage controlled metabolism may further be used to treat cancer and/or increase the rate of ethanol production by fermentation.