Nanostructured devices for separation and analysis

• US 20020125192A1
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UNM Rainforest Innovations (f/k/a STC.UNM) (The University of New Mexico)
• Original Assignee: Science & Technology Corporation
• Inventors: OʼBrien, Michael, Ista, Linnea K., Lopez, Gabriel P., Hersee, Stephen D., Brueck, Steven R.J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,685,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/656
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/327 with hydrophobic interaction
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/34 Size selective separation, e.g. size exclusion chromatography, gel filtration, permeation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/3804 Affinity chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/3833 Chiral chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0896 Nanoscaled
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502753 characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation separation in general B01D; microapparatus for analysis using electrophoresis G01N27/44791; sample preparation G01N1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/525 surface properties, e.g. porosity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44791 Microapparatus sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/02 Column chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6065 with varying cross section
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6095 Micromachined or nanomachined, e.g. micro- or nanosize
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2224 Structure of body of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249961 : With gradual property change within a component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

The present invention provides a matrix comprising an array of nanostructures that exhibit a variation (gradient) in physical properties (such as size or pitch) in at least one direction of the plane containing said array. A method for forming an array having a gradient property is also provided. In addition, a separation method is provided comprising the steps of: providing a matrix comprising an array of nanostructures arranged so that the array has the property of a gradient; and conducting at least one biomolecule separation process to separate biomolecules in a composition containing a plurality of biomolecules using the matrix.

Claims

1. A matrix comprising an array of nanostructures arranged so that said array has a gradient property.

2. The matrix of claim 1, wherein said nanostructures comprise channels.

3. The matrix of claim 2, wherein said channels are closed.

4. The matrix of claim 2, wherein said nanostructures further comprise protrusions.

5. The matrix of claim 1, wherein said nanostructures comprise protrusions.

6. The matrix of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises Si.

7. The matrix of claim 1, wherein said matrix comprises a semiconductor chip.

8. The matrix of claim 1, wherein said matrix comprises a biochip.

9. A method for forming an array having a gradient property comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a substrate; and

(b) forming nanostructures on said substrate to form an array having a gradient property.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) comprises etching.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said nanostructures comprise channels.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) comprises etching nanostructures using interferometric lithography.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said nanostructures comprise channels.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one biomolecule separation process comprises at least two biomolecule separation processes.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of said two biomolecule separation process are conducted at right angles to each other.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising conducting a third biomolecule separation process on biomolecules separated by said at least two biomolecule separation processes.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises a size exclusion separation process.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises a mass to charge gel electrophoretic mobility separation process.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises an isoelectric focusing separation process.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises an asymmetric diffusion separation process.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises an entropic trapping separation process.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises a hydrophobic interaction chromatography separation process.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises an affinity chromatography separation process.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises an enantiomeric resolution separation process.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein one of said at least two biomolecule separation processes comprises a capillary electrophoresis separation process.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one biomolecule separation process comprises a size exclusion separation process.

28. The method of claim 14, wherein said nanostructures comprise channels.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said channels are closed.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said nanostructures further comprise protrusions.

31. The method of claim 14, wherein said nanostructures comprise protrusions.

32. The method of claim 14, wherein said substrate comprises Si.

33. The method of claim 14, wherein said matrix comprises a semiconductor chip.

34. The method of claim 14, wherein said matrix comprises a biochip.

14. A separation method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a matrix comprising an array having a gradient property, said array comprising nanostructures; and

(b) conducting at least one biomolecule separation process to separate biomolecules in a composition containing a plurality of biomolecules using said matrix.