DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTABLE NANOGAP ELECTRODES

• US 20170146510A1
• Filed: 11/04/2016
• Published: 05/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Osaka University, Quantum Biosystems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Osaka University, Quantum Biosystems Inc.
• Inventors: Taniguchi, Masateru, Ikeda, Shuji
• Application Number:
  US15/344,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20170146510A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6869 Methods for sequencing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44791 Microapparatus sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48721 Investigating individual macromolecules, e.g. by translocation through nanopores Coulter counters in general G01N15/12; fabrication methods for nanoscale apertures B81B1/00; sequencing of nucleic acids C12Q1/68

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods and structures for effectuating nanoelectrodes with an adjustable nanogap. Devices with integrated actuators (e.g., piezoelectric devices) and/or materials with different coefficients of expansion are described. Also described are methods for calibrations nanoelectrode pairs.

Claims

1. A device for determining a sequence of a biopolymer, comprising:

a substrate comprising at least one fluidic nanochannel;

a plurality of electrode structures disposed adjacent to the substrate, each electrode structure of the plurality comprising at least one nanoelectrode pair, wherein each nanoelectrode pair comprises a region defining a gap between nanoelectrodes of the at least one nanoelectrode pair, and wherein the at least one nanoelectrode pair intersects the at least one fluidic nanochannel; and

an actuator that is integrated with the at least one nanoelectrode pair, which actuator adjusts a spacing of the gap between the nanoelectrodes of the at least one nanoelectrode pair.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is silicon.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric element incorporated into the substrate.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric element external to the substrate.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the gap is oriented at an angle substantially non-perpendicular to the substrate plane.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a cantilever structure.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a bridge structure with more than one fixed point.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is movable substantially parallel to a plane of the substrate.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one nanoelectrode pair comprises a plurality of nanoelectrode pairs, and wherein gaps between nanoelectrodes of the plurality of nanoelectrode pairs are adjustable by the same actuator.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is driven by thermal expansion.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the actuator comprises a bimetal deflection element.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the thermal expansion is driven by a heater element integrated into the substrate.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the thermal expansion is driven by a heater element external to the substrate.

14. A device for biopolymer sequencing, comprising:

a substrate comprising at least one fluidic nanochannel;

a plurality of electrode structures disposed on the substrate, each electrode structure comprising at least one nanoelectrode pair, each nanoelectrode pair having a region defining a gap between nanoelectrodes of the at least one nanoelectrode pair;

an actuator that is integrated with the at least one nanoelectrode pair, which actuator adjusts a spacing of the gap between the nanoelectrodes of the at least one nanoelectrode pair;

a data processor in electrical communication with the nanoelectrodes of the at least one nanoelectrode pair, wherein the data processor identifies a sequence of the biopolymer using electrical current across the gap.

27. The device of claim 14, wherein the data processor is included in an external computing device.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the external computing device is a cloud computing device.

29. The device of claim 14, wherein the electrical current is tunneling current.

15-26. -26. (canceled)

30. A system for determining the sequence of a biopolymer, comprising:

a substrate comprising at least one fluidic channel;

a plurality of electrode structures disposed on or adjacent to the substrate, wherein each electrode structure of the plurality comprises at least one electrode pair separated by a gap, and wherein the at least one electrode pair intersects the at least one fluidic channel; and

an actuator integrated with the at least one electrode pair, wherein the actuator controllably adjusts a spacing of the gap.

31-52. -52. (canceled)