Nanofluidics for bioseparation and analysis
First Claim
1. A device comprising at least one nanochannel, the nanochannel containing a fluid and through which the fluid can move, wherein an ionic double layer forms in the fluid near each wall of the nanochannel and an ionic double layer formed along one wall of the nanochannel substantially overlaps an ionic double layer formed along an opposing wall of the nanochannel;
- a first electrical potential generating means configured to apply a first electrical potential difference to the fluid at ends of the nanochannel to induce electrokinetic transport along the nanochannel; and
a series of second electrical potential generating means connected to electrically isolated portions of the nanochannel wherein each second electrical potential generating means modifies the electrostatic potential distribution across the entire width of a portion of the nanochannel thereby producing an axial pH gradient along the length of the nanochannel.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention includes nanochannel devices and methods for using such nanochannel devices for separating molecules, ions and biomolecules. The nanochannel devices have at least one nanochannel through which fluid can move, wherein ionic double layers form in the fluid near walls of the nanochannel and those ionic double layers overlap within the nanochannel. Electrical voltage can be applied to the nanochannel to modify an electrostatic potential in the nanochannel and thereby control movement of ions and biomolecules through the nanochannel. The invention also includes arrays and networks of such nanochannel devices.
94 Citations
69 Claims
-
1. A device comprising at least one nanochannel, the nanochannel containing a fluid and through which the fluid can move, wherein an ionic double layer forms in the fluid near each wall of the nanochannel and an ionic double layer formed along one wall of the nanochannel substantially overlaps an ionic double layer formed along an opposing wall of the nanochannel;
- a first electrical potential generating means configured to apply a first electrical potential difference to the fluid at ends of the nanochannel to induce electrokinetic transport along the nanochannel; and
a series of second electrical potential generating means connected to electrically isolated portions of the nanochannel wherein each second electrical potential generating means modifies the electrostatic potential distribution across the entire width of a portion of the nanochannel thereby producing an axial pH gradient along the length of the nanochannel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
- a first electrical potential generating means configured to apply a first electrical potential difference to the fluid at ends of the nanochannel to induce electrokinetic transport along the nanochannel; and
-
52. A method for separating molecules comprising:
-
flowing a sample comprising the molecules through at least one nanochannel comprising a series of electrical potential generating means distributed in intervals along the length of the nanochannel, wherein an axial pH gradient exists in the at least one nanochannel and an ionic double layer that forms along one wall of the nanochannel substantially overlaps an ionic double layer that forms along an opposing wall of the nanochannel; applying a first potential difference between fluid at two ends of the at least one nanochannel; applying a series of electrical potential differences to said to series of electrical potential generating means to modify the electrostatic potential distribution across the entire width of portions of the nanochannel, thereby modifying the axial pH gradient along the length of the nanochannel; and observing separation of the molecules after portions of the sample have moved at least part way through the at least one nanochannel. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
-
-
68. A device comprising:
-
an array of nanochannels having two ends; each nanochannel having; an electrically conductive portion, such that when coupled to a difference in potential, an ionic double layer forms in fluid near the electrically conductive portion of the nanochannel and an ionic double layer formed along one wall of the nanochannel substantially overlaps an ionic double layer formed along an opposing wall of the nanochannel; and a pH gradient across the width of the nanochannel; a microfluidic interface at an end of the array of nanochannels for providing the fluid to the nanochannels; and each nanochannel having at least one electrode present along the nanochannel, wherein the electrode applies an electrical potential difference so as to shift the pH of the fluid distribution across the entire width of at least a portion of the nanochannel and thereby modify the movement of the ions and molecules through the nanochannel.
-
-
69. A device for performing isoelectric focusing comprising:
at least one nanochannel containing a fluid and through which the fluid can move, wherein an ionic double layer forms in the fluid near each wall of the nanochannel and an ionic double layer formed along one wall of the nanochannel substantially overlaps an ionic double layer formed along an opposing wall of the nanochannel;
a first electrical potential generating means configured to apply a first electrical potential difference to the fluid at ends of the nanochannel to induce electrokinetic transport along the nanochannel; and
a series of electrical potential generating means distributed at intervals along the length of the nanochannel configured to produce an axial gradient in the electrical potential and/or the electric current along the length of the nanochannel, and wherein at least one of the electrical potential generating means in the series produces a pH gradient across the width of the nanochannel.
Specification