Polymeric salt bridges for conducting electric current in microfluidic devices
| DWPI Title: Microfluidic device for chemical, physical or electrochemical analysis and testing, includes polymeric salt bridge which can conduct electricity by migration of ions between its two ends when voltage potential is placed in between the ends |
| Abstract: A "cast-in-place" monolithic microporous polymer salt bridge for conducting electrical current in microfluidic devices, and methods for manufacture thereof is disclosed. Polymeric salt bridges are formed in place in capillaries or microchannels. Formulations are prepared with monomer, suitable cross-linkers, solvent, and a thermal or radiation responsive initiator. The formulation is placed in a desired location and then suitable radiation such as UV light is used to polymerize the salt bridge within a desired structural location. Embodiments are provided wherein the polymeric salt bridges have sufficient porosity to allow ionic migration without bulk flow of solvents therethrough. The salt bridges form barriers that seal against fluid pressures in excess of 5000 pounds per square inch. The salt bridges can be formulated for carriage of suitable amperage at a desired voltage, and thus microfluidic devices using such salt bridges can be specifically constructed to meet selected analytical requirements. |
| Use: Microfluidic device for chemical, physical or electrochemical analysis and testing, including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, medical testing and instrumentation, and industrial process control. |
| Advantage: The microfluidic device can enable the flow of electricity in microfluidic systems. |
| Novelty: A microfluidic device (10) has a body (12), microchannels (52), and a polymeric salt bridge (50) containing a monolithic microporous polymer. The bridge is formed in situ in a portion of selected microchannel to block bulk flow of the fluid material. The polymeric salt bridge is formulated using a selected first monomer, and a selected first crosslinker. The first crosslinker is ethoxylated (15) trimethylolpropane triacrylate. The polymeric salt bridge can conduct electricity by migration of ions between the two ends when a voltage potential is placed in between the ends. |
| Filed: 8/10/2004 |
| Application Number: US2004916310A |
| Tech ID: SD 8251.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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