Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic synthesis – Preparing nonmetal element
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-15
2004-11-09
Nicolas, Wesley A. (Department: 1742)
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic synthesis
Preparing nonmetal element
C205S628000, C205S633000, C205S637000, C204S242000, C204S275100, C204S278000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06814852
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is drawn to the generation of gas in a lab-on-a-chip environment. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to the electrolysis of fluids in a lab-on-a-chip environment for generating gases.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A “lab-on-a-chip” can include systems for metering, measuring, and/or mixing small liquid samples with reagents, moving the mixtures to an integrated, temperature controlled reaction chamber, separating compositions, and/or determining results with an onboard detector. At first, lab-on-a-chip technology focused mainly on the analysis of substances, but has evolved to include a wider range of possibilities. For example, the synthesis of products to determine and/or research their properties can be implemented. There are several areas where lab-on-a-chip technology is of interest today, including the research areas of analysis, chemical reaction, chemical and pathogen detection, genetic research, micro
anofluidics, and chemical and pathogen detection.
Miniaturization is a trend in chemistry that has generated considerable interest over the last few years. This is in part because of some sound commercial reasons for wanting to move to smaller-scale synthesis and analysis, including high sample throughput, pressure to reduce costs, and increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Laboratory methods in use today may not be competitive in the long run as the desire for chemical processes become smaller, cleaner, cheaper, and faster. Advantages that are driving technology in this direction include the fact that power consumption and reagent costs can be reduced with such methods, less laboratory space is required, devices can be portable for on-site use or placed in previously restricted spaces, analysis procedures can be automated or made in parallel increasing sample and product throughput, and performance can be enhanced leading to better yields and faster analysis.
Though trends are leading to miniaturizing chemical processes, such as with lab-on-a-chip technology, many known chemical processes require the presence of certain reagents, often in gaseous form. Chemical processes carried out on a chip are no different. And while many methods exist for storing and moving liquids on a small chip, storing and moving gases is much more difficult. Thus, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods for generating and utilizing gases in the context of lab-on-a-chip technology for various purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been recognized that rather than storing gases on a lab-on-a-chip, it would be desirable to provide a process of creating gases from liquid source chemicals, such as through electrolysis. It has also been recognized that related processes of fluid movement or injection can also provide advantages in lab-on-a-chip technologies.
Specifically, an integrated lab-on-a-chip system for generating gases can comprise a substrate having active circuitry thereon, wherein the active circuitry is configured for communication with an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell can comprise a housing defining an electrolyte fluid chamber containing an anode and cathode as part of the circuitry and a gas collection chamber, and an electrolyte fluid contained within the electrolyte fluid chamber. The anode and cathode are positioned in the chamber to be in contact with the electrolyte fluid, wherein upon completion of the circuit the anode and cathode can generate a gas from the electrolyte fluid. Upon creating of the gas, collection and/or storage in the gas collection chamber can occur. In order to utilize the gas, it is desirable to have a port for fluidically connecting the gas collection chamber to another chamber or the atmosphere.
In another embodiment, an integrated lab-on-a-chip system for generating gases can comprise a substrate having active circuitry thereon, wherein the active circuitry is configured for communication with an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell can comprise a housing defining an electrolyte fluid chamber, and an electrolyte fluid contained within the electrolyte fluid chamber. An anode and a cathode can be positioned in contact with the electrolyte fluid, wherein the anode and cathode are configured for generating a gas from the electrolyte fluid. By simple or more complex fluid displacement systems, the generated gas can be used to provide movement of a working fluid, e.g., the electrolyte fluid itself or a secondary fluid.
In a related embodiment, a method of generating gas in a lab-on-a-chip environment can comprise the steps of (a) providing a substrate having active circuitry thereon, wherein at least a portion of the active circuitry is readable by a computer; (b) providing an electrolytic cell configured for communication with the active circuitry, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises an anode and a cathode in an electrolytic fluid bath; and (c) generating a gas in the electrolytic fluid bath by creating an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode through the electrolytic fluid bath.
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Ep search report—for EP 03 254259 dated Feb. 6, 2004.
Holstun Clayton L.
Tyvoll David
Hewlett--Packard Development Company, L.P.
Nicolas Wesley A.
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