Technical Benefits
Many new devices need to move nano-and micro-scale quantities of liquid from an external source to a sensor or assay well inside the device or along a surface. Life sciences have many applications that require microfluidic movement and control and where small sample sizes are a benefit. Surnetics' proprietary and patented surface-energy gradient coating technology produces like enhanced capillary action in nano scale plumbing to move and mix liquids and to introduce chemicals or biologics for reactions. Pending patents and future applications can be adapted to offer further protection for client-specific innovations.
Why is this technology needed?
Microfluidic systems and devices suffer from poor control of liquids through the small channels. In addition, the cost for high-precision pumps and controllers capable of accurately delivering micro-scale volumes consistently are the major cost for a system. Unfortunately, even with the high-precision hardware, surface effects within the channels prevent most systems from producing accurate results with a high level of repeatability. For laminar flows in channels, as the effective width of the channel approaches micron or dimensions, the reduction in flow due to the friction loss becomes a larger proportion of the channel's total potential frictionless flow. More of the flow is in contact with the channel surface as the channel's cross-section gets smaller. Surnetics' proprietary technology overcomes this challenge and gets the fluids to flow passively, without external power. In addition, Surnetics' technology allows for transfer of all the liquid through the channel, eliminating liquid hold-up and reducing required sample volumes over those needed for prior wicking-type designs.
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Patented Issued and pending patents make this a sustainable competitive advantage.
Cooling systems using coatings with surface energy gradient
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Why? For laminar flows in channels, as the effective width of the channel approaches micron and angstrom dimensions, the friction loss increases greatly. More of the flow is in contact with the channel as the width gets smaller. Surnetics proprietary technology overcomes this challenge. Offering Application development services / Supply of components / Tech transfer & patent portfolio licenses for implanted devices Differentiation This patent is the first with granted claims for the actual surface with a gradient coating in a well-defined region – it is not just a method for creating a gradient coating. The patent claims are very broad; they are not limited to a particular chemistry and the dimensional ranges of the gradient region are extremely broad as well. As the fluid movement/delivery system, surface-energy gradients are simpler, more reliable, and have fewer parts to fail than mechanical alternatives in a device. Surface-energy gradient flow-paths can be made smaller than any channel can be made by removing material mechanically with machine tools or by casting and molding. This technology is ready to be incorporated into products that are mass produced. Three different methods of production have been tested and optimized. Surnetics can supply components for your products that meet specifications at a cost competitive with less reliable alternatives. Q&A Q: What is a surface-energy gradient?
A: The simplest way to think about a surface energy gradient is as a surface coating that changes its surface tension with a drop of liquid (like water) as the drop moves from point A to point B. By changing the surface tension with the liquid from point A to point B, the drop is essentially "pulled" across the surface.
Q: What is a mixed monolayer film?
A: A mixed monolayer film is usually a one molecule thick coating of two or more chemical compounds on a surface. By increasing the concentration of one compound in the film from point A to point B, a gradient is created. Mixed monolayer films have the advantage of allowing users to tailor the surface to have whatever properties they want in the application, they are not limited by the starting (base) material.
Q: Why is this method of transport reliable and accurate?
A: Gradient technology works similarly to wicking and capilary action, which have been in use in devices for many years. The advantage of the new gradient technology is that the liquid is fully transferred where wicking and capilary technologies still have liquid held up inside the pores/channels. With gradient technology, smaller volumens can be used. Also, because of the full transfer of the liquid, the technology can be used to continually transfer new drops of liquid wihile wicking and capilary methods tend to "wet" out and become ineffective.
Q: How long would it take to develop a new component using the technology?
A: Timelines vary because some experimental work is always necessary to optimze a coating for a particular application. However, gradient coating technology can work with current chemistries already in used in a customer's design, which is an advantage from an approval/regulatory standpoint. Large-scale manufacturing and evaluation methods for the coatings are already established; which is an advantage from a commercial development standpoint.
Development Status
Proof of concept is complete. Three methods of manufacturing are proven and have been optimized. Design of experiment data is available. Specifications for base material and applied materials are being optimized. Two contract manufacturers are actively engaged in production scale-up development and testing and others are welcome. Collaboration Sought We are looking to develop application-specific solutions for companies which are either already using a gradient in their products or would benefit from a gradient coating in their products. We would develop the gradient to meet the client's flow specifications and form factor. We would also be the supplyer of components with the gradients in place for final assembly by the client into the finished device.
We are also interested in working with manufacturing partners who have the capability of applying gradient coatings on a surface or device for large-scale production runs by printing, ink-jetting, etching or other methods. We are looking to develop application-specific solutions for companies which are either already using a gradient in their products or would benefit from a gradient coating in their products. We would develop the gradient to meet the client's flow specifications and form factor. We would also be the supplyer of components with the gradients in place for final assembly by the client into the finished device. We are also interested in working with manufacturing partners who have the capacity of applying gradient coatings on a surface or device for large-scale production runs by printing, ink-jetting, etching or other methods.
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