Shiyuan Gao, Tiegang Xu, Lei Wu, Xiaoyue Zhu, Xuefeng Wang, Xiaohong Jian, Xinxin Li
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The thermal expansion of gas and the air permeability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were previously thought to be the main causes of bubbles and water loss during polymerase chain reaction (PCR), resulting in a very complex chip design and operation. Here, by calculating and characterizing bubble formation, we discovered that water vapor is the main cause of bubbling. During PCR, heat increases the volume of the bubble by a factor of only ~0.2 in the absence of water vapor but by a factor of ~6.4 in the presence of water vapor. In addition, the phenomenon of "respiration" due to the repeated evaporation and condensation of water vapor accelerates the expansion of bubbles and the loss of water. A water seal above 109 kPa can effectively prevent bubbles in a bare PDMS chip with a simple structure, which is significant for the wide application of PDMS chips.
期刊介绍：
Microsystems & Nanoengineering is a comprehensive online journal that focuses on the field of Micro and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS and NEMS). It provides a platform for researchers to share their original research findings and review articles in this area. The journal covers a wide range of topics, from fundamental research to practical applications. Published by Springer Nature, in collaboration with the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and with the support of the State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, it is an esteemed publication in the field. As an open access journal, it offers free access to its content, allowing readers from around the world to benefit from the latest developments in MEMS and NEMS.
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