Droplet dispensation from a reservoir with reduction in uncontrolled electrostatic charge
View Patent ↗Devices and methods are provided for reducing the uncontrolled electrostatic charges that can alter the volume and/or trajectory of a droplet, which is typically ejected through the application of focused acoustic radiation. Also provided are reservoirs and substrates, e.g., well plates formed from a material that is at least partially nonmetallic or polymeric and either has an electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 11 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 12 ohm/sq, or both.
1. A well plate comprising an array of at least 96 substantially identical wells, each well adapted to contain a fluid, wherein the well plate is comprised of a material that is at least partially polymeric or ceramic and either has an electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 11 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 12 ohm/sq, or both, wherein the well plate may be neutralized by means of one or more contacts to ground in such a way as to prevent the accumulation of uncontrolled electrostatic charge.
2. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material either has a volume electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 4 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 5 ohm/sq, or both.
3. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a polythiophene or a polythiophene derivative.
4. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises polyisothianaphthene (PITN) or poly-3,4, ethylene dioxythiophene (PEDT).
5. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a doped polymer.
6. The well plate of claim 5 , wherein the material comprises a doped polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, or polymerized cyclic olefin.
7. The well plate of claim 6 , wherein the material comprises a doped polypropylene.
8. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material is coated on a surface of the well plate.
9. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the well plate consists essentially of the material.
10. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a conductive filler.
11. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the conductive filler comprises carbon.
12. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises indium tin oxide or titanium nitride.
13. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the material is placed on or near areas of the well plate prone to accumulate uncontrolled electrostatic charge.
14. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the at least 96 substantially identical wells are compatible with DMSO and acrylonitrile.
15. The well plate of claim 1 , wherein the well plate may be neutralized by means of a single-point contact to ground.
16. A well plate comprising an array of at least 96 substantially identical wells, each well adapted to contain a fluid, wherein a surface of the well plate is coated with a material that is at least partially non-metallic and either has an electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 11 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 12 ohm/sq, or both.
17. The well plate of claim 16 , wherein the material comprises an electrically conducting polymer.
18. The well plate of claim 17 , wherein the material comprises an electrically conducting polymer selected from the group consisting of polythiophenes, polythiophene derivatives, or doped polypropylenes.
19. The well plate of claim 16 , wherein the material is coated on or near areas of the well plate prone to accumulate uncontrolled electrostatic charge.
20. The well plate of claim 16 , wherein the material comprises indium tin oxide or titanium nitride.
21. The well plate of claim 16 , wherein the well plate may be neutralized by means of a single-point contact to ground.
22. The well plate of claim 16 , wherein the at least 96 substantially identical wells are compatible with DMSO and acrylonitrile.
23. The well plate of claim 16 , wherein the material either has a volume electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 4 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 5 ohm/sq, or both.
24. A well plate comprising an array of at least 96 substantially identical wells, each well adapted to contain a fluid, wherein the well plate consists essentially of a material that is at least partially non-metallic and either has an electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 11 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 12 ohm/sq, or both.
25. The well plate of claim 24 , wherein the material is polymeric, ceramic, or comprises an electrically conductive filler.
26. The well plate of claim 24 , wherein the material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polythiophenes, polythiophene derivatives, or doped polypropylenes.
27. The well plate of claim 24 , wherein the material comprises an electrically conductive ceramic.
28. The well plate of claim 24 , wherein the well plate may be neutralized by means of a single-point contact to ground.
29. The well plate of claim 24 , wherein the material either has a volume electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 4 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 10 5 ohm/sq, or both.