MEMS-based isothermal titration calorimetry
A microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device includes first and second micromixers and first and second thermally-isolated microchambers. A first solution including a sample and a reagent is introduced to the first microchamber via the first micromixer, and a second solution including a sample and a buffer is introduced to the second microchamber via the second micromixer. A thermopile measures the differential temperature between the first microchamber and the second microchamber and outputs a voltage representative of the difference. The output voltage can be used to calculate reaction parameters.
1. A microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device for characterization of biomolecular interactions comprising:
a first micromixer;
a second micromixer;
a thermally-isolated reaction chamber in fluid contact with the first micromixer;
a thermally-isolated reference chamber in fluid contact with the second micromixer; and
a thermoelectric sensor configured to measure at least one temperature metric associated with the reaction chamber and the reference chamber;
wherein the first micromixer comprises a passive chaotic micromixer.
2. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the passive chaotic micromixer comprises a serpentine channel.
3. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 2 , wherein the serpentine channel comprises herringbone shaped ridges.
4. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , further comprising a first inlet and a second inlet in fluid contact with the first micromixer.
5. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber comprises a polydimethylsiloxane microchamber.
6. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the reference chamber comprises a polydimethylsiloxane microchamber.
7. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber comprises a serpentine chamber.
8. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the reference chamber comprises a serpentine chamber.
9. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 further comprising a polyimide diaphragm that serves as a base for the reaction chamber.
10. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric sensor comprises a thermopile.
11. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 10 , wherein the thermopile comprises an antimony-bismuth thermopile.
12. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 10 , wherein a first thermopile junction is located on a first side of the reaction chamber.
13. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 12 , wherein a second thermopile junction is located on the first side of the reference chamber.
14. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is surrounded by an air cavity.
15. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 14 , wherein the air cavity comprises a serpentine channel.
16. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the reference chamber is surrounded by an air cavity.
17. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber comprises a chamber temperature sensor.
18. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 17 , wherein the reaction chamber further comprises a heater.
19. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature metric comprises a differential temperature between the reaction chamber and the reference chamber.
20. The microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature metric comprises a temperature of the reaction chamber and a temperature of the reference chamber.