LIQUID HANDLING PROBE ASSEMBLY WITH POROUS AND SOLID FEATURES
Liquid handling probe assemblies and systems having porous metal and solid metal features are described. At least a portion of the liquid handling probe assembly can be manufactured via additive manufacturing (e.g., laser powder bed fusion).
1 . A liquid handling probe assembly comprising
a tip comprising a porous metal for passage of a fluid and having an apex end and a base end, wherein at least the apex end of the tip comprises the porous metal; and
a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube comprising a solid metal that defines a center for passage of a fluid, wherein the base end of the porous metal tip is adjacent the first end the tube and in fluid communication therewith.
2 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the porous metal tip has no lumen, and comprises a cavity at the base end.
3 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the porous metal tip at the apex of the tip comprises a piercing configuration for piercing a cover of a container including a liquid.
4 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the apex end is angled, tapered, or both to provide the piercing configuration.
5 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the apex end is in a non-piercing configuration.
6 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the porous metal of the porous metal tip defines a lumen in the tip.
7 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the porous metal of the porous metal tip does not define a lumen in the tip.
8 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the porous metal tip further comprises a solid metal support that partially surrounds the tip.
9 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 8 , wherein the solid metal support comprises a first portion that surrounds the base end of the porous metal tip.
10 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 9 , wherein the solid metal support further comprises a second portion that supports or partially surrounds the apex end of the porous metal tip.
11 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the porous metal of the tip comprises a porosity gradient from the apex end to the base end, wherein the porosity is greater at the apex end than at the base end.
12 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the center of the tube for passage of a fluid is hollow.
13 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the center of the tube for passage of a fluid comprises a porous metal core.
14 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 13 , wherein the porous metal of the tip has a first porosity and the porous metal core has a second porosity, wherein the first porosity of the porous metal of the tip is greater than the second porosity of the porous metal core.
15 . The liquid handling probe assembly of claim 13 , wherein the porous metal core of the tube comprises a hollow center for passage of the liquid.
16 . A method of transferring a liquid, comprising
contacting the apex end of the tip comprising the porous metal of the liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 with a liquid to be transferred;
drawing the liquid into the tip;
drawing the liquid from the tip to the center of the tube; and
optionally, drawing the liquid from the second end of the tube.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the apex end of the tip pierces a cover of a container in which the liquid is disposed.
18 . A method for fabricating the liquid handling probe assembly of claim 1 , comprising additively manufacturing at least a portion of the assembly.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein at least the porous metal tip of the assembly is additively manufactured.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the additive manufacturing comprises laser powder bed fusion.