| WARF: P01200US |  |
| Method and Device for Controlling Temperature inside Microchannels with Chemical Reactions |
| INVENTORS | • | David Beebe, Glennys Mensing |
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a method and device for regulating the temperature of a sample fluid inside a microfluidic channel.
OVERVIEW
The various types of chemical and biological experiments conducted within microfluidic devices frequently require controlled temperatures. This currently is accomplished by using external heating or cooling elements, which add significantly to the cost and size of the device.
THE INVENTION
UW-Madison researchers have developed a method and device for regulating the temperature of a sample fluid inside a microfluidic channel. The microfluidic devices of this invention include a channel for the sample fluid and at least one channel containing a regulating fluid at a predetermined temperature. The regulating fluid undergoes heat exchange with the sample fluid to maintain the sample fluid at a desired temperature. Endothermic or exothermic reactions chemical reactions, such as those used in commercially available hot and cold packs, are used to manipulate the temperature of the regulating fluid. To change the temperature of the sample fluid, the distance, geometries and properties of materials between the sample fluid channel and the regulating channel(s) can be varied. For example, the sample channel can be designed to run alternately near a first regulating channel and then a second, so that the sample fluid changes rapidly between the temperature of the first regulating fluid and that of the second.
APPLICATIONS
- Controlling the temperature of samples within a microfluidic device
KEY BENEFITS
- Less expensive than current temperature control mechanisms
- Simple and inexpensive to implement
- Requires no external power source
- Highly portable
- Provides rapid heat exchange
- Could be incorporated into a self-contained polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For More Information About the Inventors
Intellectual Property Status
Tech Fields
Micro & Nanotech - Microfluidics
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact our team at
licensing@warf.org
or phone 608.262.4924. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, WARF has been working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. WARF intellectual property managers and licensing staff members are leaders in the field of university-based technology transfer. They are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have worked with researchers in relevant disciplines, understand industries and markets, and have negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the individual needs of business clients.
