Patent ID: 6685810
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
An electrophoretic device for producing a mobility distribution in a sample containing a plurality of molecules comprising:a non-gel self-assembled nanofeature array sieve having proximal and distal ends, the sieve comprising a substrate made of a first material and a plurality of self-assembled nanofeatures made of a second material wherein each nanofeature has a center point, a cross-sectional dimension and an outer surface and wherein the nanofeatures are fixedly attached to the substrate in a an ordered periodic array such that the distance between the center points of two adjacent nanofeatures defines a regular lattice spacing and the distance between the outer surfaces of two adjacent nanofeatures defines a pore size for the sieve and wherein the pore size of the sieve is chosen such that a molecule of the sample can be transported through the sieve at a characteristic velocity, the ordered periodic array of nanofeatures being defined by a plurality of catalytic germination spots deposited in a corresponding ordered periodic array on the substrate, each of the nanofeatures being anchored to and self-assembled from a separate one of the plurality of catalytic germination spots; a molecular reservoir in fluid communication with the proximal end of the sieve for introducing the molecules into the sieve; a detector arranged at the distal end of the sieve such that the molecules passing out of the sieve are detected and a signal generated; an electrical field generator for producing an electric field in field communication with the sieve, the reservoir and the detector such that the electrical field induces the molecules in the reservoir to move through the sieve to the detector; and a monitor in signal communication with the detector to communicate the signal to a user.