Teorell instability in concentration polarization

The Role of the Gravitational Field in Generating Electric Potentials in a Double-Membrane System for Concentration Polarization Conditions

Electric potentials referred to as the gravielectric effect (∆ΨS) are generated in a double-membrane system containing identical polymer membranes set in horizontal planes and separating non-homogenous electrolyte solutions. The gravielectric effect depends on the concentration and composition of the solutions and is formed due to the gravitational field breaking the symmetry of membrane complexes/concentration boundary layers formed under concentration polarization conditions. As a part of the Kedem-Katchalsky formalism, a model of ion transport was developed, containing the transport parameters of membranes and solutions and taking into account hydrodynamic (convective) instabilities. The transition from non-convective to convective or vice versa can be controlled by a dimensionless concentration polarization factor or concentration Rayleigh number. Using the original measuring set, the time dependence of the membrane potentials was investigated. For steady states, the ∆ΨS was calculated and then the concentration characteristics of this effect were determined for aqueous solutions of NaCl and ethanol. The results obtained from the calculations based on the mathematical model of the gravitational effect are consistent with the experimental results within a 7% error range. It has been shown that a positive or negative gravielectric effect appeared when a density of the solution in the inter-membrane compartment was higher or lower than the density in the outer compartments. The values of the ∆ΨS were in a range from 0 to 27 mV. It was found that, the lower the concentration of solutions in the outer compartments of the two-membrane system (C0), for the same values of Cm/C0, the higher the ∆ΨS, which indicates control properties of the double-membrane system. The considered two-membrane electrochemical system is a source of electromotive force and functions as an electrochemical gravireceptor.

Digital microfluidics-like manipulation of electrokinetically preconcentrated bioparticle plugs in continuous-flow

Herein, we demonstrate digital microfluidics-like manipulations of preconcentrated biomolecule plugs within a continuous flow that is different from the commonly known digital microfluidics involving discrete (i.e. droplets) media. This is realized using one- and two-dimensional arrays of individually addressable ion-permselective membranes with interconnecting microfluidic channels. The location of powered electrodes, dictates which of the membranes are active and generates either enrichment/depletion diffusion layers, which, in turn, control the location of the preconcentrated plug. An array of such powered membranes enables formation of multiple preconcentrated plugs of the same biosample as well as of preconcentrated plugs of multiple biosample types introduced via different inlets in a selective manner. Moreover, digital-microfluidics operations such as up-down and left-right translation, merging, and splitting, can be realized, but on preconcentrated biomolecule plugs instead of on discrete droplets. This technology, based on nanoscale electrokinetics of ion transport through permselective medium, opens future opportunities for smart and programmable digital-like manipulations of preconcentrated biological particle plugs for various on-chip biological applications.

Periodic concentration-polarization-based formation of a biomolecule preconcentrate for enhanced biosensing

Ionic concentration-polarization (CP)-based biomolecule preconcentration is an established method for enhancing the detection sensitivity of target biomolecules. However, the formed preconcentrated biomolecule plug rapidly sweeps over the surface-immobilized antibodies, resulting in a short-term overlap between the capture agent and the analyte, and subsequently suboptimal binding. To overcome this, we designed a setup allowing for the periodic formation of a preconcentrated biomolecule plug by activating the CP for predetermined on/off intervals. This work demonstrated the feasibility of cyclic CP actuation and optimized the sweeping conditions required to obtain the maximum retention time of a preconcentrated plug over a desired sensing region and enhanced detection sensitivity. The ability of this method to efficiently preconcentrate different analytes and to successfully increase immunoassay sensitivity underscore its potential in immunoassays serving the clinical and food testing industries.

Evaluation of the Global S-Entropy Production in Membrane Transport of Aqueous Solutions of Hydrochloric Acid and Ammonia

The results of experimental studies of volume osmotic fluxes (Jvkr) and fluxes of dissolved substances (Jkr) in a system containing a synthetic Nephrophan® membrane (Orwo VEB Filmfabrik, Wolfen, Germany) set in a horizontal plane are presented. The membrane separated water and aqueous HCl or ammonia solutions or aqueous ammonia and HCl solutions. It was found that for the homogeneity conditions of the solutions Jvk and Jk depend only on the concentration and composition of the solutions. For concentration polarization conditions (where concentration boundary layers are created on both sides), Jvkr and Jkr depend on both the concentration and composition of the solutions and the configuration of the membrane system. The obtained results of the Jvk and Jk flux studies were used to assess the global production of entropy for the conditions of homogeneity of solutions (ΦSk), while Jvkr and Jkr-to assess the global production of entropy for concentration polarization conditions (ΦSkr). In addition, the diffusion-convective effects and the convection effect in the global source of entropy were calculated. The concentration polarization coefficient ζir was related to modified concentration Rayleigh number, e.g., the parameter controlling the transition from non-convective (diffusive) to convective state. This number acts as a switch between two states of the concentration field: convective (with a higher entropy source value) and non-convective (with a lower entropy source value). The operation of this switch indicates the regulatory role of earthly gravity in relation to membrane transport.

Simulation of S-Entropy Production during the Transport of Non-Electrolyte Solutions in the Double-Membrane System

Using the classical Kedem–Katchalsky’ membrane transport theory, a mathematical model was developed and the original concentration volume flux (J_v), solute flux (J_s) characteristics, and S-entropy production by J_v, ((ψS)Jv) and by J_s((ψS)Js) in a double-membrane system were simulated. In this system, M₁ and M_r membranes separated the l, m, and r compartments containing homogeneous solutions of one non-electrolytic substance. The compartment m consists of the infinitesimal layer of solution and its volume fulfills the condition V_m → 0. The volume of compartments l and r fulfills the condition V_l = V_r → ∞. At the initial moment, the concentrations of the solution in the cell satisfy the condition C_l < C_m < C_r. Based on this model, for fixed values of transport parameters of membranes (i.e., the reflection (σ_l, σ_r), hydraulic permeability (L_pl, L_pr), and solute permeability (ω_l, ω_r) coefficients), the original dependencies C_m = f(C_l − C_r), J_v = f(C_l − C_r), J_s = f(C_l − C_r), (ΨS)Jv = f(C_l − C_r), (ΨS)Js = f(C_l − C_r), R_v = f(C_l − C_r), and R_s = f(C_l − C_r) were calculated. Each of the obtained features was specially arranged as a pair of parabola, hyperbola, or other complex curves.

Robust ion current oscillations under a steady electric field: An ion channel analog

We demonstrate a nonlinear, nonequilibrium field-driven ion flux phenomenon, which unlike Teorell's nonlinear multiple field theory, requires only the application of one field: robust autonomous current-mass flux oscillations across a porous monolith coupled to a capillary with a long air bubble, which mimics a hydrophobic protein in an ion channel. The oscillations are driven by the hysteretic wetting dynamics of the meniscus when electro-osmotic flow and pressure driven backflow, due to bubble expansion, compete to approach zero mass flux within the monolith. Delayed rupture of the film around the advancing bubble cuts off the electric field and switches the monolith mass flow from the former to the latter. The meniscus then recedes and repairs the rupture to sustain an oscillation for a range of applied fields. This generic mechanism shares many analogs with current oscillations in cell membrane ion channel. At sufficiently high voltage, the system undergoes a state transition characterized by appearance of the ubiquitous 1/f power spectrum.