CA2542902C - Method for generating an electrically contactable area on a doped polymer and formed body produced by this method - Google Patents
Method for generating an electrically contactable area on a doped polymer and formed body produced by this method Download PDFInfo
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- CA2542902C CA2542902C CA2542902A CA2542902A CA2542902C CA 2542902 C CA2542902 C CA 2542902C CA 2542902 A CA2542902 A CA 2542902A CA 2542902 A CA2542902 A CA 2542902A CA 2542902 C CA2542902 C CA 2542902C
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01C—RESISTORS
- H01C1/00—Details
- H01C1/14—Terminals or tapping points or electrodes specially adapted for resistors; Arrangements of terminals or tapping points or electrodes on resistors
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M35/00—Means for application of stress for stimulating the growth of microorganisms or the generation of fermentation or metabolic products; Means for electroporation or cell fusion
- C12M35/02—Electrical or electromagnetic means, e.g. for electroporation or for cell fusion
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/02—Details
- A61N1/04—Electrodes
- A61N1/0404—Electrodes for external use
- A61N1/0408—Use-related aspects
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/02—Details
- A61N1/04—Electrodes
- A61N1/0404—Electrodes for external use
- A61N1/0472—Structure-related aspects
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/20—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes continuous direct currents
- A61N1/30—Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
- A61N1/327—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M1/00—Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
- C12M1/26—Inoculator or sampler
- C12M1/32—Inoculator or sampler multiple field or continuous type
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01C—RESISTORS
- H01C1/00—Details
- H01C1/14—Terminals or tapping points or electrodes specially adapted for resistors; Arrangements of terminals or tapping points or electrodes on resistors
- H01C1/142—Terminals or tapping points or electrodes specially adapted for resistors; Arrangements of terminals or tapping points or electrodes on resistors the terminals or tapping points being coated on the resistive element
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/02—Details
- A61N1/04—Electrodes
- A61N1/0404—Electrodes for external use
- A61N1/0472—Structure-related aspects
- A61N1/0492—Patch electrodes
- A61N1/0496—Patch electrodes characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
- B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- B82Y25/00—Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
- B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- B82Y30/00—Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
- Y10T156/1002—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
- Y10T156/1039—Surface deformation only of sandwich or lamina [e.g., embossed panels]
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/12—All metal or with adjacent metals
- Y10T428/12493—Composite; i.e., plural, adjacent, spatially distinct metal components [e.g., layers, joint, etc.]
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/12—All metal or with adjacent metals
- Y10T428/12493—Composite; i.e., plural, adjacent, spatially distinct metal components [e.g., layers, joint, etc.]
- Y10T428/12535—Composite; i.e., plural, adjacent, spatially distinct metal components [e.g., layers, joint, etc.] with additional, spatially distinct nonmetal component
- Y10T428/12556—Organic component
- Y10T428/12569—Synthetic resin
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for generating at least one electrically contactable area on a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, wherein a contact material (10, 11) is applied onto the polymer, said contact material (10, 11) having a lower specific resistance at 23~C than the polymer. According to the invention the contact material (10, 11) is applied onto the polymer so tightly that close contact between the contact material (10, 11) and the conductive substance is achieved. Due to the tight application of the contact material (10, 11), which has a lower specific resistance than the polymer, the input resistance of the doped polymer is effectively reduced. The invention further concerns a formed body (1, 2) made of a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, which has at least one contactable area, within which a contact material (10, 11) is applied onto the polymer, wherein said contact material (10, 11) has a lower specific resistance at 23~C than the polymer. According to the invention the contact material (10, 11) is applied onto the polymer so tightly that it is in close contact with the conductive substance. Such formed body (1, 2) has a significantly reduced input resistance.
Description
Method for generating an electrically contactable area on a doped polymer and formed body produced by this method Background of the Invention The invention relates to a method for generating at least one electrically contactable area on a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, wherein a contact material is applied onto the polymer, said contact material having a lower specific resistance at 23°C than the polymer. The invention further concerns a formed body made of a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, which has at least one contactable area, within which a contact material is applied onto the polymer, wherein said contact material has a lower specific resistance at 23°C than the polymer.
Electroconductive polymers are known and enjoy increasing popularity, in particular also as material for producing electrodes for generating electric fields in various applications.
For example, an assembly for electrical arrangements is known from EP 0 307 007 B1, which comprises conductive components having different specific resistances. A resistor made of a conductive polymer, i.e. a mixture of an organic polymer and a conductive filler, which has a relatively high specific resistance at 23 °C of 1 - 500.000 ohm x cm, is here provided with a contact layer consisting of a conductive material which has a specific resistance that is lower than the specific resistance of the resistor, i.e. a specific resistance between 2,5 x 10-5 and 1 x 10-3 ohm x cm. The contact layer also consists of a conductive polymer which is doped with a metal, e.g. silver, or a carbon-based material, e.g. graphite. The contact layer is disposed onto the resistor in the form of band-like electrodes which interlock like fingers. Conductor rails are provided as contacting elements, which consist of a stretched net made of metal and which are folded around the contact layer and the electrodes formed therefrom, respectively. The area at the edges of the electrodes act as contact area. Although, with this solution, the input resistance of the resistance layer is reduced by application of a contact layer having lower specific resistance, this contact layer itself consists of a doped polymer and hence has still a relatively high input resistance as well. This is particularly true if demixing close to the surface occurs when the contact layer is injection-moulded. Furthermore, the contact layer is here contacted via close-fitting conductor rails, i.e.
stretched metal nets, and is thus not comparable to a dot-like contact. But there are many applications wherein dot-like contacting, e.g. via spring contacts, is necessary due to specific requirements or constructive conditions. But in this case, dot-like contacting of the disclosed contact layer would result in a burn-in of the contacting elements to the contact points when very high voltages would be applied.
Since metal ions are emitted from electrodes made of metal during electric discharge, particularly in the field of biological applications, electrodes made of conductive synthetic material are advantageous compared to commonly used metal electrodes. With the treatment of living cells, for example with electroporation or electrofusion, metal ions emitted into the respective cell suspension can either cause undesirable stimulation of the cells at lower concentrations or, at higher concentrations, act toxic on the cells. For instance, when cuvettes made of aluminium are used a negative effect due to the release of AI3+ ions could be demonstrated (Loomis-Hasselbee et al., Biochem J 1991, 277 (Pt 3), 883 - 885). Furthermore, if using cuvettes having electrodes made of metal generation of metal hydroxides or complexes of metal ions with biological macromolecules may occur (Stapulionis, Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 1999, 48(1 ), 249 - 254), what is often undesirable as well.
DE 102 08 188 A1 discloses containers with electrodes made of doped polymers. The doped polymers are polymers which are blended with conductive substances such as carbon fibres, graphite, carbon black (soot) or carbon nanotubes. Although those doped polymers have lower conductivity compared to intrinsically conductive polymers, it is a benefit that they are mouldable, i.e.
that processing by the use of injection-moulding is possible. Thus, such doped polymers are variously useful and allow a cost-effective production of electrodes by injection-moulding. But it is a problem with such electrodes that demixing occurs during the injection-moulding process so that the concentration of the conductive dope is relatively low at the surface of the electrodes.
Therefore, respective electrodes have a very high input resistance so that very high voltages have to be applied in order to achieve a sufficient current flow.
But when usual dot-like contacting of these electrodes is used, for example via spring contacts, the contacts burn-in to the surface of the electrodes due to the high voltages applied so that the electrodes become unusable.
DE 101 16 211 A1 discloses a device for fusing living cells within an electric field, wherein the electrodes are also made of a doped synthetic material, i.e. a plastic material which is blended with carbon. The electrodes are connected to a voltage source via dot-like contact points and corresponding lead wires.
Thus, also in this case it is a disadvantage that burn-in to the surface of plastic electrodes would occur if voltages should be applied, which are higher than those necessary for electrofusion. For example, to reach field strengths which are sufficient for certain applications in electroporation significantly higher voltages have to be applied to the electrodes. Field strengths of 2 - 10 kV/cm may be necessary, for instance, for the transfer of biologically active molecules into the nucleus of living cells. The voltage necessary to reach such field strengths would also in this case result in a burn-in of the contact points if the known polymer electrodes are contacted dot-like.
Summary of the Invention It is thus an object of the invention to overcome the existing deficiencies and to provide a method as identified above, which allows an effective reduction of the input resistance of the polymer within the contactable area in a simple and cost-effective manner. It is a further object of the invention to provide a formed body of the initially mentioned kind, which has a low input resistance, and which can be produced easily and cost-effectively.
Electroconductive polymers are known and enjoy increasing popularity, in particular also as material for producing electrodes for generating electric fields in various applications.
For example, an assembly for electrical arrangements is known from EP 0 307 007 B1, which comprises conductive components having different specific resistances. A resistor made of a conductive polymer, i.e. a mixture of an organic polymer and a conductive filler, which has a relatively high specific resistance at 23 °C of 1 - 500.000 ohm x cm, is here provided with a contact layer consisting of a conductive material which has a specific resistance that is lower than the specific resistance of the resistor, i.e. a specific resistance between 2,5 x 10-5 and 1 x 10-3 ohm x cm. The contact layer also consists of a conductive polymer which is doped with a metal, e.g. silver, or a carbon-based material, e.g. graphite. The contact layer is disposed onto the resistor in the form of band-like electrodes which interlock like fingers. Conductor rails are provided as contacting elements, which consist of a stretched net made of metal and which are folded around the contact layer and the electrodes formed therefrom, respectively. The area at the edges of the electrodes act as contact area. Although, with this solution, the input resistance of the resistance layer is reduced by application of a contact layer having lower specific resistance, this contact layer itself consists of a doped polymer and hence has still a relatively high input resistance as well. This is particularly true if demixing close to the surface occurs when the contact layer is injection-moulded. Furthermore, the contact layer is here contacted via close-fitting conductor rails, i.e.
stretched metal nets, and is thus not comparable to a dot-like contact. But there are many applications wherein dot-like contacting, e.g. via spring contacts, is necessary due to specific requirements or constructive conditions. But in this case, dot-like contacting of the disclosed contact layer would result in a burn-in of the contacting elements to the contact points when very high voltages would be applied.
Since metal ions are emitted from electrodes made of metal during electric discharge, particularly in the field of biological applications, electrodes made of conductive synthetic material are advantageous compared to commonly used metal electrodes. With the treatment of living cells, for example with electroporation or electrofusion, metal ions emitted into the respective cell suspension can either cause undesirable stimulation of the cells at lower concentrations or, at higher concentrations, act toxic on the cells. For instance, when cuvettes made of aluminium are used a negative effect due to the release of AI3+ ions could be demonstrated (Loomis-Hasselbee et al., Biochem J 1991, 277 (Pt 3), 883 - 885). Furthermore, if using cuvettes having electrodes made of metal generation of metal hydroxides or complexes of metal ions with biological macromolecules may occur (Stapulionis, Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 1999, 48(1 ), 249 - 254), what is often undesirable as well.
DE 102 08 188 A1 discloses containers with electrodes made of doped polymers. The doped polymers are polymers which are blended with conductive substances such as carbon fibres, graphite, carbon black (soot) or carbon nanotubes. Although those doped polymers have lower conductivity compared to intrinsically conductive polymers, it is a benefit that they are mouldable, i.e.
that processing by the use of injection-moulding is possible. Thus, such doped polymers are variously useful and allow a cost-effective production of electrodes by injection-moulding. But it is a problem with such electrodes that demixing occurs during the injection-moulding process so that the concentration of the conductive dope is relatively low at the surface of the electrodes.
Therefore, respective electrodes have a very high input resistance so that very high voltages have to be applied in order to achieve a sufficient current flow.
But when usual dot-like contacting of these electrodes is used, for example via spring contacts, the contacts burn-in to the surface of the electrodes due to the high voltages applied so that the electrodes become unusable.
DE 101 16 211 A1 discloses a device for fusing living cells within an electric field, wherein the electrodes are also made of a doped synthetic material, i.e. a plastic material which is blended with carbon. The electrodes are connected to a voltage source via dot-like contact points and corresponding lead wires.
Thus, also in this case it is a disadvantage that burn-in to the surface of plastic electrodes would occur if voltages should be applied, which are higher than those necessary for electrofusion. For example, to reach field strengths which are sufficient for certain applications in electroporation significantly higher voltages have to be applied to the electrodes. Field strengths of 2 - 10 kV/cm may be necessary, for instance, for the transfer of biologically active molecules into the nucleus of living cells. The voltage necessary to reach such field strengths would also in this case result in a burn-in of the contact points if the known polymer electrodes are contacted dot-like.
Summary of the Invention It is thus an object of the invention to overcome the existing deficiencies and to provide a method as identified above, which allows an effective reduction of the input resistance of the polymer within the contactable area in a simple and cost-effective manner. It is a further object of the invention to provide a formed body of the initially mentioned kind, which has a low input resistance, and which can be produced easily and cost-effectively.
According to the invention this object is solved by a method as mentioned above, wherein the contact material is applied onto the polymer so tightly that close contact between the contact material and the conductive substance is achieved. Due to the tight application of the contact material, which has a lower specific resistance than the polymer, the input resistance of the doped polymer is effectively reduced, whereas the close contact between the contact material and the polymer actually results in a merger of both components. Thus, an intensive contact with the conductive dope of the polymer is achieved. In order to effectively reduce the input resistance, in particular for applications which require very high field strengths of 2 - 10 kV/cm between both electrodes, the contact material has to be applied to the polymer so tightly that a connection to the dope of the polymer is established by the contact material, which is sufficient to keep the temperature at the contact area between the polymer and the contact material below the softening point of the doped polymer while conducting electric current. Due to this measure it is possible to effectively contact a polymer, which is doped with a conductive substance, dot-like within the contactable area, i.e. for example via a wire or a spring contact, without burn-in of the contacts to the surface of the polymer, even if high voltages are applied.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the contact material is applied while being exposed to a temperature which is enhanced compared to room temperature, preferably a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the doped polymer, so as to establish a very close contact between the contact material and the doped polymer. In the ideal case, both materials may merge with each other. Additionally, impression or intrusion of the contact material into the surface of the polymer is allowed hereby so that the contact with the dope of the polymer, i.e. the conductive material, can be intensified so as to further reduce the input resistance.
If the contact material is applied under pressure the contact between the contact material and the doped polymer can get much closer what results in a further advantageous reduction of the input resistance. In this case, the contact material may be preferably pressed onto the polymer.
In a particularly advantageous embidiment of the invention it is further provided 5 that the surface of the polymer is at least partially enlarged by mechanical and/or chemical treatment before the contact material is applied. Thereby, the surface of the polymer can be roughened by mechanical invasion. This measure facilitates the application of the contact material and additionally ensures an intensified interlocking of both components.
The contact material should preferably have a very low specific resistance at 23°C, for example below 1 x 10-5 Ohm cm. The specific resistance should be preferably in the range from 1 x 10-6 to 2 x 10-6 Ohm cm.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the contact material is a foil, preferably a metal foil, in particular a copper foil, or a foil made of an intrinsically conductive plastic material. By using a foil the method according to the invention may be simplified, whereas additionally a very thin and tight-fitting contact layer is generated. Copper may be a particularly advantageous contact material since it has a very low specific resistance of about 1,7 x 10-6 Ohm cm at 23°C. Furthermore, Copper is easily processable and inexpensive.
In a particular embodiment of the invention the polymer may be coated with a contact material which comprises an intrinsically conductive plastic material, whereby a very intensive contact between the polymer and the contact material can be established in a simple and cost-effective manner. This embodiment is further advantageous when metal cannot, or shall not, be used as contact material.
In both embodiments described above the intrinsically conductive plastic material may be, for example, polyaniline, polyacetylene, poly-para-phenylene, poly-para-phenylensulfide, polypyrroles, poly-thiophene or polypropylene, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
Alternatively, the contact material may be a fluid or a suspension, preferably suspended metal, particularly preferred a colloidal silver suspension. But it is, for instance, also possible to apply a drop of mercury onto the polymer. This is a very simple and economic method which could be advantageous with very specific applications.
In a further alternative embodiment of the invention it is provided that the contact material is a metal plate, preferably a copper plate, which is pressed onto the polymer. In a special embodiment of the invention the metal plate is heated before pressing, preferably to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the polymer, so as to allow impression of the metal plate into the surface of the polymer in order to intensify the contact with the dope.
Before applying the contact material a carbon-based material, preferably at least one graphite sheet, may be placed between the contact material and the polymer, which effectively reduces the input resistance of the polymer.
In a particular embdiment of the method according to the invention the contact material may be embossed onto the polymer under heat using an embossing die, i.e. for example applied by hot-embossing. The contact material and at least a part of the polymer may be thereby heated to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the polymer. The contact material is subsequently applied onto the surface of the polymer under pressure using an embossing die. Finally, the embossing die is lifted after cooling down to a temperature which is lower than the softening temperature of the polymer.
While hot-embossing the contact material and/or at least one part of the polymer and/or the embossing die may be heated to a temperature between 100 and 300°C. A pressure between 50 and 100 N/mm2 or between 100 and 500 N/mm2 may be applied to the embossing die. Alternatively, while embossing, at first a pressure between 50 and 100 N/mm2, preferably 70 and 90 N/mm2, and subsequently, during the cooling period, a pressure between 100 and 500 N/mm2, preferably 350 and 450 N/mm2, may be applied to the embossing die. Embossing of the contact material under heat, for example hot-s embossing, can take place, at least temporarily, in a vacuum or in a nitrogen atmosphere. In any case, hot-embossing is an effective and inexpensive embodiment of the method according to the invention.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the contact material is applied onto the polymer by an adhesion-mediating layer which preferably has a low specific resistance so as to improve the contact between the contact material and the polymer. The adhesion-mediating layer may advantageously be a conductive material, for example an electroconductive adhesive or the like.
According to the invention the object of the invention is further solved by a formed body as mentioned above, wherein the contact material is applied onto the polymer so tightly that it is in close ,contact with the conductive substance.
Such formed body has a significantly reduced input resistance and thus, can be effectively contacted dot-like, i.e. via a wire or a spring contact, without burn-in of the contacts to the surface of the polymer when high voltages are applied.
The contact material has to be applied to the polymer so tightly that the temperature at the contact area between the contact material and the polymer is kept below the softening point of the doped polymer while conducting electric current. With the formed body according to the invention this result is ensured by the fact that the contact material has established a very close, i.e.
intensive, connection to the dope of the polymer, which effectively reduces the input resistance of the polymer.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the contact material may be a metal, preferably copper, or an intrinsically conductive plastic material, because these materials have a low specific resistance and can be easily processed.
The contact material should have a specific resistance at 23°C below 1 x 10-5 Ohm cm, preferably between 1 x 10-6 and 2 x 10-6 Ohm cm.
In order to further reduce the input resistance of the formed body according to the invention a carbon-based material, preferably a graphite sheet, or an adhesion-mediating layer having a low specific resistance, may be disposed between the polymer and the contact material, which each mediate an intensive contact with the conductive dope of the polymer. In an advantageous embodiment the adhesion-mediating layer may be a conductive material, for example an electroconductive adhesive or the like.
The polymer is preferably doped with carbon fibres, graphite, carbon black and/or carbon nanotubes, wherein the overall concentration of the dope in the polymer is between 50 and 80 % w/w.
The polymer may be, for instance, polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone, polypropylene, polyamide, preferably polyamide 6 or polyamide 66, polyphenylensulfide or a mixture of these polymers, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
The intrinsically conductive plastic material may be, for example, polyaniline, polyacetylene, poly-para-phenylene, poly-para-phenylensulfide, polypyrroles, poly-thiophene or polypropylene, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
The formed body according to the invention preferably acts as an electrode or a similar member being necessary for conducting electric current. The formed body may also be part of a cuvette or at least of one reaction chamber of a multiwell plate, preferably in the form of an electrode, e.g. for electroporation or electrofusion of living cells, in particular for high throughput applications.
Table 1 shows characteristics of formed bodies according to the invention, which are produced by the method according to the invention, compared to respective formed bodies without applied contact material. Electrodes made of doped polymer are compared when contacted via spring contacts made of brass. At first, electrodes without any contact material or intermediate layer were testet. Using a voltage of 1000 V the spring contacts obviously burned-in to the contact area of the electrodes. In a further experiment, the electrodes were placed into an arrangement wherein contacting was not established directly via the spring contacts but via a coper foil which was applied to the contact area of the electrodes under low pressure. Also in this approach a burn-in of the copper foil to the contact area of the doped polymer could be observed, even though at a lower level. In the various embodiments of the formed bodies according to the invention, i.e. the electrodes produced by the method according to the invention, no burn-in of the spring contacts or the contact material to the contact area of the doped polymer could be observed under same conditions. Thus, by tightly applying the respective contact material onto the doped polymer a burn-in of a contact element used can be certainly avoided, even if a high voltage of 1000 V is applied.
Table 1: Avoiding of burn-in at the surface of formed bodies acting as electrodes, which are made of doped polymer (Polyamide 6 with carbon fibres and graphite) Kind of Contact Direct Voltage applied;Burn-in;
Flown Char a Dama es on surface Spring Contact (Brass) 1000 V; 5 mC Yes; significant Copper Foil Adaptor 1000 V; 5 mC Yes; minor about 20 mN/mm2 Copper Plates (about 1000 V; 5 mC No 2 N/mm')*
Copper Plates + Graphite1000 V; 5 mC No about 2 N/mm2 **
55 wm Copper Foil, hot 1000 V; 5 mC No embossed, 100 mm2 55 ~,m Copper Foil, 1000 V; 5 mC No hot embossed, 8 mm2 * Contact Area about 100 mm' ** Graphite: Density 1 g/cm3, 1 mm Thickness, 100 mm2 Contact Area on polymer Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
5 In the figures Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer cuvette which is equipped with electrodes produced by the method according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a polymer cuvette having electrodes which are produced according to the invention, Figure 3 shows bar diagrams of current strength and resistance, showing a comparison of the conductivity of electrodes provided with contact material and electrodes without contact material, wherein the polymer cuvettes used are equipped with electrodes made of a doped polymer (polyamid 6 with carbon fibres and graphite), and wherein the contact material is a copper foil which is applied by hot-embossing; thickness of the copper foil: 55 pm, gap length of the cuvettes: 1,5 mm, volume of the electrolyte solution within the cuvette: 100 pl, applied voltage: 1000 V Direct Voltage, A: electrolyte solution having a specific conductivity of 17,02 mS/cm, n = 6 B: electrolyte solution having a specific conductivity of 17,02 mS/cm, n = 2, Figure 4 shows bar diagrams of current strength and resistance of a comparison of the conductivity of polymer cuvettes comprising copper foils which are applied to different contact areas of the doped polymer by the method according to the invention; broad =
100 mm2 and narrow = 18 mm2, gap length of the cuvettes = 1,5 mm, volume of the electrolyte solution - 100 pl, specific conductivity of the electrolyte solution = 12,75 mS/cm, thickness of the copper foils = 55 pm, gray bars = 1000 V Direct Voltage, black bars = 500 V Direct Voltage, n = 2, Figure 5 shows bar diagrams of current strength and resistance of polymer cuvettes equipped with electrodes made of doped polymer, which are produced by the method according to the invention, and which are contacted by copper plates pressed onto the electrodes with or without intermediate layer, in comparison with spring contacts; gap length of the polymer cuvettes = 1,5 mm, volume of the electrolyte solution = 100 pl, specific conductivity of the electrolyte solution =
17,02 mS/cm, applied voltage = 1000 V Direct Voltage, n = 3, a) spring contact made of brass, b) solid copper plates which are pressed onto the electrodes with an estimated pressure of 2 N/mm2, c) copper plates pressed onto the electrodes with an estimated pressure of 2 N/mm2, wherein graphite sheets having a density of 1 g/cm3, a thickness of 1 mm, and a surFace area of about 100 mm2, are placed between the copper plates and the polymer electrodes, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cuvette comprising formed bodies according to the invention, and Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the cuvette according to figure 6 comprising a further embodiment of formed bodyies according to the invention.
Description of various and preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 shows cross-section of two formed bodies 1, 2 according to the invention, which, in this embodiment, act as electrodes 3, 4 of a cuvette 5.
The cuvette 5 comprises a frame 6 which is made of a mouldable polymer and which comprises two oppositely arranged electrodes 3, 4 at the bottom. The electrodes 3, 4 are also made of a mouldable polymer which is doped with conductive substances, for example carbon fibres and/or graphite. The parallel and oppositely arranged electrodes 3, 4 include a gap-like inner chamber 7 which serves for receiving a fluid, for example an electrolyte solution. An electric current flows through the fluid and the electrolyte solution, respectively, in the inner chamber 7 when an electric voltage is applied to the electrodes 3, 4.
Living cells may be suspended in the electrolyte solution and biologically active molecules, e.g. nucleic acids or proteins, which are solved in the electrolyte solution, can be introduced into the cells by means of the electric current flowing through the inner chamber 7. In order to apply a voltage the electrodes 3, 4 have to be contacted on their outer sides 8, 9 by suitable contact elements, for example a spring contact. A contact material 10, 11 having a high conductivity is tightly applied to both outer sides 8, 9 of the electrodes 3, 4 in order to avoid a burn-in of the contact elements, in particular if very high voltages are applied.
In this embodiment, the contact material 10, 11 respectively covers the entire respectively available contact area 12, 13 of the electrodes 3, 4. The contact material 10, 11 can be, for example, a copper foil or a foil made of an intrinsically conductive synthetic material. The contact material 10, 11 should have a specific resistance at 23 °C below 1 x 10-5 ohm x cm.
Furthermore, the contact material 10, 11 must be always tightly applied to the contact areas 12, 13 in order to effectively reduce the high input resistance of the electrodes 3, 4.
For this purpose, the contact material 10, 11 may be pressed, for example under pressure, onto the contact areas 12, 13, preferably under heat, wherein the temperature should be higher than the softening temperature of the polymer. Alternatively, the contact material 10, 11 may be embossed onto the contact areas 12, 13 by hot-embossing. In an alternative embodiment, the contact material 10, 11 may also be applied to the contact areas 12, 13 by means of an adhesion-mediating layer, e.g. by glueing. Due to the very tight application of the contact material 10, 11 to the contact areas 12, 13 of the electrodes 3, 4 a close, i.e. very intensive, contact between the contact material 10, 11 and the dope of the electrodes 3, 4, i.e. the conductive material within the polymer, is achieved so that the contact material 10, 11 actually provides a contact between the contact element (not shown), for example a spring contact, and the conductive material within the electrodes 3, 4. In this manner, the input resistance of the electrodes 3, 4 is significantly reduced so that less heat energy is emitted at the contact areas 12, 13, i.e. at the contactable area. Due to this measure the temperature at the contact areas 12, 13 is kept below the melting or softening point of the polymer forming the electrodes 3, 4 so that a burn-in of the contact element and the contact material is avoided. The formed bodies 1, according to the invention, which are produced by the method according to the invention, can thus also advantageously used in applications wherein high voltages are used and a dot-like contacting shall, or must, be used.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional representation of a cuvette 14 which substantially corresponds to the cuvette 5 according to figure 1. The electrodes 20, 21 of the cuvette 14 are doped with a conductive substance as well, but comprise no foil-like contact material at their contact areas 22, 23. In this embodiment, metal plates 24, 25 are applied to the contact areas 22, 23. The metal plates 24, 25 may consist, for example, of copper. Furthermore, the metal plates 24, 25 may be heated to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the polymer so that they can impress or incise into the surface of the polymer. The metal plates 24, 25 are pressed with high pressure onto the contact areas 22, 23 and vice-like loaded with a defined pressure by means of pressure plates 26, 27 which respectively comprise thread regions 28, 29. In this manner, the metal plates 24, 25 are pressed very tightly onto the contact areas 22, 23. The input resistance of the electrodes 20, 21 is hereby significantly reduced so that the metal plates 24, 25 can be contacted by means of dot-like contact elements, e.g. spring elements, without burn-in of the contact elements to the contact areas 22, 23 of the electrodes 20, 21.
Figure 3 shows conductivities of polymer cuvettes according to figure 1, which are equipped with electrodes which comprise copper foils applied by hot-embossing, compared to respective cuvettes having electrodes made of doped polymer without contact material or embossed copper foil. In the bar charts shown, it appears from the entire current flow and the measured total resistance that due to the contact material applied to the electrodes the conductivity of the electrodes is enhanced. In all experiments an enhanced current flow and a reduced total resistance could be measured when using contact material (copper foil). Since the only difference between the compared cuvettes is the contact material applied onto the contact areas of the electrodes these experiments indicate that due to the use of contact material the input resistance of the electrodes could be reduced.
Figure 5 shows a comparison of cuvettes according to figure 2 with cuvettes without integrally pressed copper plates, and with cuvettes comprising a graphite layer which was inserted between the copper plates and the polymer electrodes. On the one hand, it is herewith demonstrated that by pressing of copper plates onto the electrodes made of doped polymer the resistance of the electrodes can be significantly reduced. This fact is depicted in the bar chart as enhanced current flow and reduced resistance. On the other hand, the resistance can be further reduced by insertion of a graphite layer between copper plate and polymer electrode. It can be concluded herefrom that a closer contact with the conductive material within the polymer can be established by use of the flexible graphite layer.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cuvette 30 which comprises a basic body 31 and two formed bodies 32, 33 according to the invention. The formed bodies 32, 33 are located in the narrowed regions at the bottom. The parallel arranged formed bodies 32, 33 include a gap 34 which serves for receiving, for example, a cell suspension. As can be seen with the formed body 33 a strip- or band-like contact material 35 is applied onto the formed bodies 32, 33 according to the invention. Here, the contact material 35 may be, for example, an embossed copper foil or the like. The formed bodies 32, 33 may be made of, for instance, a polymer such as polyamid 6 or polyamid 66, which is doped with carbon fibres and graphite. The formed bodies 32, 33 act as electrodes when an electric voltage is applied to the contact material 35 so that an electric field is generated within the gap 34. By means of this electricl field biologically active molecules may be transferred into cells by electroporation or cells may be fused by electrofusion.
Figure 7 shows a perspective representation of a cuvette 30 according to figure 5 6, which comprises two electrodes 36, 37 at the bottom as well. Contrary to the formed body 32, 33 according to figure 6, with the electrodes 36, 37 a contact material 38 completely covers the doped polymer. It is an advantage of this embodiment that a larger area is provided for contacting. The contact material 38 may be, for example, an intrinsically conductive plastic material.
List of References:
1 Formed body 2 Formed body 3 Electrode 4 Electrode 5 Cuvette 6 Frame 7 Inner chamber 8 Outer sides 9 Outer sides 10 Contact material 11 Contact material 12 Contact area 13 Contact area 14 Cuvette Electrode 21 Electrode 22 Contact area 20 23 Contact area 24 Metal plate Metal plate 26 Pressure plate 27 Pressure plate 25 28 Thread region 29 Thread region Cuvette 31 Basic body 32 Formed body 30 33 Formed body 34 Gap Contact material 36 Electrode 37 Electrode 38 Contact material
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the contact material is applied while being exposed to a temperature which is enhanced compared to room temperature, preferably a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the doped polymer, so as to establish a very close contact between the contact material and the doped polymer. In the ideal case, both materials may merge with each other. Additionally, impression or intrusion of the contact material into the surface of the polymer is allowed hereby so that the contact with the dope of the polymer, i.e. the conductive material, can be intensified so as to further reduce the input resistance.
If the contact material is applied under pressure the contact between the contact material and the doped polymer can get much closer what results in a further advantageous reduction of the input resistance. In this case, the contact material may be preferably pressed onto the polymer.
In a particularly advantageous embidiment of the invention it is further provided 5 that the surface of the polymer is at least partially enlarged by mechanical and/or chemical treatment before the contact material is applied. Thereby, the surface of the polymer can be roughened by mechanical invasion. This measure facilitates the application of the contact material and additionally ensures an intensified interlocking of both components.
The contact material should preferably have a very low specific resistance at 23°C, for example below 1 x 10-5 Ohm cm. The specific resistance should be preferably in the range from 1 x 10-6 to 2 x 10-6 Ohm cm.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the contact material is a foil, preferably a metal foil, in particular a copper foil, or a foil made of an intrinsically conductive plastic material. By using a foil the method according to the invention may be simplified, whereas additionally a very thin and tight-fitting contact layer is generated. Copper may be a particularly advantageous contact material since it has a very low specific resistance of about 1,7 x 10-6 Ohm cm at 23°C. Furthermore, Copper is easily processable and inexpensive.
In a particular embodiment of the invention the polymer may be coated with a contact material which comprises an intrinsically conductive plastic material, whereby a very intensive contact between the polymer and the contact material can be established in a simple and cost-effective manner. This embodiment is further advantageous when metal cannot, or shall not, be used as contact material.
In both embodiments described above the intrinsically conductive plastic material may be, for example, polyaniline, polyacetylene, poly-para-phenylene, poly-para-phenylensulfide, polypyrroles, poly-thiophene or polypropylene, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
Alternatively, the contact material may be a fluid or a suspension, preferably suspended metal, particularly preferred a colloidal silver suspension. But it is, for instance, also possible to apply a drop of mercury onto the polymer. This is a very simple and economic method which could be advantageous with very specific applications.
In a further alternative embodiment of the invention it is provided that the contact material is a metal plate, preferably a copper plate, which is pressed onto the polymer. In a special embodiment of the invention the metal plate is heated before pressing, preferably to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the polymer, so as to allow impression of the metal plate into the surface of the polymer in order to intensify the contact with the dope.
Before applying the contact material a carbon-based material, preferably at least one graphite sheet, may be placed between the contact material and the polymer, which effectively reduces the input resistance of the polymer.
In a particular embdiment of the method according to the invention the contact material may be embossed onto the polymer under heat using an embossing die, i.e. for example applied by hot-embossing. The contact material and at least a part of the polymer may be thereby heated to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the polymer. The contact material is subsequently applied onto the surface of the polymer under pressure using an embossing die. Finally, the embossing die is lifted after cooling down to a temperature which is lower than the softening temperature of the polymer.
While hot-embossing the contact material and/or at least one part of the polymer and/or the embossing die may be heated to a temperature between 100 and 300°C. A pressure between 50 and 100 N/mm2 or between 100 and 500 N/mm2 may be applied to the embossing die. Alternatively, while embossing, at first a pressure between 50 and 100 N/mm2, preferably 70 and 90 N/mm2, and subsequently, during the cooling period, a pressure between 100 and 500 N/mm2, preferably 350 and 450 N/mm2, may be applied to the embossing die. Embossing of the contact material under heat, for example hot-s embossing, can take place, at least temporarily, in a vacuum or in a nitrogen atmosphere. In any case, hot-embossing is an effective and inexpensive embodiment of the method according to the invention.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the contact material is applied onto the polymer by an adhesion-mediating layer which preferably has a low specific resistance so as to improve the contact between the contact material and the polymer. The adhesion-mediating layer may advantageously be a conductive material, for example an electroconductive adhesive or the like.
According to the invention the object of the invention is further solved by a formed body as mentioned above, wherein the contact material is applied onto the polymer so tightly that it is in close ,contact with the conductive substance.
Such formed body has a significantly reduced input resistance and thus, can be effectively contacted dot-like, i.e. via a wire or a spring contact, without burn-in of the contacts to the surface of the polymer when high voltages are applied.
The contact material has to be applied to the polymer so tightly that the temperature at the contact area between the contact material and the polymer is kept below the softening point of the doped polymer while conducting electric current. With the formed body according to the invention this result is ensured by the fact that the contact material has established a very close, i.e.
intensive, connection to the dope of the polymer, which effectively reduces the input resistance of the polymer.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the contact material may be a metal, preferably copper, or an intrinsically conductive plastic material, because these materials have a low specific resistance and can be easily processed.
The contact material should have a specific resistance at 23°C below 1 x 10-5 Ohm cm, preferably between 1 x 10-6 and 2 x 10-6 Ohm cm.
In order to further reduce the input resistance of the formed body according to the invention a carbon-based material, preferably a graphite sheet, or an adhesion-mediating layer having a low specific resistance, may be disposed between the polymer and the contact material, which each mediate an intensive contact with the conductive dope of the polymer. In an advantageous embodiment the adhesion-mediating layer may be a conductive material, for example an electroconductive adhesive or the like.
The polymer is preferably doped with carbon fibres, graphite, carbon black and/or carbon nanotubes, wherein the overall concentration of the dope in the polymer is between 50 and 80 % w/w.
The polymer may be, for instance, polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone, polypropylene, polyamide, preferably polyamide 6 or polyamide 66, polyphenylensulfide or a mixture of these polymers, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
The intrinsically conductive plastic material may be, for example, polyaniline, polyacetylene, poly-para-phenylene, poly-para-phenylensulfide, polypyrroles, poly-thiophene or polypropylene, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
The formed body according to the invention preferably acts as an electrode or a similar member being necessary for conducting electric current. The formed body may also be part of a cuvette or at least of one reaction chamber of a multiwell plate, preferably in the form of an electrode, e.g. for electroporation or electrofusion of living cells, in particular for high throughput applications.
Table 1 shows characteristics of formed bodies according to the invention, which are produced by the method according to the invention, compared to respective formed bodies without applied contact material. Electrodes made of doped polymer are compared when contacted via spring contacts made of brass. At first, electrodes without any contact material or intermediate layer were testet. Using a voltage of 1000 V the spring contacts obviously burned-in to the contact area of the electrodes. In a further experiment, the electrodes were placed into an arrangement wherein contacting was not established directly via the spring contacts but via a coper foil which was applied to the contact area of the electrodes under low pressure. Also in this approach a burn-in of the copper foil to the contact area of the doped polymer could be observed, even though at a lower level. In the various embodiments of the formed bodies according to the invention, i.e. the electrodes produced by the method according to the invention, no burn-in of the spring contacts or the contact material to the contact area of the doped polymer could be observed under same conditions. Thus, by tightly applying the respective contact material onto the doped polymer a burn-in of a contact element used can be certainly avoided, even if a high voltage of 1000 V is applied.
Table 1: Avoiding of burn-in at the surface of formed bodies acting as electrodes, which are made of doped polymer (Polyamide 6 with carbon fibres and graphite) Kind of Contact Direct Voltage applied;Burn-in;
Flown Char a Dama es on surface Spring Contact (Brass) 1000 V; 5 mC Yes; significant Copper Foil Adaptor 1000 V; 5 mC Yes; minor about 20 mN/mm2 Copper Plates (about 1000 V; 5 mC No 2 N/mm')*
Copper Plates + Graphite1000 V; 5 mC No about 2 N/mm2 **
55 wm Copper Foil, hot 1000 V; 5 mC No embossed, 100 mm2 55 ~,m Copper Foil, 1000 V; 5 mC No hot embossed, 8 mm2 * Contact Area about 100 mm' ** Graphite: Density 1 g/cm3, 1 mm Thickness, 100 mm2 Contact Area on polymer Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
5 In the figures Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer cuvette which is equipped with electrodes produced by the method according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a polymer cuvette having electrodes which are produced according to the invention, Figure 3 shows bar diagrams of current strength and resistance, showing a comparison of the conductivity of electrodes provided with contact material and electrodes without contact material, wherein the polymer cuvettes used are equipped with electrodes made of a doped polymer (polyamid 6 with carbon fibres and graphite), and wherein the contact material is a copper foil which is applied by hot-embossing; thickness of the copper foil: 55 pm, gap length of the cuvettes: 1,5 mm, volume of the electrolyte solution within the cuvette: 100 pl, applied voltage: 1000 V Direct Voltage, A: electrolyte solution having a specific conductivity of 17,02 mS/cm, n = 6 B: electrolyte solution having a specific conductivity of 17,02 mS/cm, n = 2, Figure 4 shows bar diagrams of current strength and resistance of a comparison of the conductivity of polymer cuvettes comprising copper foils which are applied to different contact areas of the doped polymer by the method according to the invention; broad =
100 mm2 and narrow = 18 mm2, gap length of the cuvettes = 1,5 mm, volume of the electrolyte solution - 100 pl, specific conductivity of the electrolyte solution = 12,75 mS/cm, thickness of the copper foils = 55 pm, gray bars = 1000 V Direct Voltage, black bars = 500 V Direct Voltage, n = 2, Figure 5 shows bar diagrams of current strength and resistance of polymer cuvettes equipped with electrodes made of doped polymer, which are produced by the method according to the invention, and which are contacted by copper plates pressed onto the electrodes with or without intermediate layer, in comparison with spring contacts; gap length of the polymer cuvettes = 1,5 mm, volume of the electrolyte solution = 100 pl, specific conductivity of the electrolyte solution =
17,02 mS/cm, applied voltage = 1000 V Direct Voltage, n = 3, a) spring contact made of brass, b) solid copper plates which are pressed onto the electrodes with an estimated pressure of 2 N/mm2, c) copper plates pressed onto the electrodes with an estimated pressure of 2 N/mm2, wherein graphite sheets having a density of 1 g/cm3, a thickness of 1 mm, and a surFace area of about 100 mm2, are placed between the copper plates and the polymer electrodes, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cuvette comprising formed bodies according to the invention, and Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the cuvette according to figure 6 comprising a further embodiment of formed bodyies according to the invention.
Description of various and preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 shows cross-section of two formed bodies 1, 2 according to the invention, which, in this embodiment, act as electrodes 3, 4 of a cuvette 5.
The cuvette 5 comprises a frame 6 which is made of a mouldable polymer and which comprises two oppositely arranged electrodes 3, 4 at the bottom. The electrodes 3, 4 are also made of a mouldable polymer which is doped with conductive substances, for example carbon fibres and/or graphite. The parallel and oppositely arranged electrodes 3, 4 include a gap-like inner chamber 7 which serves for receiving a fluid, for example an electrolyte solution. An electric current flows through the fluid and the electrolyte solution, respectively, in the inner chamber 7 when an electric voltage is applied to the electrodes 3, 4.
Living cells may be suspended in the electrolyte solution and biologically active molecules, e.g. nucleic acids or proteins, which are solved in the electrolyte solution, can be introduced into the cells by means of the electric current flowing through the inner chamber 7. In order to apply a voltage the electrodes 3, 4 have to be contacted on their outer sides 8, 9 by suitable contact elements, for example a spring contact. A contact material 10, 11 having a high conductivity is tightly applied to both outer sides 8, 9 of the electrodes 3, 4 in order to avoid a burn-in of the contact elements, in particular if very high voltages are applied.
In this embodiment, the contact material 10, 11 respectively covers the entire respectively available contact area 12, 13 of the electrodes 3, 4. The contact material 10, 11 can be, for example, a copper foil or a foil made of an intrinsically conductive synthetic material. The contact material 10, 11 should have a specific resistance at 23 °C below 1 x 10-5 ohm x cm.
Furthermore, the contact material 10, 11 must be always tightly applied to the contact areas 12, 13 in order to effectively reduce the high input resistance of the electrodes 3, 4.
For this purpose, the contact material 10, 11 may be pressed, for example under pressure, onto the contact areas 12, 13, preferably under heat, wherein the temperature should be higher than the softening temperature of the polymer. Alternatively, the contact material 10, 11 may be embossed onto the contact areas 12, 13 by hot-embossing. In an alternative embodiment, the contact material 10, 11 may also be applied to the contact areas 12, 13 by means of an adhesion-mediating layer, e.g. by glueing. Due to the very tight application of the contact material 10, 11 to the contact areas 12, 13 of the electrodes 3, 4 a close, i.e. very intensive, contact between the contact material 10, 11 and the dope of the electrodes 3, 4, i.e. the conductive material within the polymer, is achieved so that the contact material 10, 11 actually provides a contact between the contact element (not shown), for example a spring contact, and the conductive material within the electrodes 3, 4. In this manner, the input resistance of the electrodes 3, 4 is significantly reduced so that less heat energy is emitted at the contact areas 12, 13, i.e. at the contactable area. Due to this measure the temperature at the contact areas 12, 13 is kept below the melting or softening point of the polymer forming the electrodes 3, 4 so that a burn-in of the contact element and the contact material is avoided. The formed bodies 1, according to the invention, which are produced by the method according to the invention, can thus also advantageously used in applications wherein high voltages are used and a dot-like contacting shall, or must, be used.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional representation of a cuvette 14 which substantially corresponds to the cuvette 5 according to figure 1. The electrodes 20, 21 of the cuvette 14 are doped with a conductive substance as well, but comprise no foil-like contact material at their contact areas 22, 23. In this embodiment, metal plates 24, 25 are applied to the contact areas 22, 23. The metal plates 24, 25 may consist, for example, of copper. Furthermore, the metal plates 24, 25 may be heated to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the polymer so that they can impress or incise into the surface of the polymer. The metal plates 24, 25 are pressed with high pressure onto the contact areas 22, 23 and vice-like loaded with a defined pressure by means of pressure plates 26, 27 which respectively comprise thread regions 28, 29. In this manner, the metal plates 24, 25 are pressed very tightly onto the contact areas 22, 23. The input resistance of the electrodes 20, 21 is hereby significantly reduced so that the metal plates 24, 25 can be contacted by means of dot-like contact elements, e.g. spring elements, without burn-in of the contact elements to the contact areas 22, 23 of the electrodes 20, 21.
Figure 3 shows conductivities of polymer cuvettes according to figure 1, which are equipped with electrodes which comprise copper foils applied by hot-embossing, compared to respective cuvettes having electrodes made of doped polymer without contact material or embossed copper foil. In the bar charts shown, it appears from the entire current flow and the measured total resistance that due to the contact material applied to the electrodes the conductivity of the electrodes is enhanced. In all experiments an enhanced current flow and a reduced total resistance could be measured when using contact material (copper foil). Since the only difference between the compared cuvettes is the contact material applied onto the contact areas of the electrodes these experiments indicate that due to the use of contact material the input resistance of the electrodes could be reduced.
Figure 5 shows a comparison of cuvettes according to figure 2 with cuvettes without integrally pressed copper plates, and with cuvettes comprising a graphite layer which was inserted between the copper plates and the polymer electrodes. On the one hand, it is herewith demonstrated that by pressing of copper plates onto the electrodes made of doped polymer the resistance of the electrodes can be significantly reduced. This fact is depicted in the bar chart as enhanced current flow and reduced resistance. On the other hand, the resistance can be further reduced by insertion of a graphite layer between copper plate and polymer electrode. It can be concluded herefrom that a closer contact with the conductive material within the polymer can be established by use of the flexible graphite layer.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cuvette 30 which comprises a basic body 31 and two formed bodies 32, 33 according to the invention. The formed bodies 32, 33 are located in the narrowed regions at the bottom. The parallel arranged formed bodies 32, 33 include a gap 34 which serves for receiving, for example, a cell suspension. As can be seen with the formed body 33 a strip- or band-like contact material 35 is applied onto the formed bodies 32, 33 according to the invention. Here, the contact material 35 may be, for example, an embossed copper foil or the like. The formed bodies 32, 33 may be made of, for instance, a polymer such as polyamid 6 or polyamid 66, which is doped with carbon fibres and graphite. The formed bodies 32, 33 act as electrodes when an electric voltage is applied to the contact material 35 so that an electric field is generated within the gap 34. By means of this electricl field biologically active molecules may be transferred into cells by electroporation or cells may be fused by electrofusion.
Figure 7 shows a perspective representation of a cuvette 30 according to figure 5 6, which comprises two electrodes 36, 37 at the bottom as well. Contrary to the formed body 32, 33 according to figure 6, with the electrodes 36, 37 a contact material 38 completely covers the doped polymer. It is an advantage of this embodiment that a larger area is provided for contacting. The contact material 38 may be, for example, an intrinsically conductive plastic material.
List of References:
1 Formed body 2 Formed body 3 Electrode 4 Electrode 5 Cuvette 6 Frame 7 Inner chamber 8 Outer sides 9 Outer sides 10 Contact material 11 Contact material 12 Contact area 13 Contact area 14 Cuvette Electrode 21 Electrode 22 Contact area 20 23 Contact area 24 Metal plate Metal plate 26 Pressure plate 27 Pressure plate 25 28 Thread region 29 Thread region Cuvette 31 Basic body 32 Formed body 30 33 Formed body 34 Gap Contact material 36 Electrode 37 Electrode 38 Contact material
Claims (28)
1. A method for generating at least one electrically contactable area on a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, wherein a contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is applied onto said polymer, said contact material having a lower specific resistance at 23°C than said polymer, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is a foil that is applied onto said polymer under pressure while being exposed to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of the doped polymer.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of said polymer is at least partially enlarged by mechanical and/or chemical treatment before said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is applied.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said surface of said polymer is roughened by mechanical invasion.
4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) has a specific resistance at 23°C below 1 x 10 -5 Ohm.cndot.cm.
5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) has a specific resistance at 23°C between 1 x 10 -6 and 2 x 10 -
6 Ohm.cndot.cm.
6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is a metal foil, or a foil made of an intrinsically conductive plastic material.
6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is a metal foil, or a foil made of an intrinsically conductive plastic material.
7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said polymer is coated with a contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) which comprises an intrinsically conductive plastic material.
8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is embossed onto said polymer under heat using an embossing die.
9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) and at least a part of said polymer are heated to a temperature which is higher than the softening temperature of said polymer, that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is subsequently applied onto the surface of said polymer under pressure using an embossing die, and that said embossing die is lifted after cooling down to a temperature which is lower than the softening temperature of said polymer.
10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) and/or at least one part of said polymer and/or said embossing die is/are heated to a temperature between 100 and 300°C.
11. Method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that a pressure between 50 and 100 N/mm2 is applied to said embossing die.
12. Method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that a pressure between 100 and 500 N/mm2 is applied to said embossing die.
13. Method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that at first, while embossing, a pressure between 50 and 100 N/mm2, and subsequently, during the cooling period, a pressure between 100 and 500 N/mm2, is applied to said embossing die.
14. Method according to claim 13, wherein a pressure of 70 or 90 N/mm2 is applied at first, while embossing.
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a pressure of 350 or 450 N/mm2 is applied during the cooling period.
16. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that embossing of said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) takes place under heat and, at least temporarily, in a vacuum or in a nitrogen atmosphere.
17. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is applied onto said polymer by an adhesion-mediating layer which preferably has a low specific resistance.
18. A formed body (1, 2, 32, 33) made of a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, which has at least one contactable area, within which a contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is applied onto said polymer, wherein said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) has a lower specific resistance at 23°C than said polymer, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is a foil which is embossed onto said polymer under heat.
19. Formed body according to claim 18, characterized in that said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) is a metal, or an intrinsically conductive plastic material, and/or that said contact. material (10, 11, 35, 38) has a specific resistance at 23°C
below 1 x 10 -5 Ohm.cndot.cm.
below 1 x 10 -5 Ohm.cndot.cm.
20. Formed body according to claim 19, wherein said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38) has a specific resistance at 23°C between 1 x 10 -6 and 2 x 10 -6 Ohm.cndot.cm.
21. Formed body according to any one of claims 18-20, characterized in that a carbon-based material, or an adhesion-mediating layer having a low specific resistance, is disposed between said polymer and said contact material (10, 11, 35, 38).
22. Formed body according to claim 18, characterized in that said polymer is doped with at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbon fibres, graphite, carbon black and carbon nanotubes, and that the overall concentration of said dope in said polymer is between 50 and 80 % w/w.
23. Formed body according to claim 18, characterized in that said polymer is polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone, polypropylene, polyamide, polyphenylensulfide or a mixture of these polymers, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
24. Formed body according to claim 23, wherein said polyamide is polyamide 6 or polyamide 66.
25. Formed body according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that said intrinsically conductive plastic material is polyaniline, polyacetylene, poly-para-phenylene, poly-para-phenylensulfide, polypyrroles, poly-thiophene or polypropylene, or at least based on one or several of these polymers.
26. Formed body according to claim 18, characterized in that said formed body (1, 2, 32, 33) acts as an electrode (3, 4, 20, 21, 36, 37) or the like.
27. Formed body according to claim 18 or 26, characterized in that said formed body (1, 2, 32, 33) is part of a cuvette or at least of one reaction chamber of a multiwell plate.
28. Formed body according to claim 27, wherein said formed body (1, 2, 32, 33) is in the form of an electrode.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP03024343A EP1525900B1 (en) | 2003-10-24 | 2003-10-24 | Process for the formation of electrically contactable conductors on a conductive polymer and products obtainable therewith |
| EP03024343.0 | 2003-10-24 | ||
| PCT/IB2004/003485 WO2005039692A1 (en) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-10-25 | Method for generating an electrically contactable area on a doped polymer and formed body produced by this method |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2542902A1 CA2542902A1 (en) | 2005-05-06 |
| CA2542902C true CA2542902C (en) | 2014-01-07 |
Family
ID=34384616
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2542902A Active CA2542902C (en) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-10-25 | Method for generating an electrically contactable area on a doped polymer and formed body produced by this method |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US8895152B2 (en) |
| EP (2) | EP1698372B1 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP5032847B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR101130878B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1871047B (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE324926T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2004283543B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2542902C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE50303219D1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005039692A1 (en) |
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| DE102007029525A1 (en) * | 2007-04-12 | 2008-10-23 | Metallux Ag | Composite component for use in motor vehicle industry, has electrical resistor with conductive fibers which are electrically connected with electrical connections and run at connections and in material, where connections are formed at body |
| KR100902862B1 (en) * | 2007-11-07 | 2009-06-16 | (주)탑나노시스 | Transparent signboard and fabricating method thereof |
| DE102008039757A1 (en) * | 2008-08-20 | 2010-02-25 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Actuator element and its use |
| WO2012098260A1 (en) | 2011-01-21 | 2012-07-26 | Axiogenesis Ag | A non-viral system for the generation of induced pluripotent stem (ips) cells |
| KR101500565B1 (en) * | 2014-03-20 | 2015-03-12 | 일진머티리얼즈 주식회사 | Electrolytic copper foil, current collector, anode and lithium battery comprising foil |
| KR101500566B1 (en) * | 2014-03-20 | 2015-03-12 | 일진머티리얼즈 주식회사 | Electrolytic copper foil, current collector, anode and lithium battery comprising foil |
| CN111035851B (en) * | 2019-12-26 | 2021-12-07 | 未来穿戴技术有限公司 | Electrode assembly applied to electric stimulation massager and cervical vertebra electric stimulation massager |
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-
2003
- 2003-10-24 EP EP06009032A patent/EP1698372B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-10-24 DE DE50303219T patent/DE50303219D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-10-24 EP EP03024343A patent/EP1525900B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-10-24 AT AT03024343T patent/ATE324926T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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2004
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- 2004-10-25 KR KR1020067007334A patent/KR101130878B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2004-10-25 CA CA2542902A patent/CA2542902C/en active Active
- 2004-10-25 WO PCT/IB2004/003485 patent/WO2005039692A1/en active Application Filing
- 2004-10-25 JP JP2006536210A patent/JP5032847B2/en active Active
- 2004-10-25 AU AU2004283543A patent/AU2004283543B2/en active Active
- 2004-10-25 US US10/972,294 patent/US8895152B2/en active Active
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2011
- 2011-02-28 JP JP2011041257A patent/JP5124661B2/en active Active
Also Published As
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|---|---|
| AU2004283543B2 (en) | 2010-02-25 |
| JP5124661B2 (en) | 2013-01-23 |
| EP1525900A1 (en) | 2005-04-27 |
| JP2007509648A (en) | 2007-04-19 |
| EP1525900B1 (en) | 2006-05-03 |
| EP1698372B1 (en) | 2009-11-25 |
| KR20060127849A (en) | 2006-12-13 |
| CN1871047A (en) | 2006-11-29 |
| DE50303219D1 (en) | 2006-06-08 |
| AU2004283543A1 (en) | 2005-05-06 |
| CA2542902A1 (en) | 2005-05-06 |
| JP2011136191A (en) | 2011-07-14 |
| JP5032847B2 (en) | 2012-09-26 |
| KR101130878B1 (en) | 2012-03-28 |
| WO2005039692A1 (en) | 2005-05-06 |
| US8895152B2 (en) | 2014-11-25 |
| US20050214562A1 (en) | 2005-09-29 |
| EP1698372A1 (en) | 2006-09-06 |
| CN1871047B (en) | 2011-05-25 |
| ATE324926T1 (en) | 2006-06-15 |
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