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An energy-flexible mechanism for qPCR thermal cycling using shape memory alloys
Author(s) -
Ryan Snodgrass,
Duncan McCloskey,
P Benecke,
David Erickson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
smart materials and structures
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.898
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1361-665X
pISSN - 0964-1726
DOI - 10.1088/1361-665x/ab7739
Subject(s) - temperature cycling , cycling , spring (device) , shape memory alloy , sma* , mechanism (biology) , electricity , materials science , thermal energy storage , environmental science , thermal , thermal energy , computer science , mechanical engineering , composite material , engineering , thermodynamics , physics , electrical engineering , archaeology , algorithm , quantum mechanics , history
We present a mechanism for thermal cycling that does not require electricity; instead, the device functions as a heat engine and requires only a generic heat source and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring. The SMA spring mechanically translates to a low-temperature reservoir when heated, and the subsequent cooling of the spring causes translation back to a high-temperature reservoir. The usefulness of the mechanism is displayed by performing the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), an important biological assay that requires thermal cycling for amplification of nucleic acids. The ability to perform qPCR with a generic heat source enables a variety of significant health diagnostic tests to be performed in resource limited settings, where electricity access may not be available or reliable. We demonstrate robust thermal cycling using a direct flame, sunlight, and electricity as heat sources, with maximum heating and cooling rates of 4.4 °C s −1 and −2.7 °C s −1 , respectively.

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