Flow cell and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

An object of the invention is to provide various flow cells and a method for manufacturing the same, in which formation of a groove on a substrate and formation of components such as an electrode, auxiliary parts such as a pump are not necessary. The inventive flow cells are capable of realize complicated chemical analysis or synthesis or the like. A channel of a porous member provided on a sample-incompatible substrate is formed; the porous member is composed of an air non-contact region having a network structure and an air contact region covering the air non-contact region and having a lower pore density than the air non-contact region; in which a capillary force to be generated within the porous member is a drive force for pumping a liquid.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A flow cell comprising a sample-incompatible substrate and a channel of a porous member provided on the sample-incompatible substrate, wherein the porous member is composed of an air non-contact region having a network structure and an air contact region covering the air non-contact region and having a lower pore density than the air non-contact region; and wherein a capillary force to be generated within the porous member is a drive force for pumping a liquid. 
   
   
       23 . The flow cell according to  claim 22 , wherein the air non-contact region has a higher sample compatibility than the air contact region. 
   
   
       24 . The flow cell according to  claim 22 , wherein the porous member is formed of a cellulose. 
   
   
       25 . The flow cell according to  claim 22 , wherein the porous member further contains fine particles. 
   
   
       26 . The flow cell according to  claim 22 , wherein at least a part of the air contact region is peeled. 
   
   
       27 . The flow cell according to  claim 22 , wherein at least a part of the porous member is communicated with a sample-compatible region formed on a surface of the sample-incompatible substrate; and wherein the sample-compatible region acts as a drain. 
   
   
       28 . The flow cell according to  claim 22 , further comprising disposing a second sample-incompatible substrate on the porous member to form a fine gap between the porous member and the second sample-incompatible substrate, wherein a width of the fine gap falls within the range of from about 10 to about 100 μm. 
   
   
       29 . The flow cell according to  claim 28 , wherein the second sample-incompatible substrate includes a level difference section opposed to the porous member. 
   
   
       30 . The flow cell according to  claim 22 , further comprising a metal thin film between the sample-incompatible substrate and the porous member, wherein the sample-incompatible substrate is transparent. 
   
   
       31 . The flow cell according to  claim 30 , wherein the porous member has an average refractive index in a hydrous state lower than a refractive index of a prism to be used for the SPR measurement. 
   
   
       32 . A method for manufacturing a flow cell, comprising the steps of:
 (a) preparing a coating solution having a porous material dissolved in a solvent mixture of a good solvent with high volatility and a poor solvent with low volatility;   (b) applying the coating solution on a sample-incompatible substrate; and   (c) evaporating the solvent mixture, thereby forming a porous member composed of an air non-contact region having a network structure and an air contact region covering the air non-contact region and having a lower pore density than the air non-contact region.   
   
   
       33 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 32 , wherein the porous material is a cellulose. 
   
   
       34 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 32 , wherein the step (b) is carried out by drawing with a dispensing device. 
   
   
       35 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 32 , wherein, in the step (b), a screen mask having a desired shape is placed on the sample-incompatible substrate; and the coating solution is coated in an opening of the screen mask. 
   
   
       36 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 32 , wherein, in the step (a), a first coating solution containing fine particles and a second coating solution not containing fine particles are prepared; and wherein, in the step (b), the first and second coating solutions are individually coated at the same time. 
   
   
       37 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 32 , further comprising the step (d) for regulating a sample transfer rate in the porous member. 
   
   
       38 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 37 , wherein the step (d) is carried out by a method selected from the group consisting of application of a pressure by a die, application of a sealing material, exposure to a solvent vapor and dropping of a surfactant. 
   
   
       39 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 32 , further comprising the step (e) of peeling a part of the air contact region of the porous member. 
   
   
       40 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 39 , wherein the step (e) is carried out by a method selected from the group consisting of peeling by an adhesive tape and reactive ion etching. 
   
   
       41 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 32 , further comprising the step (f) of disposing a second sample-incompatible substrate on the porous member to form a fine gap between the porous member and the second sample-incompatible substrate, with a width of the fine gap falling within the range of from about 10 to about 100 μm. 
   
   
       42 . The method for manufacturing a flow cell according to  claim 41 , wherein the second sample-incompatible substrate comprises a level difference section opposed to the porous member.