Process for sorting dispersed colloidal structures

US8377307B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventor

• Thomas G. Mason · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 8, 2009
• Grant date: Feb 19, 2013
• Expiry date: May 11, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B03C2201/26
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of separating a mixture of discrete structures dispersed in a fluid material includes identifying a target structure and a non-target structure; providing a custom-shaped particle having at least a portion of a surface that is substantially shape-complementary to a portion of a surface of the target structure; introducing the custom-shaped particle into the fluid material; exciting reconfigurations of the custom-shaped particle with respect to the target structure and the non-target structure; binding the custom-shaped particle to the target structure through an attractive interaction to form an aggregate; and isolating the aggregate containing the target structure and the custom-shaped particle from the non-target structure. The custom-shaped particle preferentially binds with the target structure without binding with the non-target structure.