Electrically Controlled Nanofluidic DNA Sluice for Data Storage Applications

Abstract

We propose an advanced architecture of an electrically controlled nanofluidic sluice for a DNA-based data storage device. Our device comprises embedded gold electrodes to which appropriate voltages are applied for effective capture, hold, and release of chimeric DNA strands. Electrostatic potential profiles across the device obtained via multiphysics simulation that solves for the Nernst−Planck−Poisson equation show nanoscale sluice operation for two device architectures: one with planar electrodes and the other with buried arch electrodes in combination with planar electrodes. Our simulations show that apart from its compatibility with complementary metal oxide−semiconductor (CMOS) technology, the device architecture with buried arch electrodes can effectively store the chimeric DNA strands without any leakage in conjunction with release on demand while offering the capability for large-scale integration.

Self-assembled microtubular electrodes for on-chip low-voltage electrophoretic manipulation of charged particles and macromolecules

“…In our study, we demonstrate the utility of manipulating charged species inside a closed tubular structure, and as shown in Fig. 4 , we extend our utility by trapping low molecular weight (mw) DNA inside the microtube by appropriately biasing the cuffed-in electrodes, which has been recently proposed by Athreya et al 53 . The strategic loading and DNA capture mechanisms are depicted in Fig.…”

“…We first simulated the device structure with planar electrodes depicted in Fig. 5a 53 . The structure consisted of a 50 µm × 100 µm alumina substrate onto which a 200 nm × 25 µm gold electrode was deposited.…”

The emerging landscape of microfluidic applications in DNA data storage

“…While we have shown how well-established microfluidic platforms can be utilized for the task within the DNA data storage workflow, there are more interesting microfluidic devices leveraging a variety of micro/nano-scale properties with specific designs to address functional needs in DNA data storage. For instance, a nanofluidic DNA sluice has been demonstrated with an electrically controllable gold electrode that can capture, retain, and subsequently release chimeric DNA molecules 56 (Fig. 4c).…”

Solid-State MoS2 Nanopore Membranes for Discriminating among the Lengths of RNA Tails on a Double-Stranded DNA: A New Simulation-Based Differentiating Algorithm

“…Moreover, solid-state nanopores open up the possibility for large-scale detection using innovative techniques, e.g., multipore 42 and multilayer devices. 43 In these structures, biomolecule detection is achieved via in-plane conductance together with ionic current blocking. 44,45 In recent years, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), e.g., MoS 2 membranes, have gained significant attention because of their long-lasting stability and low hydrophobicity compared to graphene.…”