Design and numerical analysis of a joule-heating-induced continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction microchip

摘要

We reports a detailed study on a novel design of a Joule-nheating-induced polymerase chain reaction u0001PCRu0002 microchip directlynheated by applying electric current to the ends of the geometric variednmicrochannel, which is simulated together with the factors acting on thentemperature distribution. Treating the continuous flowing fluid in thenchannel as the resistance, different channel shapes would lead to thendifferent resistances, which generates various heat when the fixed cur-nrent is applied to the ends of channel. Based on the Ohm’s law and thenJoule-Thomson effect, three required sequential temperature zones arenobtained. The temperature cycling is achieved and the factors that con-ntribute to the temperature distribution are simulated and analyzed, suchnas the environment temperature, the heat transfer coefficient, the currentndensity, the fluid velocity, and the channel shape. The design of thenJoule-heating-induced PCR microchip sheds light on the future novelnapplication of continuous-flow PCR. By applying certain conditions, ther-nmal cycles that meet PCR requirements can be achieved