/Ah Hydrophobic Coating

The /ah Surface Energy Modification System

Hydrophobic and Lipophobic Surface System for Metals and Ceramics

Critical Surface Tension Background
Many of our customers are concerned about non-specific binding of proteins and lipids or lipo-proteins to the Replicator pins. One way of reducing this non-specific binding is the /ah surface energy modification system. V&P Scientific is using this system to alter the wetting characteristics of the pins. Simply put, a pin that is not wetted by a particular liquid has a lower critical surface tension than the surface tension of the liquid. A pin not wetted by the particular liquid is often said to “repel” the liquid, and the liquid beads up on the non-wetted pin. Conversely, if the particular liquid wets the pin, a drop will spread out on the pin surface.
What is Superhydrophobic coating? (Differentiation of Wettability)
The Wettability of solid surfaces according to the contact angle is divided into hydrophilic, hydrophobic, superhydrophobic. Hydrophilic is a water-contact angle of 0°<θ≤90°, hydrophobic is 90°<θ≤150°, and superhydrophobic is 150°<θ≤180
What is a contact angle?
The Contact angle is the angle formed when liquids and gases are thermodynamically balanced on a solid surface. It is a measure of the Wettability of a solid surface, called the water contact angle when measuring it with water.
Surface Wettability and the /ah Surface System
In the process of measuring and dispensing liquids, carry over, or the liquid that clings to the substrate after dispensing, is principally a result of the intermolecular attraction between the substrate and the liquid. In the ideal situation, the surface of the substrate should always have a lower critical surface tension than that of the liquid being measured or dispensed. The critical surface tension of liquids varies considerably, and the previously illustrated Young’s equation does not take into consideration many factors found in the real world. However, most free flowing liquids have a critical surface tension greater than 20 dynes/cm.
Liquid, STPCritical Surface Tension, dynes/cm @20C
Deionized Water73
Methanol, Ethanol, Propanol, Isopropanol22 - 23
Acetone, n-propanol, MEK, Cyclohexane23 - 25
DMSO25
Dichloromethane, Toluene28
Substrate, clean and smoothCritical Surface Tension, (approx.) dynes/cm
Soda glass30
6063 Aluminum45
301 Stainless44
Teflon18
/ah treated surface20
Wetting CharacteristicsContact Angle
/ah Sessile drop contact angle105°
/ah Advancing contact angle112°
/ah Receding contact angle96°
Teflon® and other inert polymers are generally non-wetting, but there are several essential limitations to the use of Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethylene) and Parylene (poly-xylene) as a treatment for surfaces to reduce the surface tension. Teflon coatings are generally thick to ensure conformal coatings, which limits its use for small items or small inside diameter tubes or in fine channels on the substrate. Teflon is essentially a non-stick coating which brings to mind the classic paradox of trying to get a non-stick coating to stick to the substrate. Teflon coatings do not bond well with any smooth surface and are easily removed from metallic and ceramic substrates by small forces perpendicular to the bond, as might be found in a sliding friction situation. Teflon is very soft and has a very low durometer value. A damage defect penetrating the coating to the surface of the substrate is very hard to avoid, even from routine handling and this problem increases considerably as attempts are made to produce thinner coatings. Teflon is opaque, and when the depth is sufficient to produce a conformal coating, the surface is white. The /ah surface system differs from Teflon in that it is non-polymeric. It is bonded to the substrate with considerable adhesion (in the range of 3-5 thousand pounds per square inch). The /ah system was designed to produce a uniform conformal surface in very deep, very small inside diameter holes and tubing bores. /ah can be applied to a variety of substrates with excellent results. The critical surface tension of the treated /ah surface is typically about 20 dynes/cm. The finished /ah surface is hydrophobic and is wet by almost no liquids, is lipophobic, and does not bind with proteins or hemoglobin. The /ah system resists all acids (except hot hydrofluoric) and all solvents. [Note: /ah is not resistant to strong bases.] The /ah system is fundamentally transparent in the visible spectrum and provides for dry lubrication and decreased sliding resistance. The /ah system is applied at low process temperatures ensuring the metallurgic properties of the substrate are preserved. Whereas Teflon and Parylene treatments are typically several microns deep to provide for a functional coating, the /ah system adds only 1500 Angstroms (0.15um) to the surface, in a uniform, conformal surface. The working temperature range of surfaces with the /ah system is –20°C to +300°C. Other surface energy modification processes use plasma energy which may damage the surface of the substrate; plasmas are not involved in applying /ah. The durability is far greater than Teflon or Parylene.
Summary of the /ah Surface System
The /ah system provides for increased delivery accuracy and repeatability, reduced scaling and scale deposition, reduction in the coefficient of sliding friction, improved resistance to solvents and acids, and protection from chlorides and corrosion. All of our Replicators can be obtained with /ah hydrophobic/lipophobic coated pins.

Hydrophobic Coated vs Non-Coated Pin Transfers

Solid Pin Delivery Data For Aqueous Solutions In 96 Format With Uncoated And /Ah Hydrophobic Coated Pins
PinDescriptionnl TransferredCV%
0.229 mm diameter (FP9)Total PinUncoated7.412.4
Hydrophobic7.465.4
0.229 mm diameter (FP9)Hanging DropUncoatedN/AN/A
Hydrophobic2.093.8
0.457 mm diameter (FP1)Total PinUncoated33.483.2
Hydrophobic28.177.5
0.457 mm diameter (FP1)Hanging DropUncoated16.964.5
Hydrophobic8.510.8
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)Total PinUncoated87.323.9
Hydrophobic77.43.9
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)Hanging DropUncoated48.771.2
Hydrophobic43.059.4
1.19 mm diameter  (VP 409 & VP 386)Total PinUncoated247.222.8
Hydrophobic192.672.6
1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386)Hanging DropUncoated76.351.6
Hydrophobic108.42.8
1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384)Total PinUncoated273.54.6
Hydrophobic259.253.1
1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384)Hanging DropUncoated201.935
Hydrophobic170.047.5

Transfer Of Horseradish Peroxidase In Tris Buffered Saline With Pin Tools

Conclusion

Coating pins will reduce the total amount of liquid transferred and also reduce the amount of non-specific binding to the stainless-steel pins. If the substance you are transferring has high non-specific binding this will be an important factor in selecting your pins.

Slot Pin Delivery Data For Aqueous Solutions In 96 Format With Uncoated And /Ah Hydrophobic Coated Pin
PinDescriptionnl TransferredCV%
0.229 mm diameter (FP9)Total PinUncoated7.412.4
Hydrophobic7.465.4
0.229 mm diameter (FP9)Hanging DropUncoatedN/AN/A
Hydrophobic2.093.8
0.457 mm diameter (FP1)Total PinUncoated33.483.2
Hydrophobic28.177.5
0.457 mm diameter (FP1)Hanging DropUncoated16.964.5
Hydrophobic8.510.8
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)Total PinUncoated87.323.9
Hydrophobic77.43.9
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)Hanging DropUncoated48.771.2
Hydrophobic43.059.4
1.19 mm diameter  (VP 409 & VP 386)Total PinUncoated247.222.8
Hydrophobic192.672.6
1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386)Hanging DropUncoated76.351.6
Hydrophobic108.42.8
1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384)Total PinUncoated273.54.6
Hydrophobic259.253.1
1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384)Hanging DropUncoated201.935
Hydrophobic170.047.5

Transfer Of Horseradish Peroxidase In Tris Buffered Saline With Pin Tools

Conclusion

Although the slots in the pin are a precise volume, the liquid that is transferred is usually more. The reason for this is due to the surface tension of the liquid causing the liquid in the slot to “bow out” thus increasing the volume of the liquid in the slot. If is important for you to transfer exactly a certain volume we can make custom slots to match the surface tension characteristics of your liquid

Liquid Surface Tension

Effect Of DNA Or BSA Concentration On Slot Pin Transfers Of Uncoated And Hydrophobic Coated Pins (FP3CS500)
Solvent/SampleConcentrationCV%nl FITC TransferredCV%nl FITC Transferred
UncoatedUncoatedHydrophobic CoatedHydrophobic Coated
DMSO (-)08.1353.427.5298.72
DMSO + DNA (mg/ml)0.56.6497.216.6435.86
0.259432.494.1391.93
0.1258.9363.640.9344.75
0.06252.3381.862331.68
0.03131.5378.034.4331.71
0.01561.2357.521.4329.03
Tris (-)04.9577.317.2493.53
Tris + DNA (mg/ml)0.54.5540.531.1477.5
0.254.6518.216.1456.75
0.12515.8583.254.1438.82
0.06254.2551.173.1433.69
0.03134.4536.662.3458.37
0.01562.9528.531.2441.1
Tris + BSA (%)45.4462.1311409.27
14452.862.7426.58
0.2511.7456.451.3408.72
0.06251.1445.226.5393.07
0.01563.7462.853.9430.2
0.00391.5493.542.2437.29
0.0012.9504.250.7475.96
Conclusions

1. Increasing the concentration of DNA (sheared salmon sperm) to .25 mg/ml significantly increases the volume of DMSO liquid transferred for both coated and uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
2. Increasing the concentration of DNA does not significantly increase the volume of Tris buffer (aqueous) transferred by both coated and uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
3. Increasing the concentration of BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) significantly decreases the volume of Tris buffer transferred by both coated and uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
4. Hydrophobic coated FP3S500 Slot Pins transferred less DMSO – DNA and less Tris DNA and less Tris BSA than the uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
5. Both coated and uncoated FP3S500 pins transfer significantly more aqueous solution than DMSO.

Effect Of DNA Or BSA Concentration On Slot Pin Transfers Of Uncoated And Hydrophobic Coated Pins (FP1CS50)
Solvent/SampleConcentrationCV%nl FITC TransferredCV%nl FITC Transferred
UncoatedUncoatedHydrophobic CoatedHydrophobic Coated
DMSO (-)04.249.382.149.31
DMSO + DNA (mg/ml)0.54.951.242.656.79
0.251.750.21.249.53
0.1251.551.272.349.77
0.06252.249.344.148.19
0.03131.249.030.250.23
0.01562.445.91.446.64
Tris (-)02.689.512.991.34
Tris + DNA (mg/ml)0.5777.110.684.62
0.253.982.221.684.89
0.1253.985.42185.08
0.06251.585.362.885.03
0.0313284.52388.19
0.01562.682.922.883.2
Conclusions

1. In contrast to the FP3S500 data, increasing the concentration of DNA to .25 mg/ml does not significantly increase the volume of DMSO liquid transferred for both coated and uncoated FP1S50 Slot Pins.
2. Increasing the concentration of DNA does not significantly increase the volume of Tris buffer (aqueous) transferred by both coated and uncoated FP1S50 Slot Pins.
3. In contrast to the FP3S500 data, FP1S50 coated pins transferred about the same volume of DNA at all concentrations as did uncoated pins.
4. Both coated and uncoated FP1S50 pins transfer significantly more aqueous solution than DMSO.
5. The differences between the FP3S500 and the FP1S50 pin may be due to the different pin diameter’s effect on contact angle and therefore on the “wetting” of the pin. See the diagram on the link to / ah energy system.

PinDescriptionnl TransferredCV%
0.229 mm diameter (FP9)Total PinUncoated7.412.4
Hydrophobic7.465.4
0.229 mm diameter (FP9)Hanging DropUncoatedN/AN/A
Hydrophobic2.093.8
0.457 mm diameter (FP1)Total PinUncoated33.483.2
Hydrophobic28.177.5
0.457 mm diameter (FP1)Hanging DropUncoated16.964.5
Hydrophobic8.510.8
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)Total PinUncoated87.323.9
Hydrophobic77.43.9
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)Hanging DropUncoated48.771.2
Hydrophobic43.059.4
1.19 mm diameter  (VP 409 & VP 386)Total PinUncoated247.222.8
Hydrophobic192.672.6
1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386)Hanging DropUncoated76.351.6
Hydrophobic108.42.8
1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384)Total PinUncoated273.54.6
Hydrophobic259.253.1
1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384)Hanging DropUncoated201.935
Hydrophobic170.047.5

Aqueous Transfer with Solid Pins

Hydrophobic coating pins will reduce the total amount of aqueous HRP liquid transferred and also reduce the amount of non-specific binding to the stainless-steel pins. If the substance you are transferring has high non-specific binding this will be an important factor in selecting your pins.

 

Pin diameter also has an effect on the degree of reduction of liquid transfer with hydrophobic coating as the smaller the diameter the less the reduction of transfer. This is most likely due to the curvature of the pin affecting the wetting contact angle

PinDescriptionnl TransferredCV%
0.457 mm diameter (FP1)6 nl SlotTotal Pin*Uncoated25.610.8
HydrophobicN/AN/A
10 nl SlotTotal Pin*Uncoated23.366.1
Hydrophobic25.856.9
50 nl SlotTotal Pin*Uncoated67.832.5
HydrophobicN/AN/A
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)  100 nl SlotTotal Pin*Uncoated180.327.2
Hydrophobic205.845.5
200 nl SlotTotal Pin*Uncoated277.824.9
Hydrophobic287.33.8
500 nl SlotTotal Pin*Uncoated581.165.2
Hydrophobic555.693

DMSO Transfer with Slot Pins

Hydrophobic coating pins will slightly increase the total amount of DMSO FITC liquid transferred.

PinDescriptionnl TransferredCV%
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)    100 nl Slot Total Pin, Including SlotUncoated195.691.6
Hydrophobic170.22.9
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)  100 nl Slot, Slot OnlyUncoated149.674.9
Hydrophobic129.617.6
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)200 nl Slot Total Pin, Including SlotUncoated269.771.9
Hydrophobic228.6217.1
0.787 mm diameter (FP3)200 nl Slot, Slot OnlyUncoated237.528.9
Hydrophobic186.95.9

Aqueous Transfer with Slot Pins

Although the slots in the pin are a precise volume, the liquid that is transferred is usually more because of the volume carried on the sides of the pins. 

As seen with other aqueous data the amount transferred on hydrophobic coated Slot pins is less than on uncoated Solid or Slot pins. Thus Hydrophobic coating has the most effect on aqueous transfers.

Withdrawl Speeds Impact on Volume Transfer

Solid Pins More affected by Source Plate Volume

Volume Transferred For FP1 Pins (Uncoated) In 96 And 384 Formats
Volume Transferred For FP3 Pins (Uncoated) In 96 And 384 Formats

Note: Same volume (200ul for 96 Format and 74 ul for 384 Format) in recipient plates and same pin withdrawal speed for all pins. Changes to pin withdrawal speed or volume in the source plate can result in different volumes being transferred.

Transfer volumes should always be confirmed by customers for their assay conditions and automated system.

Aqueous Solutions Pin Transfer Volumes Ranges

Aqueous Solutions on Uncoated Pins in 96 Format Microplates(1)
Pin TypePin Diameter(mm)Shape96 Format Low Range(nL)²96 Format High Range(nL)²
FP90.229Solid1339
FP80.356Solid1537
FP10.457Solid2261
FP1S60.4576nL Slot3467
FP1S100.45710nL Slot3974
FP1S500.45750nL Slot90124
FP30.787Solid93213
FP3S1000.787100nL Slot213334
FP3S2000.787200nL Slot311449
FP3S5000.787500nL Slot515671
FP40.914Solid126289
Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well
Aqueous Solutions on Hydrophobic Pins in 96 Format Microplates(1)
Pin TypePin Diameter(mm)Shape96 Format Low Range(nL)²96 Format High Range(nL)²
FP90.229Solid1338
FP80.356Solid
FP10.457Solid2360
FP1S60.4576nL Slot3367
FP1S100.45710nL Slot4075
FP1S500.45750nL Slot86119
FP30.787Solid76209
FP3S1000.787100nL Slot188324
FP3S2000.787200nL Slot288436
FP3S5000.787500nL Slot473649
FP40.914Solid
Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well
Aqueous Solution on E-Clip, Uncoated Pins(1)
Pin TypePin Diameter(mm)ShapeLow Range(nL)²High Range(nL)²
FP1.58Solid Pointed175594
FPS.51.58500nL Slot524962
FPS1.581000nL Slot10561476
FPS21.582000nL Slot17392174
FPS51.585000nL Slot51504953
FP61.58Solid Flat465960
FP6S.51.58500nL Slot9341445
FP6S1.581000nL Slot13961930
FP6S21.582000nL Slot20722637
FP6S51.585000nL Slot48204693
Footnotes:(1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well for 96 Format and 75ul source plate volume per well for 384 Format

DMSO Pin Transfer Volume Range Charts

Uncoated Pins in 96 and 384 Format Microplates(1)
Pin TypePin Diameter(mm)Shape96 Format Low Range(nL)²96 Format High Range(nL)²384 Format Low Range(nL)³384 Format High Range(nL)³
FP90.229Solid41038
FP80.35Solid1326618
FP10.457Solid18431131
FP1S60.4576nL Slot24491534
FP1S100.45710nL Slot30542140
FP1S200.45720nL Slot37612746
FP1S300.45730nL Slot46683554
FP1S400.45740nL Slot57784563
FP1S500.45750nL Slot70905675
FP30.787Solid671392979
FP40.91Solid941973498
FP3S1000.787100nL Slot175241114163
FP3S2000.787200nL Slot280332203250
FP3S5000.787500nL Slot535559427464
FP4S10000.911000nL Slot9401011704800
FP4S20000.912000nL Slot1518160812771362
Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well (3) 75ul source plate volume per well
Hydrophobic-coated Pins in 96 and 384 Format Microplates(1)
Pin TypePin Diameter (mm)Shape96 Format Low Range(nL)²96 Format High Range(nL)²384 Format Low Range(nL)³384 Format High Range(nL)³
FP9H0.229Solid41038
FP8H0.35Solid924617
FP1H0.457Solid1539927
FP1S6H0.4576nL Slot23491432
FP1S10H0.45710nL Slot29532038
FP1S20H0.45720nL Slot35592643
FP1S30H0.45730nL Slot47693553
FP1S40H0.45740nL Slot54754158
FP1S50H0.45750nL Slot69905773
FP3H0.787Solid671342776
FP4H0.91Solid9518932102
FP3S100H0.787100nL Slot170227108164
FP3S200H0.787200nL Slot266320190239
FP3S500H0.787500nL Slot520542416456
FP4S1000H0.911000nL Slot9321000741805
FP4S2000H0.912000nL Slot1571163813511423
Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well (3) 75ul source plate volume per well
E-Clip, Uncoated Pins, for 96 and 384 Format Microplates(1)
Pin TypeDiameter (mm)Shape96 Format Low Range(nL)²96 Format High Range(nL)²384 Format Low Range(nL)³384 Format High Range(nL)³
FP1.58Solid Pointed147411168395
FPS.51.58500nL Slot442704631843
FPS1.581000nL Slot893113013431498
FPS21.582000nL Slot1911203826072767
FPS51.585000nL Slot3908429651805253
FP61.58Solid Flat323674154398
FP6S.51.58500nL Slot73410428551053
FP6S1.581000nL Slot1210150016381717
FP6S21.582000nL Slot2299238427873068
FP6S51.585000nL Slot4329465652375245
Footnotes:(1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well (3) 75ul source plate volume per well