A Thermal Cycler Based on Magnetic Induction Heating and Anti-Freezing Water Cooling for Rapid PCR

Distinguished by its exceptional sensitivity and specificity, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a pivotal technology for pathogen detection. However, traditional PCR instruments that employ thermoelectric cooling (TEC) are often constrained by cost, efficiency, and performance variability resulting from the fluctuations in ambient temperature. Here, we present a thermal cycler that utilizes electromagnetic induction heating at 50 kHz and anti-freezing water cooling with a velocity of 0.06 m/s to facilitate rapid heating and cooling of the PCR reaction chamber, significantly enhancing heat transfer efficiency. A multi-physics theoretical heat transfer model, developed using the digital twin approach, enables precise temperature control through advanced algorithms. Experimental results reveal average heating and cooling rates of 14.92 °C/s and 13.39 °C/s, respectively, significantly exceeding those of conventional methods. Compared to commercial PCR instruments, the proposed system further optimizes cost, efficiency, and practicality. Finally, PCR experiments were successfully performed using cDNA (Hepatitis B virus) at various concentrations.