Simulation and Calculation of Temperature in a Portable Real-Time PCR Instrument

In this paper, we design a reaction chamber of the real-time PCR. There are two major characteristics of the chamber that are practicality and the small reaction system (<5 L). The temperature rising rate is 5 /s in the chamber center node and a thermal cycle for a PCR can be completed in 10 seconds. Through theoretical calculation and ANASYS software simulation, we demonstrate the reaction chamber's dynamic distribution of temperature field. Here the method of the finite element analysis, it includes modeling, disposing boundary condition, mesh plotting, loading condition and output result. This research lays a good foundation for the design of a portable PCR. Keywords-finite element method; chamber; temperature; real time PCR