BioMEMS

Research that includes:

  • Immunosensors
  • Single Cell Analysis
  • Cell Manipulation and Probing
  • SERS BioImaging
  • Micro Total Analysis Systems uTAS
  • DNA Transformations
  • Cell Cryropreservation
  • Optoelectronic Transport & Tweezers

RMW25: Microsphere Capture and Perfusion in Microchannels Using Flexural Plate Wave Structures

Justin Black
2003

Sequential flow injection (FI) involves the temporary immobilization of functionalized microspheres as a renewable surface for (bio) chemical assays. We describe a microfabricated flow injection system that employs the ultrasonic flexural plate wave (FPW) device to acoustically capture microspheres from fluid flow. Microsphere capture is achieved by counteracting viscous drag force with radiation pressure generated from a standing acoustic field. The feasibility of acoustic trapping for FI is demonstrated with a bio-ligand assay of fluorescently labeled biotin conjugated to...

RTH/JDK1: A Microfabricated Electrochemical Oxygen Generator for High-Density Cell Culture Arrays

William J. Holtz
Khoa Nguyen
2003

The goal of this project was to design, fabricate and characterize an electrochemical oxygen micro-generator suitable for use in high density miniature cell culture arrays.Arrays of miniature bioreactors were built and oxygen was supplied to them via electrochemical oxygen microgenerators.

Project end date: 08/20/03

LPL10: Disposable Integrated Optical MEMS and Microfluidic Channels for High Resolution Biochip Array

Jeonggi Seo
2003

The goal of this project is to integrate and qualify micro-optical systems with microfludic channels in order to advance the functions of micro total analytical systems (mTAS). The disposable self-aligned integrated microfluidic optical systems (SiMOS) with planar optical systems have the potential to open a new period to mTAS because of low-cost, simple fabrication steps and aberration-free optical systems. We believe the SiMOS provide a new paradigm of integrating optical systems to mTAS.

Project end date: 08/22/03

LPL30: 3D Alignment of Collagen Fibrils in Microchannels

Philip Lee
Rob Lin
2003

Artificial 3D architectures of collagen fibers using microfabricated polymer structures has exciting medical applications. Aligned collagen matrices more closely resemble tissues found in nature. Collagen alignment may prove beneficial for tissue regeneration, show enhanced mechanical properties, and serve as a biomimetic material. Moreover, the basic biophysical characterizations of aligned collagen fibrils will provide an insight for the mechanism of electrical signal transductions and electromechanical actuations of our tissues.

Project end date: 08/27/03

LWL7: Water-Powered Microfluidic Devices for Diagnostic and Drug Delivery Systems

Yu-Chuan Su
Lei Luo
2003

The main goal of this project is the development of water-powered microfluidic devices for diagnostic and drug delivery applications. Osmosis, capillarity, microfabrication, and polymer processing techniques are employed to design and fabricate microfluidic devices, including channels, actuators, valves, pumps, and flow discretizers. Because of the significant reduction on electricity consumption, water-powered microfluidic devices provide attractive alternatives for the realization of lower-power diagnostic and implantable drug delivery systems.

Project end date:...

APP65: Nanoscale RF Probing of Cells

Seung-Jae Moon
2003

In this research, the design and fabrication of a nanoscale microneedle probe will be carried out for the purpose of probing submicron organelles residing in the cytoplasm of biological cells.

Project end date: 02/09/04

DL12: Fluid Dynamics in Nanoscale Environments

Troy Lionberger
Boris Stoeber
2003

This project focuses on the analysis of fluid behavior in sub-micron scale environments using microfabricated nanochannels with the intent of investigating applications such as the development of ultra-sensitive detection systems. The small scale in which the experiments will be conducted allows for the generation of extremely high levels of shear in the fluid. In addition, the fluid is expected to behave differently in the nanochannels than at the macroscale due to the increasingly significant contribution of intermolecular forces and because double layers formed along the sidewalls...

LPL22: Electronic Properties of DNA for Bioelectronics

Yang-Kyu Choi
2003

Conduction mechanism in DNAs has been investigated for tangled structures. Thus, the conduction mechanism is still ambiguous because of complicated conducting paths. In this work, DNA will be stretched by using sub-10nm gap electrodes, which are defined by novel spacer lithography. Stretched DNA chain can be confined at the nano-gap electrodes made of poly-silicon across and along the gaps. Then, conductance mechanism will be thoroughly investigated along phosphate chain and hydrogen bond. Previous works showed that A/T and G/C were n-type and p-type semiconductors, respectively. If...

LPL13: Vertically-Integrated Micro Confocal Imaging Array (VIµ-CIA)

Sunghoon Kwon
2003

The goal of this project is development of MEMS laser scanning confocal microscopes for multiplexed Lab-On-A-Chip applications. The hybrid integration of microfabricated microlens scanner and confocal pinhole, laser diodes, and photodiode allows to create handheld sized autonomous confocal excitation and detection microsystem. Without use of bulky external microscopes, we have successfully demonstrated laser induced fluorescent excitation and detection from multiple of microfluidic channels and reflectance image reconstruction using the developed system.

Project end...

LPL29: Nanoprobes for Monitoring Sub-cellular Response to Localized Surface Interactions

Philip J. Lee
2004

We are developing devices with nanoscale features for the analysis of real time cell response to localized stimulation. This enables the tracking of signaling molecules to/away from the site of interaction. Monitoring of cell behavior will be useful for biosensors, tissue engineering, and single cell manipulation.

Project end date: 02/12/04