CMOS microelectrode array for the monitoring of electrogenic cells.

Signal degradation and an array size dictated by the number of available interconnects are the two main limitations inherent to standalone microelectrode arrays (MEAs). A new biochip consisting of an array of microelectrodes with fully-integrated analog and digital circuitry realized in an industrial CMOS process addresses these issues. The device is capable of on-chip signal filtering for improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), on-chip analog and digital conversion, and multiplexing, thereby facilitating simultaneous stimulation and recording of electrogenic cell activity. The designed electrode pitch of 250 microm significantly limits the space available for circuitry: a repeated unit of circuitry associated with each electrode comprises a stimulation buffer and a bandpass filter for readout. The bandpass filter has corner frequencies of 100 Hz and 50 kHz, and a gain of 1000. Stimulation voltages are generated from an 8-bit digital signal and converted to an analog signal at a frequency of 120 kHz. Functionality of the read-out circuitry is demonstrated by the measurement of cardiomyocyte activity. The microelectrode is realized in a shifted design for flexibility and biocompatibility. Several microelectrode materials (platinum, platinum black and titanium nitride) have been electrically characterized. An equivalent circuit model, where each parameter represents a macroscopic physical quantity contributing to the interface impedance, has been successfully fitted to experimental results.

Continuous blood pressure monitoring utilizing a CMOS tactile sensor.

A novel tactile device based on a monolithically integrated sensor chip is presented for external blood pressure measurement. It uses a tonometric principle, thus allowing for continuous monitoring of the blood pressure without the need for an invasive catheter. On the chip, the deflection of membranes in an array is sensed capacitively and read out using a SigmaDelta-modulator. The membrane array and the modulator are fabricated on a single chip using an industrial CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology combined with post-process micromachining to achieve small and portable devices with low power consumption. The tested device is operated at a conversion rate of 1 kilosamples per second and is pressure biased to a 2000 hPa (1500 mmHg) reference point. The power consumption of the sensor chip is 11.5 mW with signal-to-noise ratio better than 72 dB. During testing a pressure resolution of approximately 8 hPa (6 mmHg) for one digit at the output of the SigmaDelta-modulator is achieved over the range of interest continuous blood pressure monitoring using this CMOS-based tactile device is successfully demonstrated. The characteristic features of a blood pressure waveform are clearly recognizable from the acquired data.

Nanochemical surface analyzer in CMOS technology.

We have developed an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever system, fabricated using a standard CMOS process and a few post-processing steps, capable of detecting the difference between hydrophilic and hydrophobic samples for the purpose of nanochemical surface analysis. The fully integrated cantilever comprises a thermal actuator for cantilever deflection and a Wheatstone bridge to sense cantilever bending, thus obviating the need for cumbersome laser detection and external piezoelectric drives. Glass microspheres have been affixed to the cantilevers and, were either modified with a self-assembled monolayer to form hydrophobic tips, or left unmodified for hydrophilic tips. Force-distance curves have been used to measure the force between the functionalized/unfunctionalized tips and hydrophobic/hydrophilic sample surfaces. In an optimization step three different Wheatstone bridge sensors have been designed and characterized; best Wheatstone bridge sensitivity is 8.0 microV/nm with a 713 nm/mW actuator efficiency.

Technology and application of the reusable Olympus Ultrasonic Dissector.

With US scalpels a new era of laparoscopic surgery has begun. We have given instances of the striking advantages of modern ultrasonic dissectors in general, and of the SonoSurg system in particular. Key aspects are reusability, modularity and multi-functionality. Modularity allows for extension of the basic scalpel e.g. to an aspirator, reusability results in cost effectiveness. Nevertheless, ultrasonically activated devices are not limited to the well-known scalpels and aspirators. New technologies such as the SonoSurg ultrasound trocar and combination instruments are currently under development.

Smart single-chip gas sensor microsystem.

Research activity in chemical gas sensing is currently directed towards the search for highly selective (bio)chemical layer materials, and to the design of arrays consisting of different partially selective sensors that permit subsequent pattern recognition and multi-component analysis. Simultaneous use of various transduction platforms has been demonstrated, and the rapid development of integrated-circuit technology has facilitated the fabrication of planar chemical sensors and sensors based on three-dimensional microelectromechanical systems. Complementary metal-oxide silicon processes have previously been used to develop gas sensors based on metal oxides and acoustic-wave-based sensor devices. Here we combine several of these developments to fabricate a smart single-chip chemical microsensor system that incorporates three different transducers (mass-sensitive, capacitive and calorimetric), all of which rely on sensitive polymeric layers to detect airborne volatile organic compounds. Full integration of the microelectronic and micromechanical components on one chip permits control and monitoring of the sensor functions, and enables on-chip signal amplification and conditioning that notably improves the overall sensor performance. The circuitry also includes analog-to-digital converters, and an on-chip interface to transmit the data to off-chip recording units. We expect that our approach will provide a basis for the further development and optimization of gas microsystems.

Search for extraterrestrial enantioenrichment by using chemical microsensors.

The use of enantioselective chemical microsensors is proposed for the search of extraterrestrial homochirality in space. The already established enantiomer-discrimination-capability of chemical sensors and the feasibility of quantitatively determining the enantiomeric composition of a target analyte are demonstrated. The benefits of applying modern microsensor technology are presented followed by some concepts and scenarios including how chemical microsensors could be used in space.

Structures of chiral smectic-C mesophases revealed by polarization-analyzed resonant x-ray scattering.

We report polarization-analyzed, resonant x-ray diffraction at the sulfur K edge performed upon free-standing liquid-crystal films. Our studies of the thiobenzoate liquid-crystal enantiomer 10OTBBB1M7 yield the polarization states of resonant satellite peaks arising from characteristic superlattices in the chiral smectic-C (SmC(*)) variant phases, including the antiferroelectric SmC(*)(A), ferrielectric SmC(*)(FI1) and SmC(*)(FI2), as well as SmC(*)(alpha). The observed polarizations agree with the clock model of chiral smectic-C variants, and rule out other proposals made to date for these structures. Data from the 10OTBBB1M7 racemate also support the clock model. Our resonant diffraction results from a thiophene liquid-crystal compound reveal the same superlattice periodicities seen in corresponding antiferroelectric and ferrielectric phases of 10OTBBB1M7.

Inexpensive range camera operating at video speed.

An optoelectronic device has been developed and built that acquires and displays the range data of an object surface in space in video real time. The recovery of depth is performed with active triangulation. A galvanometer scanner system sweeps a sheet of light across the object at a video field rate of 50 Hz. High-speed signal processing is achieved through the use of a special optical sensor and hardware implementation of the simple electronic-processing steps. Fifty range maps are generated per second and converted into a European standard video signal where the depth is encoded in gray levels or color. The image resolution currently is 128 x 500 pixels with a depth accuracy of 1.5% of the depth range. The present setup uses a 500-mW diode laser for the generation of the light sheet. A 45-mm imaging lens covers a measurement volume of 93 mm x 61 mm x 63 mm at a medium distance of 250 mm from the camera, but this can easily be adapted to other dimensions.

Shape of the silicon absorption coefficient spectrum near 1.63 eV.

We report high precision, high spectral resolution measurements of the absorption coefficient of silicon in the spectral region from 1.61 to 1.65 eV. Our data show a smooth absorption spectrum with no discernable features in this spectral region where structure has been reported previously. Our data and analysis suggest that the second indirect transition in silicon has yet to be detected in absorption coefficient spectra.

High accuracy modeling of photodiode quantum efficiency.

We propose a new silicon photodiode model optimized for high-accuracy measurement usage. The new model differs from previous models in that the contribution to the quantum efficiency from the diode front region is described by an integral transform of the equilibrium minority carrier concentration. This description is accurate as long as the recombination of excess minority carriers in the front region occurs only at the front surface and the diode is operating linearly.

Reversing-wave-front interferometry of radiation from a diffusely illuminated phase grating.

Using a lateral-reversing-wave-front interferometer, we investigate the coherence of the radiation field emanating from a diffraction phase grating hidden behind a diffuser or illuminated by partially coherent light. We find further experimental evidence for a predicted coherence effect.