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Battery-powered, wireless MEMS sensors for high-sensitivity chemical and biological sensing

  • C. L. Britton
  • , R. J. Warmack
  • , S. F. Smith
  • , P. I. Oden
  • , R. L. Jones
  • , T. Thundat
  • , G. M. Brown
  • , W. L. Bryan
  • , J. C. Depriest
  • , M. N. Ericson
  • , M. S. Emery
  • , M. R. Moore
  • , G. W. Turner
  • , A. L. Wintenberg
  • , T. D. Threatt
  • , Z. Hu
  • , L. G. Clonts
  • , J. M. Rochelle
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • University of Tennessee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are developing selectively coated cantilever arrays in a surface-micromachined MEMS process for very high sensitivities in chemical and biological sensing. Toward this end, we have developed a one-dimensional (1-D) 10-element microcantilever array that we have coated with gold for mercury sensing and palladium for hydrogen sensing. Ultimately we will coat each element with a different coating. Currently, measurements have been performed using a companion analog 1.2-μm CMOS eight channel readout chip also designed at ORNL specifically for the microcantilever arrays. In addition, we have combined our sensors with an ORNL-developed RF-telemetry chip having on-chip spread spectrum encoding and modulation circuitry to improve the robustness and security of sensor data in typical interference- and multipath-impaired environments. We have also provided for a selection of distinct spreading codes to serve groups of sensors in a common environment by the application of code-division multiple-access techniques. Our initial system is configured for use in the 915-MHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. The entire package is powered by four AA batteries.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 20th Anniversary Conference on Advanced Research in VLSI, ARVLSI 1999
EditorsStephen P. DeWeerth, D. Scott Wills
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages359-368
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)0769500560, 9780769500560
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Event1999 Conference on Advanced Research in VLSI, ARVLSI 1999 - Atlanta, United States
Duration: Mar 21 1999Mar 24 1999

Publication series

NameProceedings - 20th Anniversary Conference on Advanced Research in VLSI, ARVLSI 1999

Conference

Conference1999 Conference on Advanced Research in VLSI, ARVLSI 1999
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta
Period03/21/9903/24/99

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