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Microfluidic Cantilever Biosensors

  • Thomas Thundat
  • , Faheem Khan
  • , Swathi Chaudhari
  • , Kamalesh Chaudhari
  • , Seokbeom Kim
  • , Jungcul Lee
  • University of Alberta
  • Sogang University

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

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although a microfabricated cantilever with a high quality factor can detect changes in its mass with unprecedented sensitivity, severe damping reduces it mass sensitivity when operated in a liquid medium thus restricting its use as a mass sensor for biomolecular detection. However, fabrication of cantilevers with embedded microfluidic channel allows confining liquids within them and enables their operation even in vacuum conditions for greatly reduced damping. Operating the microfluidic cantilever in vacuum allows mass-based detection of biomolecules in the liquid environment with unprecedented sensitivity. Although biomolecular detection based on mass using microfluidic cantilever is extremely sensitive, it cannot provide any molecular selectivity. However, coupling the cantilever with capillary gel electrophoresis for separation of biomolecules prior to detection provides an ideal technique for biomolecular detection. Making the cantilever bi-material will also allow infrared photothermal spectroscopy of molecules inside the cantilever. Mid-IR spectroscopy together with mass measurements of confined biomolecules in liquids offers molecular recognition in their native state without using any receptors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2018 IEEE SENSORS, SENSORS 2018 - Conference Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781538647073
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 26 2018
Event17th IEEE SENSORS Conference, SENSORS 2018 - New Delhi, India
Duration: Oct 28 2018Oct 31 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of IEEE Sensors
Volume2018-October
ISSN (Print)1930-0395
ISSN (Electronic)2168-9229

Conference

Conference17th IEEE SENSORS Conference, SENSORS 2018
Country/TerritoryIndia
CityNew Delhi
Period10/28/1810/31/18

Keywords

  • confined liquids
  • mass detection
  • mass spectrometer
  • microfluidic cantilevers
  • photothermal spectroscopy

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