Introduction
This
research investigation is producing a novel bio-sensing system (BioMEMS) for real time detection of cell behaviour during cell culture and growth processes. The
concept is a micro-scale version of the distributive approach to tactile
sensing. The approach has been applied extensively at the large scale of the
body, however at this small scale there are a number of practical and algorithm
based differences.
Driven by
the rapid development of MEMS technologies, design and rapid manufacture of
ultra-sensitive and economical biosensors for cell detection, clinical pathology
and pharmacological analysis becomes possible. Micro-machined cantilevers enable
clinicians to make such measurements, however their 1D structure is fragile and
expensive to produce.
In this
research 2D detection structures that will provide real time spatial
distributive information relating to cells and cellular system characteristics,
behaviour and structure are under
investigation.
In More Detail...
The design
of this system consists of a
micromachined silicon
plate with strategically located actuators and sensors that take into account
the dynamics and sound radiation of the plate at the micro-scale in a fluid
environment. Nonlinear system identification methods are being developed to
discriminate size, shape, position and spatial mass contact distributions over
the surface.
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