TY - JOUR
T1 - Development and characterization of a bio-hybrid skin-like stretchable electrode
AU - Buselli, E.
AU - Smith, A. M.
AU - Grover, L. M.
AU - Levi, A.
AU - Allman, R.
AU - Mattoli, V.
AU - Menciassi, A.
AU - Beccai, L.
PY - 2011/8
Y1 - 2011/8
N2 - This work presents the design, fabrication and characterization of a polymer based stretchable electrode for cell monitoring. The final goal is the development of innovative bio-hybrid skin-like tactile sensors with mammalian cells as core biological elements; to achieve such aim the enabling technological approach is pursued in this investigation. Electrodes are needed to detect cells response, thus the first step of the bio-hybrid system fabrication is the development of a platform able to record such response and transmit it to the external world. The stretchable electrode is composed by a conductive layer (few of Ti plus 90 nm of Au) on a polymeric substrate (1 mm thick PDMS membrane). Cellular adhesion was verified and cellular response to an induced electrode strain of 1% was detected through fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence intensities were 104.82 ± 9.64 a.u. and 129.66 ± 13.06 a.u. prior and during electrode strain, respectively. Electromechanical characterization of the stretchable electrode revealed excellent stability and reliability within the 1% strain, which is the operative range identified for the future tactile sensor application. Results showed that the electrode was conductive up to 14% of strain. Furthermore, frequency impedance measurements demonstrated the electrode capability of detecting presence of cells.
AB - This work presents the design, fabrication and characterization of a polymer based stretchable electrode for cell monitoring. The final goal is the development of innovative bio-hybrid skin-like tactile sensors with mammalian cells as core biological elements; to achieve such aim the enabling technological approach is pursued in this investigation. Electrodes are needed to detect cells response, thus the first step of the bio-hybrid system fabrication is the development of a platform able to record such response and transmit it to the external world. The stretchable electrode is composed by a conductive layer (few of Ti plus 90 nm of Au) on a polymeric substrate (1 mm thick PDMS membrane). Cellular adhesion was verified and cellular response to an induced electrode strain of 1% was detected through fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence intensities were 104.82 ± 9.64 a.u. and 129.66 ± 13.06 a.u. prior and during electrode strain, respectively. Electromechanical characterization of the stretchable electrode revealed excellent stability and reliability within the 1% strain, which is the operative range identified for the future tactile sensor application. Results showed that the electrode was conductive up to 14% of strain. Furthermore, frequency impedance measurements demonstrated the electrode capability of detecting presence of cells.
KW - Bio-hybrid
KW - Cell culture
KW - Skin-like
KW - Stretchable electrodes
KW - Tactile sensors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79960063067&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/microelectronic-engineering/
U2 - 10.1016/j.mee.2010.12.011
DO - 10.1016/j.mee.2010.12.011
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79960063067
VL - 88
SP - 1676
EP - 1680
JO - Microelectronic Engineering
JF - Microelectronic Engineering
SN - 0167-9317
IS - 8
ER -