A Stretchable Cell Culture Platform with Embedded Electrode Array

Wei, Pinghung; Taylor, R. E.; Ding, Zhao; Higgs, G.; Norman, James J.; Pruitt, Beth L.; Ziaie, Babak

doi:10.1109/memsys.2009.4805405

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Applications clearly benefiting from these improvements include biomedical devices such as wearable and implantable health monitors or biosensors which need to interface with soft living tissue [1]. The ability to reversibly strain electronics allows for simultaneous electrical and mechanical actuation and monitoring, enabling new opportunities in diverse multidisciplinary research areas such as stretchable microelectrode arrays [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thin-film stretchable electronics technology based on meandering interconnections: fabrication and mechanical performance

Verplancke¹,

Bossuyt²,

Cuypers³

et al. 2011

J. Micromech. Microeng.

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A new fabrication technology for stretchable electrical interconnections is presented. This technology can be used to connect various non-stretchable polyimide islands hosting conventional electronic components. The interconnections are realized by patterning a 200 nm thick sputter-deposited gold film into meandering horseshoe shapes, functioning as 'two-dimensional springs' when embedded in a silicone elastomer. Polyimide support is introduced around the meandering conductors as a means to improve the mechanical performance. Processing is done on a temporary carrier; the islands and interconnections are embedded in polydimethylsiloxane in a final stage. To this end, a release technique compatible with high temperatures up to 350• C based on the evaporation of a 400 nm thick layer of potassium chloride is developed. Test structures consisting of stretchable interconnections with a varying polyimide support width were fabricated. These were strained up to twice their original length without compromising their functionality. Also cyclic mechanical loading at various strains was performed, indicating the influence of the polyimide support width on the lifetime. At strains of 10%, a minimum lifetime of 500 000 cycles is demonstrated. The presented technology thus provides a promising route towards the fabrication of stretchable electronic circuits with enhanced reliability.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thin-film stretchable electronics technology based on meandering interconnections: fabrication and mechanical performance

Verplancke¹,

Bossuyt²,

Cuypers³

et al. 2011

J. Micromech. Microeng.

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“…This is done by using a roomtemperature liquid alloy as interconnects and miniature gold nail-head pins or tungsten micro-wires as electrodes. With this platform we introduce significant improvements upon our previously reported stretchable microelectrode array [10]. In section 2, we describe the platform structure and fabrication process followed by bench-top electrical characterizations in section 3.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stretchable microelectrode array using room-temperature liquid alloy interconnects

Wei

Taylor

Ding

et al. 2011

J. Micromech. Microeng.

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In this paper, we present a stretchable microelectrode array for studying cell behavior under mechanical strain. The electrode array consists of gold-plated nail-head pins (250 μm tip diameter) or tungsten micro-wires (25.4 μm in diameter) inserted into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) platform (25.4 × 25.4 mm 2). Stretchable interconnects to the outside were provided by fusible indium-alloy-filled microchannels. The alloy is liquid at room temperature, thus providing the necessary stretchability and electrical conductivity. The electrode platform can withstand strains of up to 40% and repeated (100 times) strains of up to 35% did not cause any failure in the electrodes or the PDMS substrate. We confirmed biocompatibility of short-term culture, and using the gold pin device, we demonstrated electric field pacing of adult murine heart cells. Further, using the tungsten microelectrode device, we successfully measured depolarizations of differentiated murine heart cells from embryoid body clusters.

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