Analysis and feasibility of chemical recording using thermosensitive liposomes

Abstract

A new generation of inertial measurement technology is being developed enabling a 10-micron particle to be "aware" of its geospatial location and respond to this information. The proposed approach combines an inertially-sensitive nanostructure or nano fluid/structure system with a nano-sized chemical reactor that functions as an analog computer. Originally, a cantilever-controlled valve used to control a first order chemical reaction was proposed. The feasibility of this concept was evaluated, resulting in a device with significant size reductions, comparable gain, and lower bandwidth than current accelerometers. New concepts with additional refinements have been investigated. Buoyancy-driven convection coupled with a chemical recording technique is explored as a possible alternative. Using a micro-track containing regions of different temperatures and thermosensitive liposomes (TSL), a range of accelerations can be recorded and the position determined. Through careful design, TSL can be developed that have unique transition temperatures and each class of TSL will contain a unique DNA sequence that serves as an identifier. Acceleration can be detected through buoyancy-driven convection. As the liposomes travel to regions of warmer temperature, they will release their contents at the recording site, thus documenting the acceleration. This paper will outline the concept and present the feasibility.