Polymer Mems System for Measuring the Mechanical Modulus of a Biological Cell

Abstract

The measurements of the mechanical modulus of biological cells are critical to studies of pathophysiology and the research for an effective treatment. This research has developed a rapid and cost effective technique in order to measure the Poisson's ratio and mechanical modulus of a live biological cell by utilizing microelectromechanical system (MEMS) techniques in a biological application. The design, fabrication, and characterization of a polymer-based MEMS system that integrates a V-shaped electrothermal actuator array and a cell-positioning system in a single microelectronics chip are presented here. This BioMEMS device compressed a NIH3T3 fibroblasts cell and caused up to 25% mechanical strain.