Microcantilever-based platforms as biosensing tools

Abstract

The fast and progressive growth of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields forces the development of new and powerful sensing techniques for process optimization and detection of biomolecules at very low concentrations. During the last years, the simplest MEMS structures, i.e. microcantilevers, have become an emerging and promising technology for biosensing applications, due to their small size, fast response, high sensitivity and their compatible integration into "lab-on-a-chip" devices. This article provides an overview of some of the most interesting bio-detections carried out during the last 2-3 years with the microcantilever-based platforms, which highlight the continuous expansion of this kind of sensor in the medical diagnosis field, reaching limits of detection at the single molecule level.

Buckling of a cantilever plate uniformly loaded in its plane with applications to surface stress and thermal loads

“…The out-of-plane deflection of a cantilever transducer is analyzed in a large number of these studies, and is a cornerstone of many applications. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][36][37][38] One important aspect that has received relatively little attention involves the coupling of in-plane loads to the out-of-plane deflection of cantilever plates. Such a mechanism can potentially lead to buckling, and is thus of particular relevance to the design of instrumentation and structures employing these devices.…”

“…They also form integral components in micromechanical and nanomechanical devices. One such application involves the atomic force microscope (AFM), [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] which employs a micron sized cantilever as its force sensing element. Due to their widespread use, the mechanical behavior of cantilever beams and plates has been studied extensively.…”

Nano-Mechanical Transduction of Polymer Micro-Cantilevers to Detect Bio-Molecular Interactions

“…They can also operate as artificial olfactory and gustatory organs with sound performance [4][5][6]. The static working principle of such nanomechanical transducers comprises the conversion of the (bio) chemical reaction of interest on the active side of the cantilever into surface stress thus leading to the bending of the cantilever [7]. The optical readout ensures the detection of this bending with nanometer precision.…”

Design and Manufacturing of Electromechanical Chip for Rapid Measurement of IgG1 Antibody in Cell-Culture Supernatant

“…Health care appears to provide the best opportunity for sensor development. Among the wide range of different sensors and biosensors, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) biosensor is one of the best options for use in the clinical field, due to their high sensitivity and selectivity, portability, and rapid response time [1][2][3].…”