Dudley S. Finch

Shape memory polymer nanocomposites

The paper describes the fabrication and characterization of composites with a shape memory polymer matrix and SiC nanoparticulate reinforcements. Composites based on a SMP matrix are active materials capable of recovering relatively large mechanical strains due to the application of heat. The composites were synthesized from a commercial shape memory polymer resin system and particulate SiC with an average diameter of 300 nm. Composites with weight fractions of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% nanoparticulate SiC were fabricated by casting samples with sizes ranging from a few hundred microns to several millimeters. The former size scale is consistent with a microcasting process for manufacturing microelectomechanical systems. The micro-hardness and elastic modulus of the nanocomposites increased by approximately a factor of 3 with the addition of 40 wt% SiC into the base resin. Unconstrained strain recoverability of the nanocomposites was found to depend on the fraction of SiC. For 180° bend tests, the recoverability of the nanocomposites was perfect for SiC weight fractions below 40%. For 40 wt% SiC, permanent bend strains were discovered. Constrained bending recovery force in the nanocomposites was shown to increase by 50% with the addition of 20 wt% SiC.

Multilayer and functional coatings on carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be used to deposit ultra-thin and conformal films on flat substrates, high aspect ratios structures and particles. In this paper, we demonstrate that insulating, multilayered and functionalized ALD coatings can also be deposited conformally on carbon nanotubes. Multilayered coatings consisting of alternating layers of dielectric and conductive materials, such as Al2O3 and W, respectively, are deposited on conductive multi-walled carbon nanotubes. This coated carbon nanotube can function as a nanoscale coaxial cable. Thin layers of Al2O3 ALD are also used as a seed layer to functionalize nanotubes. A carbon nanotube was made highly hydrophobic using an Al2O3 ALD seed layer followed by the attachment of perfluorinated molecules.

Toward a self-deploying shape memory polymer neuronal electrode

The widespread application of neuronal probes for chronic recording of brain activity and functional stimulation has been slow to develop partially due to long-term biocompatibility problems with existing metallic and ceramic probes and the tissue damage caused during probe insertion. Stiff probes are easily inserted into soft brain tissue but cause astrocytic scars that become insulating sheaths between electrodes and neurons. In this communication, we explore the feasibility of a new approach to the composition and implantation of chronic electrode arrays. We demonstrate that softer polymer-based probes can be inserted into the olfactory bulb of a mouse and that slow insertion of the probes reduces astrocytic scarring. We further present the development of a micromachined shape memory polymer probe, which provides a vehicle to self-deploy an electrode at suitably slow rates and which can provide sufficient force to penetrate the brain. The deployment rate and composition of shape memory polymer probes can be tailored by polymer chemistry and actuator design. We conclude that it is feasible to fabricate shape memory polymer-based electrodes that would slowly self-implant compliant conductors into the brain, and both decrease initial trauma resulting from implantation and enhance long-term biocompatibility for long-term neuronal measurement and stimulation.

Thermomechanical response of bare and Al 2 O 3 -nanocoated Au/Si bilayer beams for microelectromechanical systems

We present results on the thermomechanical behavior of bare and nanocoated gold/polysilicon (Au/Si) bilayer cantilever beams for microelectromechanical system applications. The cantilever beams have comparable thicknesses of the Au and Si layers and thus experience significant out-of-plane curvature due to a temperature change. The experiments focus on the inelastic behavior of the bilayer beams due to thermal holding and thermal cycling. In uncoated Au/Si beams, thermal holding directly after release or thermal cycling both lead to a curvature decrease as a function of time or cycle number, respectively. The drop in curvature during thermal cycling or thermal holding in uncoated beams was not accompanied by a change in the slope of the thermoelastic curvature–temperature relationship. The absolute change in curvature depends on the temperature and the holding time. When holding or cycling to a temperature of 175 °C, the curvature change in uncoated beams is minimal for hold times up to 4500 min or 15,000 cycles. When holding or cycling to temperatures of 200 or 225 °C, the curvature in uncoated beams drops by a factor of three for hold times up to 4500 min or 15,000 cycles. The surface structure induced by long-term holding of uncoated beams shows grooving at the grain boundaries while the surface structure induced by cycling of uncoated beams shows consolidation of the grain boundaries. The Au/Si beams with a conformal 40-nm atomic layer deposition Al 2 O 3 coating show a considerably different response compared to identical Au/Si bare beams subjected to the same thermal histories. The coating completely suppresses decreases in curvature when the beams are held at 225 °C for 4500 min. On the contrary, the coating does not always suppress thermal ratcheting when the beam is cycled from a low temperature to 225 °C. In the coated beams, the drop in curvature due to thermal cycling was accompanied by a change in the thermoelastic slope of the curvature–temperature relationship. Negligible microstructural changes were detected on the Al 2 O 3 -coated Au surface after holding or cycling. The results are discussed in light of potential deformation mechanisms and a simple analysis linking the mismatch strain between the layers to the curvature in the beams.

Instrumented Microindentation of Nanoporous Alumina Films

We examine the mechanical behavior of anodic alumina thin films with organized nanometer-scale porosity. The cylindrical pores in the alumina film are arranged perpendicular to the film thickness in a near-perfect triangular lattice. The films used in this work had pore diameters ranging from 35 to 75 nm, and volume fractions ranging from 10% to 45%. Films with both amorphous and crystalline structures were considered. Mechanical properties of the thin films were studied using an instrumented indentor to measure the force-depth response of the films during indentation or the force-deflection response of micromachined beams in bending. The films showed increasing hardness/ modulus with a decrease in pore volume fraction or transformation from amorphous to a polycrystalline alpha-alumina phase. The asymmetric films .show higher hardness and modulus on their barrier side (with closed pores) relative to their open pore side. The force-depth response, measured with a spherical ball indentor, demonstrates fairly good agreement with an elastic Hertzian contact solution. The force-depth response, measured with a sharp Vickers indentor, shows an elastoplastic response. Microcracking at the corners of sharp indentations was not observed in amorphous nanoporous films, and rarely in harder, crystalline nanoporous films. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed a collapse of the nanoporous structure beneath the indentor tip during sharp indentation. The results are discussed in light of continuum-based models for the elastic properties of porous solids. In general, the models are not capable of predicting the change in modulus of the films, given pore volume fraction and the properties of bulk crystalline alumina.

Characterization of silicon parallel-plate electrostatic actuator in partially conducting aqueous solution

In this paper we present experimental results on the behavior of a silicon parallel-plate electrostatic actuator operated in a partially conducting aqueous solution. First, an experimental setup based on a laser position sensor is described for dynamic measurement of out-of-plate motion of MEMS structures in liquids. This set up is used to characterize motion of a surface-micromachined, polysilicon piston actuator operated in water using high- frequency drive signals to avoid charge migration that screens actuation potential. Results show that besides actuator design and fluid properties, voltage-displacement characteristics and pull-in phenomenon of parallel-plate actuators also depend on drive frequency.

Design and Characterization of a BioMEMS Device for In-Vitro Mechanical Stimulation of Single Adherent Cells

This paper presents development of a BioMEMS device to mechanically stimulate single adherent cells by means of electrostatic actuation. The main components of the proposed device include a platform for cell placement and an electrostatic comb drive actuator to provide in-plane motion. A high frequency actuation method was used to enable actuation in aqueous solutions. Displacements greater than 5μm were measured when the device was actuated with a 1 MHz square wave signal with 10V peak amplitude in DI water. Additionally, this device was successfully actuated in ionic solutions up to 50mM NaCl aqueous solution using frequencies greater than 30 MHz. Significant electrolysis and corrosion of the polysilicon and metal layers was observed when the devices were actuated in saline solutions with peak voltages greater than 15V, thus indicating that there is a limit on the maximum actuation voltage that can be used. No noticeable actuation was observed in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) or cell culture medium even when frequencies as high as 50 MHz were used due to ion migration. Theoretical calculations suggest that frequencies of the order of 100-500 MHz will be required for actuation in cell culture media. Currently we are in the process of building an experimental set-up to allow use of such high frequencies. Initial results for cell plating experiments on the cell stretcher platform and other considerations for device implementation are discussed in the end.Copyright

Electron tomographic methods for studying the chemical synapse.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the use of electron tomography (ET) to study the chemical synapse. It discusses the different types of chemical synapses and their properties as well as the biological questions that are addressable using ET. It also discusses the methods for culturing neurons on a variety of substrates suitable for ET and the development of novel tools that combine electrophysiological methods with ET methods for studying active synapses. The ultimate goal of such studies is to identify and ascertain the organization of membranes and supramolecular complexes in a resting synapse or in a synapse after treatment with well-defined stimulation protocols. Many of the relevant molecular complexes are of sufficient mass and their appearance causes clear contrast in conventional electron microscopy (EM). These include important assemblies such as the SNARE complex, NSF, and NMDA-PSD-95, and the bassoon and piccolo complexes that order synaptic vesicles, polysomes, Ca 2+ -release channels, microtubules, and associated transport vesicles. The study of several systems, such as the neuromuscular junction and ribbon synapses following stimulation, has been achieved and important insights have been gained; such studies cannot currently be performed with primary cultured hippocampus neurons.

Packaging of In-Plane Thermal Microactuators for BioMEMS Applications

This paper addresses two issues related to in-plane, electro-thermal actuators for BioMEMS applications. First, in order to protect the actuator from biological debris and particulates, a packaging technique using a flip-chip bonded polysilicon cap is demonstrated. The encapsulated actuator transmits motion outside the package via a piston, which moves through a small clearance. The second issue addressed is the reduction in efficiency of the thermal actuator in liquids. By coating the packaged actuator with a thin conformal hydrophobic layer via an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, the liquid is prevented from entering the encapsulation. This avoids direct contact between the actuator and the surrounding liquid thereby improving its efficiency. The unpackaged and packaged actuators were tested in both air and de-ionized water. Although the packaging resulted in a reduction in the performance of the thermal actuator in air, the actuation efficiency in water was significantly improved due to the isolation of the hot arms from the liquid. This packaging technique is also applicable to other MEMS devices and in-plane actuators such as electrostatic comb drives for engineering as well as biological applications.Copyright

Fast response temperature measurement and highly reproducible heating methods for 96-well plates.

Hyperthermia, the procedure of exposing cells to a temperature between 42 degrees and 49 degrees C, has been shown to be a promising approach for cancer treatment. To understand the underlying mechanisms of hyperthermic killing of cancer cells, it is critical to have an accurate temperature measurement technique and a heating method with high reproducibility. To this end, we have developed a method using fine thermocouples with fast response time to measure the temperatures in multiple wells of a 96-well plate. The accuracy of temperature measurement was +/- 0.2 degree C. Such a capability allows a complete record of the time and temperature of the treatment procedure and helps define an accurate thermal dose. We have also compared several methods for heating 96-well plates and found that use of copper blocks in contact with the lower surface of the 96-well plate in an incubator provides a highly reproducible heating method. The common method of using water bath to heat cells in vitro resulted in a decrease of cell viability even at the control temperature of 37 degrees C and a decrease in the reproducibility of certain biological assays. In summary, using these improved techniques, proposed thermal dose can be defined more precisely, and highly reproducible heating in vitro can be achieved.