Pawel Bembnowicz

Monitoring of cell cultures with LTCC microelectrode array.

AbstractMonitoring of cell cultures in microbioreactors is a crucial task in cell bioassays and toxicological tests. In this work a novel tool based on a miniaturized sensor array fabricated using low-temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) technology is presented. The developed device is applied to the monitoring of cell-culture media change, detection of the growth of various species, and in toxicological studies performed with the use of cells. Noninvasive monitoring performed with the LTCC microelectrode array can be applied for future cell-engineering purposes. FigureMicroelectrode array for monitoring of cell cultures

LTCC microreactor with thermal stabilization

The paper presents application of the LTCC (low temperature co-fired ceramic) technology in microsystems. A heated chamber with additional temperature sensors is demonstrated. The aim of the work is to obtain heated microchamber characterized by small thermal inertia and uniform distribution of the temperature inside. The finite element analyses (FEA) are used to demonstrate thermal properties of designed device. Moreover, the temperature distribution on the surface of the microreactor is measured. The proper temperature management is achieved.

The LTCC based continuous flow optical sensor for absorbance measurements

The continuous flow sensor for optical absorbance or transmittance measurements is presented. The structure is made of LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics). The ceramic sensor consists of microfluidic channel, absorption cell and two polymer optical fibers. The input and output optical fibers are connected with light emitting diode and digital photodetector. Performed tests have shown nearly linear response to KMnO4 solution up to ca. 160 mM. The absorbance measurements were made with usage of low-cost and miniature optoelectronic components which enable future integration with the ceramic structure.

Integrated LTCC chamber with optical ports and thermal control elements

This document shows the microsystem, made of LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) material, for biochemical and chemical applications. The structure consists of a chamber, a glass window, an inlet and an outlet, an optical waveguide, a heater and a temperature sensor. The novel LTCC-glass technology is used to build the ceramic microreactor. The additional glass elements enable real-time, optical analyses. The integrated heater and the temperature sensor allow reactor to achieve required temperature. FEA (Finite Element Analyze) is applied to optimize thermal properties of the designed chamber. Furthermore, the electronic control system is constructed in order to obtain proper temperature profile.

LTCC system for light absorbance measurement

The paper describes technology of the LTCC structure which enables light absorbance measurements of liquid sample. The manufactured ceramic structure contains buried microfluidic channels. The structure consists of two co-fired glass windows which separate the light source and detector from the test solution. A construction of an electronic measurement system is described as well. The signal from three LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) – red, green and blue – can be used in the absorbance measurements. The light intensity is measured by the TCS3414CS (TAOS) color detector. Optical properties of the fabricated microfluidic LTCC system is investigated with several concentrations of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in water solution. The system can be applied in microbiology for constant monitoring of bacteria growth.

Heated microchamber made of LTCC

This paper presents various methods of designing of heated microchamber based on LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics) and thick film technology. The temperature distribution inside the microchamber is modeled by thermal field simulation. The aim of the work is to obtain heated microchamber characterized by small thermal inertia and uniform distribution of temperature inside. Several various constructions of the chamber are presented.