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A Sub-30 mpH Resolution Thin Film Transistor-Based Nanoribbon Biosensing Platform
Ioannis Zeimpekis1, Konstantinos I Papadimitriou2, Kai Sun3
1Nanoelectronics & Nanotechnology Research Group, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. izk07r@ecs.soton.ac.uk.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 2, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a sensitive Thin Film Transistor (TFT)-based nanoribbon biosensor and bioinstrumentation platform. The system accurately detects subtle pH changes, enabling rapid Point-of-Care diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate and rapid biochemical detection is crucial for Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostics.
- Existing biosensing technologies face challenges in sensitivity, cost, and portability for remote applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a complete biosensing system integrating a novel nanoribbon biosensor with a high-performance bioinstrumentation platform.
- To demonstrate the system's capability for detecting minute pH changes with high accuracy and resolution.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a top-down nanoribbon biosensor using an ultra-thin (15 nm) polysilicon channel for enhanced surface potential sensitivity.
- Integration of the biosensor with a custom bioinstrumentation platform featuring low-noise, high-precision analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and switched-capacitor integrators.
- Performance benchmarking using conventional pH buffer measurements and urea-urease enzymatic reactions.
Main Results:
- The biosensing system demonstrated sensitivity to sub-30 millipH (mpH) unit changes.
- Validation via urea-urease reaction showed detection of urea concentrations as low as 25 μM, corresponding to a 27 mpH change.
- The system achieved high accuracy and resolution, validated by enzymatic biochemical reactions.
Conclusions:
- The developed biosensing system offers a competitive solution for rapid and accurate diagnostics at remote locations.
- Its low-cost manufacturability, high processing speed, and portability are key advantages for Point-of-Care (POC) applications.
- The system's ability to detect subtle pH shifts paves the way for advanced biochemical analysis in diverse settings.
