A Scalable ISFET Sensing and Memory Array With Sensor Auto-Calibration for On-Chip Real-Time DNA Detection

Area of Science:

• * Integrated microsystems and nanotechnology
• * Biomedical engineering and biosensing
• * Semiconductor device physics

Background:

• * Existing ion detection platforms often lack integration and real-time capabilities.
• * Need for miniaturized, robust systems for on-site biochemical analysis.
• * Challenges in sensor nonideality compensation and calibration.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To develop a novel CMOS-based system-on-chip (SoC) for ion detection.
• * To integrate in-pixel quantization and calibration for sensor nonidealities.
• * To demonstrate a lab-on-chip platform for pH sensing and DNA amplification/detection.

Main Methods:

• * Design and fabrication of a 78x56 ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) array on a CMOS chip.
• * Integration of sensing circuitry, memory cells, and temperature sensors within each pixel.
• * Development of a lab-on-chip cartridge system for power, biasing, data acquisition, and thermal management.

Main Results:

• * Achieved a linear readout spread of 0.3% with per-pixel calibration.
• * Demonstrated high pH sensitivity of 3.2 mV/pH.
• * Successfully performed on-chip real-time DNA amplification and detection of lambda phage DNA.

Conclusions:

• * The developed CMOS SoC provides a robust and integrated platform for ion detection.
• * In-pixel calibration and temperature sensing enhance measurement accuracy and reliability.
• * The system enables on-chip, real-time biochemical analysis, including DNA amplification and detection.