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Printed Circuit Boards: The Layers' Functions for Electronic and Biomedical Engineering.
Francisco Perdigones1, José Manuel Quero1
1Electronic Engineering Department, University of Seville, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
Micromachines
|March 26, 2022
Summary
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) offer versatile fabrication opportunities for electronic and biomedical engineering. Their cost-effectiveness and multilayer capabilities enable the development of advanced sensors, biosensors, and lab-on-chip devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) traditionally serve as substrates in electronics, connecting components via copper lines.
- PCBs are increasingly recognized for their potential in biomedical applications due to cost-effectiveness, versatility, and multilayer fabrication.
- Key PCB materials include copper, gold, silver, and Flame Retardant 4 (FR4), alongside features like vias and solder masks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the fabrication opportunities presented by Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) in electronic and biomedical engineering.
- To highlight the unique material characteristics of PCBs that make them suitable for advanced applications.
- To review the diverse applications of PCB technology in developing sensors, biosensors, actuators, and lab-on-chip devices.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and fabrication techniques for PCBs.
- Analysis of material properties and structural elements of PCBs (e.g., metallic layers, vias, solder masks, substrates).
- Identification and categorization of current and potential applications in biomedical and electronic fields.
Main Results:
- PCBs offer a low-cost, versatile platform with multilayer capabilities for complex device fabrication.
- The use of various metallic layers (copper, gold, silver) and substrate types (rigid, flexible) enhances functionality.
- Successful implementation of PCB technology in devices such as DNA amplification for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), sensors, and lab-on-chips.
Conclusions:
- Printed Circuit Boards provide significant fabrication opportunities for both electronic and biomedical engineering fields.
- The inherent characteristics of PCBs, including their layered structure and material options, facilitate innovation in device design.
- PCB-based platforms are enabling advancements in areas like diagnostics and biosensing, with broad future potential.
