A vibrating probe thermal biochemical sensor

Rapid vibration of small enzyme-thermopile biochemical sensors in solution has been observed to substantially improve their thermal noise rejection. Millimeter-order 20 Hz vibratory excursions of a thermal biosensor by a piezoelectric bender element were found to be effective in eliminating the need for temperature controlled dewars, flow streams, or special thermal environments ordinarily required to operate these sensors. Vibrated thermopiles have been made into biochemical sensors by attaching thin membrane hollow fibers to the thermopile sensing region and perfusing the lumen of the fiber with small quantities of an enzyme solution. This process can give the biosensor an extended lifetime by allowing easy replacement of the enzyme. Vibrated enzyme-thermopile biochemical sensors can be realized in a convenient and compact probe-type configuration that is directly immersible into a test solution.