Ceramic-Based Multisite Microelectrodes for Electrochemical & Electrophysiological Recordings

9987807格雷格·A·格哈德肯塔基大学陶瓷基多点微电极用于电化学和电生理记录在许多科学领域非常需要小型设备，可用于了解发生在生物体和细胞之间的化学信号。这种微电极可以用于涉及生物化学交流的实验，这是一个知之甚少的基本过程。然而，微电极的发展一直受到制造极小设备的困难的阻碍，这些设备既结实又负担得起。该奖项的目标是开发一种多点陶瓷基微电极，这种电极足够便宜，可以一次性使用，并可用于生物系统中的化学记录，如植物、动物甚至海洋。首先，将使用现有的微电极原型在大鼠大脑中进行一系列生物记录。在这些初步测量之后，将实施几个站点掩模设计，以确定优化化学测量记录站点几何形状的设计。此外，还将研究允许使用更薄的材料形成微电极的程序。其次，将开发新一代陶瓷基传感器，以研究铂、Ir和碳记录位的记录特性。所有这些都将有助于开发用于生物系统化学测量的新一代负担得起的微电极。该奖项将开发的陶瓷基微电极在生物学中具有许多潜在的用途。新的微电极将与其他科学家共享，以探索这些潜在的用途。除了与科学家的合作外，微电极还将用于许多以生物系统中化学信号动力学为中心的教育项目。这些项目包括教育当地企业和高中在生物系统中使用快速化学措施的项目，一个让高中生参加暑期研究的项目，以及在马萨诸塞州伍兹霍尔举办的一个短期课程，培训研究生、博士后和教职员工使用微电极。

ABSTRACT9987807Greg A. GerhardtUniversity of Kentucky Ceramic-Based Multisite Microelectrodes for Electrochemical and Electrophysiological RecordingsThere is a great need in many areas of science for small devices that can be used to understand the chemical signaling that occurs between organisms and cells. Such microelectrodes can be used for experiments involving chemical communication in biology, which is a fundamental process that has been poorly understood. However, the development of microelectrodes has been hampered by the difficulty in manufacturing extremely small devices that are strong and affordable. The goal of this award is to develop a multisite ceramic-based microelectrode that is sufficiently inexpensive to be disposable and can be applied to chemical recordings in biological systems such as plants, animals and even the ocean.The present award has two major specific aims. First, a series of biological recordings in the rat brain will be done using an existing microelectrode prototype. Following these initial measurements, several site mask designs will be implemented to determine the design that optimizes the recording site geometry for chemical measurements. In addition, procedures will be investigated that allow for the formation of microelectrodes using thinner materials. Second, a new generation of ceramic-based sensors will be developed to investigate the recording properties of platinum iridium (Pt-Ir) and carbon recording sites. All of these will contribute to the development of a new generation of affordable microelectrodes for chemical measures in biological systems.The ceramic-based microelectrodes that will be developed with this award have a number of potential uses in biology. The new microelectrodes will be shared with other scientists to explore these potential uses. In addition to collaborations with scientists, the microelectrodes will be used in numerous education programs that center on the dynamics of chemical signaling in biological systems. These include programs to educate local businesses and high schools about the uses of rapid chemical measures in biological systems, a program for high school students to participate in summer research, and a short course, held at Woods Hole, MA, that involves the training of graduate students, postdoctoral students and faculty in the use of the microelectrodes.