Microsensing System for Real-time Pathogen Detection

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According to a recent report the market for biosensors in applications such as point of care, home diagnostics, research labs, biodefense, environmental monitoring, food industry, is projected to be US$22.68 billion and at an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.0% from 2014 to 2020. Increasing demands for rapid detection, onsite accessibility, and operation simplicity etc., are driving the development of new biosensing technologies. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) involve complex micro- and nano-scale integration of mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics by advanced fabrication technology. MEMS sensors have demonstrated superior capability of detecting minuscule mass. However, their high intrinsic sensitivity is challenged in real-time detections which are often conducted at atmospheric pressure and room temperature with liquid samples. Damping, pathogen collection, and signal detection/processing are the three barriers that need to be overcome to achieve real-time pathogen detection with MEMS sensors. In this research, novel MEMS sensors will be developed which will integrate piezoelectric actuation, surface acoustic wave (SAW) sorting, electrokinetic pathogen collection and capture, and a piezoelectric sensing or optical position sensing element. Through piezoelectric actuation elements, enough excitation energy can be applied to the sensors to overcome damping from testing sample solutions. SAW elements will be used to sort and concentrate pathogens, which will be collected and captured by the sensor via electrokinetic elements; Piezoelectric sensing or optical position sensitive devices (PSD) convert the sensors' dynamic response to the electrical signal, and allow the miniaturization. The novelty of the proposed MEMS sensors stems from the novel design and integration of multi-functional elements. The proposed research is an excellent platform to provide unique interdisciplinary training opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students. Over the next five years, the proposed research program will train 11 HQP including 4 PhD, 2 Master and 5 undergraduate students (summer students) for professional careers in high-tech engineering. Upon graduation, the trainees will be well-trained and knowledgeable experts in leading-edge micromanufacturing technology, Micro-biosensing technology, and micromechatronics engineering, and be ready for professional careers in industry and academia. The novel technology derived from this study can be widely employed for water quality monitoring, environmental biosafety enhancement, clinical diagnostics, bio-contamination identification etc., and will support relevant Canadian industry, e.g. Trojan Technologies, Veolia Water technology, Maple food Inc. Abbott, NXTSENS etc., to enhance their international competitiveness.