Engineering a continuous flow electrochemical micro-cell for biosensor applications: new achievements

Abstract

The functional tests of a previously obtained continuous flow micro-cell revealed a rather low value of the sensitivity of the chronoamperometric measurements as well as a poor reliability of both fluidic and electric connections. The engineering of the micro-cell regards the improvement of the following characteristics: (1) integrating the reference electrode on the chip, (2) designing a specific pattern of the electrodes and (3) serially distributing them along the pipeline reservoir. Thus, a plug-flow device is obtained and the preliminary tests confirm its functionality together with an improved sensitivity. The use of photosensitive glass (Foturan®) for obtaining the reservoir and its vertical openings allowed an improvement of the transversal shape and thus of the fluid flow. Better connections are achieved by the development of more reliable and rigid glass fluidic connections as well as of flexible elastomer-based solderless electric connections combined with both a standard DIL40 socket and standard flat cable connectors.

Keywords:

• micro-cell
• integrated metallic electrodes
• flexible connections
• continuous flow

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ Programm of Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Italy and Romania for the years 2006-2008 (Project: Bioelectronic micro devices for bioanalysis and diagnosis. Feasibility study for clinical applications) and the Project CoSMIC (ENEA target project on biosensors).