SU-8 force sensing pillar arrays for biological measurements

The generation and sensation of mechanical force plays a role in many dynamic biological processes, including touch sensation. This paper presents a two-axis micro strain gauge force sensor constructed from multiple layers of SU-8 and metal on quartz substrates. The sensor was designed to meet requi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Lab on a chip Vol. 9; no. 10; p. 1449
Main Authors:	Doll, Joseph C, Harjee, Nahid, Klejwa, Nathan, Kwon, Ronald, Coulthard, Sarah M, Petzold, Bryan, Goodman, Miriam B, Pruitt, Beth L
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England 2009
Subjects:	Animals Biomechanical Phenomena - physiology Caenorhabditis elegans - physiology Computer Simulation Epoxy Compounds Equipment Design Locomotion - physiology Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation Polymers Pressure Touch - physiology
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Summary:	The generation and sensation of mechanical force plays a role in many dynamic biological processes, including touch sensation. This paper presents a two-axis micro strain gauge force sensor constructed from multiple layers of SU-8 and metal on quartz substrates. The sensor was designed to meet requirements for measuring tactile sensitivity and interaction forces exerted during locomotion by small organisms such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The device is transparent and compatible with light microscopes, allowing behavioral experiments to be combined with quantitative force measurements. For the first time, we have characterized the scale of interaction forces generated in wild-type C. elegans in probing and responding to their environment during locomotion. The device features sub-microN force resolution from 1 Hz to 1 kHz, >25 microN range, kHz acquisition rates and biocompatibility.
ISSN:	1473-0197
DOI:	10.1039/b818622g