Three-Dimensional, Flexible

Nanoscale Field-Effect Transistors

as Localized Bioprobes

ANDRES OSORIO SALAZAR

A01014639
 Introduction

For many years, nanoelectronic

devices have been used for
interrogating biological systems,
but since now, all work had
been done on planar devices.
We have overcome this
limitation by the integration of a
nanoscale field-effect transistor Schematics of 60° (top) and 0° (middle)
multiply kinked nanowires and cis (top)
(nanoFET) device at the tip of a and Trans (bottom) configurations in
nanowire structures. The blue and pink
silicon wire bent on an acute regions designate the source/drain (S/D)
and nanoscale FET channel, respectively.
angle.
 Introduction

The advantages of using 3D structures is that they

exhibited conductance and sensitivity in aqueous
solution , independent of large mechanical
deflections, and demonstrated high pH sensitivity.
Other advantage is that when we modified 3D
nanoprobes with phospholipid bilayers, can enter
single cells to get better information.
 Background

Modern means of communication rely on electric fields and

currents to carry the flow of information.
In contrast, biological systems uses ion gradients and
currents, flows of small molecules, and membrane electric
potentials.
Living organisms use a sophisticated arsenal of membrane
receptors, channels, and pumps to control signal
transduction.
Electronic circuits that use such biological components could
achieve drastically increased functionality; however, this
approach requires nearly seamless integration of biological
and manmade structures.
 Aim

In order to get the more information about cells, we must first
create a device small enough to be compared to the size of a cell
itself. This kind of technology has been called nanoelectronics,
referring to nano-sized electronics.
Nanotubes and nanowires electrical devices are extremely sensitive
and can be used for the detection of biological markers, or high
resolution recording from the outside of the cell.
3D sensing and recording with the prototypical nanoelectronic
device, a nanoscale field-effect transistor (nanoFET), have not been
demonstrated because almost all examples of these devices are
created on planar substrates.
In this project, we develop a device reliable and usable to get
accurate information about biological cells.
 Design

We needed to incorporate two or three cis-linked

kinked units to the tip of the probe forming angles of
60° or 0°.
We examined the size limits of these bioprobes in
terms of the nanowire diameter and length L between
kinks, and we found that probe structures that are
functional are possible for values as small as ~18 and
15 nm, respectively.
These data show that it is possible to create active
semiconductor probes with dimensions smaller than
microtubules in cells.
 Fabrication process.

We next designed a brand-new

process to fabricate these
nanodevices that would allow
these probes to be used as
cellular probes.
We made remote electrical
interconnects to the S/D
nanowire arms on ultrathin SU-8
polymer ribbons.
 Experiment

We used the hearth cell of the embryo of a chicken.

In order to start the process, we coated the cells with
a silicon-based organic polymer.
We positioned on place individual cells over a
vertical phospholipid bilayer.
 Results

Conductance versus-time data initially in gentle contact with a

beating hearth cell showed a sequence of distinct features

Initially, we observed regularly spaced

spikes with a frequency of ~2.3 Hz,
consistent with the beating hearth

After a relatively brief (~40-s) period of

extracellular signals, we observed several
pronounced changes in recorded signals.
The initial extracellular signals disappeared (pink
stars).
There was a decrease in baseline potential, and
new peaks emerged that had an opposite sign,
similar frequency, much greater amplitude, and
longer duration (green stars).
 Discussion

When the cell was retracted from the devices, the

intracellular peaks disappeared, but they reappeared
when the cell was brought back into contact.
This process could be repeated multiple times
without degradation in the recorded signal.
When vertical 3D nanoprobe devices were bent into
a configuration with angle q < ~50° with respect to
the cell, or when kinked nanowire devices were
fabricated on planar substrates, we could record only
extracellular signals.
 Conclusions

We believe that with this process there are already

clear advantages:
 Electrical recording with kinked nanowire probes is relatively
simple without the need for resistance or capacitance
compensation.
 The nanoprobes are chemically less invasive than pipettes, as
there is no solution exchange.
 The small size and biomimetic coating minimizes mechanical
invasiveness
 The nanoFETs have high spatial and temporal resolution for
recording.
 References
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