Acoustic Biosensor Assembly With Bragg Isolation for Low Crosstalk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic biosensors face challenges in achieving high quality factor values, multiplexing on a single chip, manufacturing at low cost with reduced sizes, and performing label-free, real-time measurements with small sample amounts.
Innovation Solution
A biosensor assembly with juxtaposed units featuring a common piezoelectric monocrystal layer and Bragg solid bulk structures that isolate each unit, allowing independent and simultaneous measurements, while minimizing crosstalk and enabling low-cost, compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple biosensor units share a common piezoelectric monocrystal layer, then manufacturing cost is reduced and device size is minimized, but crosstalk between adjacent units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common piezoelectric monocrystal layer is segmented into multiple independent biosensor units by introducing separating structures (such as trenches or insulating barriers) between adjacent units. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently while sharing the common substrate, thereby reducing crosstalk while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and compact size.
2Volume of moving object
If biosensor units are placed close together on a single chip, then device size is reduced, but quality factor decreases due to increased coupling
Solution Approach 1:
Separating structures (such as insulating layers or air gaps) are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent biosensor units. These intermediaries reduce acoustic coupling between units while allowing the units to remain in close proximity on the same chip, thus maintaining high quality factor while minimizing device size.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If separate piezoelectric layers are used for each biosensor unit, then crosstalk is minimized, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple biosensor units share a common piezoelectric monocrystal layer, merging what would otherwise be separate layers into a single integrated structure. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining low crosstalk through proper segmentation and isolation techniques.
4Productivity
If collective manufacturing processes are used for multiple biosensors, then production efficiency increases, but crystal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric monocrystal layer is grown and prepared in advance with high crystal quality before the biosensor units are patterned and segmented. This preliminary action ensures that the base material has the necessary quality, and subsequent segmentation processes (such as etching or depositing separating structures) are performed carefully to preserve crystal integrity while enabling collective manufacturing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves high quality factor resonators with minimal crosstalk, enabling efficient, low-cost, and compact biosensor assemblies suitable for label-free, real-time measurements on multiple compounds with small sample volumes.
Implementation Method 1
Each biosensor comprises a layer of piezoelectric material which supports two electrodes designed for generating an acoustic vibration within the piezoelectric layer when an alternating voltage is applied between both electrodes
Implementation Method 2
Bragg solid bulk structures that are supported rigidly by the piezoelectric monocrystal layer... distributed on the piezoelectric monocrystal layer so that, for any pair of biosensor units that are next to one another in the assembly, at least one of the Bragg solid bulk structures is located between both biosensor units
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2e
AI summary
A biosensor assembly (10) comprises a plurality of biosensor units which are juxtaposed next to one another. Respective portions (P) of a continuous piezoelectric monocrystal layer (1) are dedicated to the biosensor units, and Bragg solid bulk structures (2) are arranged on the piezoelectric layer between the portions thereof that pertain to neighboring biosensor units. Each Bragg structure has a pattern repetition direction (D) that is parallel to the piezoelectric layer, and is designed for confinement of elastic vibrations and suppressing cross-talk between the biosensor units. The biosensor assembly can be manufactured from a piezoelectric wafer with low cost price.