Mating Plate FET Biosensor Array for Stable Low-Concentration Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing FET biosensors face issues with instability, unsuitability for clustering in arrays, and limited scalability for industrial applications, leading to poor detection performance and sensitivity, particularly in detecting low-concentration biomarkers.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a first plate with protrusions and a second plate with receptacles, allowing for efficient biofunctionalization and operation of FET biosensors in an array format, using 3D-stereolithographic printing and deposition techniques to create gate electrodes, and a protective layer to maintain stability and sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If FET biosensors are designed for high sensitivity detection, then detection limits reach picomolar levels, but the sensors become deactivated after single ligand recognition events and cannot detect further ligands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidreproducibility of detection events

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gate electrode is divided into multiple independent domains (first domain and second domain), each capable of independent biofunctionalization and detection. This segmentation allows the sensor to continue detecting ligands in one domain while another domain remains available, preventing complete deactivation and enabling repeated measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If nano-systems are used for single-molecule detection, then size constraints allow incorporation of few biological recognition elements, but the sensors must wait impractically long times to detect few biomarkers in large volumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of biological recognition elementsVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional planar gates to three-dimensional protruding structures with multiple domains. This dimensional change increases the effective surface area and volume available for biological recognition elements, allowing more elements to be incorporated without increasing the footprint, thereby reducing detection time while maintaining the ability to detect low-concentration biomarkers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If FET biosensors are configured for high sensitivity, then detection limits reach picomolar levels, but the sensors are unsuitable for clustering in arrays and lack scalability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidscalability for industrial applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The modular multi-domain gate structure can be independently fabricated and then assembled into arrays. Each domain serves as an independent sensing unit that can be produced using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques, enabling scalable manufacturing and clustering in arrays while maintaining high sensitivity performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If prior art biosensors are used, then single-molecule detection is achieved, but mechanical and electrical stability is poor and detection performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-molecule detection capabilityVSAvoidmechanical and electrical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gate electrode combines conductive materials with structurally stable supporting structures. The protruding domain architecture provides mechanical stability while the conductive material maintains electrical performance. This composite approach ensures both single-molecule detection capability and long-term operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system enhances mechanical and electrical stability, enabling reliable detection over a wide concentration range and scalability for industrial applications, with improved sensitivity and reproducibility.

Implementation Method 1

FET-based sensors exhibit detection limits down to picomolar (10−12 mole L−1) and the high repeatability of the sensor responses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectField effect transistor mechanism:

Data Source

PatentUS12560572B2Transistor-based biological assay system comprising mating receptacle plate and gate electrode plate

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 UNIV DEGLI STUDI DI BARI

AI summary

A system for biological assay includes a first plate having a plurality of protrusions, a second plate configured for mating with said first plate, the second plate including a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being configured to receive at least a portion of a corresponding one of said protrusions upon mating of the first plate with the second plate, wherein each protrusion includes a gate electrode configured for facing the respective receptacle upon mating of the first plate with the second plate, and wherein each receptacle further includes at least one source-drain channel operatively associated to a gate electrode carried by a respective protrusion upon mating of the first plate with the second plate.