Sensor Array Tuning via Pattern Illumination Annealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor arrays for detecting materials like viruses, bacteria, and chemicals are costly to design and produce, limited by design and fabrication challenges, and lack the ability to be manufactured quickly in large quantities while maintaining accuracy and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The development of sensor arrays using pattern illumination-based annealed coated substrates with integrated electronic and optical functionalities, allowing for rapid prototyping and the attachment of functional molecules like peptides and antibodies, which enhance sensitivity and specificity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current sensor array design and fabrication methods are used, then sensor arrays can be produced, but they are costly and limited in quantity and speed of production
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple individual sensor elements that can be independently fabricated and then assembled. Each sensor element consists of a substrate with patterned electrodes and functional molecules, allowing for modular production that increases throughput while maintaining quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is pre-patterned with electrode structures and functional molecules before final sensor assembly. This preliminary fabrication of key components enables parallel processing and reduces the complexity of final assembly, thereby increasing production speed and reducing costs.
2Measurement precision
If sensor arrays are designed with higher accuracy and sensitivity, then detection capability improves, but design and fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Functional molecules are selectively attached to specific regions of the substrate where they are needed for detection. This localized functionalization achieves high detection accuracy and sensitivity without requiring complex modifications across the entire sensor array, thereby reducing fabrication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor combines inorganic substrate materials with organic functional molecules to achieve enhanced detection capabilities. This composite approach leverages the advantages of both material types—structural stability from the substrate and molecular recognition from the functional molecules—without requiring complex single-material solutions.
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
Enables the creation of highly accurate, sensitive, and specific sensor arrays capable of detecting multiple materials over a wide range, with the ability to be produced efficiently and in large quantities, reducing production costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
pattern illumination-based annealed coated substrate
Implementation Method 2
pattern illumination-based annealing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to sensor arrays that are more accurate, more sensitive, and more specific with respect to the material that is detected and capable of detecting one or more materials over a wide range. Such sensor arrays can comprises sensors comprising pattern illumination-based annealed coated substrate and one or more functional molecules and process of using same. The method of designing and process of making the sensors for such sensor array yields components that can have one or more electronic and/or optical functionalities that are integrated on the same substrate or film and to which one or more functional molecules can be attached to yield a sensor. Such processes when coupled with the design methods provided herein, allow for the rapid, efficient device prototyping, design change and evolution in the lab and on the production side.