Handheld, Low-Cost Integrated CMOS Biomolecular Sensors

We are building our biomolecular sensor to perform as a Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic. Our sensor would be suitable for many potential applications, such as detecting lethal agents in biological/chemical warfare, physiological sensing of molecular species, and diagnosing pathogens in epidemic disease outbreaks. The key technical issues for POC devices in these applications are hand-held portability, wireless integration for communication of data, high sensitivity, battery-level power consumption, fast-sensing process, and most importantly a low price-tag [3]. The resonance-based magnetic particle sensor scheme we have developed addresses these concerns, and is scalable, compatible with inexpensive bulk CMOS process, can be integrated seamlessly with wireless technology, and provides a true paradigm shift in the upcoming POC microarray market, making it possible to make extremely low-cost, self-contained sensors for a variety of applications.