Manufacture of SU-8 micro-grippers for mechanical characterization of gut epithelial cells

R. E. Mackay, H.R. Le, R.P. Keatch, Qi Zhao

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    This paper describes the manufacture of an integrated micro-electro-mechanical system (M EMS) to be used for small scale tissue manipulation. The micro-grippers are to be used to test the mechanical cell adhesion properties of the gut epithelium. In the majority of sporadic colon cancers the Adenomatous Polyopsis Coli (APC) protein is mutated or missing. Mutations of APC occur extremely early in the development of cancer, before formation of polyps. The following paper looks at the manufacturing processes for SU-8 micro-grippers. The micro-gripper structure has been successfully fabricated as a single structure not incorporating conduction paths. A number of sacrificial layers have been examined for compatibility with the SU-8 development. The sacrificial layer will be removed to leave a suspended structure. Stiction is a challenge to overcome in wet etch processes. An electroless coating process for Ni-P sacrificial layer has been developed. Coating Ni-P onto bare silicon substrates is a challenging problem. Sensitization and activation steps are needed to coat non-conductive surfaces. Sensitizers for Ni-P coatings of SnCl2 and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane were tested to look at adhesion of Ni-P to the substrate. Results have shown Ni-P can be applied to SiO2 surfaces at a thickness high enough to be utilized as a sacrificial layer for micro-grippers.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMicro-and nanosystems in medicine, active implants, biosensors
    EditorsO Dissel, WC Schlegel
    Place of PublicationNew York
    PublisherSpringer
    Pages87-90
    Number of pages4
    Volume25
    ISBN (Electronic)9783642038877
    ISBN (Print)9783642038860
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009
    EventWorld Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering - Munich, Germany
    Duration: 7 Sept 200912 Sept 2009
    http://conference.vde.com/world-congress-2009/Pages/Home.aspx

    Publication series

    NameEFMBE Proceedings (IFMBE)
    PublisherSpringer
    Volume25

    Conference

    ConferenceWorld Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityMunich
    Period7/09/0912/09/09
    Internet address

    Keywords

    • Micro-electro-mechanical systems
    • micro-gripping
    • biomechanics
    • SU-8
    • Nickel-phosphorus
    • MICROGRIPPER
    • MANIPULATION
    • DEPOSITION

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