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Figure 8: The experimental LoPCB biosensing platform; (a) integrated LoPCB stackup; (b) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy electrode configuration; (c) commercially fabricated PCB biosensing platform; (d) sample delivery microfluidics [4].
Dr. Moschou’s recent work is shown in Figure 9, which is a three-layer multilayer experiment where the construction is:
- Layer 1: Reference layer plated with copper, silver, and silver chloride (Figure 5b&c)
- Layer 2: Sensing electrodes plated with hard gold
- Layer 3: the microfluidic layers for the sample solution
A 3D exploded view, as well as the plated layers, are also shown. The experimental test board proved very successful, so a full LoPCB substrate was designed (Figure 10). This fully integrated PCB cartridge (4.6 cm x 5.7 cm) includes the microfluidic channels for handling the sample, reference electrodes, and working electrodes. It is designed to measure the biomarkers for the test for tuberculosis. In addition to the three-layer construction, the cartridge contained:
- PCI express electrical interfacing
- Six channels (four standard curve points within the clinical range, one negative control, and one sample)
- 10 µL reaction chambers
- Three amperometric sensors per channel
- Full assay implemented on the PCB
