Stretchable microelectrode array using room-temperature liquid alloy interconnects
Abstract
In this paper, we present a stretchable microelectrode array for studying cell behavior under mechanical strain. The electrode array consists of gold-plated nail-head pins (250 mu m tip diameter) or tungsten micro-wires (25.4 mu m in diameter) inserted into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) platform (25.4 x 25.4 mm(2)). Stretchable interconnects to the outside were provided by fusible indium-alloy-filled microchannels. The alloy is liquid at room temperature, thus providing the necessary stretchability and electrical conductivity. The electrode platform can withstand strains of up to 40% and repeated (100 times) strains of up to 35% did not cause any failure in the electrodes or the PDMS substrate. We confirmed biocompatibility of short-term culture, and using the gold pin device, we demonstrated electric field pacing of adult murine heart cells. Further, using the tungsten microelectrode device, we successfully measured depolarizations of differentiated murine heart cells from embryoid body clusters.
Keywords
DIFFERENTIATION; CIRCUITS
DOI
10.1088/0960-1317/21/5/054015
Citation
J. Micromech. Microeng. 21 (2011) 054015 (8pp)
Date of this Version
5-2011
Recommended Citation
Wei, P.; Taylor, R.; Ding, Z.; Chung, C.; Abilez, O. J.; Higgs, G.; Pruitt, B. L.; and Ziaie, Babak, "Stretchable microelectrode array using room-temperature liquid alloy interconnects" (2011). Birck and NCN Publications. Paper 1020.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0960-1317/21/5/054015