Biomems: Science and Engineering Perspectives

As technological advancements widen the scope of applications for biomicroelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS or biomicrosystems), the field continues to have an impact on many aspects of life science operations and functionalities. Because BioMEMS research and development require the input of experts who use different technical languages and come from varying disciplines and backgrounds, scientists and students can avoid potential difficulties in communication and understanding only if they possess a skill set and understanding that enables them to work at the interface of engineering and biosciences.

Keeping this duality in mind throughout, BioMEMS: Science and Engineering Perspectives supports and expedites the multidisciplinary learning involved in the development of biomicrosystems. Divided into nine chapters, it starts with a balanced introduction of biological, engineering, application, and commercialization aspects of the field. With a focus on molecules of biological interest, the book explores the building blocks of cells and viruses, as well as molecules that form the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), linkers, and hydrogels used for making different surfaces biocompatible through functionalization.

The book also discusses:


* Different materials and platforms used to develop biomicrosystems


* Various biological entities and pathogens (in ascending order of complexity)


* The multidisciplinary aspects of engineering bioactive surfaces


* Engineering perspectives, including methods of manufacturing bioactive surfaces and devices


* Microfluidics modeling and experimentation


* Device level implementation of BioMEMS concepts for different applications.


Because BioMEMS is an application-driven field, the book also highlights the concepts of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and micro total analysis system (µTAS), along with their pertinence to the emerging point-of-care (POC) and point-of-need (PON) applications.

Muthukumaran Packirisamy is a professor and research chair on Optical BioMEMS in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Concordia University in Canada. He is the recipient of the I.W. Smith award and fellow from the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, the award for Best Researcher of the University, and the PetroCanada Young Innovator Award. He was also a member of the Canadian TaskForce on MEMS and Microfluidics. His research interest includes optical bioMEMS, integration of micro systems, and micro-nano integration.
Dr. Simona Badilescu is a senior scientist with a background in physical chemistry and a rich experience in teaching and research. She received her Ph.D. degree from the University of Bucharest (Romania) and specialized in molecular spectroscopy, surface science, and analytical applications of infrared spectroscopy. Presently, her research interest includes nanomaterials and their sensing applications.

Introduction

Introduction to BioMEMS

Application Areas

Intersection of Science and Engineering

Evolution of Systems Based on Size

Commercialization, Potential, and Market


Substrate Materials Used in BioMEMS Devices

Metals

Glasses and Ceramics

Silicon and Silicon-Based Surfaces

Polymers

Biopolymers

Organic Molecules (Functional Groups) Involved in the Formation of Self-Assembled Monolayers


Biomolecules and Complex Biological Entities: Structure and Properties

Amino Acids

Polypeptides and Proteins

Lipids

Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates

Enzymes

Cells

Bacteria and Viruses


Engineering of Bioactive Surfaces

Plasma Treatment and Plasma-Mediated Surface Modification

Surface Modifications Mediated by Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs)

Langmuir-Blodgett and Layer-by-Layer Assembly

Biosmart Hydrogels

Immobilization and Detection of Biomolecules by Using Gold Nanoparticles: Case Studies

Biomimetic Surface Engineering

Attachment of Proteins to Surfaces

Surface Modification of Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications

Temperature-Responsive Intelligent Interfaces


Methods of Study and Characterization of Surface-Modified Substrates

Contact Angle

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Attenuated Total Reflection (Internal Reflection) Infrared Spectroscopy

Mechanical Methods: Use of Micro- and Nanocantilevers for Characterization of Surfaces


Biosensing Fundamentals

Biosensors

Immunoassays

Comparison between Biosensors and ELISA Immunoassays


Fabrication of BioMEMS Devices

Basic Microfabrication Processes

Micromachining

Soft Micromachining

Microfabrication Techniques for Biodegradable Polymers

Nanofabrication Methods

Introduction to Microfluidics

Fluid Physics at the Microscale

Methods for Enhancing Diffusive Mixing between Two Laminar Flows

Controlling Flow and Transport in Microfluidic Channels

Modeling Microchannel Flow

Experimental Methods


BioMEMS: Life Science Applications

Introduction to Microarrays

Microarrays Based on DNA

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Protein Microarrays

Cell and Tissue-Based Assays on a Chip

Microreactors

Micro Total Analysis Systems (μTAS) and Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC)

Lab-on-a-Chip: Conclusion and Outlook

Microcantilever BioMEMS