Method for chemical sensing using a microfabricated teeter-totter resonator
First Claim
1. A method for sensing a chemical analyte in a fluid stream, comprising:
- providing a microfabricated teeter-totter resonator, the resonator comprising;
a frame, a paddle having a first end and a second end and wherein the paddle is pivotably anchored to the frame by pivot arms at each end of the paddle, the pivot arms defining an axis of rotation of the paddle, a current conductor line on a surface of the paddle that is displaced from the axis of rotation of the paddle, means for applying a static magnetic field aligned substantially in-plane with the paddle and substantially perpendicular to the current conductor line and the axis of rotation, and means for energizing the current conductor line with an alternating electrical current; and
applying the static magnetic field;
energizing the current conductor line with the alternating electrical current to excite an oscillatory motion of the paddle about the axis of rotation;
exposing the resonator to the chemical analyte in the fluid stream; and
detecting the response of the oscillatory motion of the paddle to the chemical analyte.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for sensing a chemical analyte in a fluid stream comprises providing a microfabricated teeter-totter resonator that relies upon a Lorentz force to cause oscillation in a paddle, applying a static magnetic field substantially aligned in-plane with the paddle, energizing a current conductor line on a surface of the paddle with an alternating electrical current to generate the Lorentz force, exposing the resonator to the analyte, and detecting the response of the oscillatory motion of the paddle to the chemical analyte. Preferably, a chemically sensitive coating is disposed on at least one surface of the paddle to enhance the sorption of the analyte by the paddle. The concentration of the analyte in a fluid stream can be determined by measuring the change in the resonant frequency or phase of the teeter-totter resonator as the chemical analyte is added to or removed from the paddle.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for sensing a chemical analyte in a fluid stream, comprising:
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providing a microfabricated teeter-totter resonator, the resonator comprising;
a frame, a paddle having a first end and a second end and wherein the paddle is pivotably anchored to the frame by pivot arms at each end of the paddle, the pivot arms defining an axis of rotation of the paddle, a current conductor line on a surface of the paddle that is displaced from the axis of rotation of the paddle, means for applying a static magnetic field aligned substantially in-plane with the paddle and substantially perpendicular to the current conductor line and the axis of rotation, and means for energizing the current conductor line with an alternating electrical current; and
applying the static magnetic field;
energizing the current conductor line with the alternating electrical current to excite an oscillatory motion of the paddle about the axis of rotation;
exposing the resonator to the chemical analyte in the fluid stream; and
detecting the response of the oscillatory motion of the paddle to the chemical analyte. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification