3D array integrated cells for the sampling and detection of air bound chemical and biological species
First Claim
1. A sensing system comprising:
- an array of integrated cells for the sampling and detection of airborne chemical and biological species; and
wherein each cell of the array of integrated cells comprises;
a mesopump comprising a plurality of polymer layers forming a plurality of cavities; and
a metalized polymer diaphragm situated within each cavity of the plurality of cavities of the mesopump; and
at least one micro sensor structurally formed within the mesopump.
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Abstract
An integrated mesopump-sensor suitable for disposition in two- and three-dimensional arrays having small dimensions is disclosed. One mesopump is formed of an electrostatically attractable flexible diaphragm disposed through cavities or pumping chambers formed between two opposing electrostatically chargeable material layers. Fluid is pumped through the chambers by sequentially moving the diaphragm toward the first chargeable layer, then towards the second chargeable layer, which can pull and push the fluid through a series of chambers, and past the sensor. One group of sensors utilizes multiple and varied chemoresistive sensors which can vary in resistance differently in response to the presence of various analytes. Another group of sensors utilizes chemo-fluorescent sensors that fluoresce in the presence of particular analytes. Some mesopump-sensor systems can be manufactured using MEMS technology and can be coupled to controllers for sequencing the pumps and analyzing sensor outputs using methods including Principle Component Analysis.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A sensing system comprising:
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an array of integrated cells for the sampling and detection of airborne chemical and biological species; and
wherein each cell of the array of integrated cells comprises;
a mesopump comprising a plurality of polymer layers forming a plurality of cavities; and
a metalized polymer diaphragm situated within each cavity of the plurality of cavities of the mesopump; and
at least one micro sensor structurally formed within the mesopump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A sensing system comprising:
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an array of integrated mesopumps for the sampling and detection of airborne chemical and biological species; and
wherein each mesopump comprises;
a first layer, at least a portion of which is electrically chargeable;
a second layer opposing said first layer, at least a portion of which is electrically chargeable;
said first and second layers forming a cavity therebetween;
an electrostatically moveable diaphragm disposed between said first and second layers and disposed through said cavity for pumping fluid through said cavity;
a flow channel formed into at least one of said first and second layers and in fluid communication with said cavity; and
a micro sensor embedded in said flow channel and disposed in fluid communication with said flow channel, such that the pumped fluid passes said sensor when pumped into or out of said cavity. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensing system comprising:
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an array of integrated micro pumps for the sampling and detection of airborne chemical and biological species; and
wherein each micro pump comprises;
a plurality of polymer layers forming a plurality of cavities;
a metalized polymer diaphragm situated within each cavity of the plurality of cavities; and
at least one micro sensor formed within the plurality of cavities. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensor system comprising:
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an array of integrated micro pumps for the sampling and detection of airborne chemical and biological species; and
wherein each micro pump comprises;
a first layer, at least a portion of which is electrically chargeable;
a second layer opposing said first layer, at least a portion of which is electrically chargeable;
said first and second layers forming a cavity therebetween;
an electrostatically moveable diaphragm disposed between said first and second layers and disposed through said cavity for pumping fluid through said cavity;
a flow channel formed into at least one of said first and second layers and in fluid communication with said cavity;
a micro sensor disposed in fluid communication with said flow channel, such that the pumped fluid passes said sensor when pumped into or out of said cavity; and
at least another layer disposed opposing said second layer and having at least another cavity disposed between said second layer and said at least another layer, and at least another diaphragm disposed between said second layer and said at least another layer, said at least another cavity being in fluid communication with said first cavity; and
wherein the micro pump has no valve mechanism to assure only one direction of fluid flow in said flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification