More recently, Smith et al. (2008) used a 3D continuous flow microspotter
(CFM) system for the preparation of multianalyte lipid bilayer arrays. This
method is capable of producing higher-density multicomponent arrays
compared to traditional 2D microfluidics. The PDMS microspotter consists
of a series of inlet and outlet wells connected by pairs of microfluidic
channels embedded within the polymer. When the PDMS print head
contacts the substrate, one continuous channel is formed between the inlet
and outlet pairs, resulting in the continuous flow of solution over the
substrate. Each channel is individually addressable, allowing for the production of 2D bilayer arrays. A prepatterned substrate is not necessary
because the bilayers are effectively corralled into discrete micrometersized domains by the residual PDMS deposited on the silica substrate from
the PDMS print head, which prevents the lipids from spreading. The
packing of the lipids within a 400 · 400-μm
2 area with spacing of 400 μm
between areas resulted in well-behaving bilayers.
10.7.6 Summary
DNA and lipid microarrays are fairly new technologies whose potential
utility has yet to be reached. Widespread use is currently limited by the
length of time involved in oligonucleotide synthesis and array fabrication
techniques, which make the cost of a microarray experiment rise significantly. As technology advances, microarrays are likely to be an essential
tool in any biochemist’s or molecular biologist’s arsenal and play a key
role in clinical diagnostics.
10.8 NANOSCALE HYBRID PHOTONICS
State-of-the-art computers and other data processing systems are based
on nanoscale integrated circuits that are able to condense incredible
densities of components on a silicon wafer. When electronic computers
were first developed in the 1940s, they were composed of bulky relays or
vacuum tubes, and room-sized systems were required to perform what
would now be incredibly simple calculations. However, by 1971, sufficient
engineering advances had been made to use photolithography to make
transistors at a scale of 10 microns and to combine thousands of transistors in a single package that were capable of equaling the power of a
1940s-era computer in less than a square inch (Intel, 2010). As discussed
earlier, advances in nanoscience have now made integrated circuits with
components that are a thousand times smaller per side commonplace,
CHAPTER 10: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications of Thin Films
428
(CFM) system for the preparation of multianalyte lipid bilayer arrays. This
method is capable of producing higher-density multicomponent arrays
compared to traditional 2D microfluidics. The PDMS microspotter consists
of a series of inlet and outlet wells connected by pairs of microfluidic
channels embedded within the polymer. When the PDMS print head
contacts the substrate, one continuous channel is formed between the inlet
and outlet pairs, resulting in the continuous flow of solution over the
substrate. Each channel is individually addressable, allowing for the production of 2D bilayer arrays. A prepatterned substrate is not necessary
because the bilayers are effectively corralled into discrete micrometersized domains by the residual PDMS deposited on the silica substrate from
the PDMS print head, which prevents the lipids from spreading. The
packing of the lipids within a 400 · 400-μm
2 area with spacing of 400 μm
between areas resulted in well-behaving bilayers.
10.7.6 Summary
DNA and lipid microarrays are fairly new technologies whose potential
utility has yet to be reached. Widespread use is currently limited by the
length of time involved in oligonucleotide synthesis and array fabrication
techniques, which make the cost of a microarray experiment rise significantly. As technology advances, microarrays are likely to be an essential
tool in any biochemist’s or molecular biologist’s arsenal and play a key
role in clinical diagnostics.
10.8 NANOSCALE HYBRID PHOTONICS
State-of-the-art computers and other data processing systems are based
on nanoscale integrated circuits that are able to condense incredible
densities of components on a silicon wafer. When electronic computers
were first developed in the 1940s, they were composed of bulky relays or
vacuum tubes, and room-sized systems were required to perform what
would now be incredibly simple calculations. However, by 1971, sufficient
engineering advances had been made to use photolithography to make
transistors at a scale of 10 microns and to combine thousands of transistors in a single package that were capable of equaling the power of a
1940s-era computer in less than a square inch (Intel, 2010). As discussed
earlier, advances in nanoscience have now made integrated circuits with
components that are a thousand times smaller per side commonplace,
CHAPTER 10: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications of Thin Films
428