Multilayer ceramics as integration platform for sensors in in-vitro cell culture reactors

Technische Universität Ilmenau, IMN MacroNano®, Ilmenau, 98693, Germany

¹Electronics Technology Group
²Nano-Biosystems Technology Group 
³Technical Physicist Group
⁴Biomechatronics Group​

Adv. Mater. Lett., 2018, 9 (11), pp 748-752

DOI: 10.5185/amlett.2018.2090

Publication Date (Web): Jul 24, 2018

Copyright © IAAM-VBRI Press

E-mail: heike.bartsch@tu-ilmenau.de

Abstract

Monitoring systems that are capable to record neuronal activity in in-vitro cell cultures are prerequisite to the comprehensive investigation of neuronal processes. Low temperature cofired ceramics are a suitable platform for rapid prototyping of biological reactors, entailing a wide assortment of integration-capable sensors. Neuronal spikes capture is fundamental for understanding of the signal propagation within the neuronal network. It requires reliable electrodes, which can be arranged 3-dimensionally in an in vitro cell culture. Thick film gold electrodes have been proven for such applications, however their characteristics especially at small dimensions stray strongly. This work investigates thin films separating small thick film gold electrodes and an electrolyte solution with regard to their influence on the charge transport processes in such systems. PEDOT:PSS layer and TiO_xN_y deposited on LTCC gold electrodes, including their impedance characteristics are discussed and compared. TiO_xN_y layers with serial resistance R_s of 32 kΩ and serial capacitance C_s of 4.1 pF measured at 1 kHz are proposed to be the used as sensing elements in 3-dimensional in vitro cell cultures.                                                                       

Keywords

Bio-reactors, low temperature co-fired ceramics, LTCC, thick film technology, sensor integration.