Microsystems for Bioelectronics

Enzymes: Proteins that promote (catalyze) (bio)chemical reactions. For example, the glucose

oxidase enzyme promotes glucose (C

6

H

12

O

6

) conversion to gluconic acid

(C

6

H

12

O

7

).

In vivo: Refers to a biological study that takes place within the living organism.

Lymphocytes: A type of small white blood cell that plays a large role in defending the body

against disease. There are two types of lymphocytes:

B cells make antibodies to attack bacteria and toxins.

T cells attack body cells that have been taken over by viruses or have become

cancerous.

Macrophages: A type of large white blood cell. Macrophages play an important role in the human

immune system by engulfing and ingesting infectious agents (pathogens). Human

macrophages are about 20

m

m in size.

Polylysine: (poly-L-lysine) is a small polymer of the amino acid L-lysine that is produced by

bacterial fermentation.

Streptavidin: A type of protein widely used in molecular biology for detection of various

biomolecules.

Vesicle: A relatively small intracellular, membrane-enclosed reservoir that stores substances.

LIST OF SYMBOLS

Symbol Meaning

A Area

c

vol

Volumetric heat capacity

C

th

Thermal capacitance

d Diameter

e Electron charge, e ¼ 1.6  10

19

C

E

b

Energy barrier height

f Frequency

I, i Current

k Number of trials

k

B

Boltzmann constant, k

B

¼ 1.38  10

–23

J/K

L, l Length

l

cell

Cell size

n

at

Atomic concentration

n

e

Concentration of electrons

n

s

Surface charge concentration

N

0

Number of electrons that strike barrier per unit time

N

a

Concentration of ionized acceptor impurities in semiconductor NW

N

A

Avogadro’s Number, N

A

¼ 6.022  10

23

mol

1

N

mol

Number of molecules

118 CHAPTER 4 Sensors at the micro-scale