Real-Time and High-Resolution Monitoring of Neuronal Electrical Activity and pH Variations Based on the Co-Integration of Nanoelectrodes and Chem-FinFETs.

Developing new approaches amenable to the measurement of neuronal physiology in real-time is a very active field of investigation, as it will offer improved methods to assess the impact of diverse insults on neuronal homeostasis. Here, the development of an in vitro bio platform is reported which can record the electrical activity of cultured primary rat cortical neurons with extreme sensitivity, while simultaneously tracking the localized changes in the pH of the culture medium. This bio platform features passive vertical nanoprobes with ultra-high signal resolution (several mV amplitude ranges) and Chem-FinFETs (pH sensitivity of sub-0.1 pH units), covering an area as little as a neuronal soma. These multi-sensing units are arranged in an array to probe both chemically and electrically an equivalent surface of ≈ 0.5 mm2. A homemade setup is also developed which allows recording of multiplexed data in real-time (10 ps range) from the active chem-sensors and passive electrodes and which is used to operate the platform. Finally, a proof-of-concept is presented for a neuro-relevant application, by investigating the effect on neuronal activity of Amyloid beta oligomers, the main toxic peptide in Alzheimer's Disease, which reveals that exposure to amyloid beta oligomers modify the amplitude, but not the frequency, of neuronal firing, without any detectable changes in pH values along this process.

Complete Set of Elastic Moduli of a Spin-Crossover Solid: Spin-State Dependence and Mechanical Actuation.

Molecular spin crossover complexes are promising candidates for mechanical actuation purposes. The relationships between their crystal structure and mechanical properties remain, however, not well understood. In this study, combining high pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction, nuclear inelastic scattering, and micromechanical measurements, we assessed the effective macroscopic bulk modulus ( B = 11.5 ± 1.5 GPa), Young's modulus ( Y = 10.9 ± 1.0 GPa), and Poisson's ratio (ν = 0.34 ± 0.04) of the spin crossover complex [FeII(HB(tz)3)2] (tz = 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl). Crystal structure analysis revealed a pronounced anisotropy of the lattice compressibility, which was correlated with the difference in spacing between the molecules as well as by the distribution of the stiffest C-H···N interactions in different crystallographic directions. Switching the molecules from the low spin to the high spin state leads to a remarkable drop of the Young's modulus to 7.1 ± 0.5 GPa both in bulk and thin film samples. The results highlight the application potential of these films in terms of strain (ε = -0.17 ± 0.05%), recoverable stress (σ = -21 ± 1 MPa), and work density ( W/V = 15 ± 6 mJ/cm3).

A Bistable Microelectromechanical System Actuated by Spin-Crossover Molecules.

We report on a bistable MEMS device actuated by spin-crossover molecules. The device consists of a freestanding silicon microcantilever with an integrated piezoresistive detection system, which was coated with a 140 nm thick film of the [Fe(HB(tz)3 )2 ] (tz=1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) molecular spin-crossover complex. Switching from the low-spin to the high-spin state of the ferrous ions at 338 K led to a reversible upward bending of the cantilever in agreement with the change in the lattice parameters of the complex. The strong mechanical coupling was also evidenced by the decrease of approximately 66 Hz in the resonance frequency in the high-spin state as well as by the drop in the quality factor around the spin transition.

Combining PEDOT:PSS Polymer Coating with Metallic 3D Nanowires Electrodes to Achieve High Electrochemical Performances for Neuronal Interfacing Applications.

This study presents a novel approach to improve the performance of microelectrode arrays (MEAs) used for electrophysiological studies of neuronal networks. The integration of 3D nanowires (NWs) with MEAs increases the surface-to-volume ratio, which enables subcellular interactions and high-resolution neuronal signal recording. However, these devices suffer from high initial interface impedance and limited charge transfer capacity due to their small effective area. To overcome these limitations, the integration of conductive polymer coatings, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is investigated as a mean of improving the charge transfer capacity and biocompatibility of MEAs. The study combines platinum silicide-based metallic 3D nanowires electrodes with electrodeposited PEDOT:PSS coatings to deposit ultra-thin (<50 nm) layers of conductive polymer onto metallic electrodes with very high selectivity. The polymer-coated electrodes were fully characterized electrochemically and morphologically to establish a direct relationship between synthesis conditions, morphology, and conductive features. Results show that PEDOT-coated electrodes exhibit thickness-dependent improved stimulation and recording performances, offering new perspectives for neuronal interfacing with optimal cell engulfment to enable the study of neuronal activity with acute spatial and signal resolution at the sub-cellular level.

Magnetophoresis-Assisted Capillary Assembly: A Versatile Approach for Fabricating Tailored 3D Magnetic Supercrystals.

The fabrication and integration of sub-millimeter magnetic materials into predefined circuits is of major importance for the realization of portable devices designed for telecommunications, automotive, biomedical, and space applications but remains highly challenging. We report here a versatile approach for the fabrication and direct integration of nanostructured magnetic materials of controlled shaped at specific locations onto silicon substrates. The magnetophoresis-assisted capillary assembly of magnetic nanoparticles, either spherical or anisotropic, leads to the fabrication of high-performance Co-based permanent magnets and Fe-based supercrystals. Integrated sub-millimeter magnets as well as millimeter self-standing magnets exhibiting magnetic properties competing with NdFeB-based composites were obtained through this cost- and time-efficient process. The proof-of-concept of electromagnetic actuation of a micro-electromechanical system cantilever by means of these supercrystals highlights their potentiality as efficient integrated magnetic materials within nomadic devices.

Molecule-based microelectromechanical sensors.

Incorporating functional molecules into sensor devices is an emerging area in molecular electronics that aims at exploiting the sensitivity of different molecules to their environment and turning it into an electrical signal. Among the emergent and integrated sensors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are promising for their extreme sensitivity to mechanical events. However, to bring new functions to these devices, the functionalization of their surface with molecules is required. Herein, we present original electronic devices made of an organic microelectromechanical resonator functionalized with switchable magnetic molecules. The change of their mechanical properties and geometry induced by the switching of their magnetic state at a molecular level alters the device's dynamical behavior, resulting in a change of the resonance frequency. We demonstrate that these devices can be operated to sense light or thermal excitation. Moreover, thanks to the collective interaction of the switchable molecules, the device behaves as a non-volatile memory. Our results open up broad prospects of new flexible photo- and thermo-active hybrid devices for molecule-based data storage and sensors.

Integrative technology-based approach of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for biosensing applications.

In this work we simultaneously aim at addressing the design and fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for biological applications bearing actuation and readout capabilities together with adapted tools dedicated to surface functionalization at the microscale. The biosensing platform is based on arrays of silicon micromembranes with piezoelectric actuation and piezoresistive read-out capabilities. The detection of the cytochrome C protein using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as functional layer is demonstrated. The adapted functionalization tool specifically developed to match the micromembranes' platform is an array of silicon cantilevers incorporating precise force sensors for the trim and force measurements during deposition of biological materials onto the sensors' active area. In either case, associated analog electronics is specifically realized to deal with specific signals treatment fed through the MEMS-based devices.