Diamond Based Injection System for Spotting and Synthesis in Biochemistry

摘要

Because of its unique properties, diamond is well suited for sensors and actuators operating in harsh environment. The excellent figures of merit, e.g. highest hardness, high Young's modulus and chemical inertness, motivate engineers to design Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (sensors and actuators) which are able to withstand extreme conditions. Using diamond as wide bandgap semiconductor, it can also be used as a universal multifunctional material being insulating, semiconducting or metal-like depending on doping. Therefore it is possible to fabricate complex systems including active elements from one identical material allowing for example extensive thermal cycling and operation in aggressive solutions. During past years we have designed, fabricated and tested a novel diamond inkjet element based on a diamond spot heater and diamond nozzle plate. The diamond inkjet element has then been the key in the development of a dual inkjet dispenser system used in bio-chemistry, and here specially in the synthesis and post-synthetic immobilization (spotting) of oligonucleotides. It is also suitable for the micro dosage of highly aggressive liquids with low and medium viscosity with a resolution down to approx. 1.5 pl presently.