A neural lattice device includes a substrate having formed therein one or more wells and one or more supply ducts. A channel network includes one or more channels configured to establish fluid communication among the at least one well and the at least one supply duct. A reservoir is coupled to the substrate and configured to hold a fluid, and a cover is disposed against an upper surface of the substrate and configured to hermetically seal the wells, the supply ducts and the channel network.

A method for preparing a flexible electrode is provided. The method comprises sequentially forming a flexible base layer and an intermediate conductive layer on a carrier plate; treating an elastomeric template having an electrode pattern with an acid, followed by transferring and printing the electrode pattern onto the intermediate conductive layer to form an electrode inducing layer; forming a titanium dioxide-polydopamine composite layer in a gap of the electrode inducing layer; forming a platinum electrode layer on the titanium dioxide-polydopamine composite layer; removing the carrier plate. The invention solves the problems of slow formation of a polydopamine film and slow formation of a platinum electrode layer. A flexible electrode is further provided.

According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element provided on a deformable substrate includes: a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; a spacer layer; and a bias layer. Magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes according to deformation of the substrate. The spacer layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer is provided between the spacer layer and the bias layer. The bias layer is configured to apply a bias to the second magnetic layer.

A device and method are provided for detecting analyte with correction for the effects of humidity. The device comprises a resonant sensor having an oscillating portion. A capacitor is positioned on the oscillating portion. The capacitor is formed by at least two electrodes and a sensing material positioned between the electrodes. A readout circuit is arranged to measure a response of the oscillating portion (e.g., frequency shift or change in resonance frequency, stiffness or strain) and a capacitance of the capacitor when substances are adsorbed or absorbed in the sensing material. This combination of measurements enables the device to distinguish between various types of adsorbed or absorbed molecules, especially distinguishing between an analyte of interest and water molecules that might interfere with the detection of the analyte. A processor determines an analyte value indicative of the presence, amount or concentration of the analyte in dependence upon measurements of both the response of the oscillating portion and the capacitance to account for the effects of water in the sensing material.

Disclosed are a reader device, system, and method for communicating with a wireless sensor. The reader device may be configured to analyze the strength of a response signal transmitted from the wireless sensor in response to an excitation pulse generated by the reader device. In one embodiment, the reader device may be configured to engage be placed in a plurality of modes to allow the reader to transmit a signal, such as a short pulse of energy or a short burst of radio frequency energy to cause the wireless sensor to output a resonant signal. The reader device may receive the resonant signal from the wireless sensor and evaluate it against predetermined values. The evaluated signals may be used to assess the strength and the proximity of the reader device relative to the wireless sensor as it is implanted in a patient.

According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element provided on a deformable substrate includes: a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; a spacer layer; and a bias layer. Magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes according to deformation of the substrate. The spacer layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer is provided between the spacer layer and the bias layer. The bias layer is configured to apply a bias to the second magnetic layer.

Method and systems that provide improved handling and/or culturing and/or assaying of cells, chemically active beads, or similar materials in microfluidic systems and microfluidic culture arrays.

A device for analyzing a fluid, including a layer including a plurality of sensors of MEMS and/or NEMS type, a layer including a mechanism controlling the sensor and for processing information transmitted by the sensors, the control and processing mechanism being electrically connected to the detectors, and a layer positioned on the layer including the sensors on a side of a face including the sensors including a mechanism spatially and temporally distributing the fluid on the sensors.

Disclosed are a reader device, system, and method for communicating with a wireless sensor. The reader device may be configured to analyze the strength of a response signal transmitted from the wireless sensor in response to an excitation pulse generated by the reader device. In one embodiment, the reader device may be configured to engage be placed in a plurality of modes to allow the reader to transmit a signal, such as a short pulse of energy or a short burst of radio frequency energy to cause the wireless sensor to output a resonant signal. The reader device may receive the resonant signal from the wireless sensor and evaluate it against predetermined values. The evaluated signals may be used to assess the strength and the proximity of the reader device relative to the wireless sensor as it is implanted in a patient.

A micromechanical device capable of providing out-of-plane motion and force generation in response to an in-plane strain applied to the device is provided. Embodiments of the present invention comprise one or more islands that are operatively coupled with one or more hinges. The hinges are operative for inducing rotation of the islands when a lateral strain is applied to the structure. In some embodiments, the hinges are also electrically conductive such that they enable electrical communication between the one or more islands and devices external to the structure. Some embodiments of the present invention are particularly well suited for use in biological applications. Some devices in accordance with the present invention are fabricated using conventional planar processes, such as flex-circuit fabrication techniques.