Hybrid biofilm semiconductor information systems
AssigneesBrown University, Trustees of Boston University
InventorsJacob K. Rosenstein, Kangping Hu, Joseph W. Larkin
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Abstract
Described herein are devices that relate to sensor, data, and interactive interfaces between micro or nano electronics and biofilms, which optionally include an added extracellular matrix. Biofilms in the interfaces can include adherent cells or microorganisms, for example, fungi, bacteria, and the biofilms may include viruses. Computational capability, circuitry, and methods are provided for interactive measurements/processing between the electronics and biofilms.
Claims20
A CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) chip comprising:
- an array of pixels, each pixel comprising a circuit operative to measure from and/or to apply an electrical charge and/or impedance to at least a portion of a living biofilm disposed on the array;
- the living biofilm disposed on the array, wherein the portion of the living biofilm is in discrete electrical communication with each pixel;
- and
- a circuit in electrical communication with the array, said circuit operative to provide at least one signal for each pixel.
A method for measuring at least one aspect of a biofilm, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) obtaining a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) chip comprising:
- an array of pixels, each pixel comprising a circuit operative to measure from and/or to apply an electrical charge and/or impedance to at least a portion of the biofilm;
- the biofilm disposed on the array, the portion of the biofilm in electrical communication with each pixel;
- and
- a circuit in electrical communication with the array, said circuit operative to provide at least one signal for each pixel;
- (2) applying a current and/or voltage to the biofilm directly disposed on a pixel, whereby the current and/or voltage is in electrical communication with at least the portion of the biofilm and provides a signal indicative of a condition of the at least the portion of the biofilm;
- and
- (3) transmitting the signal via an electrical conductor from the pixel to an additional circuitry operative to move the signal from the chip.
A method for computing within a biofilm, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) obtaining a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) chip comprising:
- an array of pixels, each pixel comprising a circuit operative to measure from and/or to apply an electrical charge and/or impedance to at least a portion of the biofilm;
- the biofilm disposed on the array, the portion of the biofilm in electrical communication with each pixel;
- and
- a circuit in electrical communication with the array, said circuit operative to provide at least one signal for each pixel;
- (2) applying a current and/or voltage to the biofilm directly disposed on a pixel, whereby the current and/or voltage is in electrical communication with the at least the portion of the biofilm and stores a signal indicative of a bit of information in the at least the portion of the biofilm;
- (3) repeating step (2) such that a plurality of different bits of information are stored in discrete pixels of the biofilm;
- and
- (4) waiting a period of time for an interaction between pixels of the biofilm;
- whereby said interaction is a computation within the biofilm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.