Fabrication and characterization of thermally actuated bimorph probe for living cell measurements with experimental and numerical analysis

This paper deals with a novel structure for single-cell characterization which makes use of bimorph micro thermal actuators combined with electrical sensor device and integrated microfluidic channel. The goal for this device is to capture and characterize individual biocell. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of bimorph thermal actuator were analyzed with finite element analysis methods. Furthermore, optimization for the dimension of cantilevers and integrated parallel probe systems with microfluidic channels is able to be realized through the virtual simulation for actuation and the practical fabrication of prototype of probes. The experimental value of probe deflection was in accordance with the simulated one.