Toshiba Develops MEMS-based Cell Manipulation Method.Tokyo, Japan, Dec 8, 2005 - (JCN JCN Japan Corporate News JCN Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience JCN Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing JCN Journal of Christian Nursing JCN Job Control Number JCN Journal of Child Neurology JCN joint communications network (US DoD) ) - Toshiba has developed an innovative cell manipulation method, which uses a micro electromechanical system (MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) Tiny mechanical devices that are built onto semiconductor chips and are measured in micrometers. In the research labs since the 1980s, MEMS devices began to materialize as commercial products in the mid-1990s. ) device to incorporate nano silica particles into yeast cells. In the new method, nano particles are minutely vibrated using the MEMS device so that they can adhere to cell surfaces in a solution containing the particles and the cells. As the particles are continued to be vibrated while being attached to the cell surfaces, the vibrations are converted into heat and the particles are physically acted upon and are subsequently incorporated into the cells. The company has prototyped a MEMS device which is built on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI (Silicon On Insulator) A chip architecture that increases transistor switching speed by reducing capacitance (build-up of electrical charges in the transistor's elements), and thus reducing the discharge time. The power requirement is also reduced in some designs. ) chip with a 4x4mm mechanical diaphragm that has 130x130 water-repellant diode vibration dishes, about 20x20 microns square each. Toshiba expects that the new method will contribute to a wide range of research in biological and medical sciences. Specifically, it aims to establish a new method that can selectively act on cells without resorting to chemical methods. Details of the method was presented at the 2005 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, www.ieee.org) A membership organization that includes engineers, scientists and students in electronics and allied fields. International Electron Devices Meeting The International Electron Devices Meeting is an annual conference held alternatively in San Francisco, California and Washington D.C. Established in 1954, IEDM is the world's main forum on advancement in semiconductor and electronic devices. held in Washington from December 5. Copyright [c] 2005 Japan Corporate News Network. All rights reserved. |
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