THE CHALLENGE
The growing demand for real-time monitoring of complex biological systems—like brain networks, stem-cell growth, and mini-organs—has exposed a major gap in the market: the lack of scalable, integrated sensor platforms that can simultaneously capture both electrical signals and chemical changes in 3D environments. Current technologies are either too flat, too specialized, or too difficult to manufacture at scale. Traditional microelectrode arrays struggle with high impedance and poor signal quality, while advanced chemical sensors like Raman substrates offer great molecular insight but can’t interface well with living tissues or electrical systems. Attempts to combine these tools often involve costly, non-scalable fabrication methods that are incompatible with standard chip-making processes (CMOS). This disconnect between biological complexity and sensor capability represents a key commercial and technical challenge: how to deliver a user-friendly, cost-effective, and high-throughput solution that brings together multimodal sensing, 3D integration, and robust performance—all in a format suitable for mass production and real-world biomedical applications.
OUR SOLUTION
We offer a next-generation 3D sensor platform that combines electrical and chemical sensing in a single, compact, and scalable device—designed for real-time monitoring of complex biological systems like brain tissues, stem-cell scaffolds, and organ-on-chip models. Using a unique two-tier architecture of microscopic polymer pillars coated with conductive and plasmonic layers, our device dramatically increases the surface area for electrical contact, reducing impedance and improving signal clarity. At the same time, specialized nanoantennas on each pillar enable highly sensitive molecular detection through enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This patented, CMOS-compatible design leverages cost-effective and scalable manufacturing techniques to deliver a powerful, all-in-one bio-interfacing solution—bridging the gap between biology and electronics, and opening up new commercial opportunities in neuroscience, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.
Figure: Overview of the process
Advantages:
- One-order-of-magnitude impedance reduction for enhanced electrical sensitivity
- Ultra-high SERS enhancement enabling ultrasensitive biochemical detection
- True simultaneous multimodal sensing combining electrical and biochemical readouts
- CMOS-compatible, scalable fabrication with customizable 3D architecture
Potential Application:
- Organ-on-a-chip screening platforms
- Neural recording implants
- Tissue scaffold monitoring systems
- High-throughput drug screening
