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Here we present a robust, stable and low-noise experimental set-up for performing electrochemical detection on a centrifugal microfluidic platform. By using a low-noise electronic component (electrical slip-ring) it is possible to achieve continuous, on-line monitoring of electrochemical experiments, even when the microfluidic disc is spinning at high velocities. Automated sample handling is achieved by designing a microfluidic system to release analyte sequentially, utilizing on-disc passive valving. In addition, the microfluidic system is designed to trap and keep the liquid sample stationary during analysis. In this way it is possible to perform cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements at varying spin speeds, without altering the electrochemical response. This greatly simplifies the interpretation and quantification of data. Finally, real-time and continuous monitoring of an entire electrochemical experiment, including all intermediate sample handling steps, is demonstrated by amperometric detection of on-disc mixing of analytes (PBS and ferricyanide).

The presented microfluidic interconnection system provides an alternative for the individual interfacing of simple microfluidic devices fabricated in polymers such as polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate and cyclic olefin polymer. A modification of the device inlet enables the direct attachment of tubing (such as polytetrafluoroethylene tubing) secured and sealed by using a small plug, without the need for additional assembly, glue or o-rings. This provides a very clean connection that does not require additional, potentially incompatible, materials. The tightly sealed connection can withstand pressures above 250 psi and therefore supports applications with high flow rates or highly viscous fluids. The ease of incorporation, configuration, fabrication and use make this interconnection system ideal for the rapid prototyping of simple microfluidic devices or other integrated systems that require microfluidic interfaces. It provides a valuable addition to the toolbox of individual and small arrays of connectors suitable for micromachined or template-based injection molded devices since it does not require protruding, threaded or glued modifications on the inlet and avoids bulky and expensive fittings.

1. INTRODUCTION Self-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanotubes provide a means of achieving nanostructured materials in a very simple and fast way. Recent discoveries have shown that this unique material, in addition to remaining stable under dry conditions, rapidly dissolves in water making it a promising candidate for controlled nanofabrication without organic solvents [1]. The present work demonstrates how this unique structure can be used as both an etching mask in a dry etching procedure and as a lift-off material. As a further demonstration of the potential of this technique, the peptide nanotubes were utilized to fabricate silicon nanowire devices and gold nanoslits. 2. RESULTS Silicon nanowire devices were fabricated from a silicon-on-isolator (SOI) wafer, in this case with a device layer of 50 nm and a buried oxide layer of 380 nm. Metal electrodes were first patterned using standard photolithography, and after deposition of the electrodes, self-assembled peptide nanotubes (PNT), figure 1, were positioned on top of the electrodes. The silicon nanowires were then etched in a reactive ion etching process masked by the positioned peptide nanotubes. Finally, the peptide nanotubes were dissolved by placing the now processed wafers in a distilled water bath. Figure 2 shows a SEM image of a PNT positioned between two metal electrodes. The silicon nanowire fabricated in this experiment had a width on the order of 250 nm – well below the limitations of standard photolithography, figure 3. To verify if an electrical contact could be established between the metal electrodes and the silicon nanowires and I-V curve was measured. Figure 4 displays the electrical characterization of the silicon nanowire. The fabricated silicon nanowire was also decorated with functional compounds in order to probe their potential in the development of biosensing platforms. 3. SUMMARY This work has demonstrated how newly discovered properties of diphenylalnine PNTs make them excellent ca

Silicon nanowires are very promising candidates for the sensitive detection of viruses or even early detection of cancer. Due to their small dimensions the attachment of even one particle on their surface leads to detectable changes in their conductivity. In this paper we describe the development (fabrication and testing) of a silicon nanowire biosensor equipped with microfludic channels and automatized data aquisition for the detection of antibodies against a small virus (Aleutian Disease Virus) causing plasmacytosis on mink and ferrets.

This study has evaluated self-assembled peptide nanotubes (PNTS) and nanowires (PNWS) as etching mask materials for the rapid and low-cost fabrication of silicon wires using reactive ion etching (RIE). The self-assembled peptide structures were fabricated under mild conditions and positioned on clean silicon wafers, after which these biological nanostructures were exposed to an RIE etching process. Following this treatment, the structure of the remaining nanotubes and nanowires were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Important differences in the behavior of the nanotubes and the nanowires were observed after the RIE process. The nanotubes remained intact while the nanowires were destroyed by the RIE process. The instability of the peptide nanowires during this process was further confirmed with focused ion beam (FIB) milling experiments. The PNTS could stand energetic argon ions for around 32 seconds while the PNWS resisted only 4 seconds before becoming milled. Based on these results, self-assembled PNTS were further used as an etching mask to fabricate silicon wires in a rapid and low-cost manner. The obtained silicon wires were subjected to structural and electrical characterization by SEM and I-V measurements. Additionally, the fabricated silicon structures were functionalized with fluorescent molecules via a biotin-streptavidin interaction in order to probe their potential in the development of biosensing devices.

Over the last couple of years, self-organizing nanotubes based on the dipeptide diphenylalanine have received much attention, mainly as possible building blocks for the next generation of biosensors and as drug delivery systems. One of the main reasons for this large interest is that these peptide nanotubes are believed to be very stable both thermally and chemically. Previously, the chemical and thermal stability of self-organizing structures has been investigated after the evaporation of the solvent. However, it was recently discovered that the stability of the structures differed significantly when the tubes were in solution. It has been shown that, in solution, the peptide nanotubes can easily be dissolved in several solvents including water. It is therefore of critical importance that the stability of the nanotubes in solution and not after solvent evaporation be investigated prior to applications in which the nanotube will be submerged in liquid. The present article reports results demonstrating the instability and suggests a possible approach to a stabilization procedure, which drastically improves the stability of the formed structures. The results presented herein provide new information regarding the stability of selforganizing diphenylalanine nanotubes in solution.