{"id":749,"date":"2009-11-11T16:35:27","date_gmt":"2009-11-11T21:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.charleswmoore.org\/wordpress\/?p=749"},"modified":"2009-11-11T16:36:26","modified_gmt":"2009-11-11T21:36:26","slug":"nanotechnology-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.charleswmoore.org\/wordpress\/index.php\/2009\/11\/11\/nanotechnology-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Nanotechnology Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

IMEC (www.imec.com<\/a>), a nanotechnology<\/a> research center based in Leuven, Belgium, has developed a unique microchip with microscopic nail structures that enables close communication between electronics and biological cells<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"http:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/NR\/rdonlyres\/4E12F6CF-2...\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
Image via Wikipedia<\/a><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

IMEC\u2019s micronail chip (see photo<\/a>) can be used to study the communication mechanisms between cells, such as cardiomyocytes (heart cells) or neurons<\/a> (brain cells). The electrodes in the chip are the size of cells and even smaller. They consist of tiny nail structures made of a metal stem covered with an oxide layer, and a conductive (e.g. gold or titanium nitride<\/a>) tip. When cells are applied on the chip surface, the cell membranes<\/a> naturally engulf the nail structures, thereby creating a strong contact with the electrode. This close contact improves signal-to-noise ratio<\/a>, enabling precise recording of electrical signals and electrical stimulation of single cells.<\/p>\n

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