Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus for measuring binding kinetics of an interaction of an analyte material present in a fluid sample are disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensing resonator having at least one binding site for the analyte material; actuation circuitry adapted to drive the sensing resonator into an oscillating motion; measurement circuitry coupled to the sensing resonator and adapted to measure an output signal of the sensing resonator representing resonance characteristics of the oscillating motion of the sensing resonator; and a controller coupled to the actuation and measurement circuitry, wherein the controller is adapted to detect an individual binding event between the at least one binding site and a molecule of the analyte material.

Abstract: A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) resonator device includes at least one functionalization material arranged over at least a central portion, but less than an entirety, of a top side electrode. For an active region exhibiting greatest sensitivity at a center point and reduced sensitivity along its periphery, omitting functionalization material over at least one peripheral portion of a resonator active region prevents analyte binding in regions of lowest sensitivity. The at least one functionalization material extends a maximum length in a range of from about 20% to about 95% of an active area length and extends a maximum width in a range of from about 50% to 100% of an active area width. Methods for fabricating MEMS resonator devices are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed sensors can include at least one resonator (in some embodiments, at least two resonators) and various other structures that may be formed in association with the resonators. The at least one resonator in embodiments can include a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a top electrode, wherein the piezoelectric layer is positioned between the bottom electrode and the top electrode.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes at least one bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure with a functionalized active region, and at least one first (inlet) port defined through a cover structure arranged over a fluidic passage containing the active region. At least a portion of the at least one inlet port is registered with the active region, permitting fluid to be introduced in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the active region bearing functionalization material. Such arrangement promotes mixing proximate to a BAW resonator structure surface, thereby reducing analyte stratification, increasing analyte binding rate, and reducing measurement time.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an interconnect device and modules and systems that utilize such interconnect device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the interconnect device can include a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include a substrate forming a resiliently deflectable element, a conductive material disposed on the substrate, and an electrical contact disposed on the resiliently deflectable element and electrically coupled to the conductive material. The interconnect device can also include a connector that includes a connecting pin configured to electrically couple with the electrical contact of the resiliently deflectable element of the PCB and cause the resiliently deflectable element to deflect when the element contacts the connecting pin.

Abstract: A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) resonator device includes at least one functionalization material arranged over at least a central portion, but less than an entirety, of a top side electrode. For an active region exhibiting greatest sensitivity at a center point and reduced sensitivity along its periphery, omitting functionalization material over at least one peripheral portion of a resonator active region prevents analyte binding in regions of lowest sensitivity. The at least one functionalization material extends a maximum length in a range of from about 20% to about 95% of an active area length and extends a maximum width in a range of from about 50% to 100% of an active area width. Methods for fabricating MEMS resonator devices are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus for measuring binding kinetics of an interaction of an analyte material present in a fluid sample are disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensing resonator having at least one binding site for the analyte material; actuation circuitry adapted to drive the sensing resonator into an oscillating motion; measurement circuitry coupled to the sensing resonator and adapted to measure an output signal of the sensing resonator representing resonance characteristics of the oscillating motion of the sensing resonator; and a controller coupled to the actuation and measurement circuitry, wherein the controller is adapted to detect an individual binding event between the at least one binding site and a molecule of the analyte material.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a bulk acoustic wave resonator structure for a fluidic device. The methods can include a first step of disposing a first conductive material over a portion of a first surface of a substrate to form at least a portion of a first electrode, the substrate having a second surface opposite the first surface. Then, a piezoelectric material may be disposed over the first electrode. Next, a second conductive material can be disposed over the piezoelectric material to form at least a portion of a second electrode. The second conductive material extends substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate and the second conductive material at least partially extends over the first conductive material. The overlapping region of the first conductive material, the piezoelectric material, and the second conductive material form a bulk acoustic wave resonator, the bulk acoustic wave resonator having a first side and an opposing second side.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and devices that assist in forming biosensors. Specifically, features that align solutions containing molecules to be immobilized on biosensors. A retaining structure may be disposed at least partially around a target surface of a substrate. A resonating structure may be disposed on the target surface. A droplet of functionalized material may be disposed on the resonating structure and the target surface, which may be auto-aligned and retained by the retaining structure on the target surface to consistently cover the resonating structure.

Abstract: Operational configuration and temperature compensation methods are provided for bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator devices suitable for operating with liquids. Temperature compensation methods dispense with a need for temperature sensing, instead utilizing a relationship between (i) change in frequency of a BAW resonator at a phase with adequate sensitivity and (ii) change in frequency of a phase that is correlated to temperature. Operational configuration methods include determination of an initial phase response of a BAW resonator in which temperature coefficient of frequency is zero, followed by comparison of sensitivity to a level of detection threshold for a phenomenon of interest.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave MEMS resonator device includes at least one functionalization (e.g., specific binding or non-specific binding) material arranged over a top side electrode, with at least one patterned enhanced surface area element arranged between a lower surface of the top side electrode and the functionalization material. The at least one patterned enhanced surface area element increases non-planarity of the at least one functionalization material, thereby providing a three-dimensional structure configured to increase sensor surface area and reduce analyte diffusion distance, and may also promote fluid mixing. Methods for biological and chemical sensing, and methods for forming MEMS resonator devices and fluidic devices are further disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidic sensing device includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a bulk acoustic resonator structure, a biomolecule, and a cover. A fluidic channel is defined between the first and second sidewalls. The bulk acoustic resonator structure has a surface defining at least a portion of the bottom of the channel. The biomolecule is attached to the surface of the bulk acoustic resonator that forms the bottom of the channel. The cover is disposed over the channel and the first and second sidewalls. A portion of the cover disposed over the channel defines at least a portion of the top of the channel and blocks UV radiation from being transmitted through the cover. A first portion of the cover disposed over the first sidewall is transparent to UV radiation, and a second portion of the cover disposed over the second sidewall is transparent to UV radiation.

Abstract: A fluidic device incorporating a substrate, at least one bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure, and a fluidic channel bound at least in part by the at least one BAW resonator structure. The fluidic device further includes at least one fluidic via defined through at least a portion of the substrate, thereby permitting fluidic connections and electrical connections to be provided on opposing upper and lower surfaces of the fluidic device. The at least one BAW resonator structure may include a piezoelectric material comprising a c-axis having an orientation distribution that is predominantly non-parallel to normal of a face of the substrate, and may be overlaid with a functionalization material (e.g., a specific binding material overlying a self-assembled monolayer) to enable detection of a target species in a sample supplied to the fluidic device.

Abstract: A resonator sensor module is disclosed. The resonator sensor module includes one or more sensing resonators that includes binding sites for an analyte material; one or more reference resonators that lacks any binding sites for the analyte material; a module interface; and one or more switches each including a first position that operatively couples at least one of the one or more sensing resonators and the module interface and a second position that operatively couples at least one of the one or more reference resonators and the module interface.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a base structure including at least one bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure having a fluidic passage containing at least one functionalized active region overlaid with functionalization material suitable to bind an analyte. One or more of a wall structure, a cover structure, or a portion of the base structure defining the fluidic passage includes additional functionalization material to form at least one absorber configured to bind at least one analyte. The dynamic measurement range of a BAW resonator structure is increased when the at least one absorber is placed upstream of the at least one functionalized active region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for growing hexagonal crystal structure piezoelectric material with a c-axis that is tilted (e.g., 25 to 50 degrees) relative to normal of a face of a substrate are provided. A deposition system includes a linear sputtering apparatus, a translatable multi-aperture collimator, and a translatable substrate table arranged to hold multiple substrates, with the substrate table and/or the collimator being electrically biased to a nonzero potential. An enclosure includes first and second deposition stations each including a linear sputtering apparatus, a collimator, and a deposition aperture.