A system for the determination of planar lipid bilayer breakdown voltage and its applications

IEEE Trans Nanobioscience. 2009 Jun;8(2):132-8. doi: 10.1109/TNB.2009.2022834. Epub 2009 May 19.

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on measurement principles used in electroporation studies on planar lipid bilayers. In particular, we point out the voltage-clamp measurement principle that has great importance when the breakdown voltage of a planar lipid bilayer is under consideration; however, it is also appropriate for the determination of other planar lipid bilayer electrical properties such as resistance and capacitance. A new experimental system that is based on the voltage-clamp measurement principle is described. With the use of a generator that can generate arbitrary-type signals, many specific shapes of a voltage signal could be generated, and therefore, the experimental system is appropriate for a broad spectrum of measurements.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Stimulation / instrumentation*
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electroporation / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers