Microscopic sensors using optical wireless integrated circuits

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Apr 28;117(17):9173-9179. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1919677117. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Abstract

We present a platform for parallel production of standalone, untethered electronic sensors that are truly microscopic, i.e., smaller than the resolution of the naked eye. This platform heterogeneously integrates silicon electronics and inorganic microlight emitting diodes (LEDs) into a 100-μm-scale package that is powered by and communicates with light. The devices are fabricated, packaged, and released in parallel using photolithographic techniques, resulting in ∼10,000 individual sensors per square inch. To illustrate their use, we show proof-of-concept measurements recording voltage, temperature, pressure, and conductivity in a variety of environments.

Keywords: microfabrication; microscopic; sensor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electric Power Supplies
  • Electronics / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design / methods*
  • Optical Devices / trends
  • Silicon / chemistry

Substances

  • Silicon