news review
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Bio electric cross talk
IMEC has presented a microchip with etc. IMEC's new micronail chip is the ideal
microscopic nail structures that enable instrument to study the communication
close communication between the mechanisms between cells.
electronics and biological cells. The new
chip is a mass-producible, easy-to-use tool The electrodes in IMEC's micronail chip are
in electrophysiology research, for example downsized to the size of cells and even
for fundamental research on the functioning smaller. They consist of tiny nail structures
and dysfunctioning of the brain. Each made of a metal stem covered with an oxide
micronail structure serves as a close layer, and a conductive (e.g. gold or
contact-point for one cell, and contains an titaniumnitride) tip. When cells are applied
electrode that can very accurately record on the chip surface, their cell membrane but not least: bring the cells as close as
and trigger in real-time the electrical activity strongly engulfs the nail structures, thereby possible to the chip surface. Now, we have
of an individual electrogenic cell in a realizing an intimate contact with the a unique instrument to record and interpret
network. electrode. This very close contact improves the signals of the neurons. We can also
the signal-to-interference ratio enabling stimulate neurons and follow up the
Electrogenic cells such as cardiomyocytes precise recording of electrical signals and consequences to unravel the functioning of
(heart cells) or neurons (brain cells) rely on electrical stimulation of single cells. our brain;" said Wolfgang Eberle, Group
electrical signals to communicate with one manager Bioelectronic systems.
another. Knowledge of the electrical activity "We tackled several challenges to realize
of these cells is essential to gain insights in this micronail chip such as keeping the cells Kris Verstreken, Director Bio-
the communication process of these cells, alive on the chip surface; combining the wet Nanoelectronics: "Little is known about the
to unravel the cause of brain disorders such cell solution with the electronics underneath functioning of our brain. Where do emotions
as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, or without destroying the electronics; guiding origin? How do we build up memories? Or
validate the effect of drugs on cardiac cells the cell growth so that the cell body is just what is the cause of brain diseases such as
in the struggle against cardiac diseases, on top of one individual electrode; and last Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease?
Increasing
IQE awarded contract with TriQuint
IC density
IQE's New Jersey operation sub-contract can’t do, and that is also beyond the
Gallium Nitride (GaN) wafer products to scope of today’s other semiconductor
A deeper understanding of the current flow TriQuint as part of an $16.2 million processes," said TriQuint's Principal
at a nanometric scale is central to the Defence Advanced Research Projects Investigator, Senior Fellow Dr. Paul
development of modern molecular Agency (DARPA) multi-year Gallium Saunier.
nanoelectronics, it has been asserted. The Nitride (GaN) R&D contract. The
advance of miniaturisation of electronics has programme aims to advance GaN research Alex Ceruzzi, VP and GM of IQE’s New
supported the manufacture of integrated and develop new generations of Jersey facility commented: “IQE and
circuits containing a greater density of compound semiconductor circuits through TriQuint have enjoyed a close relationship
semiconductors, allowing technology such the Nitride Electronic NeXt-Generation over many years and our role in this
as mobile telephones and handets to Technology (NEXT) program. programme clearly demonstrates IQE’s
become smaller and more efficient, Basque ability to provide world class materials
Research - the resource for scientific and "GaN is already recognized for its ability across a broad RF product portfolio. “The
technological research carried out in the to handle more power per square four and half year NEXT programme lead
Basque Country - noted. millimeter than other semiconductor by TriQuint will utilise IQE’s GaN wafer
technologies like gallium arsenide, and product expertise with the ultimate aim of
It is important to comprehend how current much more so than silicon. Yet even with developing and producing advanced
will flow in future devices made up of many the advances TriQuint has pioneered, semiconductor chips with operating
molecules. Research by Thomas today’s analogue GaN technology has frequencies up to 500GHz.”
Frederiksen, researcher at the University of frequency and power limits. “NEXT circuits
the Basque Country, who discovered the will be `game-changing` technology that IQE’s New Jersey facility is a GaN HEMT
characterisation of the electric current could radically improve performance in epi foundry, and provides a complete
between two molecules. Research into the defence and aerospace applications like portfolio of RF products. The Group’s
molecules known as C60 discovered that phased array radar and communications. Gallium Nitride production capability was
electric current does not flow well between NEXT calls for complex digital GaN recently increased through the acquisition
two touching C60 molecules because the circuits that also have very high of UK-based NanoGan Limited announced
conductance of the pair is less than that of breakdown voltages-something that silicon earlier in October 2009.
a single molecule by a factor of 100.
8 www.compoundsemiconductor.net November / December 2009
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