The Right Tool for the Job

Author

Mertz, Leslie

Author_Institution

Freelance science and medical writer and an author as well as an educator.

Volume

2

Issue

6

fYear

2011

Firstpage

14

Lastpage

18

Abstract

In the biological world, where the typical human cell is less than 10 μm in diameter, an average bacterium a few micrometers long, and the garden-variety virus about 100 nm in length, more and more researchers view microscopic tools known as biological microelectromechanical systems (bioMEMS) as the right choice for keeping patients alive and healthy. BioMEMS are an outgrowth of MEMS-the sensors, actuators, and other microchips-developed for the electronics industry. MEMS are present in everything from computers and ink-jet printers to automobile air bags and digital video projection systems.

Keywords

bioMEMS; biomedical equipment; cellular biophysics; microorganisms; tissue engineering; actuators; average bacterium; biological microelectromechanical systems; garden-variety virus; ink-jet printers; microchips; sensors; typical human cell; Biomedical equipment; Micromechanical devices; Microorganisms; Patient monitoring; Sensors; Animals; Biomedical Engineering; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Humans; Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems; Microchip Analytical Procedures; Tissue Engineering;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Pulse, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

2154-2287

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MPUL.2011.942927

Filename

6088917