All CMOS low power platform for dielectrophoresis bio-analysis

In this paper, we present a new architecture for dielectrophoresis (DEP) analysis with programmable planar arrays of micro-electrodes called Lexel™. This software configurable architecture is able to implement a variety of AC electrokinetic techniques. The architecture is developed as a flexible IP (intellectual property) block and in conjunction with integrated microfluidic devices and other third-party IP blocks, form the analysis function in a low power system-on-chip bio-analysis platform. This design is basically a two dimensional randomly addressable electrode array with the feature of being able to be driven by one of four sinusoidal analog signals. To reduce the electrode size, we introduce the "super-electrode", which requires less periphery circuitry. The Lexel™ array and supporting circuitry are designed on a single chip using a standard 0.18μm CMOS process.