Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Theses/Dissertations

Electrical Engineering

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Micromachined Differential Scanning Calorimeter For Cellular Differentiation And Metabolism Monitoring, Robert Blise Apr 2011

Micromachined Differential Scanning Calorimeter For Cellular Differentiation And Metabolism Monitoring, Robert Blise

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This thesis presents a micromachined differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) for cellular differentiation and metabolism monitoring. The misregulation of cell physiology due to disease increases the metabolic rate of the cell and therefore its heat output. Observing or monitoring the cell's heat output will lead to a method to detect diseased cells and distinguish them from normal cells.

The calorimetric chambers of the DSC were fabricated on a silicon nitride thin film, which allows for rapid thermal equilibrium and insulation. The temperature sensing element was a resistive temperature detector fabricated from nickel. The DSC incorporated integrated nickel resistive heaters to apply …